Xavi has a major selection dilemma on his hands for Barcelona vs Real Madrid

Even though Barcelona have a crucial game against Shakhtar Donetsk coming up later tonight, all the talk in the media is surrounding the big one, the Clasico on Saturday, October 28.

Barcelona will play hosts to arch-rivals Real Madrid at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday in a game that will have major implications as far as the La Liga title race is concerned.

Leading up to the game, the chatter has been mostly about the injuries that Barça are dealing with and whether Xavi will be able to recover some of his players in time for the game.

Selection dilemma for Xavi

At the same time, though, the Barcelona manager also has some important selection dilemmas to deal with, with the biggest one coming at the right-back position, reports SPORT.

Indeed, the manager has to decide who he starts with at right-back with Joao Cancelo and Ronald Araujo vying for the spot.

Cancelo has been an undisputed starter at right-back for Barcelona since joining on the transfer deadline day last month.

The Portuguese international has done a solid job thus far and has made the position his own, although he could be a liability in defence against someone like Vinicius Jr.

That is where Araujo enters the picture as Xavi has successfully used the Uruguayan at right-back in recent El Clasico encounters to quell the threat of the Real Madrid winger.

Whether he decides to repeat that manoeuvre on Saturday or continue with Cancelo at right-back will certainly be interesting to see.

Cancelo is versatile enough and could be deployed in midfield or in an advanced position on the right flank if need be, should Xavi decide to go down the Araujo route.

However, the absence of Jules Kounde due to injury means the Uruguayan’s services could be more necessary at centre-back alongside Andreas Christensen, although Inigo Martinez gave a good account of himself against Athletic Club.