Perhaps the greatest clash in the sport has lost its namesake due to wide variations between the two clubs. However, let us compare the different sections of players who are more likely to lineup in the match.
Keylor Navas Claudio Bravo
Has anyone saved more points for Los Blancos' other than Keylor? Perhaps no. Very few questions his ability and reflexes. Without doubt, he has been the best at the back this season. Already broke Edwin Van Der Sar's record for most minutes without conceding a goal in Champions League. Moreover, the Costa Rican saved three of the four penalties that came on his way. He was not to be blamed for the Clasico defeat back in November.
The best goalkeeper Barca had in years. More influential than Valdes or Pinto or even Ter Stegen. He is inch-to-inch in ability and reflexes with Keylor. Also, the Chilean is more involved in attacks than the former. It's tough to decide whose the best out of the duo. After all, they shall be cruicial in the Clasico and are truly a phenomenon.
Carvajal/Danilo Dani Alves
Even though there is a tough competition between the two, Carvajal stands the chance (and I personally need him instead of Danilo). This section is quite important for both of the team as it decides the overall attack. Carvajal has experience and is capable of performing in big games. Meanwhile, Danilo still has to improve despite good shows in recent weeks to prove his worth. And moreover, Carvajal's cross!!! One of the best attacking method!! And Danilo lacks them.
It is starting to myth that Dani Alves is the best centre-back Barca has ever had. Not much words found to describe him in the dictionary. Elegant, class, rough. He is there when you need him to attack and when you need him to defend. It will be quite interesting when he comes up against Ronaldo. Irreplacable!!
Pepe/Varane Pique/Mathieu
This is where Real Madrid got to care. It's almost sure that Pepe is going to start, but Varane is on another level. Two of them have different assets. Pepe has a cartload of experience such that it is even dubbed that experience means Pepe. He is not so fast but faster than his opponent. And if you trifle with him, your day is gone. On the other side, Varane is so great that he is dubbed as Maldini and even sometimes as the best defender in the world even though he's just 22. But as a fan, I shall opt for Pepe as he is capable of keeping Suarez at bay and understands the pressure better.
'He loves trolling Madrid. Their players, fans and everything which has relation with the club'. Its quite clear by now that I'm speaking of Barcelona's defender Pique. Not at a good relation with Madrid, he often gets prickled by the players on the field. Right now, he's enjoying a moderate season and is sure of Clasico spot. Also, Mathieu is injured.
Sergio Ramos Javier Mascherano
This has always been a good competition. And at most of the times, they are equal . A true warrior and saviour, the club icon and legend and moreover, captain Sergio Ramos has produced the most breathtaking moment of the club with his equaliser in CL final two years back. He is renowned as the best in his position this generation. Truly, his presence adds brightness and spirit to the players and he is also irreplaceable. He scores goals, passes, clears the ball, slides and fights for his team.
The best defender Barca has seen after Puyol's era. He is similar to Ramos in performance. Has a huge amount of experience and he is their captain without the armband. Particularly, great at the CDM role which he performed at the highest level for a player in his position. He knows the club really well and like Ramos, he is the warrior of his men.
Marcelo Junior Jordi Alba
It is still unknown whether Marcelo is a defender or a winger. It is funny to see that he reaches the box more often than Modric and Kroos. And perhaps, he is voted in the World Fifa Pro XI twice in the past three years. His attack is so good that he links up the best with Ronaldo. Also, not afraid to show off some of his skills during the game. It is a quite furious fact that he is the lone left back in the team. And considering the El Clasico in previous years, this position has been fundamental for both the sides.
The so-called 'Ferrari of the team' is not in the best form of his life. His sprint is so amazing that he is one of the fastest in the sport. Also, he has a great coordination with the MSN and is a perfect full back. It would be interesting to watch when he comes with Ronaldo or Bale who are two of the game's most renowned sprinters. But, he hasn't recovered from his ankle injury which is a point of concern for Luis Enrique.
Casemiro Sergio Busquets
Casemiro has been at the heart of club even though he has featured in just fifteen matches. And surprisingly, very few knows his importance and for the luck of club, Zidane is one of them. Since the defeat to Atleti last month, Casemiro has started in all the five matches ahead of Isco and James with Modric and Kroos. And it coincides with the team's best midfield trio. He seems to have little importance with the fans and the board, but Zidane knows him and he proved his worth by being honoured with a standing oviation from the club's fans who are most famous for demanding best services from players on field. And for it is that, he is sure of a place instead of Isco and James this Saturday.
I don't know whether it is right or wrong to say that Busquets is the player who knows Real Madrid the best. His experience in the El Clasicos is so immense and infinite. He knows his role and understands the pressure of the match and has the ability to read opposition's mind. Also, the Spaniard is so good for tracking down the players and distributes the play to his teammates. He won't be surprised by being on bench this Saturday.
Toni Kroos Ivan Rakitic
The silent hero of both the clubs. They play two different types of football in entirely two different clubs, but to me, Kroos is better, not because he is a Madrid player, but because stats favor him. And honestly, I haven't seen a player so efficient in his position like Kroos. And his transformation from a great attacking midfielder to the best CDM was ecstatic. With the highest passing accuracy in all Europe, his partnership with Modric is the foundation of club's attack and defense. I don't know how Madrid would be without him and Modric. And additionally, he has a bonus point: Long balls!! Perhaps, he may have produced the finest air balls after Beckham.
Rakitic is not too far when it comes to best players. He, like Modric and Kroos, links up with Busquets to control the whole Barcelona on the field, particularly at the back. He has proved his worth by grabbing the Croatian Player of the Year from Modric even though the latter was injured for most of past year. Rakitic is known for his excellent defending. Like Kroos, he could be crucial when the two clash at Camp Nou.
Luka Modric Andres Iniesta/Arda Turan
It wouldn't be a great surprise if Madrid dared to spend 40 million euros on a player in his position if it was Modric. He has featured in almost ever game possible this season with Kroos. So elegant and distributes the play. Controls the whole match with Kroos. He retains possession and has great ball control. Perhaps, he makes way for Real Madrid front three.Also, he is most renowned for his dummy and curved balls. Definetely, Modric could be the difference.
The best attacking midfielder of club's all time after Cruyff may be Iniesta. Even though 30, He is still the same old Iniesta.He has amazing ball control and is an excellent producer of through balls. Meanwhile, Arda Turan has played most of the game since his debut in January. He is famous for his performance against Madrid while in Atleti. Like Iniesta, Turan has amazing dribbling and passing and even shooting. Even though Iniesta has more chances of starting this Saturday, Arda stands a chance. Whomsoever plays, they are quite important.
Gareth Bale Neymar Junior
This has always been a heated argument. Respecting this season's stats, Neymar is the better of two. But that don't tell the whole story. Bale has featured in just 43% of minutes this season due to calf injury while Neymar has started in 27 out of 30 league games and also in all CL games. With respect to form, Bale is in his best for Madrid this season. He has performed astonishingly, especially since his return from recent injury. Comparing the speed, Bale is at his peak. He has learned to finish better, head better, dribble better and cross better. Also, under Zidane, BBC has scored 14 goals in 3 Games.
Very few regard Neymar as a young talent. He has an even better status these days. He is said to be the best after Ronaldo and Messi and finished in podium in this year's Balon d'Or. Even though his goalscoring chart suffered a dip, he is among the frontrunner of MSN. The Brazillian is famous for amazing skills and moreover, for his excellent finishing and coordination with Messi and Suarez. An extra fact is that Neymar has been great in El Clasico's and he scored the second goal in last meeting between the two at Bernabeau.
Karim Benzema Luis Suarez
I'm not sure if it is right or wrong to say that this position alongwith the goalkeeping is the most fundamental and the most important position of both the clubs. These duo are at their peak and is in their best form in life. Speaking of Benzema, this is his best season at the Spanish capital. He has scored 21 goals in Liga this season and has improved tremendously this season. His ability: finishing, heading, and pressing. And to a surprise, no ever has ever influenced El Clasicos like Benzema since Ancelotti's arrival as coach for Madrid. A lot of hope and pressure is on his shoulders.
The most influential player in Europe this seaosn!! Luis Suarez has scored more than Messi and lies second for Pichichi award behind Ronaldo. He has the best finishing ability in the world these days and scored an amazing 26 goals in 29 games this season. However, an ability which I personally love better than his finishing is the Uruguayan's ability to shield the ball from his opponents. Also, he is the major link in MSN. Moreover, Suarez is in hot form after scoring and leading his side to victory against Brazil last week. Madrid shall definetely fear him, for he scored twice in last meeting.
Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel Messi
The most heated argument of the century. No one has dominated the game as these two. At present, Messi tops Ronaldo. However, when it comes to Clasicos, Ronaldo is an inch ahead of the latter. Let's discuss about the two. Ronaldo went through his worst spell under Benitez, but under Zidane, he is living a new life. Ronaldo has returned back to the top of scoring chart in Europe. He scored 28 goals in 30 games this season and in CL, he scored 13 goals so far. Also, he grabbed MOM in last match for his country against Belgium by scoring the winner. But the matter of concern is his involvement in attack, which I think, has decreased this season. However, under Zidane, he is returning back to old form which is a joy to the club and it's fans. Will he be the difference ??
It is quite furious about the way Messi transformed from world's best striker to world's best winger. Under Luis Enrique, Messi plays as a right winger with Suarez in front and Neymar on the left. And at the moment, he is world's best and grabbed up the deserved Balon d'or two months back. But the concern is his poor performance in last few El Clasicos. However, since it's Messi, you never know what's going to happen. Even though the whole world knows his ability, I recall them here. He has amazing dribbling ability and often plays as a supporter of MSN these days. Currently, Messi lies third in goalscoring in the league with 22 goals.
With this, I conclude this post with two paragraphs. Firstly, its about why this El Clasico will be great to watch and secondly, it's about the fixture and schedule.
El Clasico is not just about the rivalry. Its about the talent of the greatest players on the planet. The reflexes of Navas and Bravo, the attack and support of the right backs, Pepe's experience, Pique's position, Ramos's hardwork, Masch's captaincy and the left backs who performs like wingers highlits the importance of this game. Also, those important ditches from Casemiro and Busquets, Kroos' air balls, Rakitic's defence, Modric's distribution and Iniesta's attack are what makes the game beautiful to watch. And the BBC vs MSN, alongwith Bale's form, Neymar's finishing, Benzema's pressing, Suarez's shield, Ronaldo's positioning, and Messi's through-air-ball from his wing decides the result of the game.
Concluding this post: Real Madrid take on Barcelona at Camp Nou this Saturday at 6:30 GMT. Live coverage on Bein Sports, Sky Sports, Ten Sports, Canal + etc. Some internet websites afor match atdee.net, vipbox360 etc.
DON'T FORGET TO WATCH THIS MATCH, CAUSE' IT'S EL CLASICO!!!
