5 individual duels in October 2020 LaLiga ElClasico

Winning individual battles will go a long way towards team success in Saturday’s, October 24, LaLiga ElClasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid. 

Here are 5 matchups where both sides will be looking to gain a valuable advantage in 90 minutes at Camp Nou. (READ: Catch 2020 La Liga El Clasico in the Philippines)

Goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois vs Neto

Thibaut Courtois’ outstanding string of saves was crucial to Real Madrid riding out some difficult moments before winning last March’s most recent LaLiga ElClasico at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Courtois continued that outstanding form into the new season and has already come up with crucial interventions in victories against Real Sociedad and Levante. 

Neto is likely to start his first LaLiga ElClasico on Saturday, due to Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s injury issues, but the Brazilian has been very solid this season with clean sheets against Villarreal and RC Celta already.

Full-backs: Alvaro Odriozola vs Jordi Alba

All teams need to dig deep into their squads this LaLiga Santander season given the current conditions and compressed schedule. 

Real Madrid have had their issues at right-back, as Dani Carvajal and Alvaro Odriozola both got injured in the season’s early weeks. 

Bad luck struck Barcelona on the other side of its defense, with Jordi Alba and Junior Firpo also experiencing fitness issues. 

Odriozola and Alba have worked hard to return for ElClasico, but coaches Zinedine Zidane and Ronald Koeman will have to continue to be creative with their solutions if the defenders do not make it back in time.

Midfielders: Fede Valverde vs Frenkie de Jong

Big things are expected this season of Fede Valverde and Frenkie de Jong, with both now well-established in their team’s midfields. 

Zidane has shown great faith in Valverde, 22, picking him ahead of Luka Modric to start both last season’s LaLiga ElClasico matches. 

Koeman showed his belief in De Jong, 23, long before joining Barcelona by handing him the reins of the Dutch national team midfield. 

Neither have really shown their full potential in ElClasico yet, but both have the mixture of physical and technical gifts to make a huge impression on Saturday.

Playmakers: Martin Odegaard vs Philippe Coutinho

Martin Odegaard and Phillipe Coutinho were both ‘new signings’ this summer, returning to clubs they knew well after loan spells elsewhere. 

Still just 21, Odegaard impressed hugely in LaLiga at Real Sociedad last season, while Coutinho won the Bundesliga and Champions League with Bayern Munich. 

Zidane put the Norwegian straight into the XI for their first game of 2020/21 back at his former club, while Coutinho has repaid faith from his new Barca coach Koeman with impressive contributions in a central playmaking role. 

Coutinho even netted an ElClasico goal from his first spell at the club, while Saturday could bring a debut in the fixture for Odegaard.

Forwards: Lionel Messi vs Karim Benzema

Lionel Messi was the standout player in LaLiga Santander before the COVID-19 interruption last season, while Karim Benzema came to the fore to guide Real Madrid to the title post lockdown.

Both have new teammates around them this year, but remain the as prime attacking inspirations for their sides.

Messi is still ElClasico’s leading all time goal scorer with 18 in 27 games, while the last of Benzema’s 6 goals in the fixture were made 6 years ago.

Fans on both sides will be looking towards the two established stars to do something special again on Saturday at Camp Nou. – Rappler.com

Watch ElClasico live this Saturday, October 24 at 10pm on beIN Sports channels (Sky and Cignal) and on beIN Sports Connect platform.