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Two of European football's most historic rivals, Real Madrid and Barcelona, are set to go head-to-head in the second El Clasico of the 2020/21 campaign on Saturday
The two sides' previous meeting this season was at the Nou Camp, where Real Madrid emerged victorious and left with all three points after a 3-1 win. Goals from Fede Valverde, Sergio Ramos, and Luka Modric were enough to dismantle Ronald Koeman's side.
However, the circumstances leading up to the second league Clasico of the campaign are vastly different as Barcelona have been in incredible form in 2021. Their surreal run of results — during which they've won 16 of their last 19 games, drawing the remaining three — has seen them go ahead of Zinedine Zidane's men on the league table. They currently sit just a point behind league leaders Atletico Madrid and two above Los Blancos.
A crucial fixture for Barcelona and Real Madrid
With nine games to go, the title race in Spain is still wide open and the upcoming Clasico at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium could potentially have a massive impact on the Blaugrana's and Blancos' LaLiga aspirations.
Ahead of the game, here, we take a look at the best combined XI between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Note: Only players available for the clash will be eligible for the XI. When choosing between two players, their recent form in LaLiga Santander leading up to the Clasico will be given more consideration as opposed to their overall contribution throughout the campaign.
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have two of the best goalkeepers in the world in Marc Andre ter-Stegen and Thibaut Courtois, but it is the Belgian who makes the cut for this XI. Courtois has been the backbone of Los Blancos' brilliant defensive record and has stepped up to save his side on numerous occasions this season.
The former Chelsea man has played six more LaLiga games this season than his Barcelona counterpart, whose injury issues limited him to 23 appearances out of his side's 29. Courtois has helped Real Madrid keep 12 clean sheets, let in 23 goals and saved two penalties this season.
Courtois has also had a save percentage of 79.5, only bettered by two keepers in LaLiga Santander — Yassine Bounou and Jan Oblak. This, along with Courtois' availability and match-winning saves this season, has given him the edge over German goalkeeper Ter-Stegen.
Also read: 5 Best players in the UEFA Champions League so far
Defence: Sergino Dest, Frenkie de Jong, Nacho Fernandez, Jordi Alba
Of all the areas on the pitch, the backline was, perhaps, the easiest to pick due to the lack of fit defenders heading into this game. Both of Real Madrid's first-choice centre-backs Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane are unlikely to feature in the game due to injury and testing positive for COVID-19 respectively.
The Spaniard and the Frenchman's absence has left them with Nacho Fernandez and Eder Militao as the only fit central defenders. Nacho and Militao started Los Blancos' last two games and it is the Spaniard who makes the cut for this XI on the back of his impressive displays, particularly in Sergio Ramos' absence. Nacho's performance against Liverpool was an important one for his side as well, but it is his displays in the league that earn him a spot in this side.
One of the more surprising position changes of the season has been that of Frenkie de Jong, who has been utilised as a libero amidst Barcelona's host of injuries in defence in recent weeks.
What isn't surprising, however, is that De Jong has excelled in this role and has played some of the best football of his Blaugrana career. De Jong has registered more progressive carries than any player in Europe this season (276) barring his captain, Lionel Messi (396). With Ramos and Varane out of the fixture for Real Madrid and Pique unlikely to feature for Barcelona due to an injury, De Jong is a shoe-in for this backline alongside Nacho over the likes of Oscar Mingueza and Clement Lenglet.
Sergino Dest is an obvious choice at right-back given that Dani Carvajal is still recovering from an injury to his right thigh.
Alvaro Odriozola is part of Zidane's squad for tomorrow upon his return from injury but hasn't kicked a football since the first week of February. Although Dest had a challenging start to life at Barcelona and has featured more as a wing-back in recent weeks, he is the first-choice right-back for this XI over makeshift right-back Lucas Vazquez.
The choice between Jordi Alba and Ferland Mendy is a very difficult one as both are in excellent form and will be available for selection for the Clasico, but the Spaniard narrowly edges this one out.
Playing higher up the pitch as a wing-back, Alba has been a much more potent attacking outlet for Barcelona. His 3.47 touches in the opposition box and 6.82 progressive passes per 90 in Europe are some of the highest in Europe this season among full-backs.
Also read: Real Madrid vs Barcelona: 5 key battles to watch out for | La Liga 2020-21
Midfield: Toni Kroos, Casemiro, Pedri
Despite a raft of injuries all across the pitch, Real Madrid's midfield has been as consistent and reliable as ever this season. Toni Kroos, in particular, has enjoyed one of his most productive campaigns with Los Blancos so far and has been right up there with some of the best in the world in his position.
Kroos' tally of 94.25 passes and 8.41 progressive passes per 90 are the highest for midfielders across Europe. His defence-splitting ball to Vinicius Jr during Real Madrid's win against Liverpool serves as a timely reminder of what the 31-year-old is capable of with the ball at his feet.
Casemiro has been the ideal foil for Luka Modric and Kroos in midfield and is arguably one of Zidane's most important players, much like he has been for years. The Brazilian is an absolute monster in the air and is a colossus in midfield, tirelessly winning the ball back for his side time and again.
Casemiro has also managed to chip in with mighty important goals for his side this season, such as his winner against Real Valladolid and a 94th-minute equaliser against Borussia Monchengladbach. It has been another brilliant campaign for the Brazilian and he will play alongside Kroos and Pedri Gonzalez in this combined XI.
Pedri has undoubtedly been one of the most impressive breakout stars in LaLiga Santander and, possibly, in Europe this season. The young Spaniard famously had a trial at Real Madrid but ultimately joined the Blaugrana, where he's established himself as one of the most talented young midfielders they've had in quite some time.
The 18-year-old has displayed a sense of maturity and understanding of the game that belies his age. His close control and overall approach have drawn comparisons to Andres Iniesta. Pedri has also developed an incredible understanding with Lionel Messi on the pitch, and Koeman's new formation has also been vital in helping Barcelona unlock the Spaniard's true potential.
As one of the most impressive players for the Blaurana who has kept seasoned players such as Miralem Pjanic and Philippe Coutinho out of the side, Pedri simply had to be a part of this combined XI heading into one of the most important games of the campaign.
Also read: 5 Transfers that dramatically changed the fortunes of a club
Attack: Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Ousmane Dembele
Ousmane Dembele has had to endure a torrid time at the Nou Camp due to a host of different injuries which have led to him missing nearly 85 fixtures since a blockbuster move in 2017. However, it's been a different story for the French winger this year under Koeman as Dembele is beginning to show the Blaugrana faithful what he's capable of.
Although Antoine Griezmann's eight goals and six assists outweigh Dembele's contribution to Barcelona's LaLiga campaign this season, the latter's recent form give him the edge heading into the Clasico. Dembele has been one of Barcelona's most important attackers over the last month and a half.
The 23-year-old has three goals in his last five league games, two of which proved to be match-winners for his side against Sevilla and Valladolid, while Griezmann has just three in his last ten.
Dembele's form gives him the nod over the likes of Marco Asensio and Vinicius Jr, despite the latter's sublime display against Liverpool. Partnering him on the other side is his mercurial captain, Lionel Messi. The Argentine had a relatively quiet start for the Blaugrana due to issues on and off the pitch, but since the turn of the year, his form has been second to none in Europe.
Messi has played a total of 13 LaLiga games in 2021 and managed to either score or assist in 12 consecutive games before their 1-0 win against Valladolid last week. His 16 goals and seven assists in the league makes him the player with the most goal contributions in Europe's top-five leagues in 2021.
The 33-year-old has undoubtedly been the best player in the world in the calendar year so far and is the first name on the teamsheet in his combined XI.
Messi and Dembele will be set to line up on either side of Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema in this front three. Even at the age of 34, the Frenchman remains one of the best centre-forwards in world football and has been vital for Los Blancos' LaLiga and UCL pursuits.
With 18 league goals to his name, Benzema is the fourth-highest scorer in LaLiga this year and has a total of 24 goals to his name across all competitions this season. The French veteran is unquestionably Los Blancos' most important attacking player and will lead this combined XI.
Also read: Top 10 strikers in the world this season (2020/21)
