Will Clasico be worth it without Messi & Ronaldo for the 1st time in 11 years?
Real Madrid and Barcelona play the first Clasico in 11 years without Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo this weekend.
Barcelona are at the top La Liga despite going four league matches without a win before last Saturday, while Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui is under pressure with his side in seventh place.
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For over a decade it's been Messi vs Ronaldo? Is this one going to be worth it without them?
This is Julen Lopetegui’s first Clasico as Real Madrid coach, and if he loses, it will probably be his last. That enough spice for you?
Messi and Ronaldo will be missed but the possibility of it being the game that decides Lopetegui’s future will mean it could be one of the liveliest for years.
What will be the key duel?
Sergio Ramos against Luis Suarez is the pick of the match-ups. Suarez has only scored four this season but he has six assists, and that doesn’t include those two no-touch assists against Spurs when his dummies helped Messi score twice.
Ramos wants to save Lopetegui’s job, he’s the one who recommended him to the club after all. But it can be hard to lead the team from the back. Dive in to tackles or charge forward and rather than be the inspiring captain marvel you could end up as the liability. Suarez will look to win fouls, Ramos will oblige him – these two make perfect arch-enemies.
If it comes down to keepers who is in the best shape?
Marc Andre ter Stegen has been in exceptional form saving his team against Sevilla and Real Sociedad earlier in the season.
Thibaut Courtois is yet to put in a really big performance although he was decent in the Madrid derby.
Who will be Messi for a day for Barca?
Rafinha took Messi’s place in the team on Wednesday against Inter but there are no guarantees he will start at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona had hoped Philippe Coutinho would step-up but he was one of the team’s lesser lights against Inter. Perhaps it will be a midfield virtuoso performance from Arthur that does it. Messi will say ‘I told you so,’ he praised the Brazilian midfielder in an interview last month.
Who will be Ronaldo for a day for Real Madrid?
Bale scored a beauty at the Nou Camp last season and he’s due another goal. He has all of Ronaldo’s attributes but lacks his consistency.
If he can turn it on on Sunday then Madrid will have a far better chance.
How are Barcelona likely to line up?
In his four meetings with Real Madrid Valverde has played 4-4-2 in three of them.
The option of four midfielders behind Messi and Suarez is affected by the absence of Messi but it could be that Coutinho plays closest to Suarez and Sergi Roberto joins Sergio Busquets, Arthur and Ivan Rakitic in midfield.
How are Madrid likely to line up?
There is no Dani Carvajal so Nacho will probably come in at right-back. Marcelo looks like being fit to play left back with Ramos partnering Raphael Varane.
It will then be Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in midfield with Casemiro and Isco and Marco Asensio fighting for the place alongside Karim Benzema and Bale.
What would a win mean for Barca?
They would be seven points clear of Madrid leaving their rivals floundering in mid-table and probably looking for a new coach.
What would a win mean for Real Madrid?
They would close the gap to one point and Lopetegui would get some deserved breathing space to start building his Real Madrid.
Who will win?
An ill-tempered draw wouldn’t surprise. A draw because Messi’s absence brings Barca’s level down to a below-par Madrid’s and ill-tempered because there is so much at stake for Madrid.
Last season Sergi Roberto and Dani Carvajal were somewhat unlikely sendings off. This season it could be the usual suspects getting involved. Ramos, Suarez, Arturo Vidal if he plays a part.
