Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic is reportedly struggling to win his race to be fit for Saturday's El Clasico at the Bernabeu.

Spain's big two will meet for the first time this season when Barcelona make the trip to Real Madrid in Spain's top flight at the weekend.

Rakitic picked up a calf injury during Barcelona's Champions League clash against BATE Borisov on November 4 and according to AS, the Croatian was forced to miss training on Tuesday with the same problem.

It is understood that Luis Enrique will give the 27-year-old every chance of passing a fitness test, but his involvement in Madrid is seen as unlikely.

Barcelona will enter the match boasting a three-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table.