Analyzing FC Barcelona's tough fixtures ahead: Ideal lineups, formations, tactics and key players

#2 Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Santiago Bernabeu, 27th February 2019

Expected Lineup: Real Madrid vs Barcelona, Copa Del Rey Semis

The Copa Del Rey semi-finals II leg will take place just 5 days after Barcelona's clash to Sevilla and yet again it is an away game for the Blaugrana. Real Madrid is having the slightest of advantages, the away goal from the first leg. Barcelona cannot leave any loose ends here, they need to play a strong 11.

Our lineup has two changes from the one which we proposed to visit Sevilla. Rakitic comes into the team in place of Alena, and Malcom takes Ousmane Dembele's place in the team. You can look at the rest of the team in the image above.

Tactics:

Why Sergi Roberto ahead of Nelson Semedo? This question needs to be answered sooner than later owing to the great performance from the Portuguese in the previous Clasico. The only reason is that we need him for the Clasico in the league.

The player who starts at right-back simply cannot play twice in a space of just three days. We think Semedo is required for the Clasico in the league, more than the Copa Del Rey.

Barcelona can rest Sergio Busquets if they want, we think that the Spaniard will be fine to feature twice in a space of three days. However, it can be Ivan Rakitic starting at defensive midfield, instead of Busquets.

The real Hobson's choice situation is whether to play Messi or not. We just cannot exclude him from the Clasico though. Rest? Maybe the game succeeding the Clasico.

There is not much of a tactical analysis to this one. Anything can happen in an El Clasico. Still, here's the deal, Sergi Roberto should set the right flank of fire as he does in every other Clasico.

The ease with which we can rest Semedo comes because of Sergi Roberto's insane form in the Clasico. Luis Suarez and Sergi Roberto have combined to score in the last three El Clasicos. Four goals in the last three games, to be accurate.

We don't know how much control Rakitic and Coutinho can provide in the midfield. Rakitic had a bad outing in the last Clasico, however, he has a tendency to perform really well in El Clasico, irrespective of form.

How many of you remember his performance in the 5-1 victory, or the 3-0 or 3-2 victory? He has been amazing in those games against the likes of Kroos and Modric.

Real Madrid had a bad day at the office against Ajax. All the classy and mesmerizing performances absent and replaced by the old-fashioned 'get a result' performance. That is good for Barcelona if they can actually replicate what Ajax did.

Here is the irony, Ajax replicated what Barcelona does in their best of games. Press ferociously, attack fearlessly, defend with everything you've got. Can Barcelona do that? They have the talent, but what about intent and desire?

Barcelona's major test as a defense will come against Vinicius Junior and Dani Carvajal. Both players accelerate the attacks down their respective flanks. The major disadvantage of having Sergi Roberto as the right-back is his defensive weakness.

Vinicius' pace would be a major issue here and in that case, Rakitic should move in to support back him up while Madrid attack. It is not much of a task on paper but the work on the pitch is as tough as it is.

Malcom playing from the left side is basically a hunch to give Dembele. It is a risk to play a youngster out of position but it sounds better than Coutinho at left-wing, where he has not made any impact, doesn't have the pace to threaten the defenders, and is not a bit confident.

Malcom's talent was on display in the last Clasico and he should need no extra motivation. Yes, he will be up against Carvajal, but then again, he was up against Marcelo the other day, who won?

Talking of substitutions, there might be one or two considering the upcoming game. If Barcelona is in control, then Vidal might replace Busquets around the 70th minute to give the Spaniard some rest.

Even Rakitic can take a bit of rest if necessary, Alena will be there on the bench. There might also be some contemplation about taking Suarez off around the 75th minute and put Kevin-Prince Boateng in, depends on the situation.

Key Player: Malcom

Malcom scored the equalizer for Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey semis. He looked comfortable against Marcelo, all night long.

Our formation plays Malcom on the left side of the pitch. It is important for him to continue his performance from the previous Clasico and utilize his pace well.

He did splendidly well against Marcelo and should look to do the same against Carvajal. It shouldn't be tough linking with Alba but he should link well in the half-space with Coutinho as well. Malcom is the one we are banking on here.