El Clasico: Barcelona vs Real Madrid - Combined XI

The whole world will come to a dead stop this sunday as two of the biggest European behemoths, Barcelona and Real Madrid, are all set to lock horns at the Camp Nou in what is billed as La Liga’s title deciding game. After a sluggish first half, the giants from Catalonia have hit a pruple patch since the turn of the year and are currently sitting atop the league charts, just a point ahead of their arch-nemesis from the capital.The Blancos, on the contrary, have been enduring a tough run of results so far this year and anything but a victory in this crucial encounter will all but end their hopes of claiming a domestic success.With one side aiming to maintain their supremacy while the other trying to usurp them, both the 2 sides are expected to go hammer and tongs for this climactric game and sparks are definitely set to fly. As the mouth-watering fixture is fast approaching, we take a quick glance at the best combined XI of Barcelona and Real Madrid of this season.

#1 Goalkeeper: Claudio Bravo

Ostracizing someone like Iker Casillas will be downright blasphemy, for all his heroics with both club and country over the years is there for all to see. However, it is a harsh reality that the old warhorse of Blancos is no longer a force he was once reckoned with and his performances for the Whites this season exemplifies it wherefore, Barcelona’s Claudio Bravo makes it to the elite catalogue.

The Chilean had a great World Cup in Brazil and was brought in to replace the long-serving Victor Valdes and suffice to say, he has done so with aplomb. Bravo has been the safest hands in the league so far, surrendering a paltry 16 goals in 27 appearances.

The former Real Sociedad man has been impeccable in goal for the Blaugrana and has pulled-off some really top-drawer performances in the league. Manager Luis Enrique is most likely to pin his hopes on the 31-year old again and will once again reprise his role in between the sticks this Sunday.

#2 Right-back: Dani Alves

Now this one’s a tough call. Both Alves and Carvajal are vital cogs to their teams and their darting runs forward provide their sides with an additional support in the attack. However, it is still the former who trumps his counterpart from Spain as Alves, defensively, has proven to be more astute whereas defensive shortcomings have been witnessed in Carvajal’s game.

The Brazilian right back shone in their mid-week game against Manchester City, keeping Sergio Aguero in check and will be hoping to do the same when he’ll be up against the might of Cristiano Ronaldo. His runs put the opposing team on a back foot and is known for nipping attacks from the flanks.

Alves has made huge progress post the Wolrd Cup disaster and will once again be all guns blazing, hindering Madrid’s every attack.

#3 Centre-back: Gerard Pique

The Barcelona defender has had his fare share of flak in the past for his defnesive lapses but has bounced back in fine fettle and is currently enjoying a great run of form. His thewiness and pace makes him a bulwark hard to infringe whereas his aerial prowess are a requisite during the set-piece situations.

Pique has been one of the pivotal reasons behind Barcelona’s commendable defensive record in the league this season and it is imperative for him to bring his A1 game in this crunch fixture as he’ll be up against one of the most potent strike forces in Europe.

#4 Centre-back: Sergio Ramos

He may be a palyer that everyone loves to hate but there’s no denying that Sergio Ramos is one of the best centre-backs in Europe. His partnership with Pepe at the heart of the Real defence might not be for everyone, but it is something that works. Ramos is crucial in organising the back line and setting moves in motion from the back.

Madrid looked much more of a unit in their last outing when he returned from injury, albeit against a poor Levante side, and the Spain international adds a big threat in the opposition half. He chipped in with some big goals against Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last season and he may be required again at the Camp Nou.

#5 Left-back: Jordi Alba

Another tricky pick, Marcelo offers Madrid so much going forward and has improved defensively but Alba shades it. The Spaniard put up an electrifying show against Manchester City in the midweek and is the fastest left back in Europe.

The ex-Valencia player is known for his sheer pace and lung bursting runs down the left flank. He provides more versatility in attack and has been successful in linking up with the attack providing good final passes into the box, while dispatching his defensive duties with equal aplomb.

His stature means he can sometimes be dominated in the aerial exchanges, but he is the embodiment of the modern-day wing-back.

#6 Right midfield: Ivan Rakitic

Signed from Sevilla during the summer, Ivan Rakitic was brought in as an ideal replacement for the aging Xavi and to go by his performances, the Croat hasn’t disappointed. Although his start to life at Catalonia was sluggish, Rakitic has gradually found his feet and has integrated within the squad really well.

Rakitic’s work-rate from the centre of the park has been exemplary and whether its his crisp passing or an eye for goal, the Croat oozes class in his every exploits. The former Sevilla man has gronw from strength to strength and now stands as a vital component in Luis Enrique’s midfield set-up.

#7 Central-midfield: Toni Kroos

The German passmaster has assimilated into the Madrid midfield like a fish to water, following the departure of Xabi Alonso to Bayern Munich.

Kroos was able build on his spectacular World Cup with Germany last summer and made immediate impact with the Bernabeu outfit. Although his form has taken a nosedive oflate, which can be plausibly be attributed to his overuse by Ancelotti, he should return in fine fettle for this game having been rested for the game against Levante last weekend.

Kroos has racked-up an astonishing 92% pass accuracy and has also successfully executed more than 1500 passes. The Germany international is adept at reading the game and is always at the right place at the right time.

#8 Left-midfield: Isco

The one Madrid player who many Barcelona fans say they would love in their side, Isco has been Madrid's star man since the turn of the year and his performances have upped a level thanks to his hard work defensively that makes him more of a rounded team player. After been given limited opportunities last season, Isco has finally magaed to breakthrough into the first team and has also retained his place with some stellar showings.

With intricate footwork reminiscent of a certain Mr. Messi, the 22-year-old is a joy to watch and is comfortably capable of bamboozling the best defenders. A positive attitude and good relationship with his manager has ensured he does the hard yards at the back, too.

#9 Left-winger: Cristiano Ronaldo

His form may have been dipped since a few weeks, but Ronaldo still remains an indespensible cog in the Real machine.

The Portuguese had a whirlwind start to the season, amassing 25 league goals in just 16 appearances, enjoying the best form of his life. His underperformances oflate have brought him under the scanner but the 30-year old still remains a huge threat. Dangerous in the air, lethal from close range and precise at passing, Ronaldo’s dynamism makes him a battering ram to his side.

The 30-year old has often netted some crucial goal in the Clasico in the past and will once again be looked upon for the goals at the Camp Nou.

#10 Right-winger: Luis Suarez

Gareth Bale has been treading waters for quite a some time and despite a tweak in his performance last week against Levante, Barcelona’s Luis Suarez usurps him in the list.

The Uruguayan had a forgetful first few weeks in Spain and jostled to find the scoring form he had conjured with Liverpool. However, since the inception of 2015, Suarez has found his ferocity and is currently going great guns with his attacking counterparts, Messi and Neymar.

Brawny, nimble and a clinical finisher, Suarez can be any defence’s worst nightmare and when on song, is simply unstoppable. The sabre-toothed sriker has accrued 6 strikes in his last 6 outings and will be eager to continue his prowess in this game and inturn, also get his first El Clasico goal.

#11 Centre-forward: Lionel Messi

After quite a stuttering first half, the four time Ballon d’Or winner is finally back to his best, pulling the strings in a devastating fashion for Barcelona once again. Messi seems to have hit the top gear since the start of the year and having trailed Ronaldo by as many as 13 goals at one point, his imperous goal-scoring prowess has propelled him to the top of the goal charts with 32, 2 ahead of his arch-rival.

La Pulga made bunnies of the Manchester City side that visited Camp Nou this Wednesday, with his brilliant trickery and despite failing to find the net, was the best player on the pitch. A victory in this game will put Luis Enrique’s side firmly in the driving seat for the La Liga title and no one else but Lionel Messi is the man who can do that.