In around seven hours, FC Barcelona will square off against arch-rivals Real Madrid in a top-of-the-table La Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
A lot is at stake in the first El Clasico of the season as Barcelona can stretch their lead at the top of the league standings to six points with a win, while delivering a huge statement of intent.
Even though Real Madrid have been far from their best this season, the champions have been able to pull off wins with a combination of some individual brilliance and their never-give-up mentality, both of which were on display against Borussia Dortmund this week.
Hansi Flick & co., however, go into the Clasico as slight favourites given their rampant form and the fact that all their top players are firing on all cylinders.
Barça still are without the likes of Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, and Ferran Torres, while Eric Garcia also misses out.
Despite that, Flick has a very strong squad at his disposal heading into the blockbuster clash at the Bernabeu, and here’s how the German tactician could set his Barcelona team up.
Starters
With no Ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny pretty much ruling himself out of the starting lineup, it will be Inaki Pena who will continue in goal for Barcelona, having not given any reason for Flick to make a change thus far.
The backline of Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, and Alejandro Balde has served Barça very well so far this season and there is no need for the manager to make any alternations there.
However, given their tendency to play a high defensive line, the league leaders must be wary of the threat posed by Real Madrid on the break, especially with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. having plenty of pace to burn.
The midfield double pivot of Pedri and Marc Casado picks itself at this point considering how well the young pair have been performing for Barcelona of late. While Frenkie de Jong is waiting in the wings, Flick should not change what is working very well for his team.
The major dilemma, then, comes with the No. 10 position, where the manager has to choose between Fermin Lopez, who started and shone brightly against Bayern Munich, and Dani Olmo, who made his comeback from injury.
While Olmo is a true difference-maker, considering that Fermin has more minutes under his belt and is in a better rhythm, it would be prudent of the Barcelona head coach to trust the 21-year-old once again and use the summer signing as a substitute.
The attacking trident of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha has been sensational this season – even outdoing the much-hyped Real Madrid trio of Jude Bellingham, Mbappe, and Vinicius. No changes are expected there.
Substitutes
Dani Olmo, if he is not part of the starting lineup, will definitely enter the pitch at some point during the contest to make his El Clasico debut.
Fellow injury returnee Gavi will also get some minutes as he continues to build his rhythm after nearly a year out of action, while Frenkie de Jong should also come on in the second period.
The likes of Pablo Torre and Ansu Fati could also see some action if Barcelona are in need of some attacking impetus.
