Clasico: FC Barcelona have advantage over Real Madrid on the injury front
Barcelona have the advantage on Real Madrid when it comes to the treatment table as the teams head into Saturday’s Clasico.
With the return of captain Andres Iniesta and Samuel Umtiti likely to be passed fit to play, while Jordi Alba and Gerard Pique are recovering from their knocks nicely, the Blaugrana squad is all fit and ready for Luis Enrique to pick from.
Over in Madrid Zinedine Zidane is not quite so fortunate. He will be without two key players who are undoubtedly men he would have selected for the game if they had been available.
There is Gareth Bale, the Welsh star who took surgery on his injured ankle on Tuesday and has been ruled out of a return until April, as well as Toni Kroos, who broke the metatarsal in his right foot during the league game against Leganes early in November.
Perhaps the only good news for the French coach is the return to fitness of Casemiro, who may be utilised in midfield to disrupt Barcelona’s game.
