Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Ideal Barcelona XI for El Clasico
An alarming dip in form. Six points behind their fierce rivals. A manager who is finding it difficult to inspire his troops. A fan base growing increasingly frustrated with the manager and his tactics and plans. It is a far-from-ideal scenario in which Barcelona go into the first El Clasico of the season at the Nou Camp.
What will make it even tougher for La Blaugrana is that Real Madrid have not lost in 32 games, and in Zinedine Zidane, they seem to have found a manager who understands the resources at his disposal and the best way to use them.
But, with the calibre of the squad that Barcelona have at their disposal, it is safe to make the assumption that Los Blancos will take nothing for granted.
For Luis Enrique, this is a huge shot at redemption. A win against Real Madrid will do their confidence nothing but good, and it could become the platform on which Barcelona can build on for the rest of the season, after what has been a hugely shaky start.
Here is a look at the lineup that Enrique must field.
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen
The young German has made the spot between the sticks his own, after Claudio Bravo’s summer departure to Manchester City. Ter-Stegen has ensured that Jasper Cillessen has been relegated to a spot on the bench. The Dutchman did himself no good, by conceding a soft goal in the midweek Copa Del Rey draw at Hercules, which left Barca with work to done in the second leg of that tie at the Nou Camp.
The champions’ defense has looked extremely shaky this season, and the German needs to play a part in ensuring that improves. His communication with the likes of Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano will be vital. He needs to command his area. Otherwise, given the form that Real’s attackers are in, particularly Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, they will make Barcelona pay.