El Clasico: Huge boost for Real Madrid; Barcelona likely to lose two crucial players to injury

Barcelona travel to Madrid for Sunday’s clasico facing uncertainty over several key players, while Real Madrid are boosted by the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold.Alexander-Arnold, sidelined since mid-September with a left hamstring injury, has been included in Xabi Alonso’s squad for the first time since.

Only Antonio Rudiger remains unavailable for Madrid.

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Barcelona enter the fixture with multiple absences. Raphinha continues to recover from a right leg injury sustained in late September, Robert Lewandowski, Dani Olmo, and first-choice goalkeeper Joan García are also out. Ferran Torres remains a doubt after recently recovering from a muscle strain, while Jules Koundé’s participation will be confirmed at the last moment after missing two training sessions following Barcelona’s 6-1 Champions League win over Olympiakos.Despite the absences, Barcelona midfielder Pedri emphasized the squad’s determination: “Of course I’d love to have everyone available, the coach and the team would too, (but) those of us who are fit will give everything and fight for the three points.”Coach Hansi Flick had hoped Raphinha could return for the big game, but assistant coach Marcus Sorg confirmed the Brazilian winger will not travel with the team. Barcelona now must rely on options such as Marcus Rashford, Roony Bardghji, or Fermín López in a “false nine” role alongside Lamine Yamal.

Flick too, will not be on the touchline, serving a suspension from a red card received in the previous round, leaving Sorg to manage the team in the clasico.

Real Madrid currently sit two points clear of Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table after nine rounds, heightening the stakes for the encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu.