It’s the biggest fixture in football this weekend as Real Madrid meet Barcelona at the Bernabeu.
Spain’s superpowers will do battle in the capital, with plenty on the line in La Liga. A resurgent Barcelona lead the title race by three points from a Real Madrid side aiming for history.
The champions will equal the record for La Liga’s longest unbeaten run if they avoid defeat, matching the record of 43 games currently held by Barcelona. This is not one to be missed.
Ahead of the clash, we’ve picked our Real Madrid and Barcelona Combined XI.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona – El Clásico Combined XI
Goalkeeper: Andriy Lunin – Real Madrid
The La Liga giants will each be without their first-choice goalkeepers this weekend, leaving us with a battle of the backups in goal. Andriy Lunin gets the nod despite his lack of minutes this season, largely thanks to his performances during Real Madrid’s run to Champions League success last season.
The Ukrainian has found a place on the Yashin Trophy shortlist as a result and will most likely earn a number-one role elsewhere in the near future.
Iconic Performances – The night Ronaldinho received a standing ovation from the Bernabeu
Right-back: Jules Kounde – Barcelona
Injury again makes this a straightforward selection with Dani Carvajal ruled out for the season at Real Madrid.
Jules Kounde might just have edged the Spanish veteran anyhow, such has been his level since signing for Barcelona from Sevilla. The permanent change from centre-back to full-back had worked out just fine for the Frenchman, who combines rascal get-up off the pitch with stellar showings on it.
Centre-back: Pau Cubarsi – Barcelona
Barcelona must be counting their lucky stars for La Masia. There isn’t a talent factory like it in the world and the latest batch of Barcelona prospects look pretty special so far. Given the club’s economic issues, their emerging academy gems have pulled the Catalans out of la mierda.
Pau Curbarsi is a talent mature beyond his 17 years, already established and thriving in the senior side. Only this week, Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany hailed the teenager as
a ‘future defensive leader of world football’.
Pau Cubarsí. 💎🤩
💙 @fcbarcelona_br ❤️#LALIGAHighlights | #LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/QxcL72PpPs
— LALIGA (@LaLigaBRA) March 12, 2024
Centre-back: Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid
Antonio Rudiger has matured into one of world football’s finest at Real Madrid. Impressive at Chelsea, the German has been even better since swapping Stamford Bridge for Spain.
A crucial part of the club’s La Liga and Champions League success last season, Rudiger held the fort as injuries threatened to decimate Carlo Ancelotti’s defence in 2023/24. Few centre-backs relish the test of taking on the top strikers more.
Read – Fernando Redondo: Gentleman, scholar, and deep-lying playmaker supreme
Left-back: Ferland Mendy – Real Madrid
An under-appreciated part of the Real Madrid set-up outside the club’s circles. Carlo Ancelotti has continually called Mendy the best defensive left-back in world football, a nod to the Frenchman’s ability to shut down opposition wingers. He’ll have his hands full this weekend, as Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal rolls into town.
Midfield: Pedri – Barcelona
After a nightmare run with injuries, it’s been brilliant to see Pedri back to his best in a Barcelona shirt this season. The 21-year-old’s return from a long lay-off has lifted those around him, with Pedri pivotal in Barcelona’s strong form under Hansi Flick.
𝐴𝑙𝑜ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑎. 🪄#LALIGAHighlights | @Pedri pic.twitter.com/wXm7fBIvk6
— LALIGA (@LaLiga) October 23, 2024
Iconic Duos – Tika taka’s royal pair Xavi and Iniesta
Midfield: Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham’s second season at Real Madrid has yet to catch fire as the club juggles its attacking talent, but he will be a player Barcelona fear this weekend.
Bellingham scored stoppage-time winners in both El Clásico fixtures last season, on route to winning the La Liga Player of the Season award in his debut campaign at the Bernabeu. It’s a matter of time before he finds his groove again.
Midfield: Raphinha – Barcelona
Raphinha’s renaissance might just be one of the stories of the European season so far. Expected to move on in the summer after two inconsistent campaigns in Catalonia, the winger has instead knuckled down to be the driving force of Barcelona’s title charge.
He has nine goals and eight assists in 13 games this season, following a Champions League hat-trick against Bayern Munich in midweek. His work rate and quality are exceptional, and he’s been rewarded with spells wearing the captain’s armband this season. A revelation under Hansi Flick.
Two Brazilians in fine form ⚡
All eyes on El Clásico this weekend 🍿 pic.twitter.com/WyY986Gf3Y
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) October 24, 2024
Right-wing: Lamine Yamal – Barcelona
It won’t be the case forever, but it’s impossible to talk about Lamine Yamal without discussing his age. Akin to Max Kilman once playing futsal and Kaoru Mitoma’s dribbling thesis, Yamal’s age seemingly can not be skipped over when discussing the player.
His performances and achievements already are exceptional, at a time when most players are still dreaming of a debut. The sky is the limit.
A reminder that Lamine Yamal is the youngest-ever player to ever be nominated for the Ballon d’Or, surpassing Kylian Mbappé 👶⭐️ pic.twitter.com/mJttQzRZvD
— OneFootball (@OneFootball) October 25, 2024
Left-wing: Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid
Vinicius Junior will want to deliver another big performance in the days before what is expected to be his coronation as the Ballon d’Or winner. The odds-on favourite to take the prize during Monday’s ceremony, he lived up to that billing with an electric hat-trick against Borussia Dortmund in midweek.
The best player in the world right now?
A special goal from a special player…
✨ Vinícius Júnior ✨#UCL pic.twitter.com/EYEShZhtME
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 24, 2024
Read – Guti: Real Madrid legend and undisputed king of assist porn
Forward: Kylian Mbappe – Real Madrid
Kylian Mbappe’s form, perhaps, does not deserve inclusion over the red-hot Robert Lewandowski, but all eyes will be on the Frenchman this weekend. Mbappe’s first El Clásico is a huge one and the sort of game he was signed to decide.
His move to Spain was designed to take him to a new level, where he could be recognised as the planet’s finest talent. The stage is set.
Read – Iconic Performances: Messi lights up El Clasico with his first ever hat-trick
See more – Five of the most memorable El Clásico thrashings
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