Barcelona step into tonight’s El Clasico with a close to fully-fit squad, and Hansi Flick will be pleased to have so many players available for selection.
The lineup virtually picks itself for the big night, especially with several players proving to be undisputable starters for the manager this season.
The likes of Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Fermin Lopez, and Raphinha are all capable of being differential players on their own, and Real Madrid will have several attacking options to defend against.
Alonso’s biggest fear
Raphinha of FC Barcelona
Raphinha is Barcelona’s big game player. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
As reported in a recent update by Defensa Central, Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso has identified Barcelona’s biggest threat for the game tonight and it is neither Pedri nor Lamine Yamal.
Indeed, it is Raphinha that the opposition coach sees as the most important player in Flick’s team and he has reportedly asked his team to put more emphasis on marking and defending the Brazilian on the night.
“For me, Raphinha is the best of them because he gives them many things, goals, assists, and that defensive work that is key,” he reportedly told his dressing room ahead of the big game.
While Barcelona do have multiple potent attacking threats, Alonso’s analysis may well be spot-on given how Raphinha’s impact on Barcelona’s game stretches far beyond what he offers in the final third.
The 29-year-old has been in great form since coming back from injury and has scored five times in his last five appearances. Yet, he is more importantly Barcelona’s biggest leader on the field and the work-rate he offers off the ball is invaluable.
With the captain set to start tonight, one can expect Barcelona to not only dominate possession on the ball but also press high effectively when out of possession – something that forms the basis of Flick’s project.
Raphinha enters El Clasico with a great record against Real Madrid. He has scored five goals and provided three assists in 11 games against Los Blancos and boasts a 63% win percentage over them.