Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined starting XI for huge Clasico clash
Real Madrid travel to Camp Nou to face Barcelona in a huge clash that could already decide the fate of this La Liga title. Real Madrid need a huge win over their biggest rivals, something that they have not managed to do more than once in these last two years.
Real Madrid will need to be at their absolute best if they have any chance of beating Barcelona, and because of the psychological and footballing advantage that the Blaugranes have over the away side, it will be a momentous task.
Real Madrid and Barcelona have some of the very best players in world football, and almost of them will be on display on the night. Here is a combined XI of the two sides.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined starting XI for huge Clasico clash
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
Thibaut Courtois is the best goalkeeper in the world, and even though Joan Garcia is great, he is not going to be picked over the Belgian shotstopper at the moment. Even Barcelona fans are envious of Real Madrid for having a goalkeeper like Courtois, and that should explain everything.
Right-back: Fede Valverde
Fede Valverde will be the lilely right-back on the night, and he is a better player than Xavi Espart, who is a talented player in his own right.
Centre-back: Pau Cubarsi
Cubarsi is a brilliant central defender, and as good as Huijsen has been, he is not better than his international teammate - not yet, anyway.
Centre-back: Ibrahima Konate
Barcelona are missing a couple of their central defenders, and regardless, Konate is the better defender out of anyone either team has available.
Left-back: Marc Cucurella
Joao Cancelo has had a good start to the season, but Cucurella is a better left-back on paper, and will take his place. As a team, Barcelona's defense plays better, but individually, Real Madrid have the better players.
Defensive midfielder: Rodri
Rodri is a player Real Madrid should have signed in the summer, and they will definitely lose out on all the benefits of not having a player like him. He is better than any deep-lying midfielder Real Madrid have.
Central midfielder: Pedri
Pedri is a great football player, and as much as it hurts to not have Arda Guler in his place, Pedri is the better central midfielder of the two at this moment. If this was a conversation about attacking midfield, Guler would've got the nod.
Attacking midfielder: Jude Bellingham
The best midfielder either team has to offer. Bellingham is different gravy, and he takes this place easily.
Right-winger: Lamine Yamal
Easy choice, too. Yamal is a great player, and will obviously start over every single Real Madrid right-winger.
Left-winger: Yan Diomande
Diomande is really settling in at Real Madrid, and he will be crucial against Barcelona on the night. It will be good to watch him play - he takes the nod over an impressive Anthony Gordon.
Striker: Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe is the better player, even though Raphinha has had the better start to the season. A very close call, but my heart (obviously) says Mbappe.
