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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
35.4%
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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
1Barcelona17122350193138
2Real Madrid16113234132136
3Atletico MadridAtletico16105130111935
4Athletic Bilbao1795326151132
5Villarreal157532725226
6Real Sociedad167361611524
7Osasuna166642225-324
8Mallorca177371620-424
9GironaGirona166462223-122
10Celta Vigo166372527-221
11Real BetisBetis165651820-221
12Rayo Vallecano155461516-119
13Sevilla165471723-619
14Las PalmasLas Palmas165382227-518
15Getafe163761113-216
16AlavesAlaves164391827-915
17Leganes163671423-915
18Espanyol1541101528-1313
19Real ValladolidValladolid1733111234-2212
20Valencia152491323-1010


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