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Barcelona and Real Madrid play the most important fixture of their season so far as they lock horns at the Camp Nou this week. El Clasico generally dominates the discourse in world football for at least two weeks every year and this Saturday's match is particularly important in the context of the La Liga title race.
Barcelona will be confident going into this fixture after their emphatic victory against Ferencvaros during the week. The Catalan giants have endured a dismal year so far and have a point to prove in this game.
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Barcelona and Real Madrid share one of the most intense rivalries in world football
Real Madrid were shockingly poor in their first half against Shakhtar Donetsk and have plenty of work to do ahead of their trip to the Camp Nou. Zinedine Zidane cannot afford another catastrophe this month and will be desperate for a victory against Barcelona.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are the two biggest clubs in Spain and their rivalry has resulted in some memorable moments over the years. Both clubs have excellent players in their ranks and can potentially pick up a crucial victory this Saturday.
#5 Vinicius Junior vs Sergi Roberto
While Real Madrid were heavily dependent on the exploits of Karim Benzema last season, Vinicius Junior seems to be stepping up to the plate in a talismanic role in recent months. The pacy Brazilian winger has been one of the few bright spots in Real Madrid's underwhelming season so far and will likely be Real Madrid's chief threat in this game.
Sergi Roberto, on the other hand, is largely the same player he was last season and has been one of the few disappointing members of a Barcelona squad that has taken a positive turn in recent weeks under Ronald Koeman. The right-back can be defensively solid on his day, however, and will need to be at his best against Real Madrid's electric wingers.
The Barcelona full-back does have a fairly decent record against Vinicius Junior and often fared better than Nelson Semedo when the Catalans faced Real Madrid last season. El Clasico generally brings the best out of Sergi Roberto and with Vinicius Junior finding his feet at Real Madrid, Barcelona will need their utility man to pull a rabbit out of the hat this weekend.
#4 Ansu Fati vs Ferland Mendy
Ansu Fati is having the time of his life at Barcelona. The young winger has already broken a string of records both in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League and could potentially set another against Real Madrid this weekend.
Real Madrid legend is currently the youngest scorer in El Clasico history and was 18 years and 3 months old when he scored his first goal against Barcelona. Ansu Fati turns 18 next week and will want to treat himself to an early record-breaking birthday present against Real Madrid on Saturday.
Ferland Mendy is likely to be in his way, however, and the Frenchman is perfectly capable of going toe-to-toe with the prodigious youngster. Zinedine Zidane fielded Mendy on the right flank against Shakhtar Donetsk and given Ansu Fati's pace, the Real Madrid manager is unlikely to change this particular aspect of his line-up.
Ansu Fati has already scored four goals for Barcelona this season and continues to show several positive signs against Ronald Koeman. The winger will meet his match in Ferland Mendy, however, and has to take it up a notch against Real Madrid.
Also Read: Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman thrilled with Lionel Messi's Champions League performance
#3 Frenkie de Jong vs Toni Kroos
While both Barcelona and Real Madrid have excellent forward lines, the outcome of this game is likely to be determined in the midfield. Frenkie de Jong's influence on this Barcelona side has grown under Ronald Koeman and the Dutch midfielder will have to step up to the plate in El Clasico.
De Jong's adversary, however, is one of the most decorated midfielders at the moment. Toni Kroos was one of Real Madrid's unsung heroes last season and his experience will be crucial to Los Blancos' chances in this game. The German star was used as a substitute against Shakhtar Donetsk and can add some much-needed stability to Real Madrid's midfield.
Frenkie de Jong had one of his best games in a Barcelona shirt against Ferencvaros but will face a different class of opposition on Saturday. The former Ajax man is yet to hit his peak at Barcelona and will need to summon his best self against Toni Kroos and Real Madrid.
#2 Karim Benzema vs Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique has not had the best of weeks at the Camp Nou. The Barcelona veteran was sent off for a last-ditch challenge against Ferencvaros and will need to regain his confidence ahead of this game. The defender is approaching the end of his career and his lack of pace could potentially be a problem against Real Madrid this weekend.
In Karim Benzema, Real Madrid have one of the most versatile forwards in Europe. The French striker played a pivotal role in Real Madrid's La Liga success last season and often saves his best for El Clasico.
Benzema did not start in the UEFA Champions League this week and his presence in Real Madrid's final third will be a massive threat to Gerard Pique and his defensive line. The two veterans have more than a wealth of experience in this fixture and their match-up could potentially determine the outcome of the game.
#1 Lionel Messi vs Raphael Varane
Lionel Messi and Raphael Varane have clashed on innumerable occasions over the past few years and will go toe-to-toe yet again this weekend. Lionel Messi has delivered the hammer blow in these fixtures on several occasions in the past and the Barcelona captain will have to bring his supernatural talents to the fore yet again on Saturday.
Raphael Varane has endured a difficult few months at Real Madrid and has a point to prove on the big stage. The Frenchman was well below his best against Shakhtar Donetsk and has become uncharacteristically error-prone in high-profile games in the recent past.
Barcelona's talismanic Argentine has not been at his best this season but displayed shades of his former self against Ferencvaros in the Champions League. Real Madrid belong to a different league of opposition but Lionel Messi is perfectly capable of singlehandedly deciding the outcome of this game.
Also Read: Barcelona vs Real Madrid prediction, preview, team news and more | La Liga 2020-21
