Real Madrid will play Barcelona in the third Clasico of the season on Sunday night at the Santiago Bernabeu. Despite the fact that Los Blancos have won each of their last five games with Barcelona, there is a distinct vibe in the air building up to this Clasico, as Xavi has Barcelona playing their most attractive football in years.
Toni Kroos of Real Madrid (photo: Ion Alcoba/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Los Merengues are, of course, still the overwhelming favorites. They are the clear leaders in LaLiga and are coming off some impressive offensive displays of their own, including a 3-1 win over PSG in the Champions League at the Bernabeu.
Here are three keys to Real Madrid's win in LaLiga this weekend when they face their biggest rivals.
Real Madrid's possession of the ball must be secure.
This may seem self-evident because it is crucial against almost any opponent, but it is ESPECIALLY important for Real Madrid to avoid risks against Barcelona. Their opponents have recently become extremely dangerous due to their ability to press and win the ball in high-risk locations. Xavi understands how to break down a defense quickly, relying heavily on veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, a man Carlo Ancelotti will not want to neglect.
Real Madrid's Casemiro and Dani Carvajal are two fantastic players, but they are also two players who are prone to making poor decisions in possession in their own half. Even Eder Militao has been caught off guard this season, as evidenced by Los Blancos' 1-0 defeat to Getafe early in the season.
Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, as well as David Alaba at center back, will be crucial for Los Blancos. They must maintain control of the ball and avoid making sloppy passes in the middle of the field or reckless dribbles in their own final third.
Fede Valverde, Real Madrid
Fede Valverde, Real Madrid (Quality Sport Images/Getty Images/Silvestre Szpylma)
Fede Valverde should start at right back instead of Marco Asensio.
Maybe this is a contentious point, but if Rodrygo Goes isn't fully recovered from his knock against Mallorca, Marco Asensio should not be the next man up. Despite my reservations about the player following his awful performances in two key matches against PSG, it makes sense for Asensio to be the primary replacement for an injured Rodrygo in most situations. This one, though, is different.
Against an aggressive, young, and feisty Barcelona team, Real Madrid will need defensive work, ball-winning, and ball-carrying. La Blaugrana are a different beast under Xavi than Real have faced in previous Clasicos, and Los Merengues must be ready with Fede Valverde as their manager.
Valverde has consistently delivered on the greatest stage, regardless of his position. He even shone at right back against Liverpool in the Champions League last season, despite being injured!
Fede has been a Barcelona-killer for Real Madrid on several occasions. He is a right center midfielder, not a right winger, but in partnership with Luka Modric in the midfield, he can provide a lot in that wide role. And we all know how much Dani Carvajal could need the extra support on the right side - Barcelona's left flank, with Ferran Torres constantly posing a threat to the Royal Whites, is not to be underestimated.
Valverde is a difficult fit in that midfield with the illustrious KCM trio, but this is a method to get him involved. He possesses the qualities that could be the difference between Real Madrid and Barcelona on Sunday night at the Bernabeu.
Vinicius Jr., Real Madrid
Cristian Trujillo(Quality Sport Images/Getty Images/Real Madrid, Vinicius Jr.)
Put Vinicius Jr. in charge of this squad.
This season, Vinicius Jr. has been the difference-maker for Real Madrid on numerous occasions. Vini Jr. recently won a LaLiga match for the Merengues by scoring the game's first and decisive goal and then setting up the second by winning a penalty. And when it comes to Clasicos, Madridistas will never forget his goal against Barça at the Bernabeu in the 2020 title chase.
Karim Benzema is not fully fit and will miss the upcoming Clasico. This puts even more pressure on Vinicius to be decisive in the next Clasico, because who else can Real count on? Rodrygo, on the other hand, is a creator who is likewise in doubt. Asensio has the ability to score goals out of nowhere, but he is far too erratic to rely on. Luka Jovic is also unreliable. As false nines, Isco and Eden Hazard could be choices, but how much scoring danger would they provide?
Vini is going to be significant, no matter how you look at it. Even if Benzema starts, despite the fact that most reports suggest Real will rest him to avoid re-injury, Vinicius will still be the primary man. He'll be the healthiest, most energetic, and most dangerous.
In many respects, Carlo Ancelotti has created this team around Vini, and the manager must find a way to help his young winger thrive. Because Vinicius will most likely be the key scoring threat, a win will be determined by how often he is able to get into the box and into shooting positions. In terms of carrying and one-on-ones, we already know he's the major creative threat.
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Everyone must contribute to Real's victory over a tenacious Barcelona side, but Vinicius Jr. is unquestionably the Merengues' main man.Vini has already contributed to 14 goals and 6 assists in this outstanding breakout season, and he has a decent possibility of contributing to even more goals this Sunday in what could be a high-scoring contest.
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