Real Madrid vs Barcelona: 5 players to watch out for | La Liga 2022-23
Real Madrid will host Barcelona in the El ClΓ‘sico this weekend at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid have won seven and have drawn one out of their opening eight games in La Liga this season, the same as Barcelona.
The Catalans are ahead of Los Blancos on goal difference and hence currently top the table.
Without further ado, let's look at five players to watch out for in this clash on Sunday.
#5 Rodrygo (Real Madrid)
The Brazilian has been brilliant in attack this season and his presence has profited his team so far.
Rodrygo has netted three goals and has registered two assists in six appearances in La Liga this season.
Rodrygo's confidence this season is on a completely different level
The 21-year-old is averaging a goal contribution every 82 minutes this season.
Rodrygo is averaging a goal contribution every 82 minutes this season.
π§π· Rodrygo is averaging a goal contribution every 82 minutes this season. https://t.co/2C6qFgdOqE
It will be interesting to see if he can maintain his fine form against Barcelona.
#4 Ansu Fati (Barcelona)
The Spaniard has been impressive in attack for his team this season and his presence in attack has strengthened the attack.
The 19-year-old has netted two goals and has registered three assists in the league. Furthermore, he's the second joint-top player with the highest number of assists in La Liga this season so far.
+ 3
in 218 minutes played.
2β½οΈ + 3π °οΈ in 218 minutes played.
Ansu Fati has a goal or an assist every 44 minutes played in La Liga this season, the best goal involvement ratio among players with at least 3 G+A:
44 Ansu
49 Lewy
69 Sergio Leon
74 Veiga
76 Rodrygo
76 Sorloth https://t.co/vk0fq15J1p
Fati has registered a goal or an assist every 44 minutes in La Liga this season and he remains a key player in attack for the Blaugrana in this clash.
In the top5 leagues this season, Haaland boosts the best goal involvement ratio: one goal or assist every 39 minutes.
In 2nd place we find Ansu Fati, with one goal or assist every 44 minutes. https://t.co/53mq8XxzGA
#3 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Despite his absence due to injury in several league games this season, Benzema has netted three goals and has registered one assist in five appearances in La Liga this season.
π₯
Karim Benzema is the player with the highest xG under-performance LaLiga this season (-2.3). He scored only 3 goals based on the 5.3 he was expected to put in from the chances he received.
Struggling in front of the goal βπ₯ https://t.co/NSEaUGMavI
Benzema might currently be inconsistent, but given his level of expertise in attack, he remains one of the players to watch out for in this encounter.
Karim Benzema has scored nine away goals in LaLiga in 2022, more than any other player π₯ https://t.co/dBKyl5TcF8
#2 Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
The Brazilian has been Los Blancosβ most in-form player in the league this season and his presence in attack has been outstanding.
Vinicius has netted five goals and has registered one assist in eight appearances in La Liga this season.
ποΈπ€ @vinijr is on FIRE! https://t.co/ETc8pp9RQJ
The 22-year-old is the player with the most successful dribbles in La Liga this season and he is an important attacker for Carlo Ancelotti in this clash.
| @vinijr is the player with the most successful dribbles in UEFA Champions League and La Liga. @diarioas
π| @vinijr is the player with the most successful dribbles in UEFA Champions League and La Liga. @diarioas
Special player! π₯πΊπ§π· https://t.co/ONdCeDayp2
It will be interesting to see if he can help his team secure all three points on Sunday.
#1 Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
The Polish international is arguably the most impressive La Liga signing this season and his presence for Barcelona has been significant in attack.
Lewandowski has netted nine goals and has registered two assists in eight appearances in La Liga this season. Furthermore, he's the current top-scorer in the league so far.
La Liga top scorers so far this season: 
πͺπΈ La Liga top scorers so far this season:
9β£β½οΈ - Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona)
6β£β½οΈ - Joselu (Espanyol)
6β£β½οΈ - Borja Iglesias (Real Betis)
5β£β½οΈ - Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo)
5β£β½οΈ - Vinicius Jr. (Real Madrid)
5β£β½οΈ - Brais Mendez (Real Sociedad)
Let the battle begin π https://t.co/okqO3sT3yU
The 34-year-old has settled in swiftly at Barcelona and his numbers in all competitions are impressive.
Robert Lewandowski needed no adaptation time at @FCBarcelona π https://t.co/Oo6iM5y8oa
Lewandowski is Xavi's most important attacker going into this game and it will be interesting to watch the attacking battle between him and Benzema.