Ahead of the latest El Clasico, Flick has been boosted by the return of Alejandro Balde to training. The left-back has not featured since sustaining a hamstring injury in the win over Leganes last month, but is in contention to start against Real Madrid.

Neither side wished to see their season come down to the final Clasico of the 2024/25 campaign, but that is the reality as Barcelona host bitter rivals Real Madrid in Catalonia on Sunday.

A win wouldn't mathematically end Real's one-year reign atop La Liga, but it would signal its imminent demise.Then comes this match, and a seven-point lead with only three match days left would signal Barca's return to domestic dominance.