Xavi waited right up until as late as is possible in advance of confirming his starting off lineup using a host of gamers even now working their way again to entire Health and fitness following accidents.
Carlo Ancelotti goes with an extremely very similar starting off line-up on the one which dropped to AC Milan in Chicago, Using the a single improve currently being Eder Militao returning in for Jesus Vallejo. Militao wouldn’t have begun this early upon returning if not for Vallejo finding up One more insignificant injuries.
Barcelona are as balanced as they have been all season, with Xavi only with no long-time period absentees Gavi and Alejandro Balde. The 2 young Spaniards will return to motion later this yr.
45 minutes to kickoff: Opposite to the Formal lineup released via the club, Mundo Deportivo claims that Barcelona's Gavi and Inigo Martinez will not be out there around the bench as a result of Actual physical issues.
The England international didn’t paint himself so prominently more than the celebration. This winner was his very first purpose because February 10, obtaining grappled with injury and suspension considering that.
Rayo fans have already relished a memorable start to the week, the club possessing announced the signing of Colombia star James Rodriguez the day ahead of the activity. Defeating Barca would only greatly enhance the celebratory environment.
Xavi has A number of factors to consider right before he heads into this fixture. The Spanish supervisor will probably be with no solutions of marksman Robert Lewandowski who picked up an damage in their prior come across.
Barcelona progressed to the semi-finals on the Copa del Rey around the back of the 1-0 get above Real Sociedad. The site visitors are here over a aspiration operate during the league. But, they may have endured in European competitions. And of late, that has had an influence on their La Liga performance as well.
Halftime: It had been an eventful, rigorous half of football, with three gamers currently subbed out because of damage, and 4 yellow playing cards handed out.
RB: Dani Carvajal - The Spaniard experienced a really blended video game against Atleti. He scored the target that took it to excess-time but his passing was sloppy from time to time and he missed a sitter in the second half. However, Ancelotti has handful of other available choices at proper-back with Lucas Vazquez out wounded.
" Mbappe: “Folks talk about me and Vinicius but we’re nevertheless getting to know each other on the sector” The French star talked on the press immediately after scoring his initially two goals of your period.
Real had been having all ahead of them pre-Xmas but since then have gone from the boil rather, as their recent form below demonstrates.
era inside the cash, with Kylian Mbappe predicted to land following year. These kinds of lavish transfers are not about the agenda in Catalonia, but extra shrewd acquisitions which include Ilkay Gundogan and Andreas Christensen that will help the intense youthful points together need to be achievable. Xavi has revealed just how for his successor.
Real Madrid's absent form this time has long been sturdy, finding up 28 points from thirteen matches, when they've dominated the new league meetings between the two sides, successful 5 in their last six in Spain's best flight.