Changes expected for Clasico

Both Real Madrid and Barcelona are expected to make changes to their starting XI ahead of tomorrow’s Clasico.

The duo met on Tuesday evening in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg at the Camp Nou and will again cross swords on Saturday afternoon at the Santiago Bernabeu, in Week 26’s fixture.

Madrid, who have Manchester United to play the following Tuesday in the second leg of their Champions League Last 16 tie, will reportedly start Cristiano Ronaldo from the substitutes’ bench, as was the case last weekend in the League trip to Deportivo.

Alvaro Morata or Fabio Coentrao are thought likely to deputise for the No 7, whilst Ricardo Carvalho and Pepe are set to be the centre-back pairing in place of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane.

Training yesterday saw Raul Albiol and Jose Callejon both in the gym. Iker Casillas returned to ball work for the first time, as scheduled in his recovery from hand surgery.

Meanwhile, Lionel Messi is seen as still likely to start tomorrow, despite missing training on Wednesday and Thursday through illness.

Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas, with respective knocks, are reportedly unlikely to be involved at the Bernabeu, with Thiago Alcantara and Andres Iniesta set to make the midfield three with Sergio Busquets.

Meanwhile, attack could see David Villa and one of Alexis Sanchez and Cristian Tello start.

Tags Clasico Fabregas Messi Pepe Ronaldo Xavi
La Liga - Club News