Real Madrid Vs Barcelona: The Starting 11

The upcoming match is against Barcelona at home in the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium in the La Liga match day 30, this will be the second El Clasico of the season. The last Real Madrid game was against Liverpool which was a good game in all departments having to defend on several occasions, it was a good win even after some key players were missing .

The team rating for the match against Liverpool can be found here: Team Rating

Currently Real are a recovering side, with few regulars out but need to win at any cost to be alive in the title race. 

Earlier the away game was a 1-3 Win for Real. 

Looking at the

Injury list:

1. Ramos
2. Varane

Suspended:

1. None

Just recovered:

1. Lucas Vazquez
2. Mariano
3. Odriozola
4. Valverde
5. Hazard
6. Carvajal

Practiced:

The rest of the players are available for selection. 

Skipped Practice:

• None

Coach Comments:

• Zidane: "We prepare the games. We knew their full-backs were extremely offensive & they could cause us problems. We prepared well and then it’s down to the players out on the pitch to do the job, but what we did particularly well was the defensive side of things."

Other Comments:

• Courtois: "We’re very pleased with our performance. Liverpool are a great side but we defended very well. They were lucky with their goal but we reacted well and got the third. Let’s hope we can close out the tie there next week. We know it’ll be tough but we can do it." 

Squad Updates:

This will be the Forty first game of the season and Real have been somewhat inconsistent in the matches and so has been the results, they have had 25 wins, 7 Draws and 8 losses. In the last few games except the last three, the performance has been poor especially in attack and with this ailing team it is not making the run any easier.

Barcelona is a good attacking side and are fine in the defense, so Real will need to be careful in both departments and be ready for their counters.

In the goal Courtois will start, he has been in a good form. He has supported the defense really well but has not received the same support from the team and more so with several changes owing to injuries in the defense.

Mendy should start on the left. As Ramos is out injured Nacho should get the nod ahead for the center back position and Varane is out due to Covid and so Militao will start again. Carvajal is now back but might play only as a substitute as he lacks game time. So Mendy, Nacho, Militao and Lucas Vazquez should start. Carvajal, Marcelo and Chust should be available as substitutes.

Modric has been a bit slower in the last few games but was always in control and the performance in the last few games have been great. Same goes with Kroos, who has been exceptional. So, Kroos, Casemiro and Modric should start. Isco, Arribas and Blanco should start from the bench. 

The forwards have been poor all season except last two games, they have been wasting many chances in front of the goal.  Hazard is possibly back but might not start and Vinicius should start on the left, being good in the last two games. With Asensio playing well, he should get his chance ahead of Rodrygo. And Benzema should start upfront.  

As there are 5 substitutions available, ZZ should think for more rotations in the second half especially taking into consideration the team's fatigue and injuries for the next games.

The probable substitutions will be: 

Vinicius > Rodrygo

Modric > Valverde

Asensio > Marcelo

Kroos > Isco

Benzema > Mariano

So the formation would be 4 3 3.

The most probable kit to be used for the game will be the home kit!!!

So the final starting 11 will be:

Barcelona Vs Real Madrid: The Starting 11

The upcoming match against Barcelona is an away game in the La liga match day 7. Real Madrid will play their fourth away match of the season. The last Real Madrid game was against Shaktar Donetsk which was a poor loss, this was the worst performance of the team after disastrous game against Cadiz both resulting in losses. 

The team rating for the match against Shaktar can be found here: Team Rating

This is the first Clasico of the season and Real have no option but to win this for their fans and for themselves and to keep their title chance alive.

Last year this fixture was a 0-2 win.

Looking at the

Injury list:

1. Mariano
2. Hazard
3. Ødegaard
4. Carvajal
5. Odriozola

Suspended:

1. None

Just recovered:

1. Ramos

Practiced:

The rest of the players are available for selection. 

Skipped Practice:

• None

Coach Comments:

• Anything can happen till 5th Oct

Other Comments:

• With no regular right back option available junior squad members are also possible to be included.

Squad Updates:

This will be the seventh game of the season and Real have been two poor performances just before this match. Forwards are mis-firing, defence is in disarray, and mid field is missing. This game is very important and would decide who would remain on the top of the table. Madrid needs to win this at any cost.

Barcelona has a good attack and their counters are great on the left. So, Real will have to be very careful.

In the goal Courtois will start, he has been leaking goals in the last few games even though his form has been good. 

Marcelo has to start on the left as Mendy will start on the right due to lack of any regular right backs.  Ramos and Varane will start as the center backs, there is no doubt in it. Carvajal and Odriozola both suffered injuries and now Mendy should be the favorite to start on the right. So Marcelo, Varane, Ramos and Mendy should start. Defence has been in shambles after the international break.

Modric has been good but is unable to find the link up play with other mid fielders. The last two games have been disastrous for the mid field with complete chaos and lack of coordination. Real needs to get the control back. It will be the old guards again. Kroos, Casemiro and Modric will start. And Valverde and Isco might start from the bench.

The forwards have been mis-firing for the second season now. Benzema has been poor, Jovic has shown some sparks but is generally lost. Vinicius is the only one who shows some promise. With the lack of options it seems Valverde will start on the right, Vinicius on the left and Benzema upfront.

As there are 5 substitutions available, ZZ should think for more rotations in the second half.

The probable substitutions will be: 

Vinicius > Rodrygo

Valverde > Asensio

Kroos/Modric > Isco

Benzema > Jovic, seems very unlikely though

So the formation would be 4 3 3.

The most probable kit to be used for the El Clasico game will be the home kit !!!

So the final starting 11 will be:

Real Madrid vs Barcelona: The Starting 11

Before going into the next Match I will rate the performance of players in the last game vs Manchester City.

1. Benzema: 2/10, Very Poor game that has very less involvement, only misses and bad finishes, final third game play missing completely. And his pressing was also gone in the 2nd half.
2. Vinicius: 8.5/10, created a few good chances, missed a sure 1 on 1 chance by slipping but that's a certain miss, got substituted for no fault and referee was too harsh on him. Gave one assist and was the best attacking player of the day.
3. Isco: 7/10, Decent game and a goal to sum his play, was good in distribution as well, could have taken a few more but was a bit lazy, especially when the opponent defence was not that quick.
4. Modric: 7.5/10, did his bit, controlled the game, few chances were initiated, pressed better than all other mid-field players. 
5. Casemiro: 3/10, did all he was supposed to do but very poorly, a poor back pass lead to Ramos red card, casual on the ball and lost possession too many times and at times wrong passes to the defence. His poorest outing of the season.
6. Valverde: 6/10, good first half, lacked the dynamic attitude which he generally carries. He could not do the job of Kroos of controlling the game. Defensive work was fine but link up play with the forwards was missing and so fewer chances created by the team. 
7. Mendy: 8/10, did very well to be honest, no defensive lapses from his side Even crossing was better from his side.
8. Ramos: 4.5/10, was below par, with hardly any pressure he was committing fouls and first goal was his fault, should have marked better and should have got his head to the ball. There was slight nudge but for his experience it will be still counted as an error. Seemed lack of communication on occasions and gave enough space to Jesus. Got a red card but neither was his fault nor was that a red card offence, it was a clear dive and VAR should have seen that.
9. Varane: 7.5/10, Was solid and prevented several chances, but lacked support from right. Apart from that did very well defensively.
10. Carvajal: 5/10, defensively okay in the first half, could have done more with support up front, chemistry missing going forward. No real crosses. In the 2nd half went to horrible from okay, unwanted challenge leading to Penalty and the goal that made the difference.
11. Courtois: 8.5/10, overall good performance except the first goal, could have been slightly better. But a great outing.
12. Bale: 6/10, he tried some crosses but was not getting support in the centre. After the red card seemed lost.
13. Jovic: 4/10, seemed completely lost. A lot of it could be due to the red card but need to try harder to win possession back when off the ball.
14. Lucas Vazquez: 5/10, came late but was only caught napping in both attack and while trying to win the ball back.
15. ZZ: 6/10, Benched Kroos, which was leading to less chances created. Kept Benzema for full 90 mins, withdrew all the performing players for no real reason. No real change to influence the game, especially in the attack even when things were not working well.

The upcoming match is against Barcelona. the el Classico at home in the La liga match day 26. Barcelona are 1st on the leader-board and Real are 2 points behind them on the league table. After the loss to Manchester City their chances are slim in the Champions League this game is the most important game to have any chance in the league, Madrid can not take any risks and have to win at any cost.

Looking at the 

Injury list:

1. Asensio
2. Hazard
3. Mariano

Only Asensio is injured. And he has not been practicing with the team. He has started individual workouts and shooting now. 

Suspended:

1. Rodrygo

Just recovered:

1. None

Practiced:

Asensio is on his recovery process.

Skipped Practice:

None

Coach Comments:

• None.

Other Comments:

• ZZ is now focusing on the next games and is the right thing to do. He needs his strikers to start scoring goals. In my opinion they will try for a 1-0 win.

Squad Updates:

This is a crucial game for the league title being a 1-2 battle at the top, with no other cup in sight this should be taken with all seriousness.

In the goal Courtois will start, he was good last game but he did not commit many errors except the one leading to the goal. Though he had few bad games in the recent past, things are getting better for Courtois. 

Ramos and Varane will start as the center backs. Mendy will start on the left and will provide better defensive option and Carvajal will start on the right. So Mendy, Ramos, Varane and Carvajal should start. Defence has been in bad form and occasional switching off has led to several goals and they should try to avoid any errors leading to such goals.

All the mid-fielders are available but it's been a poor outing in the past few games in terms of controlling the game. It is a very difficult decision for ZZ whom to pick. There has been lack of any consistency in the last few games but they have been creating several chances with no finishing. But taking the past game's rigor and current fitness level into considerations it is going to be Valverde, Casemiro and Kroos in the middle. Modric and James will be on the bench.

As Asensio and Hazard have been injured, Vinicius will start on the left and Isco will start on the right. Vinicius, Benzema, and Isco will start. And Jovic and Bale should be on the bench. 

So the formation would be 4 3 1 2.

So the final starting 11 will be:

Real Madrid Vs Atletico Madrid: The Starting 11

The upcoming match is against Atletico Madrid at a neutral stadium in Saudi Arabia which is the Final of the Supercopa. Being the first final of the season this is very crucial, Madrid is not going to take any risks this time.

First I would like to see the 

Injury list:

1. Asensio
2. Hazard
3. Bale
4. Benzema

Suspended:

1. None 

Just recovered:

1. James
2. Marcelo
3. Lucas Vazquez

Practiced:

Asensio and Hazard continue with their recovery processes. Bale and Benzema have not traveled to Saudi Arabia for the tournament and should not feature in the final.

Skipped Practice:

None

Coach Comments:

• Nothing specific

Other Comments:

• Bale and Benzema are not traveling.

Squad Updates:

This is a crucial game for the Supercopa title, and it is a knockout game. Ramos is now available ,so Ramos and Varane should be seen in the starting 11 and as Marcelo had a muscular injury and just returned he was a bit scrappy and should not make into the starting line up.  So Mendy, Ramos, Varane and Carvajal will start. Defence has been good and expected to prevent the occasional errors those have led to the goals.

In the goal Courtois will start, having got a few good games in the past, things look definitely very positive.

All the four super mid-fielders are doing great, Modric, Kroos, Valverde and Casemiro. And now Isco is added to that, there are 5 options for available as starters. So, it is going to be Casemiro, Kroos and Valverde in the middle. And Modric and Isco will start on the flanks like they did in the Semi-final.

Isco will be seen as a starter on the attacking trident on the left flank instead of the mid field and Modric will start on the right.

As Hazard, Bale and Benzema have been injured Jovic, Vinicius and Rodrygo are the go to options. So, Isco, Jovic and Modric should start in absence of Bale and Benzema. And will have Mariano, Vinicius, James and Rodrygo as substitutes depending on the work rate of others.

So the final starting 11 will be:

Barcelona Vs Real Madrid: The Starting 11

The upcoming match is the el clasico against Barcelona away from home, currently they are at 1st and Real are 2nd of the leader-board. With equal points as Barcelona Madrid is not going to take any risks this time again.

First I would like to see the 

Injury list:

1. Asensio
2. Lucas Vazquez
3. Hazard
4. Marcelo

Suspended:

1. None 

Just recovered:

1. James

Practiced:

Asensio, Hazard and Lucas Vázquez continue with their recovery processes. James is back with the team.

Skipped Practice:

None

Coach Comments:

• Nothing specific

Other Comments:

• With the rest provided to Casemiro, he will certainly start.

Squad Updates:

This is a crucial game for La Liga title race, with all the teams neck to neck. With Varane back playing regularly we will have him in the starting 11 and as Marcelo has a muscular injury he should miss and Mendy having not played against Valencia should start.  So Mendy, Ramos, Varane and Carvajal will start, more so with the great work over the past few games by the defence.

In the goal Courtois will start, having got few good games in the past, things look definitely positive.

All the four super mid-fielders are doing great, Modric, Kroos, Valverde and Casemiro. Casemiro is on 4 yellow cards, but its not going to matter as he will be available fresh after being rested against Valencia. So, it is going to be Casemiro, Kroos and Valverde. 

Isco will be seen as a substitute and so will be Modric for Valverde or Kroos depending on the score line.

As Lucas Vazquez and Hazard have been injured Bale, Vinicius and Rodrygo are the go to options. So, Vinicius, Benzema and Rodrygo should start. and will have Bale, James and Jovic as substitutes depending on the work rate of others.

So the final starting 11 will be: