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The biggest fixture on the Spanish football calendar is once again here, as Barcelona prepare to take on bitter rivals Real Madrid on Sunday. This is a game which draws the largest spectatorship across the globe. In fact, for many football fans, this is the biggest game when it comes to club football.
However, as Barcelona and Real Madrid get ready to renew hostilities at the Camp Nou, there will be no Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo featuring. This is the first time in over a decade that the Clasico will be played without the superstar duo.
First it was Ronaldo who left Madrid to join Juventus in the summer, however, hopes of Messi featuring were also dashed when the Argentine suffered a hand injury last week against Sevilla. Although it sounds weird that neither of them will be playing in the upcoming Clasico, it also opens doors for other players to shine.
There is no doubt that the fixture will miss both players, but it also presents the perfect platform for new stars to also take centre stage. Without Messi and Ronaldo, Barca and Madrid still boast good squads with world-class talents who should be able to deliver on Sunday.
So, let’s take a look at five players who can light up the Clasico in place of Ronaldo and Messi:
#5 Gareth Bale
One player from whom much will be expected in the Clasico is Gareth Bale. The Welsh international has often been in the shadows of Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Portuguese’s departure now opens the doors for him to blossom at Real Madrid.
Bale started this season very well, scoring and assisting, before suffering his recurrent injuries, which have unsettled his campaign. However, the former Tottenham star will have no excuse not to perform against Barcelona on Sunday.
With Ronaldo gone, he is arguably the biggest player in the Madrid dressing room and it’s time for him to also make his mark. In last season’s Classico, Bale came off the bench to score a sensational goal, as Real Madrid drew 2-2 with the Blaugrana.
Much more will be expected from the Welshman once again, especially with both Ronaldo and Messi not playing in the game. Bale has already netted three goals in eight LaLiga games this season and that puts him in great shape to light up the Clasico this weekend.
#4 Luis Suarez
Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has also not had the best of starts to the season, but he will be very crucial if the Catalans are to emerge winners in Sunday’s Clasico. The Uruguayan has so far struggled for form, having netted just four in the league this season.
However, with Messi and Ronaldo not featuring in the upcoming Clasico, it is time for the forward to also make his mark. Suarez has managed a couple of goals in this fixture in the past, but his efforts were often overshadowed by the mere presence of Messi and Ronaldo on the pitch.
The former Liverpool star now has the platform all to himself, and just like Gareth Bale for Madrid, Suarez looks like the biggest player in the Barca dressing room currently. He may be ageing but his instincts in front of goal are never in doubt.
Suarez is already a top player and has the ability to light up any game. Now, though, he has the opportunity to make his mark in the Clasico following the coincidental absence of Messi and Ronaldo.
#3 Marco Asensio
Another Real Madrid player who will be expected to produce the goods in the upcoming Clasico is youngster Marco Asensio. The Spain international is one of the emerging stars at the Bernabeu and has seen much lesser game time this season than he did in the previous campaigns.
Although Real Madrid have largely struggled in the league this season, Asensio is one of the club’s rare bright spots. The 22-year-old is expected to start in Sunday’s game against Barcelona as Los Blancos look to silence their rivals.
Should he be named in the starting line-up, the winger has all it takes to dominate the Clasico. Maybe not like Ronaldo and Messi have done in recent years, but Asensio could etch his name into the hearts of many football fans should he put up a memorable performance in this game.
He may be young, but he boasts all the talent to light up this historic fixture and, come Sunday, he is one of the players expected to pick up the mantle from Ronaldo and Messi.
#2 Ousmane Dembele
From one youngster to another, Ousmane Dembele should also be able to take centre stage in the upcoming Clasico. The Frenchman has been inconsistent this season, to the frustration of many Barcelona fans. For a player who the club paid so much for, it is understandable why a lot is also expected from him.
His debut season was blighted by injuries, but now he is fully fit and he must show his talent in the Clasico on Sunday. Just like Asensio, Dembele is one of the young players who is expected to dominate the Clasico in the coming years.
With three goals in nine LaLiga games this season, the former Borussia Dortmund winger will be going into Sunday’s game in good form. He may not be a goal machine like Ronaldo and Messi but he still has what it takes to light up the Clasico.
Dembele is not all about the goals either. He can take on defenders and can also create for his teammates. With such abilities, there is no reason why he should not shine when Barca face Madrid on Sunday.
#1 Philippe Coutinho
Philippe Coutinho appears to be the only midfielder in the list of players who could dominate the Clasico in the absence of Ronaldo and Messi. The Brazilian is a world-class player and a lot will be expected from him when he tastes Clasico football for just the second time since joining the Blaugrana.
The absence of Messi and Ronaldo is bound to take a bit of the spark off this game, but with players like Coutino around, the game will definitely not be short of talent at all. The former Liverpool midfielder is known for scoring amazing long-range goals and just one of such moments will undoubtedly light up the Clasico.
After all, it is such magical moments that distinguish games like the Clasico from other ‘normal’ matches. Messi’s injury means Coutinho is likely to be pushed up front to play on the left side of the attacking three.
Against Sevilla, he blossomed in that position and he should have no problem replicating such a performance against Madrid on Sunday, especially with Messi and Ronaldo not going to feature.
