El Clasico is finally here. After being postponed back in October, the two Spanish giants meet tonight on Nou Camp. Barcelona has dominated recent meetings, and many pundits back Blaugrana for a win in EL Clasico, Messi being the centre point of discussions.
Being tied in standings, sharing the first place with 35 points after 16 rounds played, a win will push as sole leaders the team who will prevail tonight.
Here are 5 key moments who can decide tonight’s El Clasico
The obvious one, contain Lionell Messi!
Real Madrid’s defence still has nightmares regarding the best player in the world. Managing to hit in the last seconds in the past, Zidane will make sure his team will seal the spaces between the lines and not allow the Argentinean maestro to play comfortably the free spaces.
Keep an eye on Griezmann
That’s the downside when facing a deadly attacking trio, while trying to stop the best player in the world, Suarez and Griezmann will search to hit the channels that open up in the process. It will be along night for Los Blancos defence that’s for sure.
Sergio Ramos to keep calm
The best defender of the decade, Real Madrid captain and leader has to keep his cool blood and not put some “over the top” tackles and risk receiving a red card. It happened before and can happen tonight also but hopefully, for Real their captain will catch all the 90 minutes on the pitch, organizing his defence masterfully.
Benzema lurking while Vinicius and Rodrygo unleash speed
Zinedine Zidane promoted young blood into the first team. It’s a strategy that will pay off in the future, and for each big club, the future is represented by the next game. Especially for Real Madrid, where results are shaping the future for the manager in-charge. While having a central defensive block that is comfortable on the ball, Barcelona obviously lacks speed in that area and Zidane will exploit this, playing Benzema in the false-9 role, the wingers having the freedom to cut inside and create breaches into the opposition defence.
Kroos and Casemiro the engines of Real Madrid
We all know how good Toni Kroos is in the roaming-playmaker role, but Casemiro also deserves credit, the successful “volante” of Los Blancos is vital for the team, without him Real lacks the puzzle piece who bridges the defensive and midfield units. Having both ready to start tonight, Real has an edge over their rivals in the midfield.
El Clasico brings up the best football the fans can hope for, the meeting scheduled tonight will be another chapter of a long-running rivalry between two of the most decorated football clubs on the planet.
Eduard Dimiean
