Barcelona’s official starting lineup for Clásico against Real Madrid
Defender Jules Koundé makes his injury comeback for Barcelona in Sunday’s Clásico clash with Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.
Jules Koundé returns for Barcelona against Real Madrid on Sunday, as Xavi Hernández’s men seek to assuage their Champions League disappointment in the first Clásico of the season. Koundé, who has missed Barça’s last four games with a hamstring injury sustained on international duty in September, is “100%” fit to face Madrid, head coach Xavi told a pre-match press conference on Saturday and has been selected for duty.
Barça’s 3-3 draw with Inter Milan on Wednesday has left the Catalans facing a second successive group-stage exit in the Champions League, but they travel to Madrid this weekend as leaders in LaLiga.
Follow the match between Real Madrid - Barcelona here
Barcelona confirmed team for Clásico
Xavi goes with: Ter Stegen, Roberto, Koundé, García, Balde, Pedri, Busquets, De Jong, Dembélé, Lewandowski and Raphinha.
On the bench: Piqué, Ansu Fati, Ferran, Marcos Alonso, Jordi Alba, Kessie, Iñaki Peña, Gavi, Pablo Torre, Arnau Tenas
Defensive jigsaw puzzle
Marc-André ter Stegen was always going to start in goal for Barça barring a late injury, but there was less certainty about how the defence would line up in front of the German. In the end Xavi decided not to go for Marcos Alonso who had been expected to play.
Barça are without injured central defenders Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araújo, while right-back Héctor Bellerín is also in the Camp Nou sick bay.
Midfield and attack
In midfield, Sergio Busquets and Pedri start as expected. Gavi has been in Barça’s line-up for the last four games, but after impressing as a substitute against Inter, Frenkie de Jong replaces the young Spaniard.
Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembélé were indeed nailed-on picks up front, with either Raphinha completing the attacking trio and Ansu Fati on the bench
See also:
Real Madrid vs Barcelona: when and where, how to watch
Sunday’s LaLiga matchday-nine clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona kicks off at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, at 4:15pm CEST (10:15am ET/7:15am PT). In the US, you’ll be able to watch the Clásico on the streaming service ESPN+. You can also follow the game with AS USA’s minute-by-minute live-text commentary.
Video: LaLiga presents... El Clásico
