Barcelona can take a big step towards glory in La Liga when they take on Real Madrid in El Clásico on Sunday.
La Blaugrana currently sit in first place, nine points behind their biggest rivals in the standings, and with little of the season left, widening that gap would bring national glory.
Xavi has a couple of injury issues to contend with, but most of his squad will be fit and ready for the visit to Los Blancos.
Here is the squad he could name to face Real Madrid.
read the following
Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – He has already kept 19 clean sheets in 25 La Liga matches this season. Total looks decent.
Right back: Jules Conde – Ronald Araujo’s return from suspension should see Sergi Roberto relegated to the bench and Conde moved to the right-back position.
Center back: Ronald Araujo – Barca missed out on the strong Uruguayan presence in their narrow 1-0 win over Athletic last week, somehow surviving in the Basque Country.
Playmaker: Andreas Christensen – Barcelona’s defense center. What a strange story.
Left-back: Alejandro Balde – Now he is Xavi’s preferred left-back after an impressive off-season.
DM: Sergio Busquets – Speculation about the veteran’s future lingers, but he remains as important as ever to Barcelona and the midfielder.
CM: Jaffe- With Pedri injured, his teenage partner is likely to start in midfield on Sunday.
CM: Frenkie de Jong – While he was always a fine player, it wasn’t until this season that the Dutchman really began to show his value to Barcelona.
RW: Raphinha – An injury to Ousmane Dembélé means Rafinha’s spot in the side has essentially been set in stone.
CF: Robert Lewandowski – The Pole has scored one goal and two assists in his two matches against Real Madrid this season, missing out on his recent Copa del Rey win.
LW: Ferran Torres – Two goals in La Liga this season is a poor comeback for Torres and he has serious competition for a place from Ansu Fati.
