Real Madrid vs Barcelona — Combined XI | LaLiga 2020/21

Defence: Sergino Dest, Frenkie de Jong, Nacho Fernandez, Jordi Alba

FC Barcelona v Real Sociedad - La Liga Santander

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.

100% - @FCBarcelona's Frenkie de Jong 🇳🇱 completed all 81 of his passes against Real Betis, the most by a sub with a 100% passing accuracy in a @LaLigaEN game since at least 2005/06. Calmness. pic.twitter.com/bkgldR9Ztx

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 7, 2021

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.

Real Sociedad v FC Barcelona - La Liga Santander

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.

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