The world is going to come to a standstill not once but twice this week as traditional rivals, Real Madrid & Barcelona lock horns twice at the state-of-the-art stadium, Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. The eternal rivals face each other once in the second leg of the Copa del Rey followed by a league meeting within 72 hours.
Barcelona are heading into this high-intensity cup fixture on the back of a nail-biting win against the Andalusian side, Sevilla. The Catalan giants came back from behind on two occasions to win the game 4-2. It was more of a Lionel Messi performance than a team approach to winning the game.
Ernesto Valverde would be short of options for this fixture, and it would be vital to figure out about which fixture between the two gets more weight in terms of the squad selection.
Cup keeper, Jasper Cillisen is nursing a torn muscle bundle and will not be a part of proceedings in Madrid. Arthur who featured in the first leg of the encounter would also not be available for selection alongside Rafina and Thomas Vermaelen.
Here’s how we at T4O feel Valverde’s men could line-up in the Kings Cup fixture against Los Blancos.
Defence
Marc Andre Ter Stegen would be taking charge between the sticks in the absence of cup keeper, Cillisen. It is expected that Sergi Roberto would start in the right-back position following the rest he got when Barcelona made the trip to Seville.
Gerard Pique has been a significant cause of concern this season. However, he would be given the nod due to lack of options in defence. It would be a tough call between Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet for the second centre back position. Umtiti seemed to be lacking match fitness when given the opportunity against Sevilla post a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury. Jordi Alba would without a doubt start in the left-back position.
Midfield
The ever-reliant duo of Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets would start in midfield. The pair would be instrumental in holding the strings together for Barcelona in this encounter. They would have to really step up their game as Lionel Messi cannot be the answer to all the questions at all times!
The third midfield position would be a huge question mark in Valverde’s mind keeping in mind the sub-par performance summer recruit, Arturo Vidal put in this past weekend. The revelation of the season for Barcelona, Carles Alena could be given the nod for the Clasico.
Attack
Lionel Messi would start on the right flank without a doubt! Luis Suarez who has looked a bit off colour this month would also be featuring in the number nine position. To keep the pattern of South American attackers going, Coutinho would join the Uruguayan Suarez and Argentine Messi.
Predicted Line-Up
Ter Stegen
Roberto – Pique – Lenglet – Alba
Rakitic – Busquets – Alena
Messi – Suarez – Coutinho
