Barça face the clásico against Real Madrid at Montjuïc with a depleted squad. Against Shakhtar in the Champions League Barca started with only twelve players from the first team squad. And the outlook against Real Madrid is not much better.

The good news for Xavi comes in the form of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha. Very tight, but both will arrive to help the team, even if it means coming off the bench. Two vital reinforcements, as the Blaugrana's forward line had been left with a minimum with their absence. And the big new arrival is Jules Koundé.

Lewandowski returns ahead of schedule after recovering from the grade two sprain he suffered in his right ankle during the Champions League match in Porto. The Polish striker had already warned during his first few days on the sidelines that the injury was progressing better than expected and that he did not rule out making his comeback for the derby, which is what happened.

Raphinha's case is in line with expectations. The Brazilian suffered an injury to the biceps femoris in his right leg in the match against Sevilla in Montjuïc and the initial diagnosis stipulated a month's recovery. Bearing in mind that the match against Sevilla took place on 29 September, the clásico is just enough time for him to meet that deadline.

In addition to Koundé, Lewandowski and Raphinha, Xavi also brings back Gavi from the last game against Shakhtar, which the midfielder from Los Palacios missed through suspension. And Joao Felix, who was unable to finish the game against the Ukrainian side. The Portuguese was substituted due to an overload resulting from the accumulation of matches, but the player himself was responsible for reassuring the culers after the game about his presence in the classic.

Without Pedri, De Jong and Sergi Roberto

The Blaugrana coach, however, will be without four of his key players: Pedri, Sergi Roberto and Frenkie de Jong. The Dutchman completed part of the last two sessions with the group, but although his progress is going according to plan, he has yet to complete his recovery. De Jong suffered a distal tibioperoneal syndesmosis in his right ankle during Celta's visit to Montjuïc.

Pedri is the player who has been on the sidelines the longest. The player from Tegueste was injured on the eve of the trip to Villarreal in the third round of La Liga and has still not been able to reappear. The midfielder has an injury in the rectus anterior of his right thigh, the same injury he suffered last season in the Europa League against Manchester United. Both the medical services and the coaching staff want to err on the side of caution given his history.