Barcelona legend Andreas Iniesta has revealed his starting XI for the El Clasico clash with Real Madrid in the Spanish league this weekend.Iniesta picked his team for the Madrid game at home on Sunday via his official Twitter account.
Vissel Kobe midfielder Iniesta came through the Barcelona Academy before he spent many years in the first team.He was the Barcelona skipper until his exit three years ago. The 37-year-old left Barcelona to sign for Vissel Kobe in the Japanese top flight on a free transfer.
For his Barcelona XI ahead of the El Clasico, Iniesta selected German international Marc Andre Ter Stegen in goal with the defensive quartet of Oscar Mingueza, Eric Garcia, Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba in front of him.
In the absence of teenage sensation Pedri, Iniesta opted for the trio of fellow teenage sensation Gavi, Dutchman Frenkie De Jong and club skipper Sergio Busquets in midfield. Gavi has been a revelation since he broke into the Barcelona first team squad at the start of this season.
After a difficult start to the season, Barcelona are getting back to their best gradually withtwo straight victories in all competitions ahead of the visit of Real Madrid. The two-game winning run started after successive defeats to Benfica (Champions League) and Atletico Madrid (Spanish La Liga).
Barcelona returned to winning ways with the 3-1 comeback victory over Valencia. Dutchman Ronald Koeman is the Barcelona manager and he selected almost the same team with Iniesta for the Valencia game. The only difference was Sergi Roberto for Oscar Mingueza at right-back.
Koeman and his Barcelona players made it two wins from two games with the 1-0 home victory over Ukrainian champions Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League. It was the first win for the Catalan giants in the Champions League this season.