Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Ideal Barcelona XI for El Clasico

Forwards

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Barcelona will look to the trio once again to pull them to victory

The South American trio have not yet hit the heights of last season. Last week against Sociedad, the performance was so disjointed, that none of the three actually ever got into the game for a sustained period of time. Barcelona were so poor against La Real that Enrique termed even the draw a “miracle”.

They can rest assured that miracles will not happen against Madrid. Sergio Ramos leads a very confident defence, that has conceded the second fewest goals in La Liga this season, only behind Villareal.

Lionel Messi

The performances of the last two seasons have nowhere near been replicated by the much-famed trio and there is no better game than El Clasico to turn their team’s season around. This season, Barca have shown a little too much dependence on Messi, and their incompetence without him was illustrated a fortnight ago, when they drew a blank against Malaga at home, dropping two points in the process.

But they have shown glimpses of their prowess, too. The counter-attacking goal at the Etihad Stadium in the Champions League, putting Pep Guardiola’s men to the sword at the Nou Camp, thrashing seven past Brendan Rodgers’s Celtic are all indications that all is not lost.

Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez will look to give Barcelona they edge over Real Madrid

The Uruguayan has had a dip in form, which has coincided with Barca’s failure to garner the required points. Suarez is not the kind of striker who will sit back and wait for a chance though. He will hassle the Real Madrid defenders, he will make the runs to get Iniesta and Messi to give him the ball. But Barca need to gain control in midfield.

Neymar

In past Clasicos, Neymar has often got the better of Carvajal. He is slightly short on confidence right now, but it will only take one moment to spark him back to life. Carvajal has had some tough times against the Brazilian and it will be huge for Barcelona to give Neymar the opportunity to torment the Spanish full-back.

But largely, Barcelona have not been able to replicate their European form in the league. A loss on Saturday will put Barca nine points adrift of Real and in serious danger of not being able to defend their title – which they had won in the last two seasons.