El Clasico: 3 ways Real Madrid can beat Messi-less Barcelona at Camp Nou

#3 Target out-of-form Pique and Lenglet with direct football

Will Barcelona's fragile defensive unit come out successful against Real Madrid?

Opportunity

Barcelona's defensive frailties will provide a good opportunity for Real Madrid to score goals in El Clasico. Can you believe these statistics? Nine La Liga teams have a better defensive record than Barcelona this season. Barcelona have conceded an astonishing 11 goals from their nine games so far. Messi and his attacking unit saved the defenders from humiliation so far.

Who will be blamed for Barcelona's goal conceding habit? The central defenders Pique, Lenglet, Vermaelen, Semedo, Umtiti are all way below their usual best. It has resulted in Valverde struggling to find a winning combination.

Strategy to adopt

Without the potent attacking talent of Messi, the defensive unit of Catalans can be brought under immense pressure by Real's lightning quick attacking players. Madrid can also try direct football with the help of Isco, Asensio and Vazquez.

Since the central defensive is unsettled for the home side, the midfielders can try to target Benzema directly through crosses and long-balls to take an attempt at the goal.