Barcelona’s possible XI vs Real Madrid in El Clásico

The training session prior to El Clásico was marked by the absence of Pedri. The Canary Islander carried out recovery work on his own on Saturday, and is not expected to return until after the international break.

Barcelona - Real Madrid: El Clásico live online

The midfielder will not be the only absentee this Sunday. Ousmane Dembélé, who has seen his rehabilitation process slow down over the last few days, is also missing for the Camp Nou clash.

In important news for Barcelona, Ronald Araújo, who was unable to take part against Athletic Club last time out due to suspension, is back and should start.

In Saturday’s session, the sporting vice-president, Rafa Yuste, wanted to encourage the players ahead of Sunday’s clash, greeting all the members of the squad who took to the training pitch and wishing them the best of luck.

No Pedri for Clásico

There is no doubt that the absence of Pedri will be a huge loss in the engine room. Xavi will go with four midfielders, with Sergio Busquets as defensive pivot, accompanied by Frenkie de Jong and Franck Kessié, and with Gavi as a false left winger.

In defence, Araújo will start at right-back to stop Vinícius, while Jules Koundé and Andreas Christensen will occupy the central defensive roles, and Alejandro Balde play at left-back.

In attack, Robert Lewandowski will be the main focal point, with Gavi and Raphinha, who has been in spectacular form with nine goals and nine assists, on the wings.

And finally, the in-form Marc André Ter Stegen will be in goal, as the German netminder bids to make it 20 LaLiga games without conceding a goal.

Possible Barcelona XI for El Clásico vs Real Madrid

Ter Stegen; Araújo, Koundé, Christensen, Balde; Busquets, De Jong, Kessié; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Gavi.