El Clasico – Who makes the Real Madrid & Barcelona combined XI?

The Manchester derby may well offer fans of the Premier League their fair amount of excitement to watch over, Lazio vs. Roma certainly produces some passionate moments that the whole of the Italian Serie A can sit back on and enjoy, and the South American game also plays witness to several intense fixtures involving a whole host of less than friendly neighbours to say the very least…

 

…Yet via La Liga’s unquestionably captivating El Clasico match-up between both Real Madrid and Barcelona – all football fans across the world are arguably met with the most watched, most dramatic and most exciting derby of the modern era.

 

Yes, not every match goes down as one to remember – and sometimes the play-acting from those involved does in-fact detract from the overall spectacle of it all – but in light of the upcoming fixture to be played at the Bernabeu this weekend, here is our combined XI between both Luis Enrique’s Champions League winning outfit, as well as Rafa Benitez’ royal boys from the Spanish capital.

 

 

GOAL-KEEPER: KEYLOR NAVAS

 

In light of Barcelona’s somewhat unique goal-keeper rotation policy nowadays, Keylor Navas just about takes the all-important no. 1 spot in favour of both Claudio Bravo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen between the sticks at the Nou Camp.

 

Neither Barcelona keeper has managed to tie down much consistency of late, and as Real Madrid have achieved a superb clean-sheet record so far this season, the Costa Rican international has managed to maintain an impressive reputation despite widely being expected to make way for David de Gea at the Bernabeu this summer.

 

 

RIGHT-BACK: DANI CARVAJAL

 

Although Carvajal may have fallen out of favour somewhat among Rafa Benitez’ most recent plans this season, the former Bayer Leverkusen man still arguably represents the best right-back on offer here…just!

 

Dani Alves has seen his own individual performances become increasingly unpredictable for Barcelona these days, and it remains hard analyse the future of Danilo at Real Madrid during these very early stages of the Brazilian’s career among the Spanish league. Carvajal therefore just about deserves this slot based on his previous form alone.

 

 

CENTRE-BACK: SERGIO RAMOS

 

Despite admittedly facing his own fair share of injury concerns in the run up to this weekend’s hotly anticipated fixture – due to a shoulder aggravation sustained against Sevilla earlier on this season – Sergio Ramos still must go down as the best defender out of the entire two squads available for selection.

 

Via his ability to read the game so effortlessly, make last ditch tackles at a truly impressive rate, and even crop up with the odd important goal here and there for the Bernabeu faithful to enjoy, the current Spanish international certainly makes the combined starting XI between these two La Liga giants.

 

>BET ON REAL MADRID TO WIN EL CLASICO AT 7/1 HERE<

 

CENTRE-BACK: GERARD PIQUE

 

He may well have failed to set the world alight whilst operating in the Premier League for Manchester United just a few short seasons ago, but Gerard Pique has nonetheless blossomed into one the best defenders in world football since being back at the Nou Camp.

 

Some may criticise the lofty centre-back for failing to hold up the physical side of the game every now and then, but as each of Rafael Varane, Pepe and Jeremy Mathieu fail to offer the same level of reliability and effectiveness as the cultured ball-playing defender, Pique more than deserves his role alongside Sergio Ramos in this team.

 

 

LEFT-BACK: MARCELO

 

Marcelo might not represent the most defensively assured left-back currently operating within the Spanish league today – but through his keen ability to drive at defenders with the ball at his feet, whilst also sending in the crosses at a frequent enough rate – the Brazilian just about shades it this time around.

 

Both Nacho and Jordi Alba certainly arrive with a decent amount of promise to each of their names, yet neither are quite as effective as Marcelo in the cold light of day. The 27-year-old defender isn’t up there with countryman Roberto Carlos by any means, but he still remains a decent option with all things considered.

 

 

RIGHT-MIDFIELD: LUKA MODRIC

 

Since restoring himself back among the Real Madrid starting XI after a succession of testing injury concerns, Luka Modric has once again proved himself as a truly technically gifted midfielder who certainly knows how to create a move or two in the middle of the pitch for Benitez.

 

Between the former Tottenham Hotspur man and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic, the Croatian national side honestly looks in great shape at the moment – especially with Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic also looking to make a name for himself in there as well. In the end though, Modric remains the most talented option of the three.

 

 

CENTRE-MIDFIELD: TONI KROOS

 

Now, although Sergio Busquets has impressed greatly at the Nou Camp this term, with Casemiro equally proving a rather standout candidate for Real Madrid in 2015/16, Toni Kroos simply must go down as a definite starter within this particular starting XI.

 

The German World Cup winner and ex-Bayern Munich man always looks truly composed on the ball, he has the ability to break up play in the middle of the park when his side need it most, and can also score as well as create inside the final third when given license to roam. As Sergio Busquets isn’t anywhere near as dynamic as the 25-year-old Real Madrid man, Kroos must go down as an all-round stronger asset within the grand scheme of things.

 

 

LEFT-MIDFIELD: ANDRES INIESTA

 

No combined XI between these two giants of the Beautiful Game would be complete without the inclusion of Andres Iniesta. Now that Xavi has finally hung up his boots at the Nou Camp, his increasingly impressive understudy has developed his own game somewhat to fill such an important void within the team.

 

Yes, young Sergi Roberto has shown great potential this term from the middle of the park, but as Iniesta has all the relevant domestic and international experience to compose himself at the highest level of all, there should ultimately be no question surrounding his role within this chosen XI.

 

 

RIGHT-FORWARD: LUIS SUAREZ

 

Whatever you think of the man in general, Luis Suarez clearly represents a world class player currently operating right at the very top of his game. Wherever the Uruguayan has gone he has successfully scored goals – and memorable ones at that to say the very least. 

 

Although the likes of Neymar, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema could easily feel hard done by for missing out on a position amongst this illustrious attacking line-up, only three out-in-out forwards can evidently be chosen, and dropping Suarez just can’t go down as a viable option when all is said and done.

 

>BET ON BARCELONA TO BEAT REAL MADRID AT 8/1 HERE<

 

CENTRE-FORWARD: CRISTIANO RONALDO

 

Whilst he can often prove somewhat petulant and rather selfish on occasion, it just wouldn’t make sense to leave Cristiano Ronaldo out of any combined starting XI between these two formidable sides. The man can simply grab games by the scruff of their necks and produce the results all his fans love to see time and time again.

 

He may not be the very best player of his generation as many have determinedly suggested, but are we looking at another world class talent in the shape of this unmistakable Portuguese international? Of course we are…

 

 

LEFT-FORWARD: LIONEL MESSI

 

What can be written about this guy that’s not already been said? Lionel Messi IS the best player in the world after all. His recent injury concerns may cast doubt over the extent of his upcoming role in the El Clasico face-off, but even a half-fit Messi would likely prove superior than most of the other choices out there to be honest.

 

For his ability to respect the team aspect of modern day football, as well as shine constantly on an individual level, the mercurial Argentinean will likely go down as one of the best ever players to grace the sport as we know it by the time the little man eventually retires – and that will be a very sad day indeed.

 

If you think Lionel Messi and co. will prove victorious at the Bernabeu next time out, Barcelona are currently 5/8 to beat Real Madrid in this weekend’s El Clasico derby with William Hill 

 

How to get 2 free £10 bets for today's football tips:

1. Click this link straight to William Hill

2. Open a new account for free with promo code F20

3. Bet £10 on any football bet

3. Win or lose you get two free £10 bets automatically added to your account

 

***UNLOCK THE 2 FREE £10 BETS AT WILLIAM HILL USING THIS LINK***