Barcelona vs Real Madrid - 5 key battles to watch in the El Clasico | La Liga 2021-22

#3 Casemiro (Real Madrid) vs Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona)

Casemiro and De Jong will battle it out in midfield.

In big games like this one between Real Madrid and Barcelona, the most important battles are often in midfield. One of them in this Clasico could be that of Casemiro and Frenkie de Jong. Both players are immense to their respective teams. So whoever gets the better of the other could alter the course of the game in his team's favour.

Casemiro provides incredible balance to Real Madrid by supporting his more offensive-minded teammates defensively. He also distributes the ball to them accurately after winning back possession.

Known for his energetic and combative playing style, the Brazilian will be key to keeping De Jong in check. The Dutchman is more offensive-minded than Casemirno, carrying the playmaking responsibility for his side.

De Jong, too, brings much energy to his team's midfield. Much like his Real Madrid counterpart, he tends to play his best football on the biggest of occasions.

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#2 Memphis Depay (Barcelona) vs Eder Militao (Real Madrid)

Memphis Depay will look to bag a goal or two on his El Clasico debut

Here's another enticing match-up. Memphis Depay and Eder Militao have never played against each other before, so it would be interesting to see how this duel pans out.

Depay will obviously be the main source of goals for Barcelona. He's currently their leading scorer for the season with four strikes, having made a good start to life in La Liga.

He fits the club's playing style perfectly, and has imbibed their philosophy without too much hassle. So there's plenty of expectation from him on his Clasico debut.

Meanwhile, Diego Militao will be looking to ruin the occasion for Depay, as he's a vital cog in Real Madrid's defence. That is especially the case after the departure of Madrid's old guards Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane.

Militao reads the game brilliantly, averaging 2.6 clearances per game in the league. He will have to be at his absolute best to negate Depay's threat.

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#1 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) vs Gerard Pique (Barcelona)

Two El Clasico veterans will face each other on Sunday.

The battle between the two El Clasico veterans, Karim Benzema and Gerard Pique, could be the most enticing one on Sunday.

This time, Pique will face the most in-form Benzema he has ever faced, as the Real Madrid striker is currently in the best run of his career. With nine goals and seven assists, Benzema has set the pace in the league. On current form, there aren't many players across Europe who're in better form than the Frenchman right now.

More than Benzema's deadly finishing skills, it's the striker's devastating link-up play that should worry Pique, as it has helped Madrid tear apart opposition defences.

The Spaniard must be positionally aware and mark Benzema closely. He will have to do well to not let the striker have too much time and space on the ball, as the Frenchman could pay for that dearly.