La Liga leaders Barcelona host Real Madrid at the Nou Camp and hold a four-point advantage over their seventh-placed arch-rivals.
Here, we look at the key tactics the Catalans may employ for this encounter.
Read all about Madrid’s key tactics here.
EXPOSING MARCELO
With Lionel Messi out of the picture, Marcelo may be drawn into a false sense of security and look to operate with more freedom. Barcelona could look to prey on that.
Rafinha Alcantara was deployed on the right flank against Inter Milan in the Argentine’s absence and while he’s hardly a like-for-like replacement, his contribution was immense. He predictably tucked inside and operated very narrow while Sergi Roberto generated width on the overlap.
That enabled him to come into play in the half spaces while giving Luis Suarez the option to drift wide frequently, one the Uruguayan used to devastating effect and will look to do so again.
MIDFIELD RUNNERS
Madrid’s defence has been all over the shop this season and Sergio Ramos, for all his good play on the ball, has been most vulnerable to Julen Lopetegui’s high-line.
Time and again the Los Blancos skipper has been caught out by players running off his back. He will be wary of Suarez’s movement and Raphael Varane will remain vigilant as well should the striker make runs through the middle.
However, with so many goal-scoring midfielders operating centrally, they will all look to make the occasional run forward. Ivan Rakitic is especially renowned for his well-timed runs into the box while Rafinha’s movement centrally yielded a goal against Inter.
