FC Barcelona teenager Xavi Espart has declared he is ready for 'a war' as the 19-year-old defender prepares to make his El Clasico debut against Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday, with the Spanish title race on the line. The academy graduate could be handed a starting berth amid a defensive injury crisis, making what would already be a high-stakes occasion even more dramatic.

The injury crisis opening the door

Espart's potential Clasico start owes much to a cluster of defensive absences. Eric Garcia is sidelined with a muscle injury, Jules Kounde is doubtful with an ankle sprain, and Andreas Christensen is also unavailable. Espart himself is managing a minor ankle problem, but coach Hansi Flick is expected to assess him ahead of the match.

The teenager's versatility — capable of playing at either fullback position and contributing in attack — has seen him earn consistent minutes in Flick's squad since establishing himself this season.

Espart's own words: 'Fight to the death'

Speaking to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo in an interview published on Thursday, Espart was unequivocal about his mindset. 'The truth is it will be a war,' he said, insisting Barcelona 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.

Notably, Espart was an unused substitute when Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-0 in May to clinch last season's La Liga title. He has since made his full first-team debut and scored his first Champions League goal in Tuesday's 4-2 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain.

Title race stakes: Nine-point gap beckons

Barcelona head into the fixture having won all nine of their opening La Liga matches, sitting six points clear of Real Madrid, with Atletico Madrid second, five points off the pace. A Barcelona victory on Sunday would open a nine-point gap over Madrid — a potentially decisive margin with roughly three-quarters of the season still to play.

This comes after Real Madrid's own run of form: back-to-back 4-1 home wins over Sevilla in La Liga and RB Leipzig in the Champions League have lifted their confidence ahead of the fixture.

Madrid's danger men: Mbappe and Diomande in form

Should Espart start, he may face a stern test from Yan Diomande, a new signing who scored a spectacular volley in Real Madrid's 4-1 Champions League win over RB Leipzig on Wednesday. Kylian Mbappe has also reportedly rediscovered his best form in recent weeks, while Fede Valverde has impressed in an unfamiliar right-back role, giving Madrid multiple attacking threats.

For Espart, Sunday represents not just a personal milestone but a moment that could shape Barcelona's title defence — and his own career trajectory — in one afternoon at Camp Nou.