Tonight’s El Clasico at the Bernabeu could be extremely decisive in this year’s title race. Barcelona find themselves three points behind Madrid, but a win would see them go top of the table, despite Real having a game in hand.
Both teams usually provide exciting encounters and nobody should expect anything different this time around in what is a crucial game for both sides.
Real Madrid are heading into the game in better form and will feel confident of beating a Barcelona side who have lost some big games on the road already this season. However, the Catalans can never be ruled out, as they look to pull off a spectacular victory against Los Blancos.
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Here we look at a combined XI of players from both teams.
Goalkeeper – Marc-Andre Ter Stegen
The German goalkeeper has, this season, become the first choice goalkeeper and has put in some very good performances for Barca. The young 24-year-old has comfortably taken over from Claudio Bravo since the latter moved to Manchester City last summer.
He has been at fault for very few of the Barcelona goals conceded, and has often kept them in a lot of games. The Barcelona keeper has a significantly better saves per goal ratio than Keylor Navas and has kept eight more clean sheets than the Real Madrid goalkeeper (a league high). Ter-Stegen’s distribution accuracy is also better, proving he is a much better goalkeeper than Navas in all areas.
Defenders
Right back – Daniel Carvajal
Daniel Carvajal is superior to any Barcelona option at right back. The Madrid right back has created an impressive 33 chances from this season and is also capable of fulfilling his defensive duties.
The Spanish right back will have a tough job on his hands to contain Barcelona’s attack down the left-hand side, but he will be at the ready for everything Barcelona throw at him. With Neymar ruled out, life should be a lot easier for the Spaniard.
Centre back – Sergio Ramos
The man for the big occasion. In the previous encounter between the two sides, Ramos scored a late equaliser for the Galacticos. Like he did in several huge matches, he scored the all-important goal, getting his side something out of the game, and it will be no surprise if the same happens again this time around as well.
Ramos is one of the best central defenders in world football. The Spanish centre-back is guaranteed to give 100% and put his body on the line at all costs in trying to help Madrid win this pivotal match.
Centre back – Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique is the rock in the heart of the Barcelona defence. Despite Enrique’s side conceding a lot of goals so far this season, they have not been due to Pique’s errors, but more due to their style of play which leaves them vulnerable in defence.
Playing in a three at the back system, Pique has consistently performed at a high level, confirming his status as one of the best centre-backs in the world.
He will have a huge job on his hands to keep out Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema, but if anyone is up to the task, Pique is.
Left back – Marcelo
Marcelo is possibly the best left back in the world currently. The Brazilian has created an enormous 32 chances for his teammates this season, which is almost double the amount created by Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba.
Additionally, he has eight assists so far this season in La Liga, which is just one less than Lionel Messi. This illustrates how influential the Brazilian full back is going forward.
Furthermore, he has been very solid in defence and must keep that up to nullify Barcelona’s attack.
Midfielders
Centre midfield – Sergio Busquets
Sergio Busquets typifies a player who you miss when he isn’t playing.
Barcelona, without Busquets, suffered that 3-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League. Barca’s number five is crucial to the team as he helps win the ball back deep in midfield with interceptions and tackles and helps transition the ball quickly into attack with his passing range.
Whenever Busquets is on the side, Barcelona keep the ball better and create more chances due to his influence.
Centre midfield – Toni Kroos
Toni Kroos is having a superb season for the Los Blancos.
The German has 11 assists this season which is second in the league only to Luis Suarez. His pass completion percentage is 92% and with that, he has created a huge 69 chances for his team-mates in the La Liga.
Kroos, like Busquets, is pivotal for the Madrid side to tick and it’s likely he will play an important part in the Clasico.
Attacking midfield – Isco
The Spaniard has been outstanding for Los Blancos in recent weeks, with him grabbing an important late winner in their last La Liga fixture against Sporting Gijon.
He will be an integral part of the Madrid team in the Clasico as he helps create chances for Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale. Sergio Busquets will have a tough job on his hands to deal with Isco as the talented 25-year-old can be a handful with his wonderful dribbling skills.
Moreover, Isco’s passing ability is up there with the very best. If the game is open and free flowing like it usually is between these two sides, he will not find it difficult to cut through the nervy Barcelona defence.
Attack
Right wing – Lionel Messi
With eight assists and 29 goals this season, Messi has been nothing short of his normal, unplayable self. His passing ability has been tremendous and if it wasn’t for his team-mates missing some chances, his assist tally could have been a lot higher than eight.
It will be vital for Barcelona that the Argentinian has a good game in the Clasico but if he produces anything similar to what he has this season, Barca will have a great chance of winning the game.
Left wing – Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is having another fantastic season, even after achieving everything possible when his national team won the European Championships in the summer.
The Portuguese Ballon d'Or winner struck two goals in an away win against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week along with a hat-trick in the home leg as he once again showed he always steps up in the big games.
Ronaldo has eight La Liga goals against Barcelona and everyone would expect, with his record in huge games, him to improve that tally at the Bernabeu.
It’s likely to be a night where the two best players in the world are compared, and it will be unsurprising if Ronaldo is the man who steals the show due to his current form.
Striker – Luis Suarez
Since moving to the Nou Camp, Luis Suarez’s goal ratio has been outstanding. He has 80 goals in 89 league starts, which is similar to the standard set by all-time greats Ronaldo and Messi, demonstrating how good Suarez is.
The Uruguayan was always seen as a magnificent player in the Premier League, but since moving to Barcelona, he has established himself as one of the best in the world and is a far better player than Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
In his three years at the club, Suarez has already scored in three El Clasico La Liga matches, and he will be looking to add to that in this game.
