Real Madrid will be missing Ferland Mendy and Karim Benzema for Sunday's El Clasico with Barcelona.

Mendy will be absent for the La Liga contest due to a muscular problem, while a calf issue has ruled the team's leading goalscorer Benzema out of the match.

There is a return to the squad for Luka Jovic, though, and the Serbia international is one of the options to take Benzema's spot in the starting XI against the Catalan giants.

📋✅ Our squad for #ElClásico! pic.twitter.com/MHgLJ8mIg5

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 19, 2022

Mendy's absence is expected to see Nacho feature at left-back, with David Alaba operating in the middle of the defence alongside Eder Militao, and Dani Carvajal featuring at right-back.

There are unlikely to be any surprises in midfield, with Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Casemiro expected to be in the XI, while Vinicius Junior is a certain starter in attack.

Isco, Gareth Bale, Jovic, Mariano Diaz and Rodrygo are among the options to start at centre-forward, but Marco Asensio will be hoping to keep his spot on the right.

Written by
Matt Law