El Clasico blow for Barca: Key stars not ready to start against Real Madrid

Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has announced that Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde will not start Sunday's crucial La Liga match against Real Madrid. 

Striker Lewandowski recently returned from a hamstring injury, playing extra time in their Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter, while Balde has been sidelined for the past seven games with a similar problem.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Flick stated that neither player is ready for a starting role but suggested they could both feature later in the game. 

“I don’t think they are ready to play as starters yet,” said the Barcelona boss. “Ferran Torres is doing really well as a nine, all players are. I think they are both ready to have minutes as the game goes on.”

The former Bayern boss does have a decision to make in goal, considering Marc-Andre ter Stegen made his return from a long-term patella tendon injury in Barcelona's win against Real Valladolid last weekend. 

Wojciech Szczesny, who joined as cover when the German shot-stopper suffered his long-term injury, played against Inter in midweek. 

“He’s good. More calm,” said the Barca boss. “Sometimes he smokes a bit! But he is like that. 

“It’s his way and he is at the right age (laughs). We are happy with him.”

Barcelona currently lead Real Madrid by four points at the top of La Liga, with just three games remaining after Sunday's highly anticipated El Clasico.

The league-leading club face Espanyol, Villarreal and Athletic Club after the Clasico.