FC Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, has revealed a 23-man squad for the upcoming El Clásico against Real Madrid, excluding Lamine Yamal due to a hamstring injury. Barcelona is poised to secure the La Liga title with a draw or win in this crucial match at Camp Nou, holding an 11-point lead over Madrid.
Yamal’s absence is a blow to Barcelona, considering his significant role as a key attacking player known for his speed and creativity. Despite this setback, Barcelona welcomes back defender Jules Kounde, who returns after a suspension and is expected to feature prominently in the starting lineup.
In the attacking lineup, Flick has included established names like Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, and Marcus Rashford. The midfield is likely to be anchored by Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Gavi, while promising youngsters Pau Cubarsi, Marc Casado, and Fermin Lopez continue to impress and earn their spots in the squad.
Although defender Andreas Christensen has resumed training after a knee injury, he is yet to be medically cleared and remains unavailable for selection. On the other side, Real Madrid faces uncertainties ahead of the clash, with reports of dressing-room tensions involving Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, and star striker Kylian Mbappe still recovering from an injury.
