Real Madrid vs Barcelona, La Liga, 21 November 2015
REAL MADRID: Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; James, Kroos, Modric; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
BARCELONA: Bravo;Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, S. Roberto, Rakitic; Suárez, Neymar
La Liga is back in force after the international break with the game that draws the attention of football lovers worldwide.
Barcelona lead Real Madrid by three points in the title race. And although Real have a far better goal difference at this point, it’s the head to head results that count in Spain.
So with home advantage Real Madrid must feel they need to win this one. But there has been a lack of fluency at times up top for Rafa Benitez’s side and he is under pressure to deliver another convincing result this evening.
And, just to make the occasion more special, this fixture marks the return to action for Lionel Messi, who has been injured for a particularly long time by his standards.
Don’t expect miracles from Messi straight away. He needs to regain his match rhythm.
But, in the long run, we feel that the break may have done him good. He has played so much football over the last few years that the injury may ultimately give him a newfound freshness and zest.
If that happens immediately, Real Madrid could be in for tough time.
