El Clásico, for the first time since 2004, without both Ronaldo and Messi. What does this year have to offer?

For the first time since 2004, the biggest game in the world has to do without two of the best players in the world. El Clásico, the clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona, still promises to be an interesting spectacle.

Stars vs. youngsters

In the past, El Clásico has been more like a star war. Ronaldo, Messi, Bale, Suárez, Benzema, Neymar, Ramos, Piqué. But at the moment, both teams are betting more on young talents who have the potential to become big stars in the future.

In the White Ballet attack, Benzema is complemented by two Brazilian youngsters, Vinícius Junior (21 years old) and Rodrygo (20 years old). However, the Uruguayan Valverde (23 years old) might start on the right wing. Barcelona, on the other hand, have put their future in the hands of 18-year-old Ansu Fati. Gavi, 17, has also settled in the line-up, while 18-year-old Pedri shone until his injury.

The most interesting duel will be the clash of the two left wings. Vinícius is having a great start to the season, with a 5+2 record in 8 league games. In the Champions League he has 2 goals and 1 assist. Ansu Fati is back after a complicated injury and has already managed to score twice.

Will Real Madrid’s domination continue?

Real Madrid have beaten their implacable rivals three times in a row, four times without even losing. If Barcelona does not win, it will equal its worst El Clásico streak from 2008, when it failed to beat the Merengues five times in a row. If Real win, on the other hand, they would beat the Blaugranas for the fourth time in a row, which last happened in 1965.

Uncertain defences

Los Blancos fans had to say goodbye to the long-time stopper duo of Ramos – Varane in the summer. Their places have been taken by David Alaba and Eder Militao, with the versatile Nacho still available. It could also be Real’s offensive style, but the new stopper duo is not too certain yet.

In the league they have already got 10 goals, for example Sevilla only 3, Atlético Madrid 6 or Athletic Bilbao 5. On the other hand, Real have clearly scored the most goals in the competition (22), with Rayo Vallecano and Valencia in second place (15).

Barcelona got 8 goals, it’s especially bad in the Champions League, where they have a score of 1::6 after three games. The new stopper reinforcement from Manchester City, Eric García, has not yet been able to adapt well, for the Barcelona offspring, the return to Camp Nou is more of a nightmare so far. Apart from the mistakes leading to the goal, he has already picked up a red card in both La Liga and the Champions League.

Piqué’s form is also below the level of previous years, and the same can be said for Jordi Alba. On the right, either Oscar Mingueza or Sergi Roberto is starting. For Ronald Koeman, it’s a shame that stopper Ronald Araujo is injured, the 22-year-old Uruguayan was the best the Blaugranas defence had to offer.

The X factor Karim Benzema

If there’s anyone Real Madrid can rely on, it’s goalscorer Karim Benzema. The Frenchman’s numbers are impressive, with a record of 9+7 in eight games. Many believe that he should be the one to win the Ballon d’Or, with icons like Thiery Henry, Ronaldo Nazário and Roberto Carlos speaking out in his support.

Benzema has already scored ten times in El Clásico and would love to add another. Especially now, after the departure of Ronaldo and Messi, he is the main face.

Source: Livesport