El Clasico Heats Up New Jersey: Barcelona vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to clash in a highly anticipated pre-season Clasico at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey this weekend. Both Spanish giants are looking to make a strong statement as they prepare for the upcoming La Liga campaign.
While Real Madrid enters the match as the reigning Spanish and UEFA Champions League champions, Barcelona is eager to prove its mettle under new coach Hansi Flick. However, both teams will be missing several key players due to injuries and international commitments.
Team news
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has been forced to take a young squad on tour this summer, with up to ten first-team stars missing due to injuries and international commitments at the start of the summer.
Ronald Araujo, Gavi, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati have yet to travel, while Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres are enjoying more time off after winning Euro 2024 with Spain. Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia and Fermin Lopez are currently representing their country at the Olympics in France.
Pau Victor and Pablo Torre, the two goalscorers against Man City last time out, will each be hoping for another start, but older figures such as Robert Lewandowski, Alejandro Balde and Oriol Romeu could earn places in the starting line-up.
Similar to Barca, Madrid is also without a number of first division players. New signing Kylian Mbappe and England star Jude Bellingham have been given more time off after Euro 2024, along with tournament winner Dani Carvajal.
Brazil stars Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Eder Militao have all linked up with the squad after the Copa America and could get minutes, although teenagers Endrick and Arda Guler will be hoping for another start each after their appearances against Milan.
Defender David Alaba is injured and has not traveled to the US, while Eduardo Camavinga, Ferland Mendy and Aurelien Tchouameni have more time off to enjoy themselves.
Predicted Lineups:
- Real Madrid: Courtois, Vazquez, Vallejo, Rudiger, Garcia, Modric, Martin, Ceballos, Guler, Endrick, Diaz.
- Barcelona: Pena, Fort, Martinez, Lenglet, Balde, Romeu, Casado, Araujo, Torre, Victor, Lewandowski.
