Barcelona have made tremendous progress in the last few weeks. Xavi’s side are currently on a dream run, having won six of their last seven games in La Liga. But, they have failed to win against Real Madrid in their previous six meetings with Los Blancos.
For Barca, this season has been all about qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League. As it stands, they are more inside the qualification zone than outside. Xavi however, will look to close down the gap to Real Madrid to chase an unlikely La Liga title win. The 42-year-old has given the team its lost identity and now it is all about whether his men can keep their nerves.
The Blaugrana will obviously face a hostile atmosphere but that is a part of the job. For Real Madrid, their midfield will be the key to providing the likes of Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo with those long balls, when breaking from their own half. It will be interesting to see how Xavi decides to tackle the famed trio of Kroos, Modric, and Casemiro.
The game outline looks set. Barcelona will press high up the pitch and their rivals will look to take advantage of their opponent’s high backline.
Barcelona Team News
Sergino Dest sustained a left hamstring injury in his side’s 2-1 victory against Galatasaray in Istanbul. He has been ruled out of this fixture. Ansu Fait, Sergi Roberto, Alejandro Balde, Moussa Wague, and Samuel Umtiti are all ruled out as well. Xavi could decide to start Ferran Torres from the bench with Gavi likely to occupy his place. Ousmane Dembele is in line for a start as well.
Predicted Barcelona Lineup vs Real Madrid (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
It will not take a genius to guess that Marc Andre Ter Stegen will start between the sticks for this game. Ter Stegen is vital to Xavi’s project and the 42-year-old has shown that there are no two ways about it. Barring any last-minute injuries, the German shot-stopper will start.
Defense
Ronald Araujo will make his way back into the XI. Xavi has protected Araujo specifically for this clash. And, that simply shows how important Araujo is, to the team. Gerard Pique will continue his fruitful partnership with Ronald Araujo at the heart of the backline. Dani Alves will occupy the right defensive flank and it will be interesting to see how he tackles Vinicius’ pace. Jordi Alba will retain his place as the left-back. The veteran has been enjoying a good season this time around and will have a crucial role to play on Sunday.
Midfield
Sergio Busquets will be the preferred holding midfielder for this clash. The 35-year-old is crucial for Barca when it comes to controlling the pace and tempo of the game. There is no doubt that Xavi trusts Busquets a lot. Busquets will be accompanied by Frenkie De Jong and Pedri. Frenkie and Pedri have been in an impressive run of form, off-late. The latter especially scored a scintillating goal against Galatasaray. He is starting to unlock his eye goal under Xavi. The same can also be said for Frenkie, who has been making those late runs into the box.
Attack
Ousmane Dembele will start as the right-winger. The last two weeks have seen Dembele getting back to his best. There is no doubt that Dembele is currently playing some of his best football in a Barca shirt. The French winger has not lost a game at the Bernabeu and he will be vital to his team’s chances against their eternal rivals. Dembele has assisted five times and scored once, in his last four games for Barca. Real Madrid will be aware of the threat that he could bring to their table.
Gavi is expected to start on the left-wing. It is understood that Gavi will be deployed as a ‘false winger’ to overload Madrid’s midfield. The 17-year-old will have a crucial role to play in the first half, with Ferran Torres likely to make an appearance in the second half.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will start as the striker for Barca. Aubameyang has done well when it comes to playing in close spaces. He has scored five goals from only six appearances in La Liga. Thus, it is safe to conclude that he has had a fast start to life as a Barcelona player. He is one of the players to watch out for, on Sunday. He has scored five goals against Real Madrid in the past, with three of them coming at the Bernabeu. There is no doubt that it is a venue that he enjoys scoring at. It will be interesting to see if he does enter the scoresheet this time around.