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FC Barcelona facing Real Madrid is one of the most anticipated and widely viewed matches in club football and football fans around the world look forward to 'El Clasico' every season. Over the years, we had all the recipes of an entertaining tale - late goals, drama and heated battles and we can surely hope that there will not be any shortage of entertainment tonight.
No team has beaten Real Madrid more times than Barcelona and similarly, Barcelona suffered most defeats against Real Madrid in La Liga. El Clasico is a historically renowned rivalry and its impact goes beyond football.
Barcelona will host Real Madrid at Camp Nou in the Copa Del Rey semi finals tonight. It goes without saying that there are a number of megastars who can change the complexion of the tie and will fight individual battles on the pitch.
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Without further ado, let us quickly evaluate three key battles which will change the tie tonight.
#1. Lionel Messi versus Sergio Ramos
Both these superstars are the leaders of their respective teams and both were a part of heated battles over the last decade.
Lionel Messi needs no introduction. The Argentine is the all-time top goalscorer in El Clásico history, and Real Madrid are one of the sides against whom he has been at his most prolific. He has scored 25 goals in 37 games against Los Blancos (17 in LaLiga, 6 in the Spanish Super Cup and 2 in the Champions League).
On the other hand, Sergio Ramos is the undisputed leader of the Los Blancos. He is beyond doubt a pivotal part of this Real Madrid side which made history in the Champions League. The Spanish captain has saved Real Madrid, not just with his defensive capabilities but also with goals when necessary.
As evident from past history, Messi got the better of Ramos on numerous occasions and managed to get the player sent off. Sergio Ramos must bring out his best tonight and keep his calm as his good run of form coincides with Real Madrid's good run.
#2. Luis Suarez versus Raphael Varane
Luis Suarez has scored nine league goals against Real Madrid since his debut for Barcelona, more than any other player in that time. He has been a nuisance to the Real Madrid defense since signing as a Barcelona player in 2014/15.
Although he has been criticized heavily due to his loss in pace since the start of this season, he looked like getting his form back at a crucial time and scored a hat-trick in the last 'El Clasico' despite Leo Messi's absence.
Meanwhile, Raphael Varane was sent off in the La Liga but will feature in the Copa Del Rey There is no doubt about his defensive capabilities as he had a major impact in Real Madrid winning the UEFA Champions League and helped France to World Cup glory last year. But he cannot afford any mistake at the back today, not with Suarez ready to pounce.
#3. Luka Modric versus Sergio Busquets
In the previous years, these matches were dominated by the team which won the battle in midfield. Both FC Barcelona and Real Madrid have one of the best midfield setups in the world and both the teams know the chances of dominating the match lie on how well their midfielders perform.
FIFA Best Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or winner, Luka Modric, would take charge of the Real Madrid midfield and will look to find spaces and holes in the Barcelona set up to exploit with his immaculate passing and vision. Poor performance from midfielders like Modric and Kroos were one of the reasons for Los Blancos' humiliation in the first half of the season but Modric will be motivated not to make the same mistake again.
It is crystal clear that Barcelona veteran defensive midfielder, Sergio Busquets, is one of the most intelligent players in the side. His interceptions, game reading and tackles will be vital in stopping Real Madrid midfielders from pulling the strings. There is no doubt that the player who will dominate this battle, will help his team dominate the match.
