Lionel Messi is only on the bench for Barcelona in tonight’s Clasico clash against Real Madrid at Camp Nou.
The Argentine attacker received treatment for a thigh problem late on in the 2-2 draw against Valencia in La Liga here on Saturday and has been replaced by Malcom in the starting XI for tonight’s Copa del Rey semi-final first leg.
Marc-Andre Ter Stegen starts in goal as Jasper Cillessen misses out with a calf injury and the rest of the Barca line-up is as pretty much expected, with Philippe Coutinho and Luis Suarez in attack alongside Malcom in the absence of Ousmane Dembele, who was left out of the squad as he recovers from an ankle problem.
Coach Ernesto Valverde has opted for Nelson Semedo at left-back, perhaps top combat the pace of Vinicius Junior.
The Brazilian makes his Clasico debut alongside Karim Benzema and Lucas Vazquez, with Gareth Bale only on the bench for this one.
Marcelo returns at left-back to replace Sergio Reguilon, with Toni Kroos restored in midfield after a rest at the weekend against Alaves and Marcos Llorente picked ahead of Casemiro in the defensive midfield role.
As usual in the cup, Keylor Navas starts in goal.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid line ups
Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Semedo, Pique, Lenglet, Alba, Rakitic, Arthur, Busquets, Malcom, Coutinho, Suarez
Substitutes: Messi, Boateng, Vidal, Jeison Murillo, S.Roberto, Carles Alena, Inaki Pena
Real Madrid XI: Navas, Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, Llorente, Lucas, Vinicius Jr., Benzema
Substitutes: Courtois, Nacho, Bale, Casemiro, Asensio, Isco, Ceballos
