Barcelona and Actual Madrid will each really feel that victories this weekend towards Actual Valladolid and Celta Vigo respectively are a necessity forward of El Clasico subsequent week. Carlo Ancelotti has acknowledged that they’re conscious that they have to beat Barcelona to have any probability of lifting the Liga title, and thus it creates a dilemma for Hansi Flick and the Italian over gamers susceptible to suspension.
Barcelona rotations may embrace trio on tightrope
After one other exhausting conflict towards Inter in midweek, Barcelona are anticipated to ring the adjustments towards Actual Valladolid on Saturday night time, as they face a facet freshly relegated final week. Jules Kounde will miss the conflict towards Valladolid by harm, and sure the Clasico at Montjuic too, however Flick should think about what to do with Raphinha, Gavi and Inigo Martinez, who as MD level out are all one card away from a suspension.
Hansi Flick believes lots in Dani Rodríguez, and he may even begin tonight. @ferrancorreas
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) Might 3, 2025
Raphinha and Martinez could properly have been scheduled for rotation anyway within the circumstances, and that actually makes the choice simpler for the German coach. Relating to Gavi, having come off the bench within the Copa del Rey last, and performed solely the ultimate 10 minutes towards Inter, would have been all however sure to play, however Flick will need him accessible for the Clasico too.
Actual Madrid defensive absences put Ancelotti in a bind
In the meantime Ancelotti has three gamers strolling the tightrope too: Lucas Vazquez, Aurelien Tchouameni and Dani Ceballos. All three shall be candidates to begin towards Barcelona, and did so within the Copa del Rey last final weekend, leaving Ancelotti with robust choices. He could use Fede Valverde at right-back to cowl for Vazquez, and Luka Modric may play in Ceballos’ stead, however Tchouameni appears a lot tougher to depart out.
After David Alaba, Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rudiger all underwent surgical procedure this week, Tchouameni would have been in pole place to associate Raul Asencio in defence. As it’s, Ancelotti should both threat the Frenchman, or flip to both an academy defender or Jesus Vallejo on Sunday.