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Barcelona manager Luis Enrique will have a tough job of selecting the best side for Saturday’s gameBarcelona will travel to the Spanish capital on Saturday high on confidence. The Catalan side have been in terrific form and are yet to face defeat or concede a goal. In fact, they have won all but one of their eight games this season.They are up against a pumped up Real Madrid side who will be playing on the back of an impressive away win at Liverpool and are scoring goals for fun. Barcelona have also been scoring a decent number of goals, but the game against Real Madrid will be the first real test for the league toppers’ defence.Here is a look at the probable starting lineup Luis Enrique will name for his first El Clasico as a manager.
#1 Goalkeeper
Claudio Bravo
The former Real Sociedad man has been in good form for Barcelona. Bravo has started all La Liga games for the Catalans and has kept a clean sheet in all eight games.
But that doesn’t mean the Chilean didn’t have much to do in goal. Bravo has made 11 saves so far for Barcelona and he also averages a very good distribution accuracy of 78%, which is quite important for his side’s style of play.
The closest Barcelona came to conceding this season was against Villarreal, but the Chilean magnificently kept them out throughout the game.
#2 Defence
Dani Alves: Although there were rumors that the Brazilian would leave Barcelona prior to the start of the season, the Brazilian has stayed with Catalan club and has continued to be the first choice right back. Alves has played six full league games for Barcelona and has provided two assists already. Age has slowly started to catch up to the Brazilian and it will be interesting to see if he can keep an in-form Cristiano Ronaldo at bay on Saturday.
Gerard Pique: Pique had a tough season last time around and drew a lot of criticism after his performances for both club and country. The former Manchester United man was even left out of the Spain National team by Del Bosque for a Euro qualifier early in the season, but returned to the setup after finding his feet once again with Barcelona.
Jeremy Mathieu: When Mathieu made his switch to Barcelona, there were many who doubted the Frenchman’s ability. After all, Barcelona had spent €20 million on a player who will turn 31 next week. The former Valencia man has answered his critics and doubters with his performance and has played the full 90 minutes in seven league games while making an impressive 20 interceptions and 21 clearances.
Jordi Alba: Alba has continued to be his usual best and the first choice left back for Barcelona this season. The pacey full back is known to be very good offensively, and under Luis Enrique he has been equally good in his defensive duties. The former Valencia man has made 12 interceptions and 14 clearances in the six games he has played for Barcelona in the league.
#3 Midfield
Sergio Busquets: Although the defensive midfielder missed Barcelona’s midweek clash against Ajax with an injury, it is likely that he will recover in time and be fit enough to start against Real Madrid. Busquets who has played seven league games this season will be a sure starter if he is fit and will relegate Javier Mascherano to the bench.
Ivan Rakitic: The Croatian has been an excellent signing for Barcelona and easily a bargain buy. The former Sevilla man has been very good with his short passing, and has helped his side keep possession well. In addition to that, he has added his own flavour of long range passing which has helped in switching play and opening up defences. Rakitic had a very memorable two games against Real last season for Sevilla and will be looking to repeat it during his first El Clasico.
Andres Iniesta: There is no doubt that Iniesta will start in a game of this magnitude. He will play in a midfield three for the Catalans and will be looking to open up the opposition defence with his quick dribbling and killer through balls. His performance will be crucial to opening up spaces for the likes of Lionel Messi and Neymar.
#4 Forwards
Lionel Messi: Messi has been deployed in a new role by new manager Luis Enrique this season. The four time Ballon d’Or winner now plays behind the two wingers who also play in a narrower position than normal wingers. The new position hasn’t changed the little magician’s contribution for his side as he already has 7 goals and 7 assists.
Neymar: Surprisingly the top scorer for the Catalans in the league is not Messi, it is Neymar. The Brazilian who had an injury ridden debut season has started this season brightly and already has eight goals to his name. Neymar was impressive in his El Clasico debut last season, scoring the opening goal of the game. The 22-year-old will now be looking to make a similar impact on Saturday.
Pedro: The Spanish international hasn’t been in very good form this season and youngsters Sandro Ramirez and Munir El Haddadi have played better than the 27-year-old. Even then, it is unlikely that Enrique will give the teenagers a start in a game of this magnitude and put them in the firing line. Therefore, he will go for the experience of Pedro. This is sort of a last chance for Pedro to impress Enrique as Luis Suarez will be available for selection from here on.
