Ferran Torres will return to the Barcelona starting lineup when they take on Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the 2025/26 season at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

Barcelona will aim to return to the summit of La Liga when they lock horns with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first El Clasico of the 2025/26 season on Sunday afternoon. Hansi Flick has received positive updates on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture.

Jules Kounde and Frenkie de Jong are fit and available to take on Real Madrid, with Flick including the duo in the travelling squad. Another good news is the return of Ferran Torres, with the Spanish international regaining fitness this week. However, Raphinha has endured a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

The Brazilian international accompanies Joan Garcia, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Gavi, Dani Olmo, and Robert Lewandowski in the treatment room. The away side will also miss Hansi Flick from the dugout, with the German tactician serving a suspension. So, Marcus Sorg conducted the pre-match press conference, discussing fitness updates on a few players and speaking about Flick’s absence.

Barcelona’s assistant manager said, “We have enough players to compete. We’ll decide tomorrow whether Ferran starts. [We] will wait until the last moment to decide [about Kounde’s involvement against Real Madrid].”

“It’s an honour to be on the bench. When Hansi isn’t there, you can feel his absence. He’s the most important part of the team. [The group] knows what it has to do, Flick is motivated and in good spirits. He’s the most important part of the team and so it’s a disadvantage of course. But it’s the same with the players, we have to deal with it. Everybody knows what he expects from us and I think we will do it.”

Wojciech Szczesny will continue deputising for Joan Garcia and Marc-Andre ter Stegen between the sticks, with Barcelona lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Real Madrid on Sunday. The backline will feature Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, and Alejandro Balde.

As for the midfield unit, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong will form the double pivot in the middle of the park. Fermin Lopez will reprise the no. 10 role, with Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford being the two wide attackers. Finally, Ferran Torres will lead the line for the reigning La Liga champions against Real Madrid on Sunday.

Predicted Barcelona XI: Szczesny; Kounde, Eric Garcia, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, de Jong; Yamal, Fermin, Rashford; Ferran Torres