Xavi handed massive boost as three Barcelona stars return to training ahead of El Clasico against Real Madrid - Reports
Barcelona have received a ray of hope with multiple reports hinting at the return of three first-team players ahead of their clash against Real Madrid on October 28.
As conveyed by SPORT, the trio of Robert Lewandowski, Frenkie De Jong, and Raphinha were spotted taking part in training sessions.
Xavi Hernandez has had to make do with multiple alternatives, owing to the scale of fitness issues currently plaguing his Barcelona side. Crucial senior members, including Pedri, Jules Kounde, and captain Sergi Roberto have been sidelined for a relatively long time due to the extensive nature of their injuries.
As a result, the Spanish boss has had to resort to giving the club's youngsters a chance in important matches. While several La Masia graduates like Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez have thrived in the absence of such senior players, a fit squad would've been preferable for Xavi.
From the looks of it, the Barcelona legend might just get his wish before the upcoming El Clasico in La Liga. As reported by SPORT, Raphinha has rejoined the team and has been training under special conditions. Likewise, Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie De Jong have also been spotted in training sessions.
This certainly gives the Blaugrana a significant boost ahead of their clash against Real Madrid.
Joao Felix also confirmed his availability for the fixture despite his apparent injury in Barca's UEFA Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk on October 25.
Real Madrid also have a fair share of injury problems, with the likes of Arda Guler and Dani Ceballos out. Hence, managers of the two sides have the tough task of finding the correct squad combination to counter their opponents.
Real Madrid currently lead Barcelona by one win in the all-time El Clasico record
Barcelona and Real Madrid arguably share the fiercest rivalry in all of football. The two sporting giants have been duking it out against each other, ever since the Spanish top-flight first came to light.
While Real Madrid had a comfortable upper hand in the 1900s, Barcelona announced themselves as a force to be reckoned with following the arrival of Johan Cruyff. Consequently, the two teams share a close head-to-head record when it comes to all-time statistics.
Los Blancos currently lead the Blaugrana by one win, having registered 101 wins in El Clasicos. Meanwhile, Barcelona have bagged 100 wins, with 52 bouts ending in stalemate.
A win in the upcoming El Clasico would not only level the record for Barcelona but will also propel them to the top of the current La Liga table.