MX23RW : Wednesday, November 27 22:18:02| >> :60:459:459:
[monks data]
Barcelona logo
La Liga | Gameweek 26
Mar 19, 2023 at 8pm UK
Spotify Camp Nou
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

Click here for more stories about Ousmane Dembele

Click here for more stories about Real Madrid

Game History

How you voted: Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Barcelona
45.9%
Draw
18.7%
Real Madrid
35.4%
294
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema in action against Real Valladolid on December 30, 2022
Read Next:
Combined XI: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!