FC Barcelona's squad for the trip to Madrid for El Clásico

FC Barcelona face Real Madrid in one of the most important Clásico matches in recent years. The blaugranas travel to Madrid in the knowledge that they need the three points to have a chance of winning the league title as they would move into first place on goal difference. Luis Enrique has announced his 18-player match day squad for the game in Madrid on Sunday morning just before his team left for the capital.

The Barça coach is unable to count on the suspended Neymar Jr, who the club have decided not to call up following the lack of a response from the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sports). Besides the Brazilian, Luis Enrique will also have to do without the long-term absentees Rafinha and Aleix Vidal, although the full-back will travel to Madrid with the squad in order to support his teammates. Mathieu is also out after he failed to recover from a problem in his Achilles tendon in his right foot.

In better news, Arda Turan has been passed fit and is included in the squad. Masip has been left out by the manager whereas Barça B’s Carles Aleñá has made the cut and will complete the list of 19 players, 18 plus the injured Aleix, who will travel to the Santiago Bernabéu to provide support.

Therefore, the match day squad in full is: Ter Stegen, Piqué, Rakitic, Sergio, Denis, Arda, A. Iniesta, Suárez, Messi, Cillessen, Mascherano, Paco Alcácer, Jordi Alba, Digne, Sergi Roberto, André Gomes, Aleix Vidal –travelling with the squad- Umtiti and Aleñá (28).