Casemiro vs Lionel Messi and other key battles that could decide El Clasico

Andy West 01:12 23/12/2017
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  • League leaders Barcelona will visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, to face rivals Real Madrid.

    And while a win for the Catalans will take the league title further away from Zinedine Zidane‘s men, a few key battles might decide the outcome of the pre-Christmas clash.

    Carvajal vs Alba

    It might seem rather odd to highlight two full-backs as a major key to the game’s tactical battle, but Spain international teammates Dani Carvajal and Jordi Alba are fundamental to their respective team’s attacking plans.

    Alba, in particular, has become exceptionally important for Barcelona since the departure of Neymar, literally filling the void left by the Brazilian’s absence to become a major attacking presence down the left-hand side, being credited with five assists so far this season.

    Alba possesses a great understanding with Lionel Messi, whose angled passes into the runs of the speedy full-back have been a highlight of the campaign so far.

    Directly up against Alba will be Carvajal, whose similarly impressive athletic abilities allow him to cover the entire flank both in attack and defence, especially if Zidane persists with the narrow midfield diamond he has favoured in recent weeks.

    However, the surging runs of Alba may force Carvajal into a more defensive approach than usual, and the battle between these two international colleagues will be very important to the outcome.

    Carvajal vs Alba

    Casemiro vs Messi

    It’s stating the obvious that Messi has the central role in Barca’s creative play, but this season in particular he has become even more important than ever, filling two roles at once as a fairly conservative team’s main playmaker and chief goalscorer.

    Under new coach Ernesto Valverde, Messi has now abandoned the right-wing role he occupied during Luis Enrique’s reign, instead being given a free hand to roam wherever he sees fit in a 4-4-1-1 formation.

    Perhaps more than ever, he is dropping deep into midfield to spark attacks before then bursting into the box to finish them off, and the man who will have to stop him is Casemiro, Real’s physical and positionally disciplined enforcer in the centre of the pitch.

    Casemiro is an outstanding defensive presence and certainly has the ability to shackle Messi, but he has a tendency for rash lunges and must be careful to avoid conceding needless free-kicks in and around the penalty area – especially if Messi can coax him into picking up a yellow card early on.

    Casemiro vs Messi

    Ronaldo vs Vermaelen

    Barcelona fans were concerned to say the least when defensive rock Samuel Umtiti went down injured earlier this month, especially with Javier Mascherano also sidelined. Those absences left Thomas Vermaelen as Valverde’s only option to partner Gerard Pique, and it was feared the Belgian would be badly exposed as he made his first Barca appearances for nearly two years.

    Vermaelen, however, has been excellent during his four games in the team, looking comfortable and assured, with no signs of the rustiness or hesitancy you might expect from a man with so little football under his belt in the last couple of years.

    This weekend he has one of the most challenging opponents any central defender could face: Cristiano Ronaldo.

    The Portuguese star is back in form after a slow start to the season, scoring eight goals in his last seven games, and it can be taken for granted he will have at least half a dozen attempts on goal.

    Vermaelen’s task is to ensure those chances are as difficult as possible – as they would say in basketball, he has to prevent Ronaldo from getting ‘good looks’. If he succeeds, Barca will be well on their way to another clean sheet.

    Ronaldo vs Vermaelen

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