Several members of Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi squads have never before participated in the biggest fixture in world football, while new Baraa coach Quique Setien has never coached in this rivalry either.
Yet Real Madrid and Barcelona captains Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi have taken part in over 40 El Clasico encounters each.
here are just a few of the debuts we’ll see in Sunday’s clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Quique Setien
Barca coach Quique Setien, appointed in January to replace Ernesto Valverde, Setien has an excellent coaching record against Real Madrid, and especially at the Santiago Bernabeu. He won twice there with Real Betis and picked up a couple of draws while at the helm of Las Palmas.
Junior Firpo
Junior Firpo arrived at Barcelona from Real Betis last summer but wasn’t included in the squad for the first El Clasico of the season. As the backup left-back to Jordi Alba, But now Jordi Alba is out injured and may not be fit in time, Firpo also has an impressive record against Real Madrid, providing two assists against them Real Betis last season.
Martin Braithwaite
This will be Martin Braithwaite’s first El Clasico, on top of being one of his very first in Barcelona colours. The Danish striker only arrived at Barcelona on February 20th, joining from Leganes as an emergency signing following Ousmane Dembele’s long-term injury setback. The Dane arrives in Catalonia with experience of scoring against Real Madrid; he actually scored his first-ever goal in Spanish football against Los Blancos, netting in January last year not long after joining Leganes.
