Barcelona host Real Madrid in El Clásico at the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, with Thibaut Courtois ruled out of the Real Madrid squad by a bout of flu that stopped him travelling to Barcelona. Andrey Lunin starts in goal for Madrid.
Hansi Flick picked the expected Barcelona lineup: Joan García in goal, with Xavi Espart, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín and Joao Cancelo in defence, Rodri, Pedri and Fermín in midfield, and Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Gordon up front. José Mourinho's Madrid starts with Lunin behind Valverde, Konaté, Huijsen and Cucurella, with Tchouaméni, Bernardo Silva and Bellingham in midfield and Güler, Mbappé and Diomande in attack. Bernardo Silva's start is the main novelty in the Madrid side.
Diomande makes his Clásico debut at 19 years and 345 days. Under Mourinho only Varane did it younger. If he scores he will be the second youngest Madrid player to score in a Liga Clásico, after Vinicius Jr at 19 years and 233 days.
Barcelona's XI has an average age of 24 years and 340 days, the youngest they have fielded at home in a Liga Clásico since 2006.
Flick and Mourinho embraced on the touchline before kickoff, their second meeting on the benches. The only previous one came on 11 December 2019 in the Champions League group stage, when Flick's Bayern beat Mourinho's Tottenham 3-1 at the Allianz Arena. Barcelona lead Madrid by six points, with Madrid third in the table.
Cucurella faces Lamine Yamal again after Chelsea beat Barcelona 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in November 2025, when Cucurella was named best player of the match.
Based on reporting by as.com, foxdeportes.com and yahoo.com.