It is that time of the year again when all the eyes will be on Spain to witness the biggest rivalry in European football. La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona will lock horns against each other in what is known as the El Clasico.
This is the first time in the last decade that the two biggest superstars of football will not be featuring in the match. Cristiano Ronaldo left the Galacticos in the previous summer to join Serie A giants Juventus while Lionel Messi is set to miss the clash with a fractured arm.
Real Madrid are undoubtedly the more impacted side of the two, and they need to get a positive result from this prestigious clash to get their season back on track. Under the tutelage of Julen Lopetegui, Los Blancos have won only four of their first nine games in the La Liga and are hovering in the 7th position. The former Spain manager’s job is at risk, and he needs to work out a plan to beat the arch-rivals.
Team News
Right-back Dani Carvajal continues with his recovery from injury and will be unavailable for selection. Marcelo, who picked up a knock in the Champions League match against Viktoria Plzen, has been declared fit and will be playing in the next game.
Goalkeeper
Despite Keylor Navas’ good show in the Champions League clash, Thibaut Courtois should get the nod ahead of the Costa Rican international for the big match.
Defence
Julen Lopetegui started off with Lucas Vazquez in the right back position and his strategy paid off against Viktoria Plzen. He is expected to stick to his plan for the Barcelona match as well. Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane will play in the heart of the defence and Marcelo would start on the left-hand side of the backline.
Midfield
A three-man midfield will see Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro battle it out against their Barcelona counterparts. The onus will be on the trio to keep the ball as much as possible in their possession and help the attackers with pin-point deliveries into the final third. Isco will play in the role of the attacking midfielder right behind the two strikers.
Attack
While Karim Benzema will be leading the line for the Galacticos once again, Gareth Bale would also have to make sure that they take maximum shots on target on the Barcelona goal. This is a critical match for the Madridistas as they need to make every attempt to get the maximum points from this clash of the Titans.
Predicted Formation: 4-1-2-1-2
