Xavi opts against Dani Alves in El Clasico showdown

Barcelona head coach Xavi has opted not to start veteran star Dani Alves in tonight’s El Clasico trip to Real Madrid.

Xavi was presented with a last minute selection call ahead of the clash at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu with Unites States international Sergino Dest out injured.

The former Spanish international will ask Ronald Araujo to cover at right back with Ousmane Dembele replacing Adama Traore in the only other starting change for the visitors.

Los Blancos are without key pair Ferland Mendy and Karim Benzema in the Spanish capital with Carlo Ancelotti making four changes to his starting XI.

Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao return to the defence, in place of Mendy and Lucas Vazquez, with Luka Modric restored to the midfield.

Modric’s return pushes Fede Valverde into an advanced role to compensate for Benzema’s absence.

Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Nacho; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Valverde, Rodrygo, Vini Jr

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Araujo, Pique, Garcia, Alba; Busquets, Pedri, F De Jong; Dembele, Torres, Aubameyang

Tags Adama Traore Carlo Ancelotti Dani Alves Dani Carvajal Eder Militao Fede Valverde Ferland Mendy Karim Benzema Lucas Vazquez Luka Modric Ousmane Dembele Ronald Araujo Sergino Dest Xavi
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