How can Real Madrid claim a crucial Clásico victory to propel themselves back into the title race? So far, Barcelona have won all nine La Liga matches, scoring 39 goals and looking simply unstoppable. Another victory for Barça would see them become the first side in Spanish top-flight history to win their first ten matches to start a campaign.
Well, los Blancos simply cannot allow that to happen. Having lost both big away games they have played this season, defeated by Betis and Atlético Madrid, José Mourinho's side still need to prove they are capable of being bona fide title challengers.
Sunday morning's news that Thibaut Courtois will miss out due to flu has certainly not helped their chances. Thus, which three key battles do Real Madrid need to win if they're going to be victorious at Camp Nou?
Kylian Mbappé vs Pau Cubarsí
While Barcelona do score a ridiculous number of goals, they are far from watertight at the back. It is just one clean sheet in eight for Hansi Flick's side, shipping 13 goals during this period, four of which came in Paris on Tuesday.
Barça's backline is also depleted, given that Andreas Christensen, Eric García and Jules Koundé are all expected to miss out. Thus, with both Gerard Martín and teenager Xavi Espart starting, 19 year old Pau Cubarsí has become the senior man, aiming to stop los Blancos' frightening front line.
There is no Vinícius Júnior of course due to suspension, so Yan Diomandé will start, having racked up three goals and three assists across his last four outings. The Ivorian, almost equally as importantly, has formed an excellent understanding with Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman has scored 12 in ten against Barça, including a hat-trick in defeat at Montjuïc the season before last, and will of course be key to his team's hopes. He has missed 12 big chances in La Liga this season, by far the most of any player, but must be clinical in Catalonia.
Jude Bellingham vs Pedri
In any match, the midfield battle will be key, but that is especially the case here. Barça's likely trio of a rested Rodri, Pedri and Fermín López might just be the best on the planet, so how does Mourinho combat that?
Well, he had recently moved Fede Valverde to right-back, with Aurélien Tchouaméni, Bernardo Silva and Jude Bellingham the expected first-choice trio. Of course, Pedri and Bellingham are the two respective stars, so whoever comes out on top could set the tone. The Englishman has scored four times in Clásicos, including late winners home and away during his first season on Spain, so will he come to the fore on the biggest stage again?
Marc Cucurella vs Lamine Yamal
As Real Madrid seek to stop this free-scoring side, it is not yet know who will be the two centre-backs; one of Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rüdiger or Ibrahima Konaté will miss out. What is certain is that, having been rested against RB Leipzig, Marc Cucurella will be up against international team mate Lamine Yamal.
The teenager ranks first in La Liga this season when it comes to successful dribbles (36), assists (6) and big chances created (16), emphasising his obvious threat. During his time in the Premier League, Cucurella established a reputation as something of a 1vs1 specialists, regularly shutting down the division's best wingers. Well, this will be the ultimate test but, if he can keep Lamine quiet, it would give Real Madrid more than a fighting chance.
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