Barça News

Official: Barcelona starting lineup against Real Madrid | Copa del Rey

Published

4 years ago

02/03/2023

Udhav Arora

Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images

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Barcelona and Real Madrid have played each other twice this season already, with both teams winning one game, each by 3-1. While that would usually be the end of the story during most seasons, the two sides will lock horns three more times over the next month, starting tonight.

Struggling with injuries, Barcelona have not been able to field their best possible starting lineup tonight. Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, and Ousmane Dembele are all sidelined while Andreas Christensen is only fit enough to make the bench.

Ferran Torres has been given the keys as the starting striker, flanked by Raphinha on the right wing, and Gavi on the left. The latter scored one and assisted two against Madrid in the Super Cup Final and will be hoping to replicate his exploits again tonight.

Frenkie de Jong retains his place in midfield, while Franck Kessie gets the nod over Sergi Roberto on the other side of the trident. Sergio Busquets will sit at the base as the defensive midfielder.

In defence, Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo start as the familiar faces, but the latter is expected to start on the right to deal with Vinicius Jr. Marcos Alonso will sit centrally, with Alejandro Balde to his left. Marc-Andre ter Stegen seals the fort as the goalkeeper.