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Held in check 3 – 3 at Camp Nou against Inter Milan in the Champions League this week, FC Barcelona almost condemned to play the Europa League must quickly raise their heads for the match against Real Madrid scheduled for this Sunday after- noon at Santiago Bernabeu. Beyond the prestige of Classico, this meeting will probably be decisive in the race for the La Liga title as the two teams have been neck and neck since the start of the championship. For this shock, especially with the failure in C1, Xavi would still hesitate on his eleven.
Koundé back, but in what position?
One thing is certain according to Sport : Jules Koundé will return against Merengue, but in what position? Indeed, after his very mediocre performance against the Nerazzurri, it was difficult for the Catalan tactician to restore his confidence in his former teammate Gerard Piqué. In this sense, Koundé could be aligned in the axis, his favorite position alongside Eric Garcia, but this option implies leaving Sergio Roberto facing Vinicius Junior, something that would not reassure Xavi. So the defender of the Blues could play right side, but would therefore weaken the central hinge in the absence of Araujo and Christensen injured.
Battle between Fati and Raphinha?
Question marks also exist in attack. If Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembélé are almost certain to start the Classico, there would still be a doubt in the mind of the coach between Raphinha and Ansu Fati. Anyway, the two teams being perfectly equal on the 8th day, the winner of this clash will find himself alone at the top of La Liga.
