Madrid, Oct 25 – Barcelona will travel to the Santiago Bernabú to face La Liga leaders Real Madrid on Sunday. Assistant coach Marcus Sorg said the Catalan side will be without Brazilian winger Raphinha, who has not yet recovered from a leg muscle injury. Barcelona’s injury list is growing fast, adding to a roster that already sees 10 players sidelined since August.
Raphinha’s status is the biggest worry for Barça tonight. The 28‑year‑old has not returned to training, and his absence leaves the squad thin before one of the biggest fixtures of the season. Still, Hansi Flick’s team is hopeful that key players Ferran Torres, Jules Kounde, Andreas Christensen and Frenkie de Jong can start, since all four trained on Saturday.
“It’s tough to miss Raphinha, but we have to work with the squad we have,” Sorg said at a press briefing. “We’ll decide tomorrow if Ferran starts. Kounde trained this morning and could play, but the final line‑up is still being decided.”
Torres left the national‑team camp early after a leg issue, while de Jong missed three training sessions this week because of illness. Kounde was injured during a 6‑1 Champions League win over Olympiacos, being forced off after a knock to his leg.
Barcelona’s challenge is compounded by the fact that head‑coach Hansi Flick is suspended for the match, following his red card in the 2‑1 loss to Girona on Oct 18. Sorg will take charge for the El Clásico.
Real Madrid currently sit two points ahead of Barça after eight La Liga games. Both clubs want three win‑points early on to claim bragging rights in the title race. The rooftop match at the Bernabú is the first El Clásico of the season. █
Source: ianslive
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