El Clasico:Real Madrid announce squad against Barcelona

Still no Hazard for Los Blancos.

By Our Editor

Real Madrid have published their squad list for Saturday’s El Clasico against Barcelona.

REAL MADRID SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Courtois, Lunin and Altube.

Defenders: E. Militão, Nacho, Marcelo, Odriozola and F. Mendy.

Midfielders: Kroos, Modrić, Casemiro, Valverde and Isco.

Forwards: Benzema, Asensio, Lucas V., Vini Jr., Mariano and Rodrygo.

While it was reasonable to expect Hazard back with the team, coach Zinedine Zidane has decided to play it safe once again and keep him out of the list, so it’s safe to assume that he won’t have minutes either when Real Madrid face Liverpool in the return leg of the Champions League Quarterfinals next week.

This is a monumental El Clasico as both teams need the win in order to compete for the 2020-2021 La Liga title against Atletico de Madrid, who are currently leading the table. It won’t be easy for Madrid as Los Blancos will be tired after Tuesday’s tough match against Liverpool, but they will have to get the job done if they want a shot at the title.

Meanwhile Real Madrid have been given a possible edge ahead of this weekend’s high stakes El Clasico tie with Barcelona.

Los Blancos welcome their age old rivals to the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano with Zinedine Zidane‘s side looking to keep pace with both them and Atletico Madrid in the La Liga title race.

However, despite trailing Ronald Koeman‘s side in domestic action this season, Real Madrid are the only Spanish club left in the 2020/21 Champions League, a feat which has been recognised by the most recent UEFA club rankings.

According to reports from Diario AS, Real Madrid have moved from fourth to second, leapfrogging the newly third placed Catalans, with defending European champions Bayern Munich remaining in the No.1 slot.

Barcelona’s slip comes as a result of their last 16 exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, with Juventus dropping from third to fourth after being eliminated by Porto.

Atletico Madrid have also dropped one place, from fifth to sixth, with Manchester City replacing them.