ALL PREVIEW THE CLASSIC IN TEXAS!
FC Barcelona returns to action in the midst of a pre-season tour of the US. After the debut against Arsenal, which ended in defeat and a “small hand” (5:3), the Catalans will be looking to regain their good mood. This Saturday, starting at 23:00 (23:00 CEST), they will play their third Clasico against Real Madrid and try to continue the “tradition of beating them on American soil”.
Javi Hernandez’s men are aware that they must redeem themselves for their mistakes made on the debut round of the Soccer Champions Tour. Against Arsenal, they left a very unsettling image as the team showed their dirtiest, dullest version and stood out for defensive problems. There was no magic in midfield and they were left in a very bad position against a Gunners team that played with the same intensity as they did in the Champions League. This made a big difference.
Barça and Madrid, pitted against each other in pre-season
The two “big” Spains will meet for the third time in the United States after winning 0-1 in 2022 and 2-3 in 2017. Barça may continue their successful performance against Madrid this Saturday, but they will have to show a much more convincing version. It’s no secret that the pre-season was heavily conditioned by a stomach virus that affected a large part of the team and caused, among other things, the suspension of the match against Juventus, with which they opened their tour.
The recovery process “touched” Barça’s work plan and the players reached the limit to face Arsenal. that the team was so loose and aimless. Against Real Madrid there will be no excuses, and coach Egarense will have to return the shine to his team, especially since Carlo Ancelotti’s wards have more than a positive streak.
The White House won two of their friendlies: against Milan after a “typical” Madrid comeback (3-2) and against Manchester United (2-0) after a very convincing performance that Jude Bellingham had already “pointed” as one of the team’s main characters. They have shown great reliability in midfield, with many variables on the bench, and especially against the Red Devils, Carletto’s defensive setups were infamous.
Probable hands of FC Barcelona-Real Madrid
- XI FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Araujo, Kunde, Christensen, Balde; Romeu, Pedri, Gundogan; Dembele, Lewandowski and Rafinha.
- XI Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rüdiger, Fran Garcia; Chuameni, Camavinga, Modric, Bellingham; Vinicius Jr. and Rodrigo Goes.
Everything seems to indicate that Javi Hernandez will bet on his most “offensive” lineup possible, with all available troops. Marc-André ter Stegen will start under three sticks backed by the defense, in which Ronald Araujo, as in every Clasico, is likely to be in charge of playing on the right flank to try to stop Vinicius Jr. “in the center”, the Brazilian is a real danger on the flank. This change left Jules Kunde and Andreas Christensen in the center of defense with Alejandro Balde on the left.
In the center of the field, the original bet on the match with Arsenal could be repeated, with Oriol Romeu playing from the center, with Pedri Gonzalez “close” and Gundogan a little further forward to be more connected to the attack. In the match against the Gunners, they failed to connect, but in the match against Real Madrid, it will be important for all three to become leaders of the team. Finally, ahead of the “luxury” trident, consisting of Ousmane Dembele and Rafinha, could start at the ends to accompany Robert Lewandowski.