Saturday, 3 December 2016

El CLASICO: BARCELONA VS REAL MADRID



"El clasico", the biggest club rivalry in the world of Football, is just around the corner and football fans around the globe are most excited about it as they will see twenty-two most talented footballers on one pitch, including two of the world's greatest players in Messi and Ronaldo. This time it will be the Defending Liga Champions Vs Current League Leaders.

Barcelona are entering this fixture with quite a dip in form after two consecutive draws in the league and probably their worst performance under Lucho at the anoeta. In contrast, Los Blancos are on an unbeaten run with amazing performances and will come to the Camp Nou with high spirits of getting all three points and extending their lead at the top.

Thankfully for cules, Iniesta has been seen in full training in their last session and also Lucho said that he will get some minutes against Real Madrid. It is more likely for Rakitic to start as he provides vertical runs to support attack and even covers the space for Messi in defense. Sergio Busquets is vital in Barcelona's system, he is the backbone of Barcelona midfield but he is not at his best these days, which is an advantage for Madrid's attackers to press him and counter attack directly from center rather than starting it from penalty area. And the defense line is also a point of concern for the Blaugrana side as Alba and Umtiti out with injuries so they have to come out with Digne at LB, who is less experienced in Liga but have shown glimpses of spectacular defending. Barcelona are likely to lineup with their standard eleven with the exception of Jordi Alba.

The virus of injuries has also affected the Real Madrid side as Bale and Kroos are out of squad, they overcame this blow which was clear in recent week’s performance. Vasquez and Kovacic have performed above their par in last 2-3 matches, which gives confidence to their gaffer and to the fans included. Also partnership of the Croatian duos Modric and kovacic has blossomed better than Kroos and Modric. Zidane will probably come out with 4-4-2 formation which gave them a big victory against their city rivals which will show us Isco partnering Croatians in defense and Vasquez partnering Benzema and Ronaldo in attack, from the midfield. Return of Pepe and Varane has caused selection dilemma for Zizou about who will partner Ramos but it’s obvious that it is going to be Pepe. Marcelo and Carvajal are obvious choices as full backs, which show’s that the visitors are coming with their full strength.

Key Battles:
Iniesta/Denis, Busi and Rakitic
 Vs
Kovacic, Modric and Isco

There’ll be an extra onus on Modric and Kovacic off the ball on Saturday, especially with the return of the Blaugrana Captain Iniesta. If the Los Blancos pair can hamper him on his comeback from injury and track the incisive vertical surges of Rakitic, they will surely come with counter attack they mostly rely on. Even kovacic can be vulnerable for Los Blancos as he has Messi on his wing to stop.

Marcelo vs Messi
Messi is very infamous for his defense work rate, which gives Marcelo's leverage to attack at the right wing against an inexperienced Sergi Roberto. But it is also possible that the Brazilian's offensive work will open up Messi to create match winning chance, so it will be a key battle to watch in this El Clasico.

Predicted Lineup :

FC Barcelona:
Ter stegen
Roberto Pique Mascherano Digne
Rakitic Busquets Iniesta
Messi Suarez Neymar

Real Madrid :
Navas
Carvajal  Ramos  Pepe Marcelo
 Modric  Kovacic
Vasquez      Isco
               Benzema  Ronaldo

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