To the Bernabeu again, with a potential change in each line
Valverde will make some slight adjustments to his line up as Barca face Madrid
The team that Ernesto Valverde will present in La Liga against Real Madrid on Saturday is a well-kept secret. Will he pick the same side that won 3-0 in the Copa? Or let other players in. Questions that will wait until 7.45pm CET on Sat before we know the answer. However, the base of the team is settled.
In goal will be Ter Stegen, as usual. Gerard Pique is likely to be partnered with Clement Lenglet at the back but the coach could also give Samuel Umtiti another start after he played against Sevilla last weekend. Alba is the left back, right-back will be Semedo or Sergi Roberto.
Busquets and Rakitic seem untouchable in the middle, the question is who will play with them? Arthur returned as a sub in the last Clasico and could start, while Arturo Vidal is a less likely option.
In attack will be Luis Suarez and Leo Messi, plus one of Ousmane Dembele or Philippe Coutinho. The former laid on two assists on Wednesday for Suarez.
Messi did not feature in the first Clasico, on October 28, 2018, because of injury, his arm fracture. Then he came off the bench in the cup semi first leg because of a thigh problem.
Valverde will not make revolutionary changes, especially considering there is no Barca game until Sat March 9th afterwards.
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