El Clasico: Barcelona vs Real Madrid Combined XI for 2017/18

Barcelona vs Real Madrid El Clasico XI
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo - Do they both make the team?

Full-Backs

Barcelona v Atletico Madrid - La Liga
Sergi Roberto

The right-back slot was a tough call between Real's Dani Carvajal and Barca's Sergi Roberto. Carvajal has been effective for the Blancos at right-back and his importance was underlined by the fact how much Real missed him when he was sidelined with an injury.

However, there is no denying that Sergi Roberto has been the better full-back. The 26-year-old isn't even a specialist in that position but he benched Nelson Semedo even before his injury because he was perfect for Barca's system.

His forward runs have been crucial to Barcelona's attacks and Roberto even has a goal and six assists to show for it.

Real Madrid v Barcelona - La Liga
Marcelo

At left-back, it was an even tougher battle but Marcelo shines through in the end. Both he and Jordi Alba have an almost similar number in the goals and assists columns but the Brazilian is a better fit for this formation with the way he plays on the left flank.

Real have played narrow formations for the majority of the season and it is Marcelo's runs that provide width to stretch defences and even give Real an extra body in attack. His ability to overlap or cut in when Ronaldo goes wide makes him arguably the best attacking full-back in Europe at the moment.

Substitute: Jordi Alba

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