Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Starting XI prediction for Supercopa 2022 semifinal

CM Toni Kroos

Arguably the best midfielder in the world, even if some people don’t want to recognize him as such, Toni Kroos is another lock to start El Clasico. The 32-year-old is a good Man of the Match shout, as he should be able to control proceedings against Barcelona, even if La Blaugrana still have a competent midfield. Kroos has been pinging perfect passes all season long, completing roughly 95 percent of his attempts with three assists and 2.4 key passes per game.

DM Casemiro

Who else but Casemiro? After struggling against Alcoyano, Case was significantly better against Valencia, even creating the opening goal by drawing a penalty, with the play starting from his interception. Casemiro is one of Real’s most important players, because there is nobody else who can play in his position with the stability he provides. Eduardo Camavinga was good against Athletic Club, but as we saw this weekend when Case left the pitch, Camavinga is not a direct replacement for Casemiro – at least not yet, anyway.

CM Luka Modric

A part of all of us wants Luka Modric to get rest, but if he is playing this well, how can you rest someone this important to Real Madrid? The best player to start 2022 for Los Blancos, Modric was the only man who did not struggle in the outfield when Getafe blanketed Real. Modric received yet another ovation from the Bernabeu vs. Valencia, pulling the strings in midfield. The Croatian is at peak efficiency once more, and Barcelona will be grasping at straws to stop Modric, just as Real’s other great rivals, Atletico Madrid, were last month.