Real Madrid-FC Barcelona: The possible lineups for the Clásico of the preseason tour

FC Barcelona is close to facing its second great challenge of the preseason. The Barça entity will play the first Clásico of the campaign against Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid, in a match that will take place at the Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey in the early hours of Sunday, August 4, starting at 1:00 a.m. in Spain. The Blaugranas will seek to repeat the result of the last duel on American soil, where they won 0-3.

The match will also have the added bonus of being Hansi Flick's first Clásico on the Barça bench. The German coach started the American tour on the right foot, achieving a victory in the penalty shootout against Manchester City after drawing 2 at 2 in the 90 minutes. The German will seek to maintain the good feelings in the squad and is expected to start from the start with some of the 'heavyweights' and regulars of the first team.

Probable lineups for Real Madrid-FC Barcelona for the preseason tour

• XI del Real Madrid: Courtois; Lucas Vázquez, Militao, Rüdiger, Fran García; Luka Modric, Mario Martín, Ceballos; Rodrygo, Endrick, Vinicius.
• XI del FC Barcelona: Iñaki Peña; Fort, Christensen, Iñigo Martínez, Balde; Marc Casadó, Marc Bernal; Araujo, Gündogan, Unai Hernández; Lewandowski. 

Iñaki Peña

The Alicante goalkeeper would once again be a starter and is shaping up to be Ter Stegen's natural replacement next season. In the match against City, he was in goal for the first 61 minutes before being replaced by Ander Astralaga, who was the hero on penalties. However, Peña left the field leaving the culés ahead on the scoreboard and putting in a solid performance, so everything indicates that he will start again from the start for the second consecutive match.

Fort-Christensen-Iñigo-Balde

Several modifications are planned in the defensive rear. Héctor Fort would be the only one to repeat the title, with Christensen and Iñigo Martínez taking over the center of the rearguard, acting as replacements for Lenglet and Sergi Domínguez, who were in the starting eleven against the 'skyblues'. For his part, the left back would see the return of Alejandro Balde as a starter after missing the second half of last season due to a serious injury.

Marc Casadó-Marc Bernal

The 'Marcs' duo would once again be chosen by Hansi Flick to act as the balance of the midfield from the first minute. Both footballers left good feelings against City, where Casadó assisted Pau Víctor's goal, and they hope to earn a place in the German's squad next season, so their first Clásico will be a 'fire' test to show that they are prepared for the big stages.

Araujo-Gündogan-Unai Hernández

The offensive part of the midfield would witness the return of Ilkay Gündogan to the starting eleven after rejoining the first team after his presentation at Euro 2024. The German will face his first challenge of the season under Flick, and would do so accompanied by Julián Araujo (one of the few who repeats ownership) and Unai Hernández, who would have his first great opportunity of the preseason.

Lewandowski

The scorer would be one of the great novelties in Flick's starting eleven to face the Madridistas. The polish arrives with renewed ambitions, promising more goals than in the last campaign and having greater 'weight' in the German coach's plans. Robert hopes to end the Merengues' streak of three consecutive victories against the Catalans, so Barcelona fans expect him to have a good day in front of goal.