Real Madrid's biggest game of the season is almost here. Los Blancos are going to be getting ready for the Clasico on Sunday, knowing fully well that a loss could effectively end their bid for a La Liga title - even in October.
If Real Madrid manage to beat Barcelona, they would be just three points behind the Catalans, which is a relatively easier target to reach. Failing to beat them could result in a nine-point deficit, which would ruin any chance of winning the title.
Real Madrid only have a couple of injuries, which should not worry them too much. Vinicius Junior's suspension could actually be a blessing in disguise,
There are quite a few players who can start the match against Barcelona, but these three must.
3 non-negotiable starters as Real Madrid gear up for mammoth Barcelona test
Arda Guler or Bernardo Silva (or both)
Arda Guler is the heart of this Real Madrid team. He is the best creator that they have, and given the performance he just put in in these last two games, Guler must start at any cost against Barcelona - but not in attack. Real Madrid need a profile like him - or even Bernardo Silva - in midfield, because that is the only way to have a little bit of control and some chance creation from deep.
Starting a duo of Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga will only hurt Real Madrid because, despite knowing the team won't have too much possession in the game, it is imperative that a player like Silva or Guler can provide some much-needed long-range passing from deep, as well as some press resistance that the two French midfielders won't be able to give.
If Mourinho wants to play it even better, starting Guler and Silva is the right move. Guler is not able to play as productively from the wing against bigger teams, so it will be better for Real Madrid to have him play either as a central midfielder in a deeper role, or to have Silva there.
Dean Huijsen
There were reports about Mourinho's lineup, and one of them talked about how he has not decided upon his centre-back pairing for the match. Huijsen, though, should start over Antonio Rudiger alongside Ibrahima Konate simply because of the form he is in and the press-resistance he provides. He is a very good on-the-ball player, and is going to be a smart option in defense, too. Rudiger's brutal physicality will not help them too much because he will be hounded by Raphinha in pressing, which could make things difficult for Real Madrid. Huijsen is more composed and, at the moment, he is in better form, which is why he must start.
Yan Diomande
He will start anyway, but Diomande could be a huge, huge option on the left-wing in a match as big as the Clasico, and he has to start. His pace would definitely hurt any full-back that starts on that side, and Real Madrid would need it when they go on the counter.
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