El Clásico Preview: Key Matchups and Player Insights
As the anticipation builds for the first Clásico of the season, the iconic Santiago Bernabéu will be the backdrop for a crucial LaLiga clash between Real Madrid and Barcelona this Sunday. Currently, Madrid sits two points ahead of their rivals and is looking to avenge last season’s four defeats to Barcelona.
Coach Hansi Flick’s squad will face significant challenges due to injuries affecting key players in their attacking lineup. Raphinha’s expected return has been dashed as he will remain sidelined alongside Dani Olmo, Robert Lewandowski, Gavi, Joan García, and Marc-André ter Stegen.
In light of these absences, the question arises: how would a combined starting XI of both clubs look based on their performances this season? To provide insights, correspondents Rodra and Lluís Bou have crafted their ideal lineups.
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Rodra: There’s no argument about the keeper choice, right?
Bou: Absolutely. With García and Ter Stegen both injured, starting Courtois is a no-brainer. He, along with Pedri, Kylian Mbappé, and Lamine Yamal, should definitely be in the lineup.
Rodra: Agreed—those are my picks too.
Defense: Jules Koundé, Éder Militão, Pau Cubarsí, Alejandro Balde
Rodra: I hesitated on the full-backs. I went with Koundé on the right and Balde on the left, although I favor Federico Valverde as well. What did you decide?
Bou: Same here. My center backs would be Pau Cubarsí and Dean Huijsen. They offer skill, control, and impressive break-through capabilities.
Rodra: You can’t leave Militão out, though. He has to be in the starting lineup alongside Cubarsí. He’s proven his worth after recovering from previous injuries.
Bou: I see your point, but I want to see how he performs before making that commitment. However, I think we can agree to place Militão on the right and Cubarsí on the left.
Midfield: Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Arda Güler
Rodra: Who will join Pedri in the midfield duo?
Bou: Frenkie de Jong is a must-have for me.
Rodra: I couldn’t agree more. He’s not just skilled; he’s often underrated. What do you think of Arda Güler’s form?
Bou: Güler or Fermín López would be my picks, especially since Jude Bellingham hasn’t regained his sharpness and Olmo is unavailable. Fermín really elevates Barcelona’s play.
Rodra: While I acknowledge Fermín’s talent, Güler is currently a standout for Real Madrid; he can effectively support Mbappé, who needs distribution over box runs.
Bou: That makes sense. So we’ll go with De Jong, Pedri, and Güler in the midfield.
Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior
Rodra: We have Yamal on the right and Mbappé centrally, but we need a left winger.
Bou: Ideally, I’d select Raphinha at his peak form. But it’s a toss-up between Vinícius Júnior and Marcus Rashford.
Rodra: Vinícius definitely brings more to the table and has proven to be unstoppable in his prime. His previous season’s form was exceptional.
Bou: I agree that the best Vinícius outperforms Rashford, but I have questions about his current consistency. Rashford has made a significant impact at Barcelona, but let’s stick with Vinícius for now.
Rodra: What about our options on the bench? We’ve got Rashford, Ferran Torres, Rodrygo, and Brahim Díaz…
Bou: Plus Lewandowski is injured but can still score goals despite a decline. Having him as a tactical substitute for half an hour could be a game-changer.
Proposed Combined XI for the El Clásico
GK: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
DF: Jules Koundé (Barcelona), Éder Militão (Real Madrid), Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona), Alejandro Balde (Barcelona)
MF: Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Pedri (Barcelona), Arda Güler (Real Madrid)
FW: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid), Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid)
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