El Clásico is here! Which line-ups will Real Madrid and Barcelona field?

The biggest game in the world is here. Today, from 16:15, Real Madrid and Barcelona take to the pitch at the Santiago Bernabéu in a match called ‘El Clásico’. The clash between the two irreconcilable rivals offers a very interesting spectacle indeed. What line-ups will the teams field?

Real Madrid

Let’s start with the home team. Real Madrid are praying for Thibaut Courtois to be sorted out. At the moment, probably the best goalkeeper in the world brought back a nerve injury from the national team and hasn’t played a single game, but according to Carlo Ancelotti’s statement, he will be available.

At right-back, the obvious choice is Dani Carvajal, who has hit his old form. The slight and practically only question mark in the line-up is at stopper. Ancelotti is relying on the tried-and-tested duo of MIlitao-Alaba, with whom he achieved La Liga and Champions League victories last season.

But Antonio Rüdiger has started to make his presence felt, and he also showed tremendous fight against Shakhtar, equalising in the last minute at the cost of 20 stitches. It is his combativeness and especially his aerial power that could come in handy in standard situations on both sides of the pitch.

If Ancelotti wanted to get him into the line-up, he would probably move David Alaba to left-back to take Ferland Mendy’s place. The Austrian footballer is better offensively, however, the French full-back acts as a wall in defence, hence Ancelotti probably won’t want to take him out.

The midfield line should be certain. The iconic pair of Toni Kroos – Luka Modric has been joined by Aurélien Tchouaméni, who has replaced Casemiro well beyond expectations. Real will have a joker on the bench in the form of Eduardo Camavinga.

On the right wing, the other uncertainty was whether Federico Valverde would keep his place or get a chance with Rodrygo, who filled in brilliantly when Benzema was injured and has come into great form. However, the Uruguayan is likely to be preferred and Ancelotti will keep the Brazilian youngster as a joker.

The other two places in attack are fixed and unchanged. Alongside Karim Benzema at the tip of the attack, Vinícius Junior will start on the left wing. It is from these two that the greatest danger lies.

Real Madrid’s likely line-up

Courtois
Carvajal – Militao – Alaba – Mendy
Modric – Tchouaméni – Kroos
Valverde – Benzema – Vinícius

Barcelona

As far as Barcelona are concerned, there is no doubt in goal. Marc André ter Stegen is the clear leader, with only one goal in eight games. However, what doesn’t give Xavi any sleep is the composition of the defence.

Because the key stopper Ronald Araujo, who regularly had a personal defence on Vinícius in El Clásico, has dropped out. Jules Kounde’s start is also uncertain for the time being, initially it looked like he would not be available, according to the latest reports he will decide according to Saturday’s training session.

Another stopper Andreas Christensen is also out, as well as right back Hector Bellerín. Xavi will probably have to rely on the stopper duo of Eric García – Gerard Piqué, although he had practically not counted on the latter. Against Celta Vigo, left back Marcos Alonso even came in at stopper.

There is quite a selection at left-back. Apart from the reinforcements from Chelsea, there is also the stalwart Jordi Alba and the youngster Alejandro Balde. Against Celta Vigo, all three were in the starting lineup, Alonso at stopper and Balde at right back. Sergi Roberto may still start there.

The midfield trio, as with Real, is fixed. The experienced captain Sergio Busquets will be joined by the two youngsters Gavi and Pedri.

At the top of the attack is the obvious choice, goalscorer Robert Lewandowski. On the wings, Xavi has four players to choose from, in addition to Raphinha and Ousmane Dembélé, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati. The most likely bet is on the first two.

Barcelona’s probable line-up:

ter Stegen
S. Roberto – García – Piqué – Alonso
Gavi – Busquets – Pedri
Raphinha – Lewandowski – Dembélé

Source:: Real Madrid, Barcelona