The upcoming match marks the final El Clasico confrontation of the season, carrying significant weight for the La Liga title race. With only four games left, merely four points separate rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid, making this fixture potentially decisive.
Barcelona enters this encounter with a favorable record against Real Madrid this campaign, having secured three victories and holding a significant 12-4 advantage in goals scored across their previous meetings. However, their recent dramatic exit from the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, losing 7-6 on aggregate to Inter on Tuesday, raises questions about their immediate recovery and mental state heading into such a pivotal match.
Adding complexity, neither side will field their strongest possible lineup. Real Madrid will be without defender Antonio Rudiger, who is serving a six-match ban following an incident in the Copa del Rey final. Barcelona faces injury concerns, with key players like Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde not being fully fit for the game as they return from short-term issues.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick addressed the fitness situation in his pre-match comments. He suggested that starting Lewandowski and Balde might not be ideal at this moment, stating that players like Ferran Torres and Gerard Martin have been performing well and could potentially start. Flick indicated that Lewandowski and Balde are more likely to be introduced in the second half, also considering the remaining league games after the Madrid match.
These circumstances create tactical dilemmas for both coaches as they strategize for this high-stakes encounter that could heavily influence the destination of the La Liga title.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Based on current form, fitness, and manager comments, here are the anticipated starting XIs for the final Clasico clash:
Barcelona:
Wojciech Szczesny, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Gerard Martin, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha, Ferran Torres
Real Madrid:
Thibaut Courtois, Lucas Vazquez, Aurelien Tchouameni, Raul Asencio, Fran Garcia, Dani Ceballos, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe
