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October 25, 2024
Real Madrid is set to host fierce rivals Barcelona on Saturday evening, extending their winning streak in El Clasico to five matches. Although the defending La Liga champions have shown flashes of brilliance, they have yet to fully convince in the early stages of the 2024/25 season. They currently find themselves trailing behind Hansi Flick’s formidable Barcelona side. A victory on Saturday would bring them level on points with the Catalan giants and provide Madridistas worldwide with much-desired bragging rights.
Unfortunately for Carlo Ancelotti, his preparations for this high-stakes match have been hindered by injury setbacks to key players Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo. Both players picked up injuries during the midweek Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund and will be sidelined for the clash against Barcelona. This situation could necessitate a tactical reshuffle for the Italian manager, who seeks to field the most competitive side possible.
GK: Andriy Lunin – With Courtois sidelined, Lunin steps in once again for this crucial Clasico matchup. The Ukrainian goalkeeper has gained the team’s trust after nearly playing the entirety of the 2023/24 season, demonstrating his reliability.
RB: Lucas Vazquez – The long-term injury to Dani Carvajal has placed significant responsibility on the seasoned Vazquez, who is expected to start right-back this weekend. He was impressed with a stunning goal in midweek but may face defensive challenges against Barcelona’s in-form Raphinha.
CB: Eder Militao – Following a problematic performance against Dortmund in a rematch of last season’s Champions League final, Militao will find no respite against Robert Lewandowski, one of BVB’s former strikers. The Polish forward, who has already netted 12 goals in La Liga this season, will likely target Militao to exploit weaknesses.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – The German defender played a crucial role by scoring against Dortmund and will need to support Militao in this high-stakes encounter. Lewandowski is expected to avoid confrontations with Rudiger, who consistently provides a strong presence at the back for Madrid.
LB: Ferland Mendy – Mendy struggled to make an impact against Dortmund, which raises concerns ahead of facing the dynamic Lamine Yamal. The Barcelona winger has been exceptional this season, averaging a goal or assist per match in La Liga, which could pose significant challenges for Mendy defensively.
DM: Aurelien Tchouameni – Tchouameni is set to anchor Madrid’s midfield this Saturday, as Ancelotti may revert to the effective 4-3-1-2 formation used in the previous season. Surrounded by dynamic players, the former Monaco star is likely to enjoy ample protection as he orchestrates play.
CM: Federico Valverde – The ever-reliable Valverde has been in outstanding form this season, embodying the ideal box-to-box midfielder for Ancelotti’s tactical setup. On Saturday, he will be expected to inject energy into the attack and provide crucial support in defense and forward play.
CM: Eduardo Camavinga – While Luka Modric remains a world-class talent, the Croatian veteran played just over 70 minutes against Dortmund. Given his age and the demands of the match, Camavinga’s youthful exuberance may be favored in this encounter, bringing fresh energy to the midfield.
AM: Jude Bellingham – After scoring late winners in both Clasico encounters last season, Bellingham will be looking to make another significant impact this weekend. Despite his recent struggles to find the net, the English midfielder possesses the potential to change the game’s dynamics with a crucial contribution.
ST: Kylian Mbappe – Although Mbappe may not have dazzled fans in the same manner as Vinicius Junior this season, he has still managed an impressive tally of eight goals in 13 appearances for Madrid. The French superstar will be eager to challenge a center-back pairing featuring 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi and 33-year-old Inigo Martinez, looking to exploit any vulnerabilities.
ST: Vinicius Junior – Unsurprisingly, it was Vinicius, the Ballon d’Or frontrunner, who shone brightly in midweek when Madrid needed a hero. His electrifying performance, which culminated in a sensational hat-trick against Dortmund, was instrumental in securing the comeback victory for his team, further highlighting his status as a critical player for the club.
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