Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Ideal starting XI for the Blaugrana in El Clasico

Midfielders

The all-conquering Barcelona side have an attacking trident which is the envy of the whole world. However, the player who is most vital for Barcelona’s unique system to work is Sergio Busquets. The Spaniard often does the dirty work in the middle of the park without which Barcelona cannot play the beautiful football which they are renowned for.

Although Busquets has not been at his best this season, he is extremely important to the Catalan giants and they certainly lack conviction whenever Busquets is missing. The importance of Busquets to the team can perhaps be best summed up by Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos. In spite of the rivalry and one incidence of a red card earned due to Busquets' play acting, this is what Sergio Ramos had to say about him:

"There are a number of players I like, but the one we perhaps need is Busquets"

Andres Iniesta has come off more than the bench than started, but it will take a very brave (and foolish) man to drop the experienced Spaniard for a match of this magnitude. One of the only 3 Barcelona players to receive a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu, Enrique will be hoping that Iniesta shows us some of his magical skills tonight.

The last midfield position is slightly tricky. While Andre Gomes has been maligned for his woeful performances, Ivan Rakitic has also not been too good for Barcelona and was arguably the worst player on the pitch against Juventus. However, Rakitic would narrowly make it ahead of Andre Gomes in the starting XI according to me.

The midfield for Barcelona should ideally be: Defensive Midfielder: Sergio Busquets, Central Midfielders: Anders Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic