Midfield
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Barcelona signed Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes in the summer to take a little bit of the weight off the shoulders of Iniesta, who isn’t getting any younger. But the new men have not shown signs of having completely adapted to Enrique’s system yet – if at all there is a system apart from “pass to Messi and hope”.
Sergio Busquets
Busquets’s role will be the most vital. He has long had the tag of being the best defensive midfielder in the world. Thsis time around, with Rakitic and Iniesta not being around as often, he has looked suspect, especially with the new signings failing to fit in just yet.
Ivan Rakitic
Rakitic’s engine and eye for a pass will be critical to Enrique’s plans. He will be up against his compatriots, Modric and Kovacic, and if anyone knows their games, it is Rakitic. Barcelona will have to look to keep the ball, wear Real down, and possibly make them chase the game for as long as they can. In that respect, all three midfielders will be critical, given their composure in possession, and the ability to move into an empty space to receive passes.
Andres Iniesta
Iniesta is a big-game player. His contribution to Barcelona has gone beyond goals and assists. His silky feet, movement and passing combine to pose a huge threat to any opposition, and he is probably more important to Barcelona in this game than the MSN.
His runs, his movement, will be the ones that create space for the front three to run into. And when they don’t, he will likely be the one threading the passes through to those players. Barcelona will give anything for the captain to turn in another masterclass on Saturday.
