El Clasico: Xavi Sets Up Tactical Masterplan to Stop Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr

• Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandes has set up a plan to stop Vinicius Junior
• Barcelona and Real Madrid face off in the El Clasico on Saturday, October 28
• The Catalans head into the game one point behind Carlo Ancelotti’s men

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandes is weary of the threat posed by Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior and has gone all out to find the best strategy to stop the Brazilian.

The Catalans will host arch-rivals Los Blancos in the season-defining “El Clasico” on Saturday, with the 24-year-old forward set to play a key role for Carlo Ancelotti’s men.

According to Sportskeeda, Xavi is reportedly planning to play central defender Ronald Araujo as a right-back to counter the threat of Vinicius following the injury crisis rocking his team at the moment, with Jules Kounde ruled out of the game.

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The Uruguayan defender, who is naturally a centre-back, has been outstanding in his previous meeting with the Real Madrid attacker while playing the right-back position.

Vinicius has missed over a month of action this season due to a hamstring injury, but the Brazilian has returned and will aim to inflict damage on Barcelona, which is without several of its important players.

Gundogan has respect for Vinicius

Meanwhile, Barcelona midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has disclosed that he does not find the style of Real Madrid winger Vinicius provocative at all following several backlash received by the Brazilian, Madrid Universal reports.

A controversy erupted after a Barcelona representative struck out at the Brazilian, criticising him for his style of play in an unsavoury manner.

Barcelona vice-president Rafa Yuste has already apologised for the offensive post published by the club's spokesperson, Mikel Camps, while players such as Ferran Torres and Alejandro Balde have also backed Vinicius.

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Real Madrid's possible lineup against Barcelona

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Real Madrid enters the Montjuïc clash fully aware that a victory over Barcelona would widen the gap to four points between them and their arch-rivals.

A defeat would allow Xavi Hernández's squad to leapfrog Los Blancos in the LaLiga standings. Although it's still relatively early in the season, the competition at the top is fierce, and early signs point to a tightly contested Spanish title race that could go down to the wire.

The head-to-head performance of Madrid and Barça may ultimately determine the championship's outcome.