With the squad list officially confirmed by the club, we look at the pros and cons, as well as analysing how Real Madrid could line up for the big game
Tonight, at 21:00 CET, Real Madrid will face Barcelona at the Camp Nou for the third and final Clasico of the season.
Although it is nearly impossible for the team to claw back the league title, even with a win here, there is still a huge incentive to bring all three points back to the capital. Indeed, as anything less would result in Barcelona winning the title in this game.
Not long ago, Real Madrid confirmed the squad list, which is as follows; Courtois, Lunin, Mestre; Alaba, Trent, Asencio, Carreras, F. Garcia, Rudiger, Huijsen, Jimenez; Bellingham, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Pitarch, Cesetro, Palacios; Vini, G. Garcia, Diaz, Mastantuono.
So, Thibaut Courtois returns and is set to make his first appearance since the second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie away to Manchester City, in the most notable inclusion. There is also the inclusion of Aurelien Tchouameni after this week's events.
As for the exclusions. Well, there is the expected, previously ruled out for the season players, such as Arda Guler, Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy. Then Federico Valverde and Dani Carvajal who could return for the final game of the season.
Then, there is no Dani Ceballos, who has clearly had a huge fall out with Alvaro Arbeloa. Even in the highly likely event that Arbeloa leaves his post this summer, it feels like the midfielder has played his last game for the club.
The one absence that was touch and go is Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman had been in training this week, but journalist Jose Luiz Sanchez has reported that he did not feel well in the final phase of training on Saturday and went back to the locker room.
Although the 27-year old would have been useful in this game, with his recent record against Hansi Flick's side, overall this is a positive squad you feel, just for having Courtois back in goal.
If you had to choose one of the Belgian goalkeeper or Mbappe to be called up, you'd say the former. There will still be lots of space for the likes of Vinicius and Bellingham to do their thing, and they have objectively performed better when the number ten has been injured.
However, with Courtois, he has the capability of winning the game for Real Madrid alone with his immense shot stopping. Again, La Liga may be all but gone, but he could help the team win the game and avoid the humiliation of seeing Barcelona win the title on the night. Let's see.
Possible starting XI for El Clasico; Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, F. Garcia; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Diaz, Bellingham, Vinicius; G. Garcia. (4231).
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