El Clasico: Barcelona vs Real Madrid Combined XI for 2017/18

Midfield

Sergio Busquets

Picking a three-man midfield from the list of world-class midfielders is no easy task - more so when the two teams are Real Madrid and Barcelona. Both teams have terrific midfielders who have no equal when they are on song.

But cull a few, we must. In central midfield, we have gone with Sergio Busquets. The Barcelona midfield metronome beats Casemiro to the slot thanks to his all-round displays in La Liga this season.

Of course, Casemiro has his merits. But in a formation which is midfield heavy, a calm and composed passer that can position himself better when they are off the ball is a better fit than a tough-tackling midfielder whose rash decisions have cost Real this season.

Toni Kroos and Luka Modric

Alongside Busquets are two Real midfielders who run the show fo Zinedine Zidane - Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. The two midfielders are rarely praised because they always do the simple things right so well.

Kroos has even managed 4 league goals this season (his best return in a white shirt) while Modric has 5 assists (his best return since 2013/14). But their job isn't simply scoring goals or providing assists.

Be it dribbling past a crowded midfield, set-pieces (23% of Real's goals have been from set-pieces), linking defence and attack - the two midfielders have been consistent throughout the season.

Substitutes: Casemiro, Ivan Rakitic