With the departing Andres Iniesta recovering in time for what is officially his last El Clasico after 22 years with Barcelona, chances are that Coutinho will possibly make his debut in the fierce battle from the bench. The 25-year-old Brazilian who joined the Catalan outfit in a club record deal back in January, is yet to have a first-hand taste of El Clasico.
However, the midfielder has had prior experience in fixtures against the men in white. In his loan move from Inter Milan to Espanyol in 2012, Coutinho’s side suffered a 5-0 thumping off the hands of Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
He was also part of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool set-up that was beaten 1-0 at the same venue and subsequently 3-0 at Anfield in the group stages of the 2014/15 UEFA Champions League. Finding himself among a whole different environment, surrounded by the likes of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ivan Rakitic, etc., the former Espanyol and Liverpool player will aim to make Los Blancos atone for their sins against his former clubs.
How influential he will certainly hinge on whether he will be given the nod at a point in the encounter.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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