Gareth Bale has been given a rare start, can he go on and quell his doubters?
Barcelona forwards Luis Suarez (L) and Lionel Messi (Photo: AFP)
Real Madrid vs Barcelona is one of the biggest fixtures of the footballing calendar for El Clasico is truly one club rivalry that puts others to the shade.
The unbeaten Catalans will look to preserve their unbeaten record in the La Liga when the Los Blancos come visiting on Sunday night and the lineups for the tie at the Nou Camp have been revealed.
👤 Barça XI
⚽ #ElClásico
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— FC Barcelona 🏆🏆 (@FCBarcelona) May 6, 2018
The hosts are trotting out in a 4-4-2, with the vaunted duo of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez leading the line.
Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets line up in midfield alongside Andres Iniesta, who is taking part in his final El Clasico tie.
Sergio Roberto, Gerard Pique, Samuel Umtiti and Jordi Alba complete the back-four that lines up ahead of custodian Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
📝 Our starting XI for the Clásico!#RMMovistar | #RMClasico pic.twitter.com/zGJDMz4QJf
— Real Madrid C.F.🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) May 6, 2018
Zinedine Zidane has included Gareth Bale in the starting XI as the Welshman starts alongside Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real’s three-man midfield features Luka Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos while the likes of Marcelo, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Nacho start at the back ahead of keeper Keylor Navas.
Despite the title race being done and dusted, La Blaugrana are not expected to go easy on their eternal rivals and in Iniesta’s final clash against Los Blancos, will likely not settle for anything but a win.
Zidane’s side have had an underwhelming league campaign but securing bragging rights will be of immense importance to them as they seek to end Barca’s unbeaten run at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba, Coutinho, Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta (C), Messi and Suarez.
Real Madrid: Navas, Nacho, Ramos (C), Varane, Marcelo, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Benzema, Bale and Ronaldo.
Match kicks off at 12.15 am IST.
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