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All eyes will be on the Camp Nou on Sunday when Barcelona host Real Madrid in the first El Clasico of the season in La Liga. Los Blancos are the favourites going into the tie, having made a flying start to their 2021-22 campaign. But the Blaugrana are beginning to get back into their elements.
With back-to-back wins across competitions, Barcelona have slowly regained their confidence. But they haven't beaten their arch-rivals in their last four games, losing the last three. Barcelona have not gone five consecutive Clasicos without a win since 2008, though.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos, after two defeats across competitions, returned to form with a stunning 5-0 demolition of Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday. They will look for a second consecutive win at the Camp Nou for the first time since 1965.
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Ahead of the 247th El Clasico, the first of the post-Lionel Messi era, here's a look at the five key battles that could determine the outcome of the game:
#5 Gavi (Barcelona) vs Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
This El Clasico is important in more ways than one can imagine. Not only is this the first of the post-Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos era, but we might also get a glimpse into the future.
Gavi and Eduardo Camavinga, two talented young stars currently making their mark in the league, will go head-to-head in what promises to be an enticing duel.
The former burst onto the scene with Barcelona for the first time this season after coming through the ranks at La Masia. Gavi has garnered attention with his encouraging displays.
Meanwhile, his French counterpart, signed from Rennes in a shrewd piece of business by Los Blancos, has hit the ground running in the Spanish capital. With both expected to start on Sunday, the players are likely to come face-to-face a few times. It would be a real treat to see what happens when they meet.
#4 Ansu Fati (Barcelona) vs David Alaba (Real Madrid)
It's been a fine return to action for Ansu Fati, who missed close to a year with a nasty knee injury. In fact, he has already scored twice in three games, including a peach of a strike against Valencia last weekend.
Widely hailed as Barcelona's next big thing, the 18-year-old has inherited the fabled no.10 jersey from Lionel Messi, filling the legend's void superbly thus far.
Fati's confidence, maturity and composure belie his tender years, and he will be the cynosure of many a Blaugrana faithful on Sunday. But would he produce something special against the highly experienced David Alaba?
The Austrian has made an impressive start to life at Real Madrid. He has settled well into Real Madrid defence without much hassle, admirably filling the void left by Sergio Ramos.
While he's set to play his first Clasico on Sunday, the Real Madrid defender is no stranger to Barcelona. He has come up against Barcelona many times before in Bayern Munich colours, including the famous 8-2 rout of the Blaugrana in the Champions League last year.
#3 Casemiro (Real Madrid) vs Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)
In big games like this one between Real Madrid and Barcelona, the most important battles are often in midfield. One of them in this Clasico could be that of Casemiro and Frenkie de Jong. Both players are immense to their respective teams. So whoever gets the better of the other could alter the course of the game in his team's favour.
Casemiro provides incredible balance to Real Madrid by supporting his more offensive-minded teammates defensively. He also distributes the ball to them accurately after winning back possession.
Known for his energetic and combative playing style, the Brazilian will be key to keeping De Jong in check. The Dutchman is more offensive-minded than Casemirno, carrying the playmaking responsibility for his side.
De Jong, too, brings much energy to his team's midfield. Much like his Real Madrid counterpart, he tends to play his best football on the biggest of occasions.
#2 Memphis Depay (Barcelona) vs Eder Militao (Real Madrid)
Here's another enticing match-up. Memphis Depay and Eder Militao have never played against each other before, so it would be interesting to see how this duel pans out.
Depay will obviously be the main source of goals for Barcelona. He's currently their leading scorer for the season with four strikes, having made a good start to life in La Liga.
He fits the club's playing style perfectly, and has imbibed their philosophy without too much hassle. So there's plenty of expectation from him on his Clasico debut.
Meanwhile, Diego Militao will be looking to ruin the occasion for Depay, as he's a vital cog in Real Madrid's defence. That is especially the case after the departure of Madrid's old guards Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane.
Militao reads the game brilliantly, averaging 2.6 clearances per game in the league. He will have to be at his absolute best to negate Depay's threat.
#1 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) vs Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
The battle between the two El Clasico veterans, Karim Benzema and Gerard Pique, could be the most enticing one on Sunday.
This time, Pique will face the most in-form Benzema he has ever faced, as the Real Madrid striker is currently in the best run of his career. With nine goals and seven assists, Benzema has set the pace in the league. On current form, there aren't many players across Europe who're in better form than the Frenchman right now.
More than Benzema's deadly finishing skills, it's the striker's devastating link-up play that should worry Pique, as it has helped Madrid tear apart opposition defences.
The Spaniard must be positionally aware and mark Benzema closely. He will have to do well to not let the striker have too much time and space on the ball, as the Frenchman could pay for that dearly.
