Real Madrid vs Barcelona 2016: Probable Lineups
Real Madrid vs Barcelona 2016: Probable Lineups
As Zinedine Zidane embarks on his first Clásico as the chief of Real Madrid, much of the pre-match intrigue concerns remain as to whether the former French great will opt for the same brave team selection that played such a defining part in his predecessor’s dismissal.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona 2016: Probable Lineups
Rafael Benitez was already on remarkably shaky ground going into the first Real Madrid vs Barcelona 2016 encounter of the season last November, having been a notably unpopular choice to take over in the summer season and facing criticism since for his perceived defensive strategy.
It was a surprise to a lot of people then when he decided to go up against the best team in Europe in the last Real Madrid vs. Barcelona clash without a holding midfielder and fielding an attacking quartet of James Rodríguez, Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and also a half-fit Karim Benzema. As many could have predicted, it turned out to be a disaster. Real Madrid were humbled with a 4-0 result and two months later Benitez was out.
For Barcelona manager Luis Enrique’s comfort, the team pretty much picks itself. Although the defender Jeremy Mathieu suffered a knee injury while away with France campaign, he would have been very unlikely to feature, anyway. That’s because Jordi Alba looks set to recover from the ankle problem suffered when playing for Spain, and also Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano are fit to take up their regular partnership at center-back.
Enrique too will have some concern, though, about the status of his attacking trio. Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar have each played among them two intense World Cup qualifiers in South America and were not seen back in training with Barcelona until Thursday evening previously.
It is hardly ideal preparation for the Real Madrid vs Barcelona 2016 match of such magnitude, although Enrique will be hoping that the trio’s remarkable chemistry means the impact will be minimal.
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