Barcelona will host Real Madrid in the Nou Camp for the eagerly anticipated latest installment of the El CLassico. Both teams have had a change of manager during the summer as Barcelona led by Tarto Martino has led the team to the summit of the table while Madrid led by former Chelsea and Milan coach Carlo Ancellotti are just three points behind the league leaders.
Two of the best players in the world Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will resume their battle for the best player in the world and also added to the mix is their new respective sidekicks –Neymar regarded as the next best thing after Messi and Ronaldo signed for 57 million from Santos during the summer and a possible heir to Messi’s throne and Gareth Bale the world most expensive player signed from Tottenham for a world record fee of 100 million dollars and has also been likened to Ronaldo. Both of them are expected to get a first taste of the El Classico today.
Barcelona started the season on a high winning their first seven games in the league but saw their 100 percent record come to an end last week with a goalless draw against Osasuna. They also played a one all draw against AC Milan midweek in the Champions League. Barcelona seems to have lost some steam in their last two games and will be keen to bounce back against their arch rivals. Barcelona has a poor record against Madrid in their recent games as the Blaugrana have not won in their last five meetings against Madrid. They were eliminated by Real Madrid in the semifinal of the Copa Del Rey last season and will be keen to break their duck. Neymar has fit into the Barcelona set up very well and have performed admirably in the absence of Messi.
The Argentine returned from injury last week and scored the equaliser against Milan in the Champions League .He is currently the top scorer in El Classico history with 16 goals and will looking further to increase that tally.Captain Carles Puyol made his return from injury last week and played the whole 90 minutes at Osasuna but may likely revert back to the bench as Coach Martino may pair Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano at the back with the trio of Xavi, Iniesta and Busquet in midfield and Messi, Neymar and Sanchez in attack.
Real Madrid started their regime under Carlo Ancelloti on a slow note as they have struggled with form and consistency this season. They tend to struggle in their away games and no bigger away game than the El Classico. They played arguably their best game of the season last weekend in their 2-0 victory against Malaga. But in derby games form goes out of the window as the players will look to continue their recent superiority over Barcelona. Ronaldo has good memories in his last two games at the Nou Camp as he has scored three goals in his last two games at the Camp.He has seven goals in his last six games against Barcelona and will fancy his chances today.Bale has yet to light up the Bernabeau since his mega money signing move, with just one league goal to his name he has a lot to prove in probably the biggest game of his career so far.Madrid will probably go for 4-3-3 formation with the Varane and Ramos the centre back pairing and with trio of Khedira, Modric and Isco in midfield and Ronaldo, Bale and Di Maria in attack.
A win for either side will tilt the advantage to the side. A win for Barcelona will further stretch their lead over Madrid to six points while a Madrid victory will draw them level.
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