Barcelona stars return to training, but Xavi ‘won’t take any risks’ for El Clásico clash

“For us, the most important thing is that Bellingham plays, and that I pick the best possible lineup,” the Italian coach said.

Regardless of who plays for the host team, Xavi has a huge task in finding a way to stop Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior.

While Vinícius’ speed and dribbling skills have for several seasons been the main headache for Madrid’s rivals, Bellingham has transformed into a top scorer since his arrival in the offseason.

In past “clasicos,” Xavi has used central defender Ronald Araújo as a stopper on the right flank of his backline to deal with Vinícius. If he repeats that formula, then the more attack-minded João Cancelo could move into midfield, or be kept as a option off the bench.

“We have Cancelo, whose natural position is right back, but he can play on the left or in midfield. He is versatile,” Xavi said about the player who is on loan from Manchester City.

Marking Bellingham, however, will have to be a group effort, starting with a midfield full of doubts because of the questionable fitness levels of players like Pedri and De Jong. Holding midfielder Oriol Romeu and Ilkay Gundogan appear to be shoo-ins for Xavi’s starting midfield, which could also include tackler Gavi Paéz.

“Oriol and the other midfielders will have to be on guard,” Xavi said. “We have to be careful with the quick transitions and counterattacks by Madrid … But we will be brave. We won’t change our playing style or our strategy. We want to go for the game and try to dominate possession.”

Bellingham has helped fill the scoring void left by Karim Benzema’s departure to Saudi Arabia and has scored a team-high 11 goals in 12 matches. That includes a competition-high eight goals in the league.

Bellingham has scored by joining the attack in a second wave, poached timely winners by knowing where to be in the box, and created his own goals after gliding past defenders and finding the net with well-placed shots.

So Madrid appears to have the slight advantage in midfield — an area Barcelona used to dominate when Xavi was a player — where Ancelotti normally puts Bellingham alongside Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, and holder Aurélien Tchouaméni. That leaves Madrid with the luxury of using Luka Modric as a second-half substitute to put games away.

The doubt Ancelotti could have is where to put Eduardo Camavinga, who can play as a more defensive midfielder, perhaps in place of Tchouaméni, or at left back instead of Ferland Mendy.

“Camavinga has played well, but Mendy has the advantage because he rested the last game,” Ancelotti said, hinting he could use one to substitute the other. “It is difficult for a player to play the entire match, so those who start on the bench know they can still contribute.”

Ancelotti will also have to plan alternatives to deal with the gems that Xavi has discovered at La Masia academy over recent months.

A new crop of young talents have emerged from Barcelona’s training academy, led by 16-year-old forward Lamine Yamal, who has broken records for the youngest player to score for both Barcelona and Spain, and 20-year-old midfielder Fermín López, who was the team’s best player in its Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk this week.

“Playing with homegrown players is a bonus,” Xavi said. “Players who came up through La Masia know how important this game is. It is fundamental.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.