MX23RW : Friday, February 8 10:09:22

Combined XI: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Sports Mole selects a combined XI ahead of Barcelona's Copa del Rey clash with Real Madrid, using only players available for Wednesday's clash.

Barcelona will welcome Real Madrid to Camp Nou on Wednesday night for the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final.

Barca have won the competition in each of the last four years and have been present in all but one of the last eight finals.

The Spanish champions will enter the match off the back of a 2-2 draw with Valencia in the league on Saturday, while Madrid continued their impressive run of form with a 3-0 home success over Alaves.

Both teams have some injury concerns heading into the match, but some of the world's biggest stars will be on display at Camp Nou.

Here, Sports Mole has selected the best team from both squads, using only players available for this week's El Clasico.


El Clasico Combined XI

Jasper Cillessen would have started this match between the sticks for Barcelona had he been fit, but the Dutchman will miss out with a muscular injury. As a result, Marc-Andre ter Stegen will play in the Copa del Rey for the first time this season. Madrid have two excellent goalkeepers in the shape of Thibaut Courtois and Keylor Navas, but Ter Stegen has taken his performances to a new level this season and the Germany international gets the nod in this team.

The defence is difficult to pick when considering the players available. That is not to say that both back fours have been watertight this season, but there are some big names that have to be left out. Marcelo's lack of form this season means that left-back is straightforward, with Jordi Alba enjoying an excellent campaign. Meanwhile, Los Blancos defender Dani Carvajal gets the nod over Barcelona pair Sergi Roberto and Nelson Semedo on the other side of the field as neither has been too impressive this season.

Raphael Varane is outstanding but his lack of consistency this season means that the Frenchman misses out in central defence. Clement Lenglet has played a lot of football for Barcelona this term due to the absence of Samuel Umtiti, but Gerard Pique has again been his team's outstanding central defender. Alongside him sits Sergio Ramos, who has scored a remarkable 10 goals from the back this season and is currently in wonderful form for the European champions.

It would be fair to say that Toni Kroos has not been at his best for Madrid this season and the Germany international misses out on this XI. Luka Modric does make it, but he is the only Los Blancos figure in the central three. Indeed, joining the Croatian are Barcelona pair Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic. Arthur, Arturo Vidal and Casemiro all deserve mentions, but we are happy with a central three of Modric, Busquets and Rakitic in this particular team.

Further forward, Gareth Bale's injury problems mean that it is easy to leave the Welshman out. Vinicius Junior has been outstanding for Madrid in recent weeks, but he is just left out of this XI due to the form of teammate Karim Benzema, who scored his 18th goal of the season in Sunday's 3-0 win over Alaves. Benzema has four goals in four Copa del Rey ties this season, meanwhile, and is currently in wonderful form for the European champions.

Joining Benzema in the front three are Barcelona pair Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi. Suarez has 16 goals in 29 appearances this season, while Messi has registered 29 times in 27 matches in all competitions. The Argentine had been seen as a doubt for this game due to a thigh problem, but he is expected to start and rounds off what would be a formidable starting XI on current form.

Share this article now:
Barcelona duo Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi celebrate a goal against Leganes in La Liga on January 20, 2019.
Read Next:
How Barcelona could line up against Valencia
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona22155260233750
2Atletico MadridAtletico22128232141844
3Real Madrid22133637261142
4Sevilla22106636231336
5Getafe228862518732
6AlavesAlaves229582227-532
7Real Betis229582626032
8Valencia2261242420430
9Real Sociedad228682725230
10EibarEibar227872930-129
11Levante227693240-827
12Athletic Bilbao2251162328-526
13Leganes226882227-526
14Real Valladolid226791928-925
15Espanyol2274112536-1125
16Celta Vigo2266103436-224
17GironaGirona225982331-824
18Rayo Vallecano2265112638-1223
19Villarreal2231092331-819
20Huesca2236132139-1815

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account