Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts

La Liga feature: Five players who could make the difference in El Clasico

A lot has changed since then on both sides and more excitement and surprises are certain at the Santiago Bernabeu.

With Barcelona ahead of Real Madrid in the standings, the onus will be on the home side to breathe life into the title race in the El Clasico.

Bengaluru, March 1: Sparks are set to fly as the second El Clasico of the 2018-19 La Liga season takes place on Saturday (March 2), with hosts Real Madrid hosting FC Barcelona at their home ground of Santiago Bernabeu.

The game kicks off at 8.45pm local time (1.15 am IST, Sunday) and will be streamed live will be shown live only on La Liga Official Facebook Page (https://Facebook.com/LaLiga/).

For sure, Real Madrid will be out for revenge after Barcelona romped to a 5-1 victory in last October's first meeting of the season.

A lot has changed since then on both sides and more excitement and surprises are certain at the Santiago Bernabeu.

With Barcelona ahead of Real Madrid in the standings, the onus will be on the home side to breathe life into the title race and close the gap with their eternal rivals.

La Liga results | Points table | Fixtures | Capital Madrid | Global game

With so many world-class players in action, myKhel.com looks at five players who could stand out and make the difference.

Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi

We could not start anywhere else. The Argentinian is this fixture's all-time top scorer, with 26 goals to his name.

He is a big match player and while Barcelona were able to comfortably win the first El Clasico of the season 5-1 back in October, Barcelona's No 10 has a habit of being the difference maker at the Santiago Bernabeu, where he has netted 15 of his 26 El Clasico goals.

Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema

The Frenchman has emerged as Real Madrid's main goal threat this season and has proven over the years that he is capable of netting in this rivalry.

He already has nine El Clasico goals to his name and is having one of his best-ever seasons in front of goal, so Barcelona's centre-back pairing will need to keep a close eye on him.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen

Marc-Andre ter Stegen

The Barcelona goalkeeper has been in excellent form this season and will have to be once again as he faces up to a determined Real Madrid attack, one which will be spurred on by the home crowd.

The German has already made the difference in a number of La Liga fixtures this season and is second only to Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak in clean sheets (10). If Barcelona can come away with a win he will have a lot to do with it.

Casemiro

Casemiro

As Real Madrid's main defensive midfielder, Casemiro is a busy man during El Clasico. The Brazilian is tasked with winning back the ball, with effectively breaking up counter attacks and with dealing with Lionel Messi.

If he can provide extra protection to his back line, then Los Blancos will have an excellent chance. The 27-year-old also has the potential for a goal in his boots, with four to his name already this season.

Sergi Roberto

Sergi Roberto

There is something about Roberto and big games. The man who scored the winner in the comeback triumph over PSG in 2017 rises to the occasion and there is no bigger occasion than El Clasico away from home.

His forward burst through the middle led to Barcelona's last-gasp winner in this fixture two seasons ago, while he also had an assist in the 3-0 win in the capital last campaign. In fact, the youth graduate has five assists against Real Madrid in his career, more than against any other club. Talk about a player made for the big stage.

(Source: MSL Media)



Kick off

Saturday, March 2

Real Madrid vs Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu

8.45 pm local time (1.15 am IST, Sunday, March 3)

Live only on La Liga Official Facebook Page (https://Facebook.com/LaLiga/)

Story first published: Friday, March 1, 2019, 10:18 [IST]
Other articles published on Mar 1, 2019