Real Madrid have named Bernardo Silva in their starting XI for Sunday’s Clasico against Barcelona at Spotify Camp Nou, with Jose Mourinho choosing the Portugal midfielder ahead of Eduardo Camavinga in one of the main talking points before the La Liga fixture.
Andriy Lunin replaces Thibaut Courtois in goal after the Belgian was ruled out with influenza, while Federico Valverde is selected on the right side. Kylian Mbappe leads the attack as Real Madrid look to settle one of the biggest matches of the season.
Real Madrid’s starting line-up is:
Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin
Defenders: Federico Valverde, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella
Midfielders: Aurelien Tchouameni, Bernardo Silva, Jude Bellingham
Forwards: Arda Guler, Yann Diomande, Kylian Mbappe
Mourinho’s decision to start Bernardo Silva instead of Camavinga provides a notable change in the midfield, with the former Manchester City player joining Tchouameni and Bellingham from the outset.
Real Madrid’s substitutes are Mestrei, Ilya, Eder Militao, Eduardo Camavinga, Endrick, Trent, Carreras Espi, Ibrahim, Antonio Rudiger, Dembres and Tiago.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has also opted for an attacking line-up, selecting Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Anthony Gordon in the front three. The home side will look to use their attacking threat, as well as the advantage of playing in front of their own supporters, to control the contest.
Rodri, Pedri and Fermin Lopez make up Barcelona’s midfield, while Juan Garcia starts in goal.
Barcelona’s starting XI is:
Goalkeeper: Juan Garcia
Defenders: Xavi Espart, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Joao Cancelo
Midfielders: Rodri, Pedri, Fermin Lopez
Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Anthony Gordon, Raphinha
Barcelona’s substitutes are Wojciech Szczesny, Dominik Livakovic, Alejandro Balde, Farinas, Gavi, Gabriel Jesus, Karim Adeyemi, Frenkie de Jong, Bernal, Hamza, Campos and Jorin.
The match at Spotify Camp Nou brings together two sides aiming to take control of one of the defining fixtures of the season, with both managers naming strong attacking options in pursuit of victory.
