Barcelona fans are losing their minds after seeing Xavi name Marcos Alonso in the team’s starting eleven to face Real Madrid. The two Spanish giants will meet in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals. The match will be played at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Fans, however, are baffled to see Alonso in the lineup. The defender joined the Catalan club from Chelsea in the summer of 2022 and has since made 24 appearances for the Blaugrana. Alonso, however, still has to convince Culers with his performances.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen is a starter in the Catalan club’s goal. Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Alonso and Alejandro Balde are the four defenders. Andreas Christensen suffers from ankle discomfort and trained just 15 minutes before El Clásico. The Dane could only make the bench as a result.
Sergio Busquets, Franck Kessie and Frenkie de Jong are the three midfielders. Gavi, Raphinha and Ferran Torres are in attack.
The fans, however, are furious to see Alonso’s name on the team sheet. One fan has already been discouraged and has congratulated Real Madrid. He wrote:
“Starting Alonso, congratulations to Real Madrid on their victory”.
Another fan wrote:
“Enjoy Alonso, this team is finite”.
Here are some of the best reactions from Barcelona fans on Twitter when Marcos Alonso starts against Real Madrid:
What did Barcelona coach Xavi say ahead of the Copa del Rey clash against Real Madrid?
Barcelona and Real Madrid have already met twice this season. The whites won the first game at the Santiago Bernabéu, winning 3-1 in La Liga.
Barça emerged triumphant when both teams met in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. Xavi’s team won 3-1 on the scoreboard.
Before the third meeting, Xavi told the media (via Barça Universal):
“He’s a very tough opponent, he doesn’t dominate in many moments but he has those mini phases in which he dominates you and in a transition he puts you in the goal.”
“He is a very difficult rival in his field. In the League they beat us well and we beat them well in the Super Cup. I think it will be resolved in the second leg, it is a golden opportunity to reach a final and win”. a title.”
In an hour the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu.