Barcelona set for El Clásico with patched-up defence
Gavi sent support to injured Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after his torn ACL, saying the PSG winger will ‘come back stronger’ and deserves a top-5 Ballon d'Or finish.
Barcelona are reportedly interested in Vitinha, valued at €140m, while Dani Olmo is said to be happy at Camp Nou. Jules Koundé and January centre-back options are also mentioned.
Julián Alvarez apologised to Atlético fans for pushing for a Barcelona move in the summer, admitting it was ‘neither the right moment nor the right way’ to handle it.
Anthony Gordon said Frenkie de Jong is the Barcelona team-mate who has surprised him most in training since his summer move from Newcastle.
Key El Clásico duels for Barcelona include Espart v Yan Diomande, Cubarsí v Kylian Mbappé, Rodri v Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal v Marc Cucurella at Camp Nou.
Alejandro Balde could leave in January after falling behind Espart and Cancelo. Jorge Mendes is exploring options and has reportedly offered the Barcelona full-back to Roma.
Gavi said Mourinho’s comments do not bother him and praised his strong character. He also described Flick as ‘very German’, upset when plans change and focused on player rest.
Ahead of El Clásico, Flick praised Mourinho’s record and said he is ‘a great coach whom I respect enormously’, seeking to cool tensions around the fixture.
Flick is set to repeat the PSG defence for El Clásico after Koundé joined Christensen and Eric García on the sidelines, leaving Espart, Cubarsí, Martín and Cancelo in line to start.
Barcelona Femení wore the special Barcelona x Spotify x Tyler, The Creator GOLF WANG shirt against Granada, ahead of the men using it in El Clásico.
Predicted Barcelona XI for El Clásico has Joan García in goal, with Espart, Cubarsí, Martín and Cancelo in defence, and Rodri and Pedri behind Yamal, Fermín López, Anthony Gordon and Raphinha.
Barcelona host Real Madrid six points clear and could move nine ahead. A predicted XI includes Espart, Rodri and Fermín López, with a 2-2 draw forecast at Camp Nou.
Gavi called Kylian Mbappé ‘one of the best players in the world’ before El Clásico, warned Barcelona must watch him closely, and said he hopes Lamine Yamal wins the Ballon d'Or.
