Barcelona vs. Real Madrid Combined XI: Surprises in the attack?

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Real Madrid, Luka Modric (Photo by LLUIS GENE / AFP) (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images) /

Midfielders

Real Madrid DM Carlos Casemiro

Casemiro has had a very poor start to the 2021-22 season, especially with the changes in the formation and the playing styles. He has struggled to fit into Carlo Ancelotti’s system and in the end, it was the manager who changed his own system for the sake of the team. The 4-3-3 always puts a lot of responsibility on Casemiro and now it seems that he is used to that pressure.

During the initial games, Ancelotti’s plan of action would require Casemiro to press further forward but the Brazilian’s inability to return to defend in time when the press won’t work was something to worry about. Yet, with Toni Kroos’s return to the starting 11, Casemiro seems to have found his way back. And of course, everyone would choose Casemiro over Sergio Busquets.

Real Madrid CM Toni Kroos

The German has recovered well from the surgery and has instantaneously found his way back in Carlo Ancelotti’s starting 11. And is there even a player better at passing than Toni Kroos? No way. It was pretty obvious that he would be there in the combined 11 especially after having a great last season and a great game against Shakhtar. With Vinicius Junior stepping up to help Karim Benzema, the chances created by Kroos will be very key in the game. Also, manifesting some Toni Kroos magic in El Clasico.

Real Madrid CM Luka Modric

Was there even a doubt? The whole midfield trio had to be here. And Luka Modric more than anyone else. Is he really 36-years-old? I ask this myself every time I watch the Croatian play. Irrespective of who plays with him, he is always at the top of the game and that is the reason he has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or. It will be interesting to see how the maestros of Real Madrid, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, dictate the tempo in the absence of Pedri.

Luka is an exceptional player who loves to score Golazos. How can someone forget his outside-the-boot finishes? The ones against Barcelona, against Scotland, and Valencia. The midfielder is GOATed already and I think everybody agrees that he deserves a place in the combined XI

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