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

Attack: Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Ousmane Dembele

Deportivo Alavés v Real Madrid - La Liga Santander

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.

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