Ernesto Valverde has just three players sidelined as Barcelona get set to take on Real Madrid in the season’s first El Clasico at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
Barcelona will aim to further widen their gap over Real Madrid, when they visit Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday for the eagerly awaited El Clasico. Ahead of the game, Ernesto Valverde has a lot of cause for optimism, with his injury woes easing up considerably.
The Barcelona boss has just two players on the treatment table, with Samuel Umtiti (hamstring) and Paco Alcacer (leg) struggling with their respective injuries, that have sidelined him till the New Year.
In the absence of Umtiti, a resurgent Thomas Vermaelen should start at the heart of defence alongside Gerard Pique, with Javier Mascherano also an option. Alcacer’s absence, on the other hand, could see Aleix Vidal make a case for his inclusion, although the midfield quartet of Paulinho, Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta should start.
? ⚽ 18 man squad to travel to Madrid for #ElClasico! ?? #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/4zsO5LBGcZ
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) December 22, 2017
Also on the sidelines, is summer signing Ousmane Dembele. While the Frenchman has returned to training after recovering from a hamstring injury, the game has come too soon for him. Dembele is now targeting a return after the turn of the year, when La Liga will resume following the winter break.
Three other players have failed to make the travelling squad, with Rafinha (knee), Arda Turan (foot) and Gerard Deulofeu (knee) all recovering from their respective injuries, but overlooked by Valverde for the crunch tie.
Meanwhile, Valverde did not speak much about the injuries in his squad during his pre-match press conference. The Barcelona boss instead commented on the keys to his side’s possible success, iterating that his players will need to be up for the task all through the 90 minutes while also touching upon the strengths of the opponents.
“We have to be alert to any situation because the smallest detail in these types of games can swing it in your favour. Therefore, we must be very attentive to all aspects. We are excited about this match, we come into it at a good time and we are ready to face it.”
“They [Real Madrid] are a very powerful team in their own stadium, have very quick players, and when it seems that you’re playing well and dominating, they can hit you with very fast counterattacks.”
