Real Madrid Predicted XI for El Clasico: Toni Kroos pulling the strings
The day is almost here as Real Madrid prepare to take on Barcelona at the Camp Nou for the postponed Clasico match. With both teams equal on points, this is definitely going to be a game to remember.
Zinedine Zidane has been preparing for this match for about a week now as he chose which players to rest and which to play but overall, it is expected that the manager will be going into the game with an expected starting eleven as he looks to get all three points and finally put his team in first place in the league.
Predicted Lineup:
He was always going to be the starting goalkeeper on the night and after his heroics against Valencia on Sunday, people are a little more excited to see the Belgian goalkeeper stand in goal for Real Madrid. Courtois has been improving a lot in recent months, as he’s ready to finally show exactly why Los Blancos purchased him.
His recent form has been quite unpredictable but there is no denying that he is by far our best right-back at the moment. Carvajal craves the big stage so let’s hope we can see the best version of the defender on the night.
Raphael Varane is the best center-back in our squad and he will be taking the pitch against Barcelona with fond memories of cementing his name worldwide after two performances against them early in his career ensured that everyone had their eye on the young Frenchman.
What’s a Clasico without our captain? Sergio Ramos relishes these games and we often see the best version of himself on these nights. However, we also see some reckless moments from the defender but let’s just hope it’s one of those nights that we’ll want to remember for the right reasons.
With Marcelo officially ruled out of El Clasico, Ferland Mendy will be available to take his place at left-back after serving his one-game suspension against Valencia. Mendy has shown how much he can offer the team but he has also shown that he’s young and inexperienced, which could be a problem against Barcelona. However, everyone seems to step up their match in El Clasico and nothing less is expected from Mendy.
Carlos Casemiro
After being benched against Valencia, Carlos Casemiro will be ready to go again. Zidane decided to bench the defensive midfielder because of this game and a rested Casemiro is someone that we should always be wary about. He’ll be the most important part of the team on the night.
Another important piece of the Real Madrid puzzle is Toni Kroos who has been in exceptional form this season. The German has the ability to completely control any game and he’ll need to do it against a Barcelona side that love to build from their midfield. Disrupt that and you are able to take full control of the match.
Started as a defensive midfielder against Valencia due to the absence of Casemiro, Fede Valverde will be expected to take his more natural place on Wednesday. This is a young and relatively inexperienced player we are talking about but he’s also a player who has shows how vital he could be to this side and without him in the lineup, there is no doubt that we will be weaker.
This is a big risk to assume but I think Zidane will start with Gareth Bale on the right. Experience will be key in this game and if Bale is at his best, Barcelona will face a very difficult time trying to stop him. The issue is we never know what version of Bale we’re going to see whenever he steps on the pitch.
Another risky assumption but Vinicius came on against Valencia and did well while Rodrygo Goes will probably be rested on the night and will come on if required later. Vinicius can cause damage and he will definitely be a handful for the Barcelona defenders.
Next. Top 5 performances from Real Madrid's draw with Valencia. dark
Was there any doubt that he will be picked to start? Karim Benzema has been in incredible form and Zidane will be hoping that he continues this streak against Barcelona. The French attacker is our best player this season and has the most goals of the team in the league, there is no denying that he will be an integral part on Wednesday as well.
Full Predicted Lineup –
Thibaut Courtois, Dani Carvajal, Raphael Varane, Sergio Ramos, Ferland Mendy, Carlos Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Gareth Bale, Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema