The Camp Nou will witness the fourth classic of the year 2023, with the ticket for the final of the Copa del Rey that will be played in Seville on May 6 against Osasuna, the first semifinalist. The definitive classic comes with a minimal advantage for Barcelona, after beating Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu (0-1), in the midst of a streak of dominance by Xavi Hernández over Carlo Ancelotti after winning the three classics played in 2023.
In the last three classics, Barcelona has proven to be a chameleonic team. He was able to shine in the final of the Spanish Super Cup (1-3), survive in the first leg of the Cup semifinal (0-1) and leave the League almost sentenced with a goal from Kessié in minute 92 (2-1).
It will not be an easy undertaking for Xavi Hernández, who continues to suffer significant casualties. Starting footballers such as Ousmane Dembélé, Pedro González 'Pedri', Andreas Christensen and Frenkie de Jong have not recovered from their respective muscle injuries.
Even so, the Egarense coach chose to line up an eleven with four midfielders with Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Kessié and Gavi in the midfield. At the back, the Uruguayan Ronald Araújo, who already played against Elche after recovering from a left thigh adductor injury, will be on the right wing to neutralize Vinícius' imbalance. The duel between the Uruguayan and the Brazilian is expected to be key. Barcelona have won the last games against Real Madrid with Araújo located on the right wing.
Jules Koundé will occupy one of the positions in the central axis and Marcos Alonso will be his dance partner with Ter Stegen in goal and Lewandowski and Raphinha in attack.
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Araujo, Conund, Marcos Alonso, Bucket; Busquets, Kessie, Sergi Roberto, Gavi; Raphinha and Lewandowski.
Recent classics have questioned a coach like Carlo Ancelotti. Without tactical solutions or variants in his starting team or from the bench, to especially overcome a Barcelona with significant losses in the first leg of the cup semifinals or an offensive bet before the obligation to win in the League. The bad results contrast with the satisfaction that the game shown by his team left in the Italian coach.
The Real Madrid sale with Courtois; Carvajal, Militão, Alaba, Camavinga: Kroos, Modric, Valverde; Rodrygo, Benzema and Vinicius.
