Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Ideal starting XI for the Blaugrana in El Clasico

It is finally El Clasico night and both Real Madrid and Barcelona will be desperate for all the 3 points. While Madrid enjoyed a stupendous quarter-final victory over Bayern Munich, Barcelona suffered a disheartening loss to an impressive Juventus side.

With their season on the line, Enrique will be desperate for the Blaugrana to pick themselves up and come roaring back with 3 points at the Bernabeu. Also, Enrique will not be able to play his favoured ‘MSN’ and let us look at how Barcelona should line up without Neymar for El Clasico tonight:

Goalkeeper

No brainer here. Barcelona’s goalkeeper for El Clasico tonight will definitely be their German shot-stopper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen. While the 24-year-old goalkeeper has been shaky at times, Enrique has kept his faith in him.

Facing the likes of Ronaldo, Bale and Co, Ter Stegen will have to be at his best tonight. Known for his aggressive starting position and good shot-stopping skills, the German goalkeeper will look to cut out his errors during set-pieces.

Another shaky aspect of Ter Stegen is his distribution and the likes of Ronaldo and Ramos will be looking to make the most of his weaknesses tonight.

Defenders

While Barcelona have started with 3 at the back recently, they should definitely start with the tried and tested back 4. Unarguably the two best centre-backs in the Barcelona squad, Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique walk into the starting XI. Blessed with good height and strength, Pique and Umtiti will have to be most alert during set-pieces. Real Madrid are very dangerous from corners and the centre-backs definitely have a match on their hands.

The full-backs will have an extremely crucial role to play. Ever since the departure of Dani Alves, Barcelona have struggled to make an impact on the flanks and Enrique will be hoping that both Alba and especially Sergi Roberto contribute more in the attacking sense.

The back 4 for Barcelona should ideally be: Centre backs: Pique and Umtiti, Left-back: Jordi Alba, Right-back: Sergi Roberto

Midfielders

The all-conquering Barcelona side have an attacking trident which is the envy of the whole world. However, the player who is most vital for Barcelona’s unique system to work is Sergio Busquets. The Spaniard often does the dirty work in the middle of the park without which Barcelona cannot play the beautiful football which they are renowned for.

Although Busquets has not been at his best this season, he is extremely important to the Catalan giants and they certainly lack conviction whenever Busquets is missing. The importance of Busquets to the team can perhaps be best summed up by Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos. In spite of the rivalry and one incidence of a red card earned due to Busquets' play acting, this is what Sergio Ramos had to say about him:

"There are a number of players I like, but the one we perhaps need is Busquets"

Andres Iniesta has come off more than the bench than started, but it will take a very brave (and foolish) man to drop the experienced Spaniard for a match of this magnitude. One of the only 3 Barcelona players to receive a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu, Enrique will be hoping that Iniesta shows us some of his magical skills tonight.

The last midfield position is slightly tricky. While Andre Gomes has been maligned for his woeful performances, Ivan Rakitic has also not been too good for Barcelona and was arguably the worst player on the pitch against Juventus. However, Rakitic would narrowly make it ahead of Andre Gomes in the starting XI according to me.

The midfield for Barcelona should ideally be: Defensive Midfielder: Sergio Busquets, Central Midfielders: Anders Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic

Forwards

In Neymar’s absence, Messi and Suarez will have a key role to play in tonight’s Clasico. However, it is in Neymar’s position that all the debate lies. With Arda Turan injured and Denis Suarez not completely suited for a role on the wings, the only option is to get Paco Alcacer.

However, with Paco Alcacer’s arrival, Messi’s role will have to undergo a huge change. Alcacer is incapable of playing out wide and should play alongside Suarez, this means that Messi should start in the hole and act as a link between midfield and attack.

Bought from Valencia in the summer, Alcacer like Andre Gomes has struggled to make an impact, but due to the absence of Neymar and Arda Turan’s injury, the 23-year-old striker should get an opportunity to impress tonight.

The attacking line-up for Barcelona should ideally be – Attacking midfielder (Hole): Lionel Messi Forwards: Luis Suarez, Paco Alcacer