A draw in the Clásico would be enough for Barcelona to clinch the LaLiga title against Real Madrid this Sunday at the renovated Camp Nou, the report says, with the match broadcast live at 3 p.m. ET across ESPN networks in the U.S.
Barcelona will be without Lamine Yamal, who is sidelined with an injury until the end of the season, the report says. The club also faces uncertainty over defender Andreas Christensen, who has been injured since December. Real Madrid, which must win to prevent Barcelona from celebrating a league title, arrives with Kylian Mbappé doubtful after he missed the last match with a hamstring injury but has not been officially ruled out, per the report. Confirmed absences for Madrid include Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal, Arda Güler and Rodrygo.
Correspondents in Madrid and Barcelona, Rodra and Lluís Bou, selected a combined starting XI for the two sides based on this season’s performances, the report says. With Yamal absent and Mbappé uncertain, both were left out of the lineup. The combined XI listed in the report is: goalkeeper Joan García; defenders Jules Koundé, Antonio Rüdiger, Pau Cubarsí and João Cancelo; midfielders Federico Valverde, Pedri and Aurélien Tchouaméni; and forwards Fermín López, Raphinha and Vinícius Júnior.
The report adds context on selection choices. Joan García is favoured to win the Zamora award for fewest goals conceded, the report says. Militão’s injury opened the door for Rüdiger, who is out of contract in the summer, to be included. The January loan arrival in the back four has been described as the best performer and said to have outshone Alejandro Balde, while Pedri and Tchouaméni are cited as the most consistent players in midfield. The report also notes injuries that have affected Barcelona’s options, including Frenkie de Jong, Marc Bernal and Gavi’s recent return to form.
On the attack, the report highlights Fermín’s 30 goal contributions this season and his selection ahead of Robert Lewandowski, forming a headlining trio that the report says lacks a central focal point but compensates with skill and dynamism. The sides meet in a match that, per the report, will decide whether Barcelona can clinch the title with a draw or whether Real Madrid can keep the race alive with a victory.
