Six Barcelona players were in line to experience their first El Clásico as the Spanish giants prepared to face Real Madrid at the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, 25 October 2026.
The players included summer signings Dominik Livaković, Rodri, Gabriel Jesus, Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon, alongside Brian Fariñas, who was promoted to Barcelona’s first-team squad ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Academy defender Xavi Espart was also in contention to make his first appearance against Real Madrid after previously being named among the substitutes without getting onto the pitch.
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick had additional concerns ahead of the high-profile encounter, with several players unavailable through injury. Jules Koundé was ruled out, while Eric García and Dani Olmo were also sidelined, forcing the German tactician to consider adjustments to his starting line-up.
As preparations reached their final stage, Flick invited three Barcelona Atlètic players — Abdelkarim, Àlex Campos and Orian Goren — to join the senior team’s training session.
The involvement of the reserve players offered additional options as Barcelona dealt with a shortage of defensive personnel ahead of the fiercely contested fixture.
Among the new arrivals, Adeyemi expressed his excitement about the prospect of featuring in the famous rivalry. The German forward described his Barcelona experience as a dream and credited Flick’s influence for his decision to join the club.
Real Madrid also entered the encounter with several new faces following their own summer recruitment drive. The visitors were expected to feature new signings, while José Mourinho prepared for another appearance in the rivalry after returning for a second spell as the club’s manager.
The meeting promised to be a significant test for both sides, with Barcelona looking to maintain their strong league form and Madrid seeking a crucial result against their biggest domestic rivals.
