Real Madrid hand Bernardo Silva surprise start for El Clasico against Barcelona

Real Madrid have named a starting XI featuring Bernardo Silva instead of Eduardo Camavinga for Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona at Spotify Camp Nou.

The La Liga contest sees both clubs attempt to settle one of the most significant fixtures of the season, with Real Madrid led in attack by Kylian Mbappe.

Andriy Lunin has been selected in goal after Thibaut Courtois was ruled out with influenza. Federico Valverde will operate on the right, while Jose Mourinho’s decision to start Bernardo Silva ahead of Camavinga provides the major surprise in the Real Madrid line-up.

Real Madrid’s starting XI is:

Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin

Defenders: Federico Valverde, Ibrahima Konate, Dean Huijsen, Marc Cucurella

Midfielders: Aurelien Tchouameni, Bernardo Silva, Jude Bellingham

Forwards: Arda Guler, Yann Diomande, Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid’s substitutes are Mestrei, Ilya, Eder Militao, Eduardo Camavinga, Endrick, Trent, Carreras Espi, Brahim, Antonio Rudiger, Dembri and Thiago.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has opted for an attacking formation led by Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Anthony Gordon.

Rodri, Pedri and Fermin Lopez make up the midfield, as Barcelona seek to control the match and make full use of home advantage and the support at Spotify Camp Nou.

Barcelona’s starting XI is:

Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia

Defenders: Xavi Espart, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Joao Cancelo

Midfielders: Rodri, Pedri, Fermin Lopez

Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Anthony Gordon, Raphinha

Barcelona’s substitutes are Wojciech Szczesny, Dominik Livakovic, Alejandro Balde, Farinas, Gavi, Gabriel Jesus, Karim Adeyemi, Frenkie de Jong, Bernal, Hamza, Campos and Jorin.

The two starting line-ups underline the attacking approach of both sides, with Barcelona selecting three forward players and Real Madrid including Mbappe, Guler and Diomande in their front line.