Xavi hints injured stars could return for Clasico

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he could start some key players against Real Madrid on Saturday who have been out injured in recent weeks, if they arrive 100 percent fit.

ALSO READ: Mbappe helps PSG go top, Haaland back among the goals

The Spanish champions have been without forwards Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, midfielders Pedri and Frenkie de Jong and defenders Jules Kounde and Sergi Roberto in the lead-up to the match.

However all those players took part in training on Friday except for the latter, with Xavi saying he was surprised by their recoveries and determination to play against Real Madrid.

“I was surprised to see them in training too,” Xavi told reporters on Friday.

“Players that we had almost ruled out and they want to be there, they all want to play.

“They all feel very good and you’ll have to wait until tomorrow for the squad list.”

Barcelona’s only out-and-out striker Lewandowski has not played since going off injured against Porto in the Champions League on October 4 with an ankle problem.

“Evidently I won’t tell you the line-up or give clues, (but he’s) feeling very good, he’s well,” said the coach.

“They all feel good and want to be there — it’s a very important game.”

De Jong last played in September before he suffered an ankle sprain, while a hamstring injury has ruled Pedri out since August.

Winger Raphinha has been out with a thigh problem since September, while Kounde suffered a knee sprain against Granada on October 10.

Xavi said he would have no hesitance to start any of the returning players if they are fully fit.

“If they are 100 percent, I’ll play them, there’s no problem,” added the coach.

Barcelona have been forced to lean heavily on youngsters from their La Masia youth academy, with Fermin Lopez, Lamine Yamal and Marc Guiu all scoring important goals.

Xavi had some advice for the younger players who may feature against league leaders Real Madrid.

“Having homegrown players is a boost, it’s fantastic to have players from La Masia, they know about the rivalry, they know the importance of the game, it’s always fundamental,” said Xavi.

“(In the Clasico) there are always more nerves, more tension, controlling those nerves, controlling your character, the tempo of the game, it’s hard, because the heart is hot, but (you need) a cold head, I think that’s the key to these games.

“There is more emotion and desire than normal, but control is key.”

The coach noted Jude Bellingham’s impressive impact since arriving at Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund this summer.

The England international has netted eight goals and is the division’s leading scorer.

“Bellingham is very important for Madrid with their change of system, he has freedom, and attacks well from deep,” added Xavi.

Real Madrid have had some injury problems of their own, but defender Nacho Fernandez will be allowed to play after his three-match ban for a dangerous tackle was shortened to two.

England international Jude Bellingham, the division’s top scorer with eight goals, is Madrid’s leader, and his arrival for 103 million euros ($109 million) from Borussia Dortmund this summer was in stark contrast to Barcelona’s activity.

Still mired in financial problems, Barcelona were limited to signing players on free transfers or on loan, along with a low-cost move for midfielder Oriol Romeu, to try and fill the big shoes of former captain Sergio Busquets.

“We’re in a moment where we have to bet on players from here, and they are ready,” Barca coach Xavi told reporters last week.

“When things don’t go well, you have to double down on the bet, we have to bet on the youngsters, homegrown. I see they are hungry.”

With Barcelona fragile, scraping by without various key players and failing to consistently find the good football Xavi admits is demanded of the club, Madrid have the chance to strike a morale blow against them by inflicting their first league defeat.

Los Blancos have not regularly found top gear yet either but have come closer to it.

“We know exactly what we need to do — everything we can to win it,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.

“We’re heading into this incredibly important game full of excitement.”

– ‘Sociological Madridismo’ –

As ever, the lead-up to the Clasico has not just been focussed on football.

Madrid have launched an apparent campaign against Spain’s referees, with Real Madrid TV producing various videos attacking officials, sometimes before matches are even played.

At the same time Barcelona president Joan Laporta has claimed in recent weeks that there is ‘sociological Madridismo’ in Spain — saying Real are favoured by the state.

Laporta has been charged with bribery in the ‘Negreira case’, an investigation into Barcelona’s payments to a former refereeing chief, which the Barca president believes is an example of it.

A Barcelona spokesman has also caused a stir with a social media post seemingly dismissing recent racism aimed at Madrid winger Vinicius Junior, saying the Brazilian needs a “slap” and is a “clown” for his behaviour on the pitch.

According to Spanish reports, it has led to Madrid president Florentino Perez deciding to snub the Clasico in protest.

ALSO READ: United claim vital Champions League win, Bellingham strikes again

Both Xavi and his counterpart Carlo Ancelotti will each be hoping by the time the dust settles on Saturday night, the main topic of conversation will be their club’s success.

Elsewhere in La Liga, second-place Girona host Celta Vigo on Friday, and could depose Madrid at the top of the table before the Clasico begins.

Atletico Madrid, fourth, welcome Alaves, 15th, on Sunday night.

Fixtures:

Friday

Girona v Celta Vigo (1900)

Saturday

Almeria v Las Palmas (1200), Barcelona v Real Madrid (1415), Real Mallorca v Getafe (1630), Cadiz v Sevilla (1900)

Sunday

Real Betis v Osasuna (1200), Rayo Vallecano v Real Sociedad (1415), Athletic Bilbao v Valencia (1630), Atletico Madrid v Alaves (1900) Monday Granada v Villarreal (1900)