El Clasico: 5 Barcelona players who will be key figures 

#3 Phillipe Coutinho

The comet on the left flank: Coutinho

Barcelona’s star signing Phillipe Coutinho is expected to start at left wing on Sunday’s Clasico. While Phillipe Coutinho is a beast on the left wing, he has to deal with either Odriozola or Carvajal on the right flank which won’t be an easy task.

In Lionel Messi’s absence, he has to link-up with Jordi Alba and support him in the best way possible. Phillipe Coutinho always cuts inside and shoots from outside the box with his right foot. However, he is up against a much stronger centre-back partnership in Varane and Ramos.

He should no doubt try for shots from clear chances but he has to be unselfish on most occasions and play the pass to Luis Suarez.

During the last Clasico without Lionel Messi, Neymar put on an all-around show. That is what the Blaugrana outfit expects Coutinho to do. Bring a strong strike partnership with Luis Suarez, play the pass when required and pull out the quintessential Coutinho curler from outside the box.

The Brazilian star has every reason to step up with either, a young Dembele or Malcom, governing the other wing. The pressure will be more on the wing with Alba and Coutinho, and Barcelona needs him to come out in flying colours.

Coutinho has been good so far this season, making no mistakes in finishing from outside the box. However, he hasn’t been at the best in forcing his way inside and he has to practise a way to bypass the currently desolate Real Madrid defence.