A timely victory in El Clásico is exactly what Xavi Hernandez needs after a hugely difficult week which saw Barcelona exit the Europa League and fall to defeat at La Liga strugglers Almeria.
The Catalans produced their worst performance of the campaign thus far on Sunday, but their lead at the top of La Liga is still a healthy one after Atletico Madrid held Real in the derby.
However, the pressure is beginning to creep up on Xavi, who will be without several key faces for Thursday’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at the Bernabeu. Here’s the latest Barcelona team news for the upcoming cup Clásico.
Barcelona will have no players absent due to suspension for Thursday’s game.
It was a miserable outing in Almeria on Sunday for La Blaugrana. Not only were they dire in a 1-0 defeat, but Robert Lewandowski also picked up a hamstring injury which is set to rule him out of the Clásico.
The Pole hasn’t been prolific as of late, but his absence will undoubtedly be hard felt. Xavi will likely deploy Ferran Torres in a central position with Raphinha and Gavi occupying the flanks.
Ansu Fati is a doubt with a bruised knee, but Xavi is hopeful of having the Spaniard available with Ousmane Dembele still missing. Pedri is still a couple of weeks away from his return.
