MY ACCOUNT
El Clasico returns on Sunday evening as runaway LaLiga leaders Real Madrid welcome an improving Barcelona to the Bernabeu.
Though the two sides enter the contest separated by 15 points in the table, Barca’s recent rise under Xavi suggests the gap between the fierce rivals is narrowing by the week.
We have pulled together a combined XI from across the two star-studded squads.
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid)
Both teams have the luxury of world-class goalkeepers to call on but it is Los Blancos stopper Thibaut Courtois who narrowly edges our Marc-Andre ter Stegen for the No1 jersey in our side.
The ex-Chelsea custodian, 29, has conceded only 21 goals in 28 LaLiga games this term at an average of 0.75 per match, bettering his opposite number’s record of 26 goals in 25 top-flight outings.
Right-back: Sergino Dest (Barcelona)
In his former years, Dani Carvajal would command a place in this team but the emergence of exciting American Sergino Dest sees him pip the more senior Spaniard to the shirt.
The speedy 21-year-old is an attacking force for the Blaugrana having completed the most take-ons of his team-mates this season (51), while he is not afraid to get stuck in defensively with 46 tackles attempted in LaLiga and Europe.
Centre-back: Eder Militao
Eder Militao had spent much of his first two seasons in Spain in and out of the Real side but since Sergio Ramos’ departure last summer, there is no disputing the Brazilian’s importance.
Starting all but three of Los Blancos’ games in all competitions this season, he is a key reason his team boasts LaLiga’s best defence.
Centre-back: Gerard Pique
Veteran Gerard Pique may be reaching the twilight of his career but he is still a man team-mate turned manager Xavi can count on.
The 35-year-old is Barca’s clear leader for clearances completed (73), aerial duels won (74) and possessions won in the defensive third (89) — he is an experienced head to oversee this team’s defence.
Left-back: Ferland Mendy
Ferland Mendy has emerged as one of LaLiga’s best left-backs, with enough quality to beat off Jordi Alba despite the Spanish World Cup winner’s excellent past exploits.
Possessing blistering pace like Dest on the right, the ex-Lyon man provides our XI with an added threat down the other flank.
Defensive midfield: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid’s trio of Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos seem to have been around for years and that is a mark of their quality — not least the 30-year-old Brazilian midfield pivot.
Crucial in three of Los Blancos’ four Champions League successes between 2013 and 2018, their No14 continues to excel at the base of their midfield four years on.
Central midfield: Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
A similarly classy veteran, 2019 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric’s continued brilliance sees him edge out his more youthful competitor in Barca’s Frenkie de Jong.
The Croatian’s 10-year spell at the Bernabeu comes to an end soon but he is expected to sign a new one-year deal and Carlo Ancelotti will know the playmaker will take some replacing.
Central midfield: Pedri (Barcelona)
Alongside those experienced heads is teenage Euro 2020 star Pedri, who looks set to be Barca’s midfield talisman for years to come.
The 19-year-old spent much of the early campaign injured following a 73-game season in 2020-21 for club and country but has reminded everyone why he is rightly known as one of the world’s brightest talents since returning.
Right wing: Vinicius Junior
For too many years Vinicius Junior was known purely as a hope for the future having struggled to fulfil his immense promise.
But his most consistent campaign yet is showing everyone that he is now very much their present too.
With 17 goals and 14 assists in all competitions, the tricky Brazilian has proved he is the man to drive Madrid into their new era once their elder statesmen eventually move on.
Striker: Karim Benzema
But one of those, Karim Benzema, is showing no signs of slowing down.
At the age of 34, the Frenchman is having one of the best seasons of his career with 32 goals and 13 assists in all competitions.
A tie-winning Champions League hat-trick to knock out Paris Saint-Germain last week was another reminder that Benzema will take some shifting from Real’s XI.
Left wing: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The final member from Barca’s roster is one of their newest in striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has hit the ground running in Catalonia after ending his Arsenal nightmare in January.
Seven strikes in his first 10 games have reminded everyone of his prolific powers — meaning goals will not be in short supply in this XI.
Let us know what you think of our selection by tweeting @LiveScore.
