Messi set for landmark Clasico look, Marcelo and Kroos start for Madrid

Lionel Messi is set to grow to be the participant with essentially the most appearances in El Clasico for Barcelona after being named within the beginning line-up to tackle Real Madrid on Sunday.

The Argentina celebrity will edge previous Xavi as he racks up his 43rd outing within the largest home fixture in world soccer on the Santiago Bernabeu.

Messi is the fixture’s main goalscorer, having netted 26 occasions towards Barca’s nice rivals.

Barca head into the match, Quique Setien’s first Clasico on the helm, two factors forward of their rivals on the best of LaLiga.

The guests boast a seven-match unbeaten run towards Madrid in top-flight conferences, with the Camp Nou showdown in December having completed goalless.

While Barcelona’s solely change from the aspect that drew 1-1 with Napoli on Tuesday noticed Arthur take Ivan Rakitic’s place in midfield, Zinedine Zidane made two changes to the Madrid workforce that misplaced 2-1 to Manchester City in midweek.

Ferland Mendy and Luka Modric dropped to the bench as Marcelo returned at left again and Toni Kroos began in midfield, whereas Gareth Bale needed to settle for a spot among the many substitutes.

Published 02 Mar 2020, 00:38 IST