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Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 26
Mar 19, 2023 at 8pm UK
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Real Madrid logo

Barcelona
2 - 1
Real Madrid

Roberto (45'), Kessie (90+2')
Raphinha (33'), Roberto (65'), Balde (90'), Fati (90+6')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Araujo (9' og.)
Nacho (18'), Modric (69'), Ceballos (90+6')

Barcelona missing two players for Real Madrid contest

Barcelona missing two players for Real Madrid contest
© Reuters
Pedri is left out of the Barcelona squad for Sunday's La Liga clash with Real Madrid after suffering a fitness setback.

Pedri has been left out of the Barcelona squad for Sunday's La Liga clash with Real Madrid.

The Spain international has missed the team's last six matches with the hamstring problem that he picked up against Manchester United in the Europa League last month.

Pedri has recently returned to first-team training, and he had been expected to return in El Clasico.

The 20-year-old suffered a fitness setback during Friday's training session, though, and the key midfielder has therefore been left out of the squad for the league fixture.

Pedri is joined on the sidelines by Ousmane Dembele, with the France international not yet ready to return from a hamstring problem of his own.

Barcelona attacker Ousmane Dembele on January 8, 2023© Reuters

As a result, there is just one returning player from the squad that took part against Athletic Bilbao last weekend, with Ronald Araujo back in the selection following a suspension.

Speaking during his press conference on Saturday afternoon, Barcelona boss Xavi revealed that he was not prepared to risk Pedri unless he was 100%.

"These are matches where you need to be at 100%. If the feelings are not good, there is no need to impose anything. It is not a final match and there will still be 12 matches left, it is not decisive. We don't want to lose Pedri for another two months," said the manager.

"We can rise to the best level even in the absence of Pedri and Dembele. We did that before with the absence of [Robert] Lewandowski and Pedri."

Barcelona coach Xavi on February 19, 2023© Reuters

Barcelona are currently nine points clear of second-placed Real Madrid at the top of the table, so a victory on Sunday would put them in a commanding position heading into the final straight.

"We will try to have control with the ball. We want to be better than the Copa del Rey match. Real Madrid have been doing very well lately," said Xavi when asked about El Clasico.

"I think it's 50-50. We have our fans and they will support us, but I think tomorrow's game is 50% for both teams. If we win tomorrow, it'll be a very important victory. It certainly will not decide the league, though."

Barcelona's recent elimination from the Europa League means that they have not been in action since recording a 1-0 victory over Athletic in the league last Sunday, with Raphinha netting the only goal of the contest.

Barcelona squad vs. Real Madrid:

Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas; Araujo, Christensen, Alonso, Alba, Kounde, E Garcia, Balde; Busquets, Gavi, Kessie, Roberto, De Jong, Torre; Alarcon, Raphinha, F Torres, Fati, Lewandowski

ID:509407:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4144:No Data Analysis info

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How you voted: Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Barcelona
45.9%
Draw
18.7%
Real Madrid
35.4%
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Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema in action against Real Valladolid on December 30, 2022
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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