It looked like both Barcelona and Real Madrid would be without one star attacker entering Sunday's El Clasico, but that may not be the case. While Barcelona will definitely be without Neymar due to suspension, Real Madrid's Gareth Bale returned to training on Thursday, three days before the match, and could be on the bench as he recovers from his calf injury.
📸🏃🔙 #RMCity @GarethBale11 volvió al trabajo de grupo en el primer entrenamiento de cara a #ElClasico!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/W7xzmI1HEN
— Real Madrid C. F. (@realmadrid) April 20, 2017
Now, the Welsh star didn't fully participate in the entire practice, so his status remains unclear but it is still an encouraging sign. Real will likely be without Pepe and Raphael at the back as well.
So, let's say Bale plays and starts. Here is how Real would likely lineup:
With Bale
But if Bale doesn't make the squad or is on the bench, what would the team look like? It would likely come down to Isco or Lucas Vazquez on the right. Though Isco had two goals at the weekend and started against Bayern Munich midweek, Vazquez's speed down the right would probably be a better fit since Jordi Alba will likely start at leftback for Barca. The former Valencia defender likes to go on attack, so having Vazquez's speed to go on the counter would be smart over having a more possession-focused Isco going inside.
Without Bale
Barcelona without Neymar
Here's how Barca will probably lineup without the Brazilian, opting for two strikes, with Paco Alcacer joining Luis Suarez.
El Clasico will be at 2:45 p.m. ET on Sunday, with first-place Real leading second-place Barca by three points.
MORE EL CLASICO
For news, stories, results and more, follow us: