El Clasico: 5 Key individual battles that will decide the game

Barcelona have already secured a domestic league and cup double, while Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid have, of course, booked a date for a record-breaking third consecutive Champions League final.

Barca may have completed their objectives for the season, but Madrid still have work to do in order to both secure a third consecutive European crown and climb above neighbours Atletico Madrid to finish second in La Liga.

But there is more at stake than just glory when the sides meet on Sunday, when the 271st edition of this fierce and historic rivalry is played out.

As Real Madrid chase their 100th win to Barcelona’s 112, there are a number of key areas on the pitch that are set to determine the outcome of the storied fixture.

Here, we take a look at five potentially decisive head-to-head match-ups across the field that will go a long way to deciding the clash.

#1 Lionel Messi vs. Sergio Ramos

Barcelona have leaned upon Lionel Messi more heavily this season than perhaps they ever have before. Neymar’s departure means that the Argentine has been forced to shoulder more of the offensive burden than ever before and, of course, he has risen to the challenge.

He has faced Real Madrid more than any team in his career – this will be his 38th match again them – and of course, he has a raft of classic moments to look back on, including 25 goals and 14 more assists. He will be the player Madrid focus most of their energy in stopping.

Zidane, meanwhile, has his own ace to play in a bid to stop Messi. Sergio Ramos is a player who very rarely disappoints on the big stage, with the centre-back even having the happy habit of scoring big goals.

His primary task at Camp Nou, however, will be preventing – or at least reducing – the influence that Messi has on the match.

Ramos had a difficult match against Bayern Munich in midweek, though it did not prevent his side from winning through to the Champions League final, but after that shaky display, his pride will be on the line.

He will be especially eager to make a positive impression on this game given his long-standing rivalry with Gerard Pique, though it is against Messi he will be aligned.

#2 Gerard Pique vs. Cristiano Ronaldo

FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - Supercopa de Espana: 1st Leg

Real Madrid, of course, have their own star striker on hand to cause Barcelona headaches. Cristiano Ronaldo has been so good since the middle of January, it has been a surprise when he’s not found the net.

Indeed, since drawing a blank against Villarreal on January 13 in a 1-0 home defeat, the 33-year-old Ballon d’Or winner has set about showing just why he claimed that individual accolade. Bayern Munich twice managed to shut him out, but the only side domestically who have had as much luck were Levante. He has 20 goals in his last 11 La Liga outings – a staggering return.

While the Portuguese is liable to have a great deal of freedom, it is in the centre of the Barcelona defence that the focus will fall on preventing him from finding the net, with Gerard Pique the man liable to be tasked with policing the superstar.

The Spain international, who is also a former Manchester United player, is of course well versed in these Clasico clashes, but the challenge of stopping Cristiano at present appears to be a formidable one.

If Pique can nullify him, Barcelona will be in a strong position to win the match, even with Karim Benzema rejuvenated after his midweek double against Bayern.

#3 Andres Iniesta vs. Achraf Hakimi

Barcelona v Sevilla - Spanish Copa del Rey Final

Having announced that he will depart Barcelona at the end of the season, this will very likely be the Clasico swansong of Andres Iniesta. It may even be the last time he has the opportunity to live up against Real Madrid.

No doubt the 33-year-old will be eager to finish off against a team he has enjoyed so many duels with in the past in a positive fashion, particularly as the game will be one of his last at Camp Nou.

Due to a raft of injury problems in the Madrid defence, including the likely absence of Raphael Varane, it may well be 19-year-old Morocco international Achraf Hakimi he faces up against.

Achraf has only a handful of first-team appearances to his name and there can be little doubt that this promises to be the biggest test of his career.

Of course, the battle is likely to be a mental one as much as a physical one. Iniesta is a wily performer known for his intelligence on the ball, and stopping that promises to be an immense challenge for a player so young.

It is the kind of game that could set Achraf up for the rest of his career if he successfully shuts down one of the hosts’ main creative hubs.

#4 Philippe Coutinho vs. Marcelo

When Barcelona signed Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool in the January transfer window for a fee in the region of €120 million, they did so with matches such as Sunday’s in mind.

The Brazilian will be expected to provide a degree of fantasy to the home side’s play, but equally important will be how he tracks back against Marcelo, the Real Madrid left-back who will surely seek to attack at every opportunity.

Barca coach Ernesto Valverde, however, will want the visiting full-back to provide little influence offensively for his side, for that will mean Coutinho is winning his individual battle.

At times this season, Barca have been too reliant on Messi for their creativity, and so the guile and directness of the 25-year-old will be crucial.

However, he will face the man considered by many to be the finest left-back in the world game at present.

Not only is Marcelo a solid defender, he offers a tremendous attacking threat from his position and one that will have to be quelled. At times, Madrid can lack natural width, and he will be expected to provide it for them, especially as they are likely to be without a natural right-back. His role, therefore, is fundamental for his side.

#5 Marc-Andre ter Stegen vs. Keylor Navas

Real Madrid v Bayern Muenchen - UEFA Champions League Semi Final Second Leg

This isn’t, of course, a direct on-field confrontation as the two players are likely to spend the duration of the match as far apart as anyone on the field and yet both have the potential to make-or-break the match for their team.

While Ter Stegen has been regarded as one of the most solid goalkeepers in Spain this season, Navas has had a habit of making high-profile errors. His inability to catch a simple cross in the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich spread panic amongst his side as Zidane’s men flirted with elimination, and sparked renewed rumours that they will be in the market for a new shot-stopper in the summer.

The Costa Rica international, however, made some kind of amends in midweek with a series of good stops to keep Bayern at bay when it seemed like his side might buckle, yet there is a nagging feeling that he remains a vulnerable link in the side.

Cheap goals on such a stage cannot be afforded, and thereafter been little evidence to suggest that Germany star Ter Stegen will give much away. As such, the pressure is very much on Bravo not to make an error – if he does, it could be the last of his Madrid career.