Camp Nou plays host to El Clasico on Wednesday night as Spanish football’s perennial rivals square off in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final.
Barcelona revelled in a 5-1 La Liga thrashing of Real Madrid at the same venue earlier in the season but the visitors are enjoying a good patch of form lately, winning five on the bounce in all competitions.
Here, we look at how Santiago Solari can win the tactical battle with Ernesto Valverde.
DIRECT ATTACKS
Barcelona’s defence has looked suspect all season, especially when their midfield is quickly bypassed in the transition. They commit numbers forward in possession and are left struggling when the ball is turned over. The long diagonal pass has repeatedly caught them out and Madrid have plenty capable of executing that effectively, Luka Modric chief among them.
Early crosses into the area have exposed the Catalans’ shortcomings in aerial duels and Los Blancos have a couple of inviting targets in Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. Deliveries towards the far post will likely cause the greatest discomfort for a defence so poorly organised – and still without the injured Samuel Umtiti – in these scenarios.
VITAL VAZQUEZ
After being left out of the squad for the clash against Alaves, Lucas Vazquez should start El Clasico ahead of teen sensation Vinicius Junior and with good reason. The Spaniard’s unparalleled work rate makes him a key player against top opposition while he’s tactically astute and well-equipped to carry out a specific strategy. Madrid should line up in a 4-3-3 formation but it can morph into a 4-4-2 without possession with Vazquez dropping back into midfield.
The more compact shape can help contain Barca while the winger will also play a big part in keeping tabs on the marauding Jordi Alba. Vazquez is also suited to Madrid’s attacking strategy with his quality delivery from wide. At this stage, Vinicius does not offer the same versatility.
