On Saturday evening, the majority of the world will focus on Spain, where a crucial clash between two rivals will take place. Madrid's "Real" football players will meet with "Barcelona" at their stadium.
"Real" - "Barcelona"
Tournament: Spanish "Primera" (round 12)
Stadium: "Santiago Bernabeu" (Madrid)
Referee: David Fernandez
Date and time: 2015-11-21, 19:15
This is an exceptional match that will attract every football fan to the television screen. The 230th "El Clasico" meeting will take place in the country's capital. The history of mutual encounters so far remains in the favor of the "Whites," but the Catalans are determined to achieve their 90th victory.
Madrid's "Real"
The royal club, coached by Rafael Benitez, started the season with a great start, but as the number of matches increased, the depleted squad contributed to a decline in their game in the last month. "Real" had been the only team in the Spanish "Primera" without a defeat for a long time, but their recent matches did not go well.
The "Whites" last played on November 8th. The match took place in Seville, where the hosts, supported by their fans, forced the capital's team to taste defeat for the first time this season. In 90 minutes, spectators witnessed an intense battle, with five goals scored and the home team prevailing by 3-2. "Sevilla" achieved a secure and deserved victory, something the "Merengues" did not deserve.
The loss to "Barca" before "El Clasico" was painful for "Real," not because it was their first defeat this season, but because it allowed Barcelona to gain a 3-point advantage. The country's vice champions are in second place with 24 points, seven wins, three draws, and one loss.
R. Benitez, who has the reins of the "Whites" in his hands, faced not only bad news after the loss in Seville. Three key players of the team - Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, and James Rodriguez - have fully recovered. With the reinforcement, the coach will have to make tactical decisions, as the return of J. Rodriguez should change the game plan, and he may have to leave Toni Kroos, Casemiro, or Isco in the starting lineup.
Projected starting lineup for "Real": Keylor Navas, Danilo, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Barcelona"
On the opposite side of the barrier - a turbulent start to the season, followed by assured play and victories. Luis Enrique's wards had a somewhat challenging start to the season, further worsened by Lionel Messi's injury, but the Catalans found their game with Luis Suarez and Neymar leading the charge.
Barca also played their last match on November 8th, but unlike their opponents, they had no trouble with their opponents. Regular goals from L. Suarez and Neymar helped Barcelona to beat the "Villarreal" team by 3-0 and secure the top spot.
The current country and European champions have recorded nine wins and two draws in their 11 matches in the Spanish "Primera." Another draw for "Barca" at the "Santiago Bernabeu" stadium would be a good result, but "Real" is not gearing up for a peaceful match, as a loss to the capital's club could cost them even the second place.
For a long time, it seemed that L. Enrique would suffer a major loss before these matches - L. Messi. The Argentine striker had been nursing an injury for more than a month, and it was predicted that he would not recover in time for "El Clasico," but the striker had been training with the main team for several days and is ready to step onto the field at least as a substitute. However, the visitors from Barcelona will be without the defenders Rafinha and Douglas.
Projected starting lineup for "Barcelona": Claudio Bravo, Dani Alves, Ger...
Aivaras Katutis
