The highly anticipated El Clasico is finally here as Barcelona welcomes Real Madrid at Camp Nou in an aim to steady their inconsistent campaign and to obstruct their arch rival's push for the top of the table. It will be a Classico offering more youngsters on the pitch rather than usual iconic names and for the first time without Lionel Messi or Sergio Ramos, both now at PSG, for their respective clubs. Both of them have made 45 appearances in this mouth-watering encounter.
FCB vs RMA Match Details :
When: Sunday, 24 October
Timings: 16:15 (CET)/ 19:45 (IST)
Where: Camp Nou, Barcelona
FCB vs RMA Match Preview :
Barcelona registered their first three points in the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Dynamo Kyiv after losses in the opening two group stage games but the performance was far from convincing. So has been for the Blaugranas for some period now. Under Koeman and his predecessors, Barcelona have lacked identity with the board decided to keep faith in the former Everton boss seems to be backfiring. The Catalan club is on the seventh spot although only two points off their fierce rivals, Real Madrid in second. The league position defines everything wrong at the club at the moment even though this season seems to be a close call between sides with so few point differences. Even if the defeat to Atletico can be excused draws against Granada and Cadiz or struggling wins over Getafe or Valencia is hard to ignore. Even though the early season crisis has settled down a bit, a defeat to their arch-rivals in the El Classico will trigger back those anxieties felt then.
Things are not that rosy on Real's front but they are at least picking up needy results despite being below standard in some games. Unlike Koeman, Ancelloti is a proven manager and is able to construct some balance in the team even with humiliating defeats to Espanyol in the league and Sheriff in Europe causing a lot of dismay amongst supporters. It is proven by the 5-0 hammering away at Shakhter Donetsk in midweek. The biggest relief in the Real cabinet is that Vinicius Jr has found the best of himself by getting clinical in front of goal with his seventh strike that night, crossing his last season tally of six in all competitions. Benzema also got on the scoresheet for the fifth consecutive game for club & country with his remarkable scoring number drawing him closer to legendary Alfredo Di Stefano. All of these are sure to give as much confidence as needed for Sunday. A win for Real in the Classico will pull them on top of the table and boost their early chances for the title.
Recent Form (all competitions)
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FCB vs RMA Team News :
Barcelona confirmed that left-back Jordi Alba could miss the Classico but he can still play using injections for his pain. There is no direct replacement if he doesn't feature in the game provided that Ale Balde has only returned to training recently after his injury. The confirmed absentees for the Catalan giants are Araujo, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele. Ronald Koeman has used Serginio Dest as a winger with either Oscar Mingueza or Roberto slotting at right back. The Dutch coach will opt for the same with Oscar getting the nod to contain the rejuvenated Vinicius Jr. Or else Coutinho can be handed a spot in the team. Fati's return to fitness has been fruitful with two goals after his return from injury and his chemistry with Memphis Depay one to watch.
For Carlo Ancelloti's side, Eden Hazard and Dani Carvajal return in time for the biggest game of Spanish football bring in optimism. The star duo had a fair share of injury problems lately but their introduction at least from the bench is a major boost for Real Madrid. Carvajal may begin the game, without having much match fitness, to provide resistance on that flank against a sparkling Ansu Fati. It will come down to the battle on the wings as it seems. Real are able to consolidate injury issues in the fullback region with Ferland Mendy starting against Shakhter after his injury layoff. Isco and Jovic are out with short-term issues while Gareth Bale and Dani Ceballos are not in the discussion till next month. Either way, they aren't the first-choice players for Ancelotti. New signing David Alaba is expected to start his fourth game against Barcelona now in a Madrid shirt having won his previous three encounters with them in a Bayern Munich shirt.
Predicted Lineups :
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Oscar Mingueza, Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Frenkie De Jong, Gavi, Serginio Dest, Memphis Depay, Ansu Fati
Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Nacho, Eder Militao, David Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Fede Valverde, Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr
Head to Head :
Barcelona haven't lost to Real Madrid in four Classicos in a row since the 1960s. Koeman's men won't be wishing to repeat that feat after losing the last three Classicos including a loss at home in this month last year. One thing Real should be concerned about is their manager Ancelotti's record against Barcelona. He has won only three of his 11 games against the Catalan giants in his managerial career and only once at this venue since 2004.
FCB vs RMA Dream11 Team Predictions:
If Memphis is the choice:
GK: Courtois (RMA)
DEF: Dest (FCB), Militao (RMA), Alaba (FCB), Alba (FCB)
MID: Valverde (RMA), F. De Jong (FCB), Modric (RMA), Fati (FCB)
FW: Depay (FCB), Benzema (RMA)
If Vinicius is the choice:
GK: Courtois (RMA)
DEF: Dest (FCB), Militao (RMA), Alaba (FCB), Alba (FCB)
MID: Valverde (RMA), F. De Jong (FCB), Modric (RMA), Fati (FCB)
FW: Vini Jr (RMA) Benzema (RMA)
Match Prediction: FC Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid
Both sides are not in their absolute best at the moment with inconsistency plaguing them to build an actual momentum to their play. So, this Classico may provide a statement with either of them winning it. Barcelona are capable of turning their fortunes even without having a proper structure at the moment but it seems Real will remain unbeaten against their arch-rivals for the second year running.
