FC Barcelona Already Have Their Starting Lineup For El Clasico La Liga Decider With Real Madrid

FC Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez has already decided on his starting XI for Sunday’s episode of El Clasico against Real Madrid at Camp Nou, the Catalan media claims.

Currently nine points clear at the top of La Liga, the Blaugrana can effectively wrap up their first Spanish top flight crown in four years by beating their bitter rivals in front of their home fans and hundreds of millions of television viewers worldwide.

Three days until the fixture that will kick off at 21.00 local time, Xavi is said to already know his starting lineup according to SPORT.

Unsurprisingly, it is heavily determined by the return of playmaker Pedri who has been out injured with a thigh knock since hobbling off before halftime in a 2-2 Europa League playoff draw against Manchester United a month ago.

The number ‘8’ has returned to training this week and is expected to start, however, and with that Xavi can go back to his preferred four-man midfield system.

As seen in January’s 3-1 Spanish Super Cup final win over Los Blancos in Riyadh, this entails Gavi being deployed as a false left winger with double pivot support from Frenkie de Jong and captain Sergio Busquets while Pedri attempts to feed the front line.

Up front, an in-form Raphinha on the right wing partners striker Robert Lewandowski, who could do with a goal considering his poor return since the World Cup and his own injury struggles.

Heading back to the start of the pitch, Marc-Andre ter Stegen will be protected by a back line of Alejandro Balde, Andreas Christensen, Jules Kounde, and Ronald Araujo.

World Cup finalist Kounde will be pleased to occupy a central defensive role, as Araujo is the right back charged with containing Vinicius Jr which he has managed with great success in recent Clasicos.

All in all, this line up seems about right with the only change possibly being Kessie for Pedri if Pedri’s progress is somehow derailed in the coming days.

Jordi Alba could also get the nod above Balde, but Xavi will probably prefer the La Masia graduate’s pace over that of veteran Alba while Gavi provides defensive cover whenever the 19-year-old charges down the left wing.

Probable FC Barcelona First XI: Ter Stegen; Balde, Christensen, Kounde, Araujo; Busquets, De Jong, Pedri; Gavi, Lewandowski, Raphinha