Barcelona (4-3-3): Szczesny; Garcia, Cubarsi, Martinez, Martin; De Jong, Pedri, Olmo; Yamal, Torres, Raphinha. Subs: Ter Stegen, Balde, Araujo, Gavi, Lewandowski, Fati, Pena, Christensen, Lopez, Casado, Victor, Fort.
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Tchouameni, Fran; Valverde, Ceballos; Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe. Subs: Modric, Rodrygo, Lunin, Endrick, Vallejo, Diaz, Yusi, Ramon, Mestre, Munoz.
It’s amazing, given what we know about football – the pettiest existence in the world save government – that sometimes, we forget there are fall-guys.
We’ve been in raptures these last two-and-a-half weeks, kvelling at all-time great Champions League tie between Barcelona and Inter; rightly so. But because most of us are ambivalent as regards who actually won it, instead centring our experience of watching it, the potentially life-altering manner in which glorious victory turned into – was turned into – devastating defeat, is not our preoccupation.
Make no mistake, though, Barca are nurturing a penetrating sickness they may never fully assuage. So the last thing – but perhaps also the first thing – they need this afternoon is the visit of Real Madrid, league title on the line.
If Barca win today, they go seven points clear with three games to go, their lead almost unassailable. But if they lose it’s down to a point, with a nasty run in to come: an away derby, fifth-placed Villarreal at home, Athletic Club away; by way of contrast, Madrid face Mallorca home, Sevilla away, Sociedad home.
And make no mistake, Carlo Ancelotti’s men know this is their time. They’ll still be smarting after their own Champions League exit, beaten home and away by Arsenal, their structural weaknesses paraded in front of the world. Or, in other words, their season stands on the cusp of failure – they’ve also been walloped 4-0 in their home clásico, then again 5-2 in the Supercopa clásico, and last month they were pipped in extra time of the clásico Copa del Rey final. Not many Real Madrid sides have endured a season of so many humiliations, never mind one comprising some of the best and most expensive players on the planet. This, though, is their chance to save themselves – and if they do, this timer you can be sure we won’t neglect the unfathomable misery of the losers.
Kick-off: 4.15pm local, 3.15pm BST
