Ivan Rakitic has completed adequate to warrant a beginning berth, however you surprise to what extent Xavi will Engage in a part. This is likely to get his very last El Clasico, consequently you are able to realize why there could be a little bit sentiment connected to crew variety.
On the other hand, they have got an awesome possibility to bounce back using a earn. They have got experienced two defeats and have performed out a draw within their last five outings in all competitions.
Thursday's 1st leg will mark the 252nd competitive Clasico involving Real Madrid and Barcelona, the latter of whom gained 3-one in January's Supercopa de Espana remaining, but Los Blancos prevailed by the same scoreline with the Bernabeu back again in October, and the percentages are stacked intensely in their favour to glean a first-leg edge here.
Xavi also has a fully fit squad to pick from and brings in Andreas Christensen as being the solitary adjust on the facet that lost to PSG. Pedri drops towards the bench.
Luis Suarez and Pepe in exactly the same game is usually a recipe for fireworks, but with the two at the top of their match, the fight amongst the two will likely be an interesting contest.
Thibaut Courtois and David Alaba continue being wounded as they don't seem to be expected to be again for at least this tie.
That operate of final results features a victory in October's Clasico when Jude Bellingham netted a brace – together with a 92nd-moment winner – to guideline his staff to your slender two-1 victory, symbolizing a second straight acquire in aggressive head-to-head matches in opposition to Barcelona.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are still on for a treble this year, scheduling their spot while in the quarter-finals in the Champions League on Wednesday night courtesy of the one-0 earn in excess of Liverpool at Bernabeu.
Barcelona's shock defeat to Almeria suggests that there's nonetheless a glimmer of hope for Real Madrid, whose 5-recreation winning operate in all tournaments was introduced to an finish on Saturday night, and a primary Copa del Rey semi-closing since the 2018-19 campaign now lies in hold out.
With Barcelona at this time sitting down in third put and 7 points powering Real Madrid in La Liga, They could have some further commitment to claim the silverware on Sunday, Primarily as they gave up a bring about drop for their rivals in Oct's league Conference.
Barca headed into the final Clasico of head mentor Xavi’s reign at the Santiago Bernabeu understanding only a win would realistically continue to keep their title hopes alive, offered Madrid held an 8-position lead at the best of LaLiga with seven video games remaining.
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The Catalan giants are heading into this come across about the back of a defeat. Xavi’s men website dropped 1-0 towards Almeria, a final result no person observed coming. They've shed their previous two fixtures and will hope to return to successful techniques every time they square up from Real Madrid.
Real Madrid's away kind this season has become solid, selecting up 28 details from 13 matches, whilst they have dominated the current league conferences concerning The 2 sides, successful 5 in their previous six in Spain's top flight.