They both first faced each other in an El Classico back in February 2000. Iker Casillas moved to Porto while Xavi left for Qatar to play for Al Sadd SC. And this brings me back to the point about Neymar: don’t let your return to action overshadow the work of the team.
Advertisement
The situation is reported to have come to a head following the 3-2 defeat at Sevilla in Madrid’s last Liga game, but Benitez was happy to brush the subject to one side and focus on preparing the players for his biggest test in charge.
That compares with average prices of £452 for the Chelsea vs Manchester United clash last May and £450 for the Liverpool vs Manchester United game in March 2015, as the most expensive English matches to get tickets for on the open market.
Luis Enrique’s team has lost two of their last three La Liga away games (W1).
Messi turns on his magic in El Clasicos. Arguably the biggest game in domestic club football in the world is upon us.
The attacking options that he gives Barcelona have made him one of the greatest full-backs of all time and his partnership with Lionel Messi on the right flank is not talked about almost enough.
Bologna and AS Roma players may carry the French flag out at the start of their match.
Madrid will be hoping their own much-hyped front three can perform likewise after a slow start to the season provoked by poor form, injuries and off-field problems.
We forgive all his chomping and there was no chance that Karim Benzema was going to beat the Uruguayan to a starting place.
Real’s Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo has been off colour in recent weeks and Benitez said he was sure the Federation Internationale de Football Association Ballon d’Or holder would be back on song soon.
A muscle injury forced the Costa Rica global, who has kept six clean sheets in nine league games for Los Blancos, to miss the team’s loss at Sevilla.
Messi has not played since injuring his knee at the end of September, during which time champions Barca have pulled three points clear of second-placed Real at the top, largely thanks to the form of the Argentina captain’s South American compatriots Neymar and Luis Suarez. Iniesta, Rakitic and Busquets are expected to complete the midfield for the Catalans.
Boasting a wealth of Clasico experience, both positive and negative, Madrid fans will be delighted to see Sergio Ramos fit for the fixture.
For every 5-0 thrashing of a Real Betis, there’s been a 0-0 sleeper against Sporting Gijon, or a flat 1-0 performance against Granada that took a random moment of quality in a match mired in mediocrity for them to win. Benitez has the experienced Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and young Casemiro.
Advertisement
To fit Neymar into our side, Lionel Messi had to be given a more central role but he always drifts into that position anyway so we’re confident that he can do a job for us here.
