Barcelona receive boost as key Real Madrid forward an injury doubt for El Clasico

The biggest game of the La Liga calendar will take place this weekend as Barcelona and Real Madrid lock horns in the first El Clasico of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Barça have the lead over their arch-rivals in the league table heading into the match and would be eager to further stretch their advantage at the top.

Real Madrid, however, will be in a buoyant mood after their comeback 5-2 win over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.

Rodrygo injured

However, the victory against Dortmund came at a significant cost for Real Madrid as key forward Rodrygo Goes has suffered an injury, reports AS.

Indeed, the 23-year-old Brazilian international was unable to complete the game after feeling pain in his right hamstring, leading to him being taken off in the 85th minute.

Rodrygo will undergo further tests today and tomorrow, but all signs point towards him being absent for Saturday’s El Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

According to sources at the club, the striker will undergo a first examination today, but the MRI will not be carried out until Thursday.

Rodrygo’s potential absence will be perceived as a major boost in the Barcelona camp, considering that he has been in decent form of late.

While he did not score or assist on the night against Dortmund, he played a key role in Real Madrid’s second-half comeback last night.

So far this season, the Brazilian international has featured 13 times in all competitions, scoring three times and setting up two more goals for his teammates.

Rodrygo’s absence could likely spark a formation change from Carlo Ancelotti, who could opt to set Real Madrid up with an additional midfielder on the field against Barcelona.