El Clasico Takes Over New Jersey for Preseason Showdown

Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to clash in New Jersey as El Clasico comes to the MetLife Stadium, adding to their preseason preparations.

Carlo Ancelotti’s team recently faced a tough loss against AC Milan, while Barcelona managed to draw with Manchester City, eventually winning in a penalty shootout.

As LaLiga is set to kick off on August 18, Madrid, the current champions of both Spain and Europe, are looking to sharpen their skills. Meanwhile, Hansi Flick is poised to guide Barcelona in his first El Clasico experience.

Some key players are still missing for Ancelotti during this US tour, with Kylian Mbappe on a break after his performance in Euro 2024. However, Brazilian stars Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes have recently joined the squad and could feature, while young talent Endrick Felipe is expected to start.

Real Madrid’s predicted lineup includes Courtois in goal, along with a defense featuring Vazquez, Vallejo, Militao, and Garcia. The midfield will have Modric, Ceballos, and Paz, while the attack consists of Guler, Endrick, and Diaz.

Players sidelined due to injury include David Alaba, and there are no suspensions reported.

On the other hand, Hansi Flick is managing player returns, though notable young star Lamine Yamal will not join the match as both Pedri and Frenkie de Jong are currently injured.

For Barcelona, the predicted starting XI features Torriani in goal, with a defensive line-up of Fort, Lenglet, Martinez, and Balde. The midfield will include Bernal, Romeu, and Casado, while Torre, Lewandowski, and Victor will lead their attack.

Injured players for Barcelona are Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Ronald Araujo, and Ansu Fati, who will be working on their rehabilitation at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training ground.

Carlo Ancelotti selected a 26-man squad comprising several academy players in preparation for the new season, while star players including Ferland Mendy, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Jude Bellingham are not traveling for this match.

As for the match broadcast, fans can catch the action on ESPN in the USA and check platforms in other regions for live streaming, including Paramount+ in Australia and FanCode in India.