Rival watch: Real Madrid full-back suffers from overload ahead of Barcelona showdown

Barcelona will be facing off against Real Madrid tomorrow at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday in what is a must-win encounter.

With eight points separating the two teams, a win for Barça would reduce the gap to five points, allowing the Catalans to mount a late title charge.

And, heading into the Clasico on Sunday, the Blaugrana might have been handed a boost in the form of the absence of a regular starter for Real Madrid.

Ferland Mendy not in training

Indeed, as per journalist Guillermo Rai of The Athletic, Real Madrid left-back Ferland Mendy is suffering from an overload in his left leg and is not training with the team.

The left-back is a regular in the starting XI for Carlo Ancelotti, who trusts the French international due to the defensive solidity he brings to the table.

However, his availability for tomorrow’s clash against Barcelona could now be under doubt as he is not in training with the team, although the report does add that Real Madrid are not ruling him out as of yet.

Even then, if Mendy misses out, it could be seen as a big boost for Barcelona as Lamine Yamal would potentially come up against Fran Garcia on the pitch tomorrow, who is not as solid as the Frenchman defensively.

Vinicius Jr., who was also categorised as a doubt for Real Madrid, is training normally and is expected to be available for tomorrow’s clash.

What about Barcelona?

Surprisingly, for Barcelona, there are no new injury or fitness concerns barring the long-term absentees Gavi and Alejandro Balde.

As such, Xavi Hernandez will have a near full-strength squad at his disposal for the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Not many changes are expected to be made to the starting lineup that took the field against PSG in the UEFA Champions League earlier in the week.