EL CLÁSICO
Real Madrid: injury update ahead of El Clásico in LaLiga
Saturday’s clash in Barcelona can’t come soon enough for some fans, but there are a few players that would have appreciated a little more time.
It’s almost time. Saturday 27 October sees the first meeting of Spain’s big two, in a rivalry that is arguably the greatest club football has to offer. Carlo Ancelotti takes his travelling squad on a familiar 650-kilometre trip east to face eternal foes currently in the tactical hands of former player and perennial winner, Xavi Hernández. Barcelona vs Real Madrid part one awaits us, but there are many questions about who will be available to feature and who will miss out. Let’s take a look at how things stand...
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Will Bellingham play for Real Madrid?
One thing appears clear as we get closer to kick off at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys - current home to the Catalans while the Camp Nou is given a sizeable upgrade - and that is that Madrid come into this fixture with a better health report.
Barcelona have a number of players already ruled out, as well as a number of doubts, whereas Los Blancos only have a few concerns. One of the biggest worries for Madridistas was the potential absence of their new Galático, Jude Bellingham, who was substituted midweek after taking a knock in the Champions League game in Braga. Thankfully, those fears have been put to bed, with Ancelotti making it clear in his Friday press conference that the Englishman would be in the starting line-up.
“He will play tomorrow because he is fine and has recovered,” the Italian said confidently before addressing any thoughts of nerves for the 20 years old’s first clash against Barça. “I don’t have to explain to him what a Clásico is, everyone knows.”
Who is missing for Real Madrid’s Clásico?
So, with Bellingham confirmed as starting - barring an unfortunate incident between now and the whistle blowing - thoughts turn to other important players for Ancelotti.
First things first, neither team has anyone suspended, although Rüdiger went pretty close to it after the flare-up in Sevilla. Injury wise, Ceballos and Güler are the ones who will remain sidelined, neither dominant cogs in the current white wheel.
Unlike some of the bigger injury problems in Barcelona, although signs are looking better than a few days ago, Madrid come into this game with no excuses. Oh, and in totally unrelated news, Jesús Gil Manzano is our referee for the game.