Doubt resolved! Alejandro Balde, ready for the Clásico: Starter or substitute?

FC Barcelona continued this Friday with the preparation for the Clásico against Real Madrid for matchday 35 of LaLiga with two pieces of good news. The first is the presence of Alejandro Balde, who is expected to receive medical clearance this Saturday to return to the Barça squad.

The left-back, who has been out since April 12 against Leganés (0-1) due to a distal injury to the biceps femoris muscle in his left thigh, was unable to recover for the return leg of the Champions League 'semi' against Inter Milan, but he has trained with the group this Friday at the Ciutat Esportiva.

Therefore, everything points to him being available on Sunday against Real Madrid, after missing the last three La Liga matchdays, along with the Copa del Rey final and three other Champions League matches due to a muscular problem whose recovery took longer than expected.

Alejandro Balde, ready to start in the Clásico against Madrid?

However, due to his four-week absence, Flick is likely to leave Álex on the bench. Barça has a golden opportunity to seal LaLiga in the Clásico, but there are still three more matchdays to play and the coaching staff's objective is to avoid new muscular injuries before the end of 24/25.

In that sense, just as happened with Robert Lewandowski on Tuesday against Inter, Balde will most likely be a substitute and Gerard Martín will remain in the starting XI. The '35' played very well in Milan (providing two assists) and has been responding positively to the coaching staff's confidence.

Beyond some problems in the first leg against the 'Nerazzurri', both in La Liga and in the Copa final, the 23-year-old defender did his job covering the left flank, providing depth to the Barça attack with precise crosses into the opposition's area and without neglecting his defensive work.

Barcelona's possible lineup against Real Madrid

FC Barcelona's starting eleven against Inter Milan in the first leg of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League semi-finals

Therefore, it is likely that Flick will repeat his XI from the return leg of the Champions League 'semi', with the exception of Robert Lewandowski instead of Ferran Torres. In defense, Eric García and Iñigo Martínez came out exhausted from Milan, but both have recovered without problems.

Another who came out exhausted from the Giuseppe Meazza was Pedri, but his presence in midfield is always key for Barça. Ronald Araujo did not have a good night against Inter and should be on the bench again, waiting for his moment alongside Gavi and Fermín López.

The other big novelty in the squad for the Clásico may be the presence of Marc Casadó, who has been out for two months due to a partial tear of the external lateral ligament in his right knee. The midfielder was hoping to be ready by mid-May and everything points to him receiving medical clearance, along with Balde, this Saturday.

Thus, the only players in the Barça infirmary would be Marc Bernal, Jules Koundé and Pablo Torre, the latter also awaiting evolution after dropping out of the XI against Valladolid due to discomfort in his left knee.

This is how Barça would line up in the Clásico:

1. (#25, GK) Szczesny
2. (#24) Eric García
3. (#02) Pau Cubarsí
4. (#05) Iñigo Martínez
5. (#35) Gerard Martín
6. (#21) Frenkie de Jong
7. (#08) Pedri
8. (#20) Dani Olmo
9. (#19) Lamine Yamal
10. (#11) Raphinha
11. (#09) Robert Lewandowski

Barça bench (substitute players):

1. (#01, GK) Ter Stegen
2. (#13, GK) Iñaki Peña
3. (#03) Alejandro Balde
4. (#04) Ronald Araujo
5. (#06) Gavi
6. (#07) Ferran Torres
7. (#10) Ansu Fati
8. (#15) Andreas Christensen
9. (#16) Fermín López
10. (#17) Marc Casadó
11. (#18) Pau Víctor
12. (#32) Héctor Fort