Football
Real Madrid - Barcelona: complete list of injuries and suspensions for the ClĂĄsico
Real Madrid and Barcelona meet in the 257th comPetitive edition of El ClĂĄsico at the Santiago BernabĂ©u on Sunday (21 April), a fixture in which Carlo Ancelottiâs team will have the chance to all but secure the LaLiga title. And both clubs will be almost at full strength, with only four players expected to be unavailable for selection.
Los Blancos go into the game with an eight-point lead over second-placed Barça with seven matches to play; a home victory would extend their advantage to 11 points with only 18 left on the board, which would surely end the Catalansâ slim hopes of a second successive championship.
The midweek Champions League action would also appear to have tipped the balance in Madridâs favour. While they progressed to the semi-finals thanks to a penalty shootout victory over Premier League leaders Manchester City, Barcelona surrendered a first-leg lead against Paris Saint-Germain, losing 4-1 at home to Kylian MbappĂ© and Co following Ronald AraĂșjoâs red card in the first half.
Real Madrid injury and suspension update: Courtois, Alaba, CarvajalâŠ
Both teams have been plagued by injuries for most of the season, although that has subsided significantly in recent weeks. That said, Madrid will still be without two of their main defensive figures, although that has already been the case for several months.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois ruptured his meniscus having almost completed his recovery from an ACL tear. The Belgian goalkeeper has ruled himself out of playing at Euro 2024 but hasnât given up all hope of featuring for his club before the end of the season. Would they risk him in the Champions League final - if they get there - on 1 June?
David Alaba wonât play again until next season because of his own anterior cruciate liGament issue, but Eder MilitĂŁo looks to have made a successful comeback from the same injury, appearing off the bench in the last three Games. Being thrown into El ClĂĄsico from the start, however, seems unlikely.
Midfielder AurĂ©lien TchouamĂ©ni, who has been playing in central defence of late alongside Antonio RĂŒdiger, is available again after a Champions League suspension, while Dani Carvajal was forced off against City because of cramp but is expected to be fit to play.
Barcelona injury and suspension update: Gavi, Balde, Pedri, AraĂșjoâŠ
Like their opponents, there are only two Barcelona players who have been ruled out of the trip to the Spanish capital.
Midfield star Gavi also suffered an ACL tear in Spainâs Euro 2024 qualifier against Georgia in November, which will keep him on the sidelines until next season. His recovery is going according to plan, though.
TeaMMAte Alejandro Balde will likely be out until 2024/25 too, with the left-back undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury in January.
Pedri, however, looks to be approaching full fitness after a series of muscle problems, while AraĂșjo is available to play despite being sent off against PSG in midweek; he will serve a one-match suspension in Europe but can play domestically.
No players will miss Sundayâs match due to suspension, while Madrid boss Ancelotti had to be on his best behaviour last weekend against Mallorca to be able to take up his usual place in the dugout. The Italian has been shown four yellow cards this season and would have been forced to watch from the stands had he received a fifth in Palma.
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