Ivan Rakitic has overcome a calf injury in time to be included in Luis Enrique's team and give Ba...

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Gordon Brunt

News Editor

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///bund/players/3463" href="http://www.thescore.com/bund/players/3463">Ivan Rakitic</a> has overcome a calf injury in time to be included in Luis Enrique's team and give <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/teams/37" href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/teams/37">Barcelona </a>a boost ahead of El Clasico.</p><p>The Croatian international will be available for selection against <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/teams/44" href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/teams/44">Real Madrid </a>for the first time since Nov. 4 when he suffered the injury during Barcelona's win over<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/teams/110" href="http://www.thescore.com/chlg/teams/110"> BATE Borisov</a>, the team <a href="http://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/detail/article/final-training-session-for-fc-barcelona-ahead-of-clasico">confirmed </a>Friday.</p><p>Enrique has yet to determine what role Rakitic will play during the showcase match of the Spanish season, but admitted he's pleased to see the 27-year-old back in the fold.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>"(Rakitic) is good," Enrique <a href="http://www.espnfc.us/spanish-primera-division/story/2719195/lionel-messi-clasico-decision-at-match-time-luis-enrique">told reporters</a>. "I will speak with him after training and see what feedback I get. But it is good to have him back with us."</p><p>Rakitic's recovery coincides with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/1126" href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a>'s return from a knee injury that's kept the Argentine superstar out of action since September.</p><p><strong>Related: <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/887513" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/887513">Lionel Messi fit to play ahead of El Clasico</a></strong></p><p>Similar to Rakitic, Enrique wasn't willing to disclose what impact Messi will have, saying that he will make a decision an hour before kick-off.</p>

Ivan Rakitic

FC Barcelona

La Liga Soccer

The most explosive club rivalry in Europe, and arguably the world, will be renewed Saturday at on...

https://rich-content.thescore.com/authors/gianluca-nesci/content_cards

Gianluca Nesci

Supervising Editor

<p>The most explosive club rivalry in Europe, and arguably the world, will be renewed Saturday at one of the pantheons of football, as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/teams/37" href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/teams/37">Barcelona</a> makes the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu for the latest installment of El Clasico against bitter peer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/teams/44" href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/teams/44">Real Madrid</a>.</p><p>Here's everything you need to be ready for the opening whistle.</p><h3>Preview</h3><ul>
<li>
<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/885112" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/885112"><strong>On loop</strong></a><strong><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/885112" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/885112">: Best highlights from Real Madrid, Barcelona this season</a></strong>
</li>
<li><strong><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/884550" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/884550">Banter Zone: El Clasico Edition</a></strong></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/886043" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/886043"><strong>Slaps, kicks, and eye pokes: Top 5 El Clasico fights</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/news/886503"><strong>What the Spanish media is saying ahead of El Clasico</strong></a></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/news/885974">3 reasons Real Madrid will defeat Barcelona</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/news/886771">3 reasons Barcelona will defeat Real Madrid</a></strong></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/news/887447"><strong>Stamping his mark: Neymar emerges as man to lead Barcelona in El Clasico</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/news/886802"><strong>Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: 3 key battles to watch</strong></a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/886495" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/886495"><strong>Match Preview</strong></a></li>
<li><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/887759" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/887759"><strong>Staff Picks</strong></a></li>
</ul><figure><iframe src="https://renderer.qmerce.com/interaction/564c8c76b8db3ddc5e3f16c9" width="100%" height="404" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></figure><h3>Team News</h3><ul>
<li><strong><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/883682" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/883682">Lionel Messi returns to training as El Clasico looms</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/885674" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/885674">Luis Suarez: Lionel Messi looks 'sharp' ahead of El Clasico</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/886348" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/886348">Gareth Bale ready for Barcelona 'battle'</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/886346" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/886346">Unprecedented security for Madrid-Barcelona clash</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/886520" href="http://www.thescore.com/news/886520">Andres Iniesta: Security concerns 'inevitable' ahead of Clasico</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/news/887404">Benzema, Ramos, Navas in Real Madrid's squad for El Clasico</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/news/887513">Lionel Messi fit to play ahead of El Clasico</a></strong></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thescore.com/liga/news/887698"><strong>Rakitic named to Barcelona squad ahead of El Clasico</strong></a></li>
</ul><h3>Season at a Glance</h3><figure><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/142665/cropped_REU_2208808.jpg?ts=1447720414"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Real Madrid - 2nd in La Liga</strong></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Wins</th>
<th>Draws</th>
<th>Losses</th>
<th>Goals For</th>
<th>Goals Against</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>7</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>7</td>
<td>24</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>Last 5 League Matches: L, W, W, W, D</em></p><p><strong>Barcelona - 1st in La Liga</strong></p><figure><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Wins</th>
<th>Draws</th>
<th>Losses</th>
<th>Goals For</th>
<th>Goals Against</th>
<th>Points</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>9</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>2</td>
<td>25</td>
<td>12</td>
<td>27</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p><em>Last 5 League Matches: W, W, W, W, L</em></p>

Rakitic named to Barcelona squad ahead of El Clasico

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