EL Clasico Combined XI

El Clasico is nearly upon us, with Real Madrid and Barcelona enduring differing fortunes in La Liga this season.

This is sportscrusader.com combined XI
Goal Keeper: Keylor Navas

The Real Madrid shot stopper is one of if not the reason(s) why the Los Merengues still believe they can catch up with their sworn rivals, Barcelona in tonight’s game.

Right Back: Dani Alves

The Brazilian defender has shown his old form this season since he decided to renew his contract with FC Barcelona earlier this summer. And this consistency in performance has seen him make Sportscrusader.com right back position his own.
Right Centre Back: Gerard Pique

Pique has been a rock at the back for both club and country and his impressive form has seen Barcelona close in on another league title and make yet another successful defense of the UEFA Champions League crown.

Barcelona’s centre-back pairing has changed with every other game with Javier Mascherano and Jeremy Mathieu partnering Gerard Pique. Hence, only the Catalan centre-back gets the nod.

Left Centre back: Sergio Ramos

The Spaniard has been the only constant in defence and the captain is one of the most valuable leaders on the pitch. The two have partnered at the back for Spain as well and they feature in this XI. Though they have had their differences every now and then, there is no better pair to play in this team.

Left back: Marcelo

The afro-headed Brazilian has been in fine form when available, takes up the left-back slot. The Brazilian is effective at both ends of the pitch for Real Madrid. Comparing a few key stats alone, Marcelo has won almost twice the tackles as Alba while also creating 27 more chances in roughly the same minutes.

Defensive Midfield: Sergio Busquets

The lanky midfielder walks into this lineup as the central defensive midfielder with no real competition in the whole of La Liga, let alone Madrid.

Central midfield: Ivan Rakitic 

The Croatian international has been sensational ever since arriving at the Camp Nou and he adds a certain steely nature in both attack and winning the ball back – be it through tackles or interceptions.

Central midfield: Luka Modric 

The former Spurs midfielder is the only Real Madrid player in this combined XI. The industrious Croatian midfielder has created more chances and has more key passes than the other midfielders in contention.

Forward
Luis Suarez 

The Uruguayan is selected upfront with no doubt thanks to is 26 goals and 12 assists compared to Benzema’s 20 goals and 3 assists.

Lionel Messi

Five times FIFA ballon d’or winner, Lionel Messi in spite of the knee injury that saw him miss a number of games starts along with club mate, Suarez.

Messi has 22 goals and 10 assists.

Cristiano Ronaldo

The Portuguese captain leads the race for the Pichichi this season so we just went with the stats on this one. Ronaldo has been involved in 37 goals while Neymar has had a hand in 31. And the Ballon d’Or runner-up has the knack of turning up inClasicos.

EL Clasico Combined XI