Real Madrid vs Barcelona, ​​the expected figures of the LaLiga classic

• Jordi Blanco, Correspondent in Barcelona Apr. 20, 2024, 9:02 a.m. ET

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  • He has watched Barcelona at the Camp Nou since his childhood. • Since 1987 he began to collaborate in the Diario de Barcelona, ​​joining the editorial staff of the newspaper Sport two years later. • Since July 2013 he has been a correspondent for ESPN Deportes Digital in Barcelona.

Real Madrid and Barcelona face off in a LaLiga classic and there are players who could define the match.

Real Madrid and Barcelona face off in a LaLiga classic that could shape the future champion of Spanish soccer.

Who are the figures that could define the classic?

We analyze them.

Jude Bellingham

The importance of the English footballer at Real Madrid is indisputable… But his impact on the team has decreased noticeably. Capable of scoring 17 goals in his first 20 games of the season, being key in many victories (Celta, Getafe, Union Berlin, Napoli, Braga or in the Clásico of the first round), in his next 14 appearances he has only scored three goals (one from a penalty) and has ceased to be that differentiating element that deserved all kinds of praise in the first part of the season.

On Sunday, in a clash that could define the championship, Bellingham is ‘obliged’ to show its best version, both to face the final stretch of the season fully and to prepare for the league victory and face the Champions League semi-final that will open nine days later in Munich.

Robert Lewandowski

He failed in the quarterfinal second leg against PSG, not being the player who dazzled (despite not scoring) in Paris, and Barça needs the Pole (two goals in his last eight games) to recover his scoring instinct against a Real Madrid, against whom he was able to score six goals in eight games as a player for Borussia or Bayern, but against whom he has not scored in the League since he signed for Barça.

Vinicius

At Real Madrid, the Brazilian striker’s performance in the Super Cup final is still remembered, becoming the differentiating element to explain the merengue team’s win and victory, thus forgetting previous matches in which Araújo’s marking had reached him. despair.

Vinicius arrives at the last of the Classic course at the best moment (eight goals in his last six games) of the season and ventures, especially with the euphoric atmosphere that surrounds his team, who will take the game with extra motivation, known as It is his character in this kind of confrontations.

Ilkay Gundogan

Indisputable and non-negotiable in the plans of on stage for matters that have little to do with football.

Gundogan pointed out Araújo for his expulsion against PSG and the Uruguayan defender’s response was joined by a call of attention from Sergi Roberto or Koundé and although the captain wanted on Friday, like the German himself, to downplay the issue, we will have to see, in the Bernabéu grass, if this is a closed chapter… Or not.

Lamine Yamal

He will make his debut, presumably as a starter, at the Bernabéu after having played as a substitute in Montjuïc and in the Super Cup final, his first two Clásicos that left an obvious bad taste in his mouth due to the defeat of a Barça that blindly trusts in its quality and electricity to assault the merengue temple. Sacrificed by

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Luka Modric

Twelve years after his debut (2-1 victory at the Bernabéu), the Croatian can play against Barça for the last time as a Real Madrid player, being the player on both teams (33 games) who has taken part in the most times. the classic.

Although this season he has already lost his undisputed status (he has only started three of his team’s last ten games), the physical wear and tear that Madrid suffered in Manchester brings him back to the fore and it would not be a surprise, on the contrary, to see him in Ancelotti’s starting eleven.