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FC Barcelona is set to face Real Madrid in the fourth El Clasico of the 2024-25 season on May 11, at the Montjuic Stadium in Barcelona. The Blaugrana is coming off a disheartening defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final and will look to bounce back stronger against their arch rivals Real Madrid. A lot is at stake in this match as Barcelona currently have a 4-point lead over Madrid at the top of the LaLiga table. A win for Madrid could completely change the face of the title race in these remaining few games.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick spoke to the media today before the fiery fixture against Madrid and addressed specific questions about the availability of some key players who have been out injured. Flick confirmed that Barca first-choice left-back Alejandro and veteran striker Robert Lewandowski will both be part of the squad but will not start the game against Madrid. Gerard Martin and Ferran Torres are expected to be like for like replacements for these two players.
Szczesny to start in goal ahead of Marc-Andre Ter-Stegen
Hansi Flick also confirmed another major squad related doubt about which goalkeeper will start against Los Blancos tomorrow. Although Szczesny has been Barca’s first-choice keeper for most of the season, Ter-Stegen recently returned from injury and was given a start against Real Valladolid last week. However, Flick has confirmed that Szczesny will start between the posts for Barcelona tomorrow. Flick also spoke about the mentality of the players after the rather disappointing loss to Milan in the Champions League.
He said, “After that defeat in Milan it was not easy… But a Clasico tomorrow is very important to us to show again how good we can play and it’s about our confidence as well!” Flick has already secured 3 El Clasico victories in his first season at Barcelona, including two cup final wins. So it will be interesting to see whether he can carry that momentum into the final El Clasico of the season.
