Real Madrid presents a practically gala eleven for the dispute of the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals, which will be played this Thursday at the Santiago Bernabeu, against a Barça plagued by injuries, the last one being Andreas Christensen , who will finally start as a substitute due to some discomfort that he has not managed to heal.
The place of the Danish center-back will be occupied by Marcos Alonso. The rest of the Blaugrana defense is made up of Alejandro Balde, Jules Koundé and Ronald Araújo, who will act as right back to defend Vinícius. The Barça coach, Xavi Hernández, continues to bet on the inclusion of four midfielders, although Gavi will act as a false left winger.
Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and Kessié will be the other midfield players, while Raphinha and Ferran Torres will be up front, who will play center forward. This is the Barça lineup: Ter Stegen, Araújo, Koundé, Marcos Alonso, Balde; Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Kessié; Raphinha, Gavi and Ferran Torres.
In the white team, the only absences due to physical problems are those of defenders David Alaba and Ferland Mendy. Rodrygo has recovered in time from his injury to the piriformis muscle in his left leg, but he will start as a substitute and his place will be taken by Fede Valverde. The Uruguayan will play on the right in a lead that is completed by Benzema and Vinícius.
The losses in the defense have allowed Nacho to enter the starting team, who will act as a left-back. In the midfield, Camavinga will accompany the veterans Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. This is the Real Madrid eleven: Courtois; Carvajal, Militão, Rüdiger, Nacho; Camavinga, Modric, Kroos; Valverde, Vinicius and Benzema.
The last time the two Spanish football giants met was in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Arabia, where Barça beat Madrid and took the title (1-3). However, the previous duel between the two at the Santiago Bernabeu ended with a solvent victory for the whites (3-1)
Consult all the results of the Copa del Rey.
