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Xavi is the star of the show in this one It?s the first Clasico of the season, with one point separating Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table.
Barcelona are the reigning Spanish champions, but this isn?t the same Real Madrid team that came in a distant second place during the 2022-2023 campaign.
Carlo Ancelotti has a new star player, and very different tactics, that Xavi will have to consider in preparing his team for the match.
This is a team in the middle of an injury crisis that will leave the manager short on options. This is also a team in winning form that has found a way to keep moving forward in spite of the hurdles placed in front of them.
Now is the big challenge. It?s one thing to get past Athletic Club and Shakhtar Donestk by the skin of your teeth, and quite another to stand tall in the face of adversity in the world?s greatest footballing rivalry.
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The Barcelona team that Xavi can field is short handed, and has very limited Clasico experience.
Maybe, just maybe, with the right preparation and motivation, that naivete could benefit a young Barcelona team with everything to prove.
It could also be a recipe for disaster if Xavi isn?t careful.
The manager has some important questions to answer ahead of the showdown on Montjuic.
How will Xavi manage the players coming back from injury"

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