Defenders
RB: Dani Carvajal
The Spaniard did not play in the Copa Del Rey match with Danilo replacing him, but he should be back for the Clasico. In recent games against La Blaugrana, Carvajal has had some tough battles with Neymar, and the Brazilian has gotten the better of him more often than not.
So, as usual, he will be looking to the likes of Isco and Lucas Vazquez to track back and help him out. It will not just be the threat of Neymar on the left flank as Jordi Alba will also bomb forward when the opportunity arises, and Andres Iniesta prefers moving from the centre to the left side, while building Barcelona’s attacks.
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The challenge for Carvajal will be to ensure that he stays relevant even as an attacking option despite the threat that Barcelona will pose.
CBs: Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane
Ramos is one yellow card away from a one-game suspension and Zidane will have breathed a sigh of relief as he came through without being booked against Sporting Gijon last weekend. Varane came through a serene second half against Cultural Leonesa and his presence will add serenity to the Madrid back-line. With Ramos prone to moments of madness, Varane’s composure becomes even more important for Real.
Also read: We are ready for the El Clasico, declares Zinedine Zidane
Ramos and Varane will be important in both boxes for Real. The Frenchman has already scored once this season, and the Spaniard’s threat from set-pieces is well-documented. Add to that, Barca’s shakiness while defending set-pieces and both the centre-backs could become potent weapons for Zidane to use.
Having said that, their primary job will be to stop Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar. In the past few games that they have played, Barca fans have termed Luis Enrique’s strategy as “pass to Messi and hope.” Suarez and Neymar, though, will not want to be left too far behind, especially on as big a stage as this.
LB: Marcelo
The Brazilian’s defending is not his stronger suit. Cristiano Ronaldo will be the man ahead of him on the wing, and as usual, Marcelo will not expect too much defensive help from his winger. Messi will start from the right flank for Barca, but he will not stay on the wing, for sure. That makes Marcelo’s communication paramount.
Messi has the ability to make runs from both in-to-out and out-to-in. So, the Brazilian will have to ensure that he is on the same wavelength as Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic, to ensure that there is always one person tracking Messi’s movement.
Like Carvajal on the other side, Marcelo’s biggest weapon will have to be pinning the opposition wide players back by getting forward. But against players of the calibre of Messi and Neymar, Real’s full-backs will have to get the balance absolutely perfect.
