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La Liga | Gameweek 11
Oct 28, 2023 at 3.15pm UK
Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys
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Barcelona
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Barcelona boss Xavi provides injury update ahead of El Clasico

Barcelona boss Xavi provides injury update ahead of El Clasico
© Reuters
Barcelona head coach Xavi reveals that he will not release his squad list for El Clasico until Saturday morning, with a number of players potentially returning to action.

Barcelona head coach Xavi has said that final decisions on the involvement in El Clasico of the players who have recently been on the sidelines will not be made until Saturday morning.

As it stands, Sergi Roberto is the only confirmed absentee for Saturday's La Liga clash with Real Madrid, as Jules Kounde, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha all trained with the team on Friday.

Barcelona would usually release their squad list for a Saturday fixture on the Friday before, but Xavi will hold off until the morning before the match, as he wants to assess how the players have recovered from training before making a decision on their potential inclusion.

"I was surprised too (about the returns to training), players that we were ruling out want to be there, they feel better and we'll see how they are tomorrow," Xavi told reporters during his press conference.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong on September 23, 2023© Reuters

"We'll have to wait to see the list tomorrow to see how they feel after training this afternoon. It's fantastic that they all want to be available."

Despite returning to training, it is still thought to be unlikely that Kounde will be included in the squad, while De Jong and Pedri seemingly both face uphill tasks.

However, Raphinha also trained on Thursday after recovering from a hamstring issue, and he is set to be included alongside Lewandowski, with the Poland international seemingly overcoming the ankle injury that he suffered against Porto in the Champions League earlier this month.

"He (Lewandowski) is fine, I will not give any line-up or clues, he is fine and I will decide tomorrow. If they (Lewandowski, De Jong) are 100%, there is no problem for them to play," said Xavi.

Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski on September 23, 2023© Reuters

"Everyone has a good feeling and wants to be there, but the staff and the medical staff don't want to force anyone. They want to be there out of commitment but we'll see, we'll decide tomorrow."

When asked about Pedri's ongoing injury issues, the manager added: "We will never know if it's the accumulated games in his first year, it's the first thing you think about but we don't know if it's the main reason.

"We will never know. Injuries are multifactorial. With Pedri, we are on schedule. There is no problem with Pedri or anyone else, if we have to highlight something it's that players who had five weeks to be ready are ready in three weeks. And above all the predisposition of the players. The five players who were out are back."

On-loan Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix has also recovered from the knock that forced him to be substituted during Wednesday's 2-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the group stage of the Champions League.

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Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski on September 23, 2023
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Lewandowski, De Jong, Raphinha 'could all return for El Clasico'
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2GironaGirona33225669402971
3Barcelona32217464372770
4Atletico MadridAtletico33204962392364
5Athletic Bilbao331610753332058
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis33121384139249
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal33129125455-145
10Getafe331013104145-443
11Osasuna33116163749-1239
12Sevilla33911134246-438
13AlavesAlaves33108153138-738
14Las PalmasLas Palmas33107163041-1137
15Rayo Vallecano33713132742-1534
16Mallorca33614132739-1232
17Celta Vigo33710163750-1331
18CadizCadiz33414152346-2326
19Granada3349203661-2521
RAlmeria33111213267-3514


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