Barcelona and Real Madrid are both more desperate for a victory at the same time than any version of El Clásico in recent memory.
Madrid sits third in the table having played five matches, but have lost two consecutive matches between La Liga and the Champions League. Ronald Koeman and company, meanwhile, have never really looked all-conquering, even if they did put five goals past Ferencváros. They have only played four matches compared to the league-leaders’ six, but the Blaugrana still need to make up that ground and move up from 9th place. Nevertheless, given the club’s respective performances in the UCL, it’s interesting to note how the narrative has changed so rapidly, with Barca now strong favorites to defeat Real Madrid in their first meeting this season.
El Clásico is where legends are born, and being the favorite only matters on paper. This match could define the La Liga season, and five players in particular could be the decisive figures.
Lionel Messi
The faces on the sideline may change and rivals may move on, but since 2005, El Clásico has been decided by the boot of Lionel Messi. If the Argentine is feeling fine, Real Madrid will fall. In 43 appearances in the fixture, Messi has 26 goals and 14 assists, a close to untouchable record.
Sergio Ramos
Injuries have defined the previews for this match. Jordi Alba has been named to Barcelona’s squad list, and Sergio Ramos got the same treatment for Real Madrid. Of the two though, Ramos’ return is the one that truly matters. His 47th El Clásico will be most all-time, and while Culés despise the Spaniard with every fiber of their being, we all know that a header by Ramos or a foul that isn’t punished could be the difference in this match.
Ansu Fati
The experience of 46 matches may be useful for Ramos, but Ansu Fati could decide the match in just his third appearance in the fixture. His previous two showings were substitute cameos totaling 16 minutes last season. Expect the 17-year-old (for one more week) to get the start and go at Nacho early and often. Almost half of Barcelona’s attacks have come down the left flank this season, and I don’t expect that to change in the biggest match of the Blaugrana’s season so far.
Vinícius Júnior
Real Madrid played terribly against Shakhtar Donetsk midweek, but that could have been because Vinícius Júnior didn’t start. When he did come on, he became the fastest Champions League goalscorer as a substitute, delivering a goal in 14 seconds. He has two goals so far this season and due to Karim Benzema’s issues with form, the young Brazilian has been the difference-maker for Zidane.
Antoine Griezmann
If this was from a Madrid perspective, this fifth spot would probably be Benzema. He was tremendous last season and hasn’t been the same player this season. Barcelona, however, are dealing with a shell of Antoine Griezmann, who has not only not scored this season, but hasn’t even had five total shots on target. It would be shocking if Koeman doesn’t start the Frenchman (potentially because he doesn’t want to lose him completely), but Griezmann needs to show up. The narrative could change overnight if he gets a goal and has a standout performance in El Clásico.
For more on this match, check out our preview over on the YouTube channel.
Dan Hilton is an American journalist, broadcaster, and current Editor-in-Chief of BarcaBlog. Extensive work as a play-by-play broadcaster, producer behind the scenes, and quite average player in his younger years has given him a well-rounded and informative perspective on the sport. Alongside BarcaBlog founder Francesc, Dan started The Barcelona Podcast in 2017.
