El Clássico: Key Battles

Cristiano Ronaldo vs Carles Puyol

As we saw in the first leg at the Camp Nou, Cristiano Ronaldo’s starting role on the right did not impede him from drifting into the middle playing as a second striker. If that is the case, then Carles Puyol will have to be at the top of his game to stop Ronaldo from shining. Puyol’s experience, intelligence and aggressiveness could be major factor in defending Ronaldo as the veteran defender is unable to match Ronaldo’s pace.

Lionel Messi vs Albiol

This season Pep Guardiola has changed Messi’s game and instead of playing as a right winger, Guadiola has allowed him the freedom to play anywhere up front. Against Arsenal we saw Messi drift into the middle countless times where he would pull back to receive the ball before darting off on one of his blistering runs.

Can the unstoppable be stopped? If he is on form, no. However, if he is man marked, double marked and never given space his influence is likely to decrease. Therefore Albiol must concentrate on never leaving Messi alone because whenever he is given space, he punishes you.

Xabi Alonso vs Xavi

Xavi is the clock that makes Barcelona tick. He is Barcelona’s essence and the brain behind the team. Against Arsenal he performed 105 passes and his completion rate was of 95%. Real Madid cannot afford to give him much space and as he is the key to Barcelona’s possession game, stopping him will decrease the team’s possession dramatically. In order to win, Madrid must not allow Barcelona to retain possession for long periods and the easiest way to accomplish this is stopping Xavi.

Xabi Alonso plays a similar role at Real Madrid. As a defensive midfielder he has a stronger physical presence and must make sure he breaks up Barcelona’s play. However, he is often the starting point for Real Madrid when they retain possession and his inch perfect long passes are usually where counter-attacks originate from.

Victor Valdes vs Iker Casillas

Both goalkeepers are amongst the world’s best and will be vital to their respective sides. Spain’s first choice goalkeeper will undoubtedly be forced to make several important saves and must be solid in order to keep Madrid in the game. The same applies to Valdes, the winner of the Zamora trophy last year, will need to be on the top of his game in order to rescue Barcelona whenever the defense fails.

While both goalkeepers are excellent, Casillas strength is in positioning and shot stopping, however, few are better than Valdes at one-on-ones. Furthermore, Valdes’s distribution of the ball is usually the starting point for the way Barcelona hold possession of the ball.

Manuel Pellegrini vs Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola will want to maintain his 100% record in ‘El Clássico’ and the mastermind behind all of Bareclona’s success  is undoubtedly doing everything he can to prepare his players for the match tonight. His importance to Barcelona is unimaginable, after the 2-6 victory last year Daniel Alves said that the game was 90% won before it even started because of Guardiola. If Barcelona are to repeat last year’s success, Guardiola will have to instruct his players of how to eliminate Real Madrid’s counter-attacking threats and close down certain key players.

On the other hand, Manuel Pellegrini will have to construct a pressing game that will disrupt Barcelona’s mesmerizing passing game and  find a way to take advantage of Barcelona’s weaknesses. As Barcelona play an offensive style, they often leave spaces at the back and if Real Madrid play a fast, direct and counter attacking game they may be able to take advantage of the spaces when they get the ball.  As Barcelona always remain faithful to their style, Pellegrini will have to find a weakness to it and instruct his players to exploit it.

If a 2-6 is repeated it is likely that the humiliation will cost Pellegrini his job and therefore for him personally there is much at stake.

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