Barcelona boss Xavi has named his squad for Sunday's El Clasico with Real Madrid at Bernabeu.
As expected, Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto, Alejandro Balde and Samuel Umtiti all remain unavailable for selection through injury, while Sergino Dest misses out due to the hamstring problem that he picked up during the Europa League clash with Galatasaray on Thursday night.
Nico Gonzalez is back in the squad following a domestic suspension, but the midfielder is expected to start on the bench for the Catalan giants.
The squad for #ElClásico! pic.twitter.com/K93U2yysxO
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 19, 2022
Dest's absence will open the door for Dani Alves, who was ineligible against Galatasaray in the Europa League, to start at right-back, but Xavi suggested during his pre-match press conference that Ronald Araujo was also an option in that area of the field.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia and Jordi Alba are all expected to start, in addition to Pedri, Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ferran Torres.
There is a question mark over the third attacking spot, though, with Ousmane Dembele battling Adama Traore for the position.
Matt Law
