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Barcelona and Real Madrid could be severely depleted ahead of next week's crucial El Clasico clash
With El Clasico just around the corner, both Barcelona and Real Madrid find themselves in a tricky position. balancing must-win weekend fixtures with the fear of losing key players to suspension.
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As both sides chase crucial La Liga points, seven top stars across the two clubs are one yellow card away from missing the biggest game of the Spanish football calendar.
Flick faces high-stakes rotation dilemma at Barcelona
For Barcelona, the build-up to El Clasico has turned into a delicate balancing act. Fresh off a tense midweek clash against Inter, Hansi Flick is juggling squad depth, player fatigue, and disciplinary concerns.
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Against Real Valladolid, he made sweeping changes, some out of necessity, others with next week’s showdown clearly in mind.
One player already ruled out is Jules Koundé, who is nursing an injury and is highly unlikely to return in time for the Montjuïc clash.
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However, the real headache lies with Raphinha, Gavi, and Iñigo Martínez, who are all just one booking away from suspension.
Gavi’s situation is the most complex as the midfield dynamo only came on for 10 minutes against Inter and starts this weekend against Valladolid, risking suspension against Real Madrid.
Ancelotti sweating over key names
Carlo Ancelotti is also under pressure, as the Italian gaffer knows that anything short of victory against Barcelona could see the title slip further away.
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He is also sweating on the availability of key players as three of first team stars are treading dangerous ground.
Lucas Vázquez, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Dani Ceballos are all one yellow away from sitting out El Clásico, which will create a tough tactical headache for the Italian.
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While Vázquez could be covered by shifting Fede Valverde to right-back, and Luka Modric could fill in for Ceballos, it’s Tchouaméni’s absence that could hit hardest.
With Real’s backline already ravaged by injuries to David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, and Antonio Rüdiger, the Frenchman was expected to drop into central defence alongside Raúl Asencio. Ancelotti must either gamble on Tchouaméni avoiding a card or turn to the rarely-used Jesús Vallejo against Celta Vigo.
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