Barcelona look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season and make it 10 wins out of 10 in La Liga when they welcome Real Madrid to Camp Nou for the first El Clásico of the campaign.
Here’s how we think Hansi Flick will line up his troops for Sunday’s battle:
Defense
Flick is still dealing with a defensive injury crisis as Eric Garcia and Andreas Christensen have been ruled out through injury and Jules Kounde is unlikely to feature with an ankle issue.
The absences mean the starting back four will
be the same as we saw in Paris, with Xavi Espart at right-back despite a minor ankle issue, Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín at center-back, and João Cancelo ahead of Alejandro Balde at left-back.
Midfield
Dani Olmo is out for the next month through injury and Gavi and Frenkie de Jong are unlikely to start this one, so the regular midfield three of Rodri, Pedri and Fermín López will be chosen to face Los Blancos.
Attack
Captain Raphinha looked a little rusty on his return from injury but was able to play an hour in Paris and should be good to go from the start in this one, with Lamine Yamal and Anthony Gordon completing the front three on Sunday.
Possible XI: Joan; Espart, Cubarsí, Martín, Cancelo; Fermín, Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Raphinha, Gordon (4-3-3)
How do you think Barcelona should line up against Real Madrid? Let us know your thoughts, predictions and teams in the comments below!
