In around seven hours, FC Barcelona will square off against arch-rivals Real Madrid in a top-of-the-table La Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
A lot is at stake in the first El Clasico of the season as Barcelona can stretch their lead at the top of the league standings to six points with a win, while delivering a huge statement of intent.
Even though Real Madrid have been far from their best this season, the champions have been able to pull off wins with a combination of some individual brilliance and their never-give-up mentality, both of which were on display against Borussia Dortmund this week.
Hansi Flick & co., however, go into the Clasico as slight favourites given their rampant form and the fact that all their top players are firing on all cylinders.
Barça still are without the likes of Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, and Ferran Torres, while Eric Garcia also misses out.
Despite that, Flick has a very strong squad at his disposal heading into the blockbuster clash at the Bernabeu, and here’s how the German tactician could set his Barcelona team up.
Starters
With no Ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny pretty much ruling himself out of the starting lineup, it will be Inaki Pena who will continue in goal for Barcelona, having not given any reason for Flick to make a change thus far.
The backline of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, and Alejandro Balde has served Barça very well so far this season and there is no need for the manager to make any alternations there.
However, given their tendency to play a high defensive line, the league leaders must be wary of the threat posed by Real Madrid on the break, especially with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. having plenty of pace to burn.
Marc Casado will make his El Clasico debut tonight. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)
The midfield double pivot of Pedri and Marc Casado picks itself at this point…
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/fermin-or-olmo-as-the-no-10-predicted-barcelona-starting-lineup-against-real-madrid/
Author : Michel Durant
Publish date : 2024-10-26 11:57:39
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