As they are next to each other at the top of the Spanish league, Real Madrid and Barcelona will meet tomorrow (Sunday) for the first Clasico of the season knowing that the winner - if there is one - will open a gap of three points from the loser.
Real comes as the champion of Spain, but in the last meeting between the two at the Santiago Bernabéu, they suffered a resounding 4:0 in front of the home crowd, and the Catalans will have an opportunity tomorrow to beat the Blancos while keeping a clean sheet for the second time in a row - something that hasn't happened since November 2010.
In Carlo Ancelotti's team, the notable disadvantage will be that of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who will continue to be absent after not participating in the final training session due to injury.
This means that Andrei Lunin will continue to stand between the posts.
Antonio Rudiger, who was hit in the face while scoring the dramatic 1:1 equalizer against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, trained with a special mask and is expected to start on the bench.
Orlian Tshoumani is supposed to start in midfield, to which Luka Modric, who has been absent from the lineup in three of the last four games, will return.
The Blancos coach said: "It's true that so far we've been better than Barca in the second halves, but I don't know if that will decide the game tomorrow. Barca only lost two points in the league and their dynamics are good. In the Champions League they had problems and that can happen, but in the league they are tremendous. There They have the tools to have a great season. I didn't show the players the last El Clasico, it's a new game and they know the opponent very well. It's not about life or death, we want to leave a good impression and win."
With the opponent, it appears that Xavi will drop Gerard Pique from the 11 after his poor performance against Inter, while Jules Conde, who has returned to training, should be fit to start, although it is not clear where he will be placed: as a right back or as a stopper.
Doubt also exists regarding Marco Alonso, who may be deployed in the center of the defense, in his natural position on the left wing or even out of the lineup, since Alex Balda is also in the picture.
Jules Conde.
In the picture of the group, photo: I.P
"Winning the Clasico will give us a lot of confidence," Xavi said at the press conference.
"What happened in Europe is frustrating. We are angry that we did not beat Inter, but full of faith in the team. I understand the doubts of the people, but I know where I have come and we do not intend to stop. I arrived a year ago to change the situation and it is still too early to draw conclusions.
"We failed in Europe, but not in the league. Laporta gave us full confidence, there is still a long season and he is very optimistic. We are on the right path. I like playing against Real Madrid, I loved these games as a player, our motivation is at its peak," he added.
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