Barcelona vs Real Madrid: 5 key battles to watch out for | La Liga 2020-21

#3 Frenkie de Jong vs Toni Kroos

Frenkie de Jong is yet to hit his peak

While both Barcelona and Real Madrid have excellent forward lines, the outcome of this game is likely to be determined in the midfield. Frenkie de Jong's influence on this Barcelona side has grown under Ronald Koeman and the Dutch midfielder will have to step up to the plate in El Clasico.

De Jong's adversary, however, is one of the most decorated midfielders at the moment. Toni Kroos was one of Real Madrid's unsung heroes last season and his experience will be crucial to Los Blancos' chances in this game. The German star was used as a substitute against Shakhtar Donetsk and can add some much-needed stability to Real Madrid's midfield.

Frenkie de Jong had one of his best games in a Barcelona shirt against Ferencvaros but will face a different class of opposition on Saturday. The former Ajax man is yet to hit his peak at Barcelona and will need to summon his best self against Toni Kroos and Real Madrid.

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#2 Karim Benzema vs Gerard Pique

Benzema and Pique have faced each other several times

Gerard Pique has not had the best of weeks at the Camp Nou. The Barcelona veteran was sent off for a last-ditch challenge against Ferencvaros and will need to regain his confidence ahead of this game. The defender is approaching the end of his career and his lack of pace could potentially be a problem against Real Madrid this weekend.

In Karim Benzema, Real Madrid have one of the most versatile forwards in Europe. The French striker played a pivotal role in Real Madrid's La Liga success last season and often saves his best for El Clasico.

250 goals in Real Madrid white for @Benzema 💥 pic.twitter.com/KiqxLCp2MZ

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 4, 2020

Benzema did not start in the UEFA Champions League this week and his presence in Real Madrid's final third will be a massive threat to Gerard Pique and his defensive line. The two veterans have more than a wealth of experience in this fixture and their match-up could potentially determine the outcome of the game.

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#1 Lionel Messi vs Raphael Varane

Messi has an excellent record against Real Madrid

Lionel Messi and Raphael Varane have clashed on innumerable occasions over the past few years and will go toe-to-toe yet again this weekend. Lionel Messi has delivered the hammer blow in these fixtures on several occasions in the past and the Barcelona captain will have to bring his supernatural talents to the fore yet again on Saturday.

Raphael Varane has endured a difficult few months at Real Madrid and has a point to prove on the big stage. The Frenchman was well below his best against Shakhtar Donetsk and has become uncharacteristically error-prone in high-profile games in the recent past.

Ahead of tomorrow’s #Clasico are you amazed that #Madrid have only retained the Spanish title once in 30 years and that they’ve not won the first Clásico as defending champions since 2007? Read on.... https://t.co/1IuDgryFMq #Messi #Ramos #Barça

— Graham Hunter (@BumperGraham) October 23, 2020

Barcelona's talismanic Argentine has not been at his best this season but displayed shades of his former self against Ferencvaros in the Champions League. Real Madrid belong to a different league of opposition but Lionel Messi is perfectly capable of singlehandedly deciding the outcome of this game.

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