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El Clasico is once again upon us, and what a mouth-watering clash this is set to be. What once looked like a meaningless tie to decide second place now could very well dictate where the 2020-21 La Liga title ends up.
There is the added spice that this could potentially be Lionel Messi's last ever Clasico. Although the Argentine maestro may have been encouraged by Barcelona's improvement under Ronald Koeman, his future is still up in the air.
Karim Benzema is in the form of his life under Zinedine Zidane, who has turned Real Madrid's season around with his familiar nonchalance. Los Blancos are still in the race for a La Liga and UEFA Champions League double, a far cry from when Zidane's job seemed to be under threat earlier this season.
There are plenty of narratives as El Clasico nears!
Here are five players who ought to impact this titanic clash the most:
#5 Ousmane Dembele is finding form ahead of El Clasico
Ousmane Dembele has scored twice in his last two league games for Barcelona, including a last-gasp winner against Real Valladolid. The Frenchman looked exhausted in the final moments after a hard-working performance full of excellent runs, yet scored when it counted.
The touch was composed, the finish sublime - Dembele is gradually working his way into form at the right time.
Ronald Koeman noted Dembele's physical improvement after the game, and having scored against Sevilla and Real Sociedad in Barcelona's last five games as well, it can be said that the Frenchman has an appetite for the big games.
They don't come much bigger than El Clasico, and given Dembele has three assists in 177 minutes against Los Blancos in a Blaugrana shirt, he could very well be decisive once more in this El Clasico.
#4 Karim Benzema is Madrid's top scorer
Real Madrid have scored 71 goals in all competitions this season, and Karim Benzema has been involved in 30 of them. To have arguably the biggest club of all time so dependent on one player seems incredulous, but Benzema is simply that special.
With 24 goals and six assists in competitions this season, Benzema has been involved in 42.25% of all goals scored by the club. He has been instrumental in transforming Los Blancos' season around, with crucial goals against Atletico Madrid and Atalanta in the UEFA Champions League.
Benzema's scoring streak of seven consecutive games came to an end against Liverpool, but the Frenchman still has nine goals from his last eight games. Benzema has not scored against Barcelona in his last nine games against them, and now would be the perfect time to end that drought.
#3 Frenkie de Jong
Ronald Koeman has overseen Barcelona's resurgence ever since the turn of the year, and chief amongst the reasons for that turnaround in fortunes has been the form of Frenkie de Jong.
The Dutchman has been called upon to play as a centre-back as Koeman has switched to a 3-4-2-1 formation. His passing and positional nous have been key reasons why Blaugrana have controlled games, rarely offering their opponents much of a chance recently.
De Jong has marshaled Barca's backline with aplomb, looking ever the veteran in Gerard Pique's absence. Pique may be rushed back for this game, but De Jong ought to retain his spot in the three-man backline. He will need to be at his very best to contain Karim Benzema and keep the ball away from Madrid's imperious midfield.
#2 Vinicius Jr.
Vinicius Jr. has frustrated many a Madridista with his profligacy in front of goal for the duration of his Real Madrid career. Yet the Brazilian youngster produced a couple of wonderful finishes against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League, surprising many.
It's the right time for Vinicius to find his scoring boots, with the 20-year-old having been involved in four goals in his last four games for Los Blancos. His pace and dribbling will surely trouble Barcelona's defense.
Sergino Dest's forays forwards may be nullified as he aims to keep Vinicius quiet, although that is easier said than done. The Brazilian is maturing with every game he plays, and he could very well be the X-factor that decides this contest.
#1 Lionel Messi
Hardly a surprise, is it?
Many expected Lionel Messi to respond to Barcelona's UEFA Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain by simply seeing out the rest of his Barca contract with barely a flicker of interest, but it has been quite the opposite.
Messi looks ever more determined than ever to win La Liga this year, potentially signing off with a domestic double. If this is to be his last ever Clasico, the Argentinian will be keen to sign off on another one of those legendary performances that were de rigueur for his entire career.
However, Casemiro's close attention to him in every Clasico has kept Messi from finding the net in the last seven games against Real Madrid. Yes, the Barca legend will no doubt be influential, but he will definitely want the chance of a final goal celebration.
