Lionel Messi will miss El Classico after fracturing his arm against Sevilla last weekend. That means this will be the first Clasico in more than a decade to feature neither he nor Cristiano Ronaldo, who left Madrid for Juventus in the summer.
🙌 EL CLÁSICO DAY! 🙌
🆚 Barcelona
🏟 Camp Nou
⏰ 16:15 CET
🏆 LaLiga
#⃣ #RMClasico | #RMLiga pic.twitter.com/1EVkwycGCi— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) October 28, 2018
Valverde has some problems in defence, too: Gerard Pique and Clement Lenglet are the only available senior centre-backs in Barcelona’s squad.
Meanwhile, for Real Madrid, Marcelo should be fit to start despite an injury scare in midweek against Viktoria Plzen while, on the other flank, Nacho is expected to deputise for Dani Carvajal. Isco looks likely to get the nod over Marco Asensio on the left side of attack.
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde
“Madrid can be even more dangerous. They will come out here to face us and although they come in crisis will want to demonstrate their strength, which they have because they have great players.
Real Madrid’s Julen Lopetegui
“We’ve got a very special game that we’re really excited about on Sunday and we’ll prepare for it in the best possible fashion.
Marcelo took a really heavy knock, but it doesn’t look like it’s a muscular issue and we hope that he can be involved”.
⌛ Less than 4 hours!
⚽ Here's all you need to know about #ElClásico
👉 https://t.co/xlcOtvlwNm 👈
🔵🔴 #ForçaBarça pic.twitter.com/KWIBu5AjzA— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 28, 2018
Which Team will you Support in Today’s El Classico?