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Come Fan with UsSunday, June 28, 2026

Real Madrid Vs. Barcelona 2011, El Clasico: Barcelona Lineup

Barcelona go with the tried and tested approach for their visit to the Santiago Bernabeu, and why not? This is, after all, the team that annihilated Real Madrid 5-0 earlier this season, so they don't really need to worry about making any changes just yet. Pep Guardiola's side has been handed a huge boost by the return to full fitness of captain Carlos Puyol, who makes his return in the starting eleven and will allow Sergio Busquets back into the midfield.

And what a midfield that is - you'd be hard-pressed to find any holding player more accomplished than Busquets, Andres Iniesta is at the very least one of the world's great attacking midfielders, and Xavi has a case for being the greatest passer of the ball who's ever lived, although he'd never admit to it. Ahead of them? David Villa and Lionel Messi (and Pedro). Jose Mourinho has come up with a 4-3-3 shape to combat them, but it's going to take a little more than a mere tactical shift to contain this Barcelona team.

Barcelona (4-3-3): Victor Valdes; Adriano, Carlos Puyol, Gerard Pique, Dani Alves; Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta; David Villa, Lionel Messi, Pedro.

Substitutes: Seydou Keita, Jose Manuel Pinto, Gabriel Milito, Ibrahim Afellay, Maxwell, Thiago, Fontas.

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