MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 08:39:55| >> :120:21905:21905:
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La Liga | Gameweek 26
Mar 19, 2023 at 8pm UK
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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

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Written by
Matt Law
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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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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona18122450203038
2Atletico MadridAtletico17115131112038
3Real Madrid17114237162137
4Athletic Bilbao1896327161133
5Mallorca188371821-327
6Villarreal167542827126
7Real Sociedad177461611525
8Osasuna176742225-325
9Real BetisBetis176652021-124
10GironaGirona176472325-222
11Sevilla176471823-522
12Celta Vigo176382528-321
13Rayo Vallecano165561819-120
14Las PalmasLas Palmas175482227-519
15Leganes174671523-818
16Getafe173771114-316
17AlavesAlaves174491928-916
18Espanyol1642101528-1314
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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