An unusually early 3:15 kickoff today for Spain's first clásico of the season, as Barça take on Madrid at the Camp Nou, where they'll be hoping to cut the gap their archrivals have opened up in recent weeks, following consecutive draws for Barça versus Málaga (h) and Real Sociedad (a).
Despite being passed fit for the game, Andrés Iniesta makes way for Andrés Gómez in Barça's starting XI. Barça have won just 3 games out of 7 during Iniesta's month-long absence. Luís Enrique has a full squad to choose from, with the exception of back-up defender Jérémy Mathieu.
Madrid, meantime, go into the Clásico flying high in La Liga, 6-points clear of the Catalans and riding a 32-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, dating back to their shock defeat away to Wolfsburg in last season's CL QFs. They will, however, have to do without Gareth Bale, out for at least a month with ligament damage to his ankle, as well as Kroos, Morata,Coentrao and Danilo. Brazilian defensive mid Casemiro has been passed fot after a long absence, but is not expected to start.
Starting XIs:
FCB:
Ter Stegen; Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Mascherano, Jordi Alba;
Busquets, Rakitic, André Gomes;
Messi, Suárez, Neymar
RMCF
Navas;
Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo;
Kovacic, Modric,
Isco; Lucas Vázquez, Ronaldo
Benzema
Kick Off: 3:15pm
Venue: Camp Nou
Attendance: 99,000
FC Barcelona 1-1 Real Madrid FT
posted on 3/12/16
last 10-15 minutes farza sat off a little and allowed us to come at them.
the great farza side of pep wouldn't have given us a sniff at 1-0 and playing poorly as we were 2nd half..they had too much match control
posted on 3/12/16
ramos's lack of brain cells is a bonus is those situations
he's super brave and just doesnt have any self doubt
posted on 3/12/16
comment by Conte'nt (U20893)
posted less than a minute ago
Didn't you predict 3-1 to Barca ?
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I'm happy to be wrong. Could easily have been 3-1 on chances in that second half.
Don't think a single Madrid wouldn't right now.
posted on 3/12/16
comment by Mourinho delenda est (U6426)
posted 36 seconds ago
You have to fackin' love Ramos, how can such a dumbf·uck come up so big so many times?
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He always scores in big games though
posted on 3/12/16
comment by peksson savastano (U6618)
posted less than a minute ago
ramos's lack of brain cells is a bonus is those situations
he's super brave and just doesnt have any self doubt
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So true!
posted on 3/12/16
comment by Conte'nt (U20893)
posted less than a minute ago
comment by Mourinho delenda est (U6426)
posted 36 seconds ago
You have to fackin' love Ramos, how can such a dumbf·uck come up so big so many times?
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He always scores in big games though
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In injury time normally
posted on 3/12/16
Ramos is a big game player, like Drogba was for Chelsea. RM are lucky to have him
posted on 3/12/16
Goals in 2 CL finals (derbies against Atlético!), both in regulation and penalty shootout
CL semifinal brace vs Bayern
Club World Cup semi and final
Clásicos
There are strikers who'd kill for that kind of record!
(Yes, I'm looking at you, Karim! )
posted on 3/12/16
What was up with Karim today btw!
posted on 3/12/16
comment by wump (U5046)
posted 36 seconds ago
What was up with Karim today btw!
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Just totally awful form right now, imo. His touch seems to have deserted him.