Playing for 90
Fansided

Players to watch in Saturday’s anticipated El Clasico matchup

By Moussa Traore

BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 22: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid look on during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Camp Nou on March 22, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MARCH 22: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid look on during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Camp Nou on March 22, 2015 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

Football fans around the world will be circling around their television on Saturday when Barcelona host their fierce rivals Real Madrid in a must win El Clasico for the Catalans. A Madrid victory will stretch their lead to nine points, most likely sinking the 24 times league winners.

In the battle of the heavyweight giants, Barcelona will look to Lionel Messi, who many considers the best player in the world to save their season. The Argentine is having another prolific season with 9 goals and three assists.

Leo has torched Los Blancos with 21 goals in 32 encounters, and if they ever needed their No 10 to step up, will be on Saturday.

When one of the biggest games of the season is being played, a lot of factors come into play. Although Real hasn’t been defeated this term, they’ll be without one of their key component in Gareth Bale, the club confirmed.

Indeed Alvaro Morata and Toni are progressing well, but they’ll be a major doubt for Saturday’s clash. Morata suffered a grade II hamstring strain while on duty with Spain two weeks, while German playmaker Kroos broke a bone in his foot in early November.

Barcelona Captain Andres Iniesta is doing everything he can to make his return on Saturday against Real Madrid at Camp Nou, which is  lucrative for Luis Enrique’s side.

The 32-year-old has missed Barcelona’s last six games, after damaging his knee ligaments against Valencia in October and Barca worried Iniesta wouldn’t be available this year following the injury.

Enrique’s back-line will be tested as centre-back Jeremy Mathieu and left-back Jordi Alba will be absent in Saturday’s El Clasico. Gerard Pique suffered a right ankle injury against Real Sociedad similar to Alba, as injury scares continues for Barca.

Now that we’ve encountered injury blows for both teams, let’s take a look at the players not named Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi who will impact and decide the first meeting of El Clasico.

Home/FC Barcelona