Mourinho found a place for an unexpected newcomer! Real Madrid and Barcelona announce their lineups for El Clásico
Real Madrid and Barcelona have announced their starting lineups for another El Clásico. The biggest news from the Madrid side is Andriy Lunin's appearance in goal. The Ukrainian will replace Thibaut Courtois, who is missing the match due to illness.
Another absence for Real Madrid is Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian will not be able to help the team because of suspension. At the same time, there is a place in the starting lineup for Bernardo, whose inclusion from the first minute came as a surprise. Head coach José Mourinho has also left Antonio Rüdiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries on the bench.
Federico Valverde will likely play at right-back once again. The Uruguayan's versatility could prove especially important in a match where the cost of every mistake is extraordinarily high.
Barcelona's starting lineup looks more predictable. Gavi, Jesus and Karim Adeyemi will begin the match on the bench, while Fermín López, Xavi Espart and Gerard Martín have been named in the starting XI. Yamal and Raphinha are also in the lineup, as is Mbappé.
Overall, the Catalans head into El Clásico with their usual core of key players. Real Madrid, meanwhile, will have to cope without several important footballers, while the fans' attention will be focused above all on Lunin and Mourinho's unexpected decisions.
Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
