MADRID, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona's 19-year-old defender Xavi Espart is preparing for a baptism of fire when he makes his Clasico debut against Real Madrid on Sunday.
Espart made his first-team debut last season and was an unused substitute when Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-0 in May to clinch the league title. He has since established himself as a regular member of coach Hansi Flick's squad.
The teenager's versatility, which allows him to operate at either fullback position and contribute in attack, has helped him earn more playing time. He also scored his first Champions League goal in Tuesday's 4-2 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain.
With Eric Garcia sidelined by a muscle injury, Jules Kounde doubtful with an ankle sprain and Andreas Christensen also injured, Espart is in contention to start Sunday's potentially pivotal encounter, provided he recovers from a minor ankle problem of his own.
Speaking to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo in an interview published Thursday, the Barcelona academy graduate acknowledged the intensity of the challenge awaiting him.
"The truth is it will be a war," Espart said, insisting that his side would hold nothing back.
"We will go all out, it's a Clasico. You always have to give one hundred percent, and now we have the opportunity to move further ahead in points, so we will fight to the death," he added.
If selected, Espart could face a difficult assignment against Real Madrid's Yan Diomande, who scored a spectacular volley in Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League victory over RB Leipzig. ■
