Barcelona Playing XI vs Real Madrid: Will Lewandowski Play Today? Injuries, Predicted Lineups for El Clasico

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Barcelona Playing XI vs Real Madrid: Barcelona and Real Madrid are poised to clash in the final El Clasico of the 2024-25 season at Olimpic Lluis Companys Stadium in Barcelona, Spain on Sunday (May 11). With just four points between league leaders Barcelona and second-placed Real Madrid, this matchup could very well decide the fate of the La Liga title. A win for Barcelona would increase their lead to seven points with three matches left, effectively securing the championship.

Barcelona enter this fixture after a gruelling 120-minute Champions League semi-final loss to Inter Milan, which ended their European journey. Nonetheless, under Hansi Flick, they have displayed impressive consistency in the domestic league. The Catalan team has also dominated recent El Clásico encounters, winning all three prior matchups across competitions with a combined score of 12–4.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Will Robert Lewandowski Play Today?

After suffering a hamstring injury during the 4-3 victory over Celta Vigo, Lewandowski missed four matches, including the first leg of the UCL semi-final in Barcelona.

Lewandowski, however, resumed training before the second leg of the UCL semi-final and appeared as a substitute against Inter Milan on Tuesday night. However, the Polish striker struggled to make any impact on the game.
Although he’s back, the Polish forward is anticipated to begin on the bench and could be brought on as a substitute if necessary.

Thus, Robert Lewandowski will be available for tonight’s La Liga clash against Los Blancos.

Barcelona Injury Updates

Barcelona continues to grapple with injuries to key players. Jules Kounde remains out due to a hamstring issue, significantly diminishing the team’s defensive options. On the brighter side, Flick has been encouraged by Alejandro Balde’s return to training. The left-back has been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury during the win over Leganes last month, but is now in the running to feature against Real Madrid. In midfield, Marc Casado, Marc Bernal and Pablo Torre are ruled out due to injury. These absences limit Flick’s ability to rotate his squad.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Probable Playing XI

Wojciech Szczesny is expected to retain his place as the primary goalkeeper, even though Marc-Andre ter Stegen has returned.

In defence, Gerard Martin has performed commendably in Balde’s absence, so the left-back slot remains uncertain. Eric Garcia is likely to replace Jules Kounde, while Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez may continue as the central defensive pair.

The midfield could feature Frenkie de Jong and Pedri in a double pivot, with Raphinha, Dani Olmo, and Lamine Yamal operating behind Ferran Torres in attack.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Predicted Line-up for Barcelona

Barcelona Predicted Playing XI (4-2-3-1):
Wojciech Szczesny; Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Gerard Martin; Pedri, Frenkie de Jong; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Ferran Torres