The first El Clasico of 2017 is fast approaching and with the current table teasing us with what could become an incredibly frantic and exciting end to the season, the El Clasico is more than just a six-pointer this time around.
Barcelona haven’t quite had the best of seasons in the La Liga, losing to Malaga – and face a daunting task of qualifying for the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League – recently and missing out on the chance to be on par with Real Madrid. Their relatively low squad-depth in terms of quality is affecting the team at a time when it really matters.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, are flying high. Three points ahead of Barcelona with a game in hand and the ones who look a sure shot to make the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, Zinedine Zidane will approach this El Clasico as the calmer of the two managers.
And apart from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – the usual suspects of every El Clasico – here’s looking at five others players who could decide this particular one:
Luis Suarez – Barcelona
With Raphael Varane and Pepe both likely to miss the El Clasico this time around, Uruguayan Luis Suarez has the potential to make this fixture all about FC Barcelona.
With 32 goals and 17 assists in 44 appearances for the club in all competitions, Suarez could prove to be a thorn in the side of the Madrid club with Sergio Ramos most likely the one to be tasked with dealing with his movement, his runs in behind and his little kicks, hits and the occasional bite.
Suarez will have to work harder than usual this time around with Neymar missing the game due to a red card; for him to get into scoring positions, he’s going to have to be the one who takes the ball more and creates chances for himself.
Casemiro – Real Madrid
With every passing game, the Brazilian’s value to the club on the field seems to be skyrocketing. He showed just why he’s such a crucial member of the squad when Real Madrid took on Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League and he’ll continue to repay Zinedine Zidane’s faith in him with another sure performance in the El Clasico.
Casemiro’s aggression to win back the ball is exceptional and while he does get booked every now and then, the Brazilian has learned to control his approach and win the ball back by working better with someone like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.
Against Barcelona, Casemiro isn’t going to have to deal with his compatriot Neymar but will have to possibly deal with Lionel Messi and one of the attacking midfielders with Andres Iniesta the likeliest to go forward.
Sitting deep and reading the game from a more defensive point of view will greatly help Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo this El Clasico.
Andres Iniesta – Barcelona
Living legend Andres Iniesta has definitely aged and that’s showing on the field. With only six assists and one goal in all competitions for the club this season, the beginning of the end for the Spaniard is here.
But with this being his last El Clasico before turning 33, the captain needs to be at his best. Iniesta has enjoyed an incredible relationship with Lionel Messi over the years and that bond will be tested again this time against one of the most collapsible defences in the La Liga.
Iniesta’s vision is still amongst the very best and he’ll need to depend on that eye to get his side back into the race for the La Liga. With Luis Enrique departing the club in the summer, Iniesta spoke about how the squad was coming together for him and this El Clasico needs to be the game where the captain lifts the team to a level they haven’t reached recently.
Karim Benzema – Real Madrid
Barcelona’s defence has been in shambles of late and with Sergio Busquets suffering from multiple injuries this season, they haven’t had the kind of protection to keep their side in the game. Conceding five goals against Paris Saint-Germain across two legs and then three more against Juventus only in the first leg means the club lack confidence at the back.
Jeremy Mathieu, Javier Mascherano, Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba have all been in poor veins of form this season and come the El Clasico, will be up against one of the most in-form attacking units in all of Europe, even without the mercurial Gareth Bale.
Benzema has been superb again despite what the critics and fans believe. With 17 goals and seven assists in all competitions, the Frenchman has the knack of scoring against Barcelona when it really matters and this time, he might call upon those strengths again.
Gareth Bale – Real Madrid
Should he be fit to take on Barcelona, the spotlight will be firmly on Gareth Bale and his eagerness to bomb forward on that right-hand side and cause the defence a whole lot of trouble. Bale is one of the most dangerous wingers in the game and has shown great strength to come back to fine form despite his long injury.
The Welshman will most likely face off against Jordi Alba who can match him for pace but near the box, with Barcelona’s less-than-confident centre-backs to deal with, Bale could have the kind of game that could define his time with Real Madrid.
He’s overdue a performance to outshine everyone else on the field and this El Clasico might finally be the kind of match that places some much-needed trust and faith on the 27-year-old’s shoulders.
