Barcelona have named top scorer Robert Lewandowski on the bench for their massive El Clasico showdown with Real Madrid today.
Head coach Hansi Flick knows the importance of another positive result for Barca against their biggest rivals this afternoon. Avoid defeat at home and they will have one hand on the LaLiga trophy with three games remaining.
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Ahead of the latest Clasico, Flick has been boosted by the return of Alejandro Balde to training. The left-back has not featured since sustaining a hamstring injury in the win over Leganes last month, but makes the bench against Real Madrid.
Gerard Martin has performed well in Balde’s absence and keeps his place in the team for now.
On the opposite flank, Eric Garcia deputises again for the injured Jules Kounde - scorer of a dramatic winning goal in the Copa del Rey final against Madrid only a fortnight ago - while Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez continue in central defence.
Flick had already confirmed that Wojciech Szczesny would get the nod over Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal.
In attack, Lewandowski was pushing for a start after making his comeback as a substitute as Barcelona were beaten by Inter Milan in their Champions League semi-final second leg on Tuesday.
But Ferran Torres leads the line again today, with Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha completing an attack that should relish the opportunity of going up against a makeshift Real Madrid defence.
Barcelona XI: Szczesny, Eric Garcia, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Gerard Martin, Pedri, De Jong, Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha, Ferran
Subs: Ter Stegen, Balde, Araujo, Gavi, Lewandowski, Ansu Fati, Inaki Pena, Christensen, Fermin, Casado, Victor, Hugo Fort
Injured: Kounde, Bernal, Torre
Time and date: 3.15pm BST on Sunday May 11, 2025
How to watch: Premier Sports
Venue: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys
