With Barcelona top of La Liga and Real Madrid the current champions of Europe, El Clasico isn't likely to lose any of its lustre this Saturday. The home captain is under pressure, while the visitors could finally unveil their £75million man. Adam Bate picks out his three to watch...
Friday 24 October 2014 13:05, UK
When the two greatest players in the world are on show, it's understandable that they should grab the bulk of the attention. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are both fit and in form for El Clasico this Saturday and that means this could be a showdown to remember.
But this year there are other narratives at play. With Iker Casillas under pressure in the biggest game of all, will something finally give? Could Gareth Bale’s injury see someone else seize their chance? As for the visitors, could Luis Suarez stun the Bernabeu on his Barcelona debut?
Iker Casillas under pressure
He appears to have lost his starting spot in the national team to David de Gea and has been jeered by sections of the Bernabeu crowd. The decline of Casillas has been an extraordinary thing to watch. There was widespread bafflement when Jose Mourinho axed the iconic goalkeeper in 2012 with the move perceived as part of political gerrymandering by the then Real Madrid coach. However, it could be argued that Casillas is still struggling to respond to the challenge laid down.
In his prime, Casillas was a goalkeeper famed for his speed, agility and reflexes. Those qualities should still be evident at the age of 33 and even supplemented by the improved decision-making that usually comes with experience. Instead, the Spaniard’s confidence has appeared drained and the mistakes keep coming. His inability to keep out a seemingly straightforward Slovakia free-kick earlier this month even testing the patience of long-term mentor Vicente del Bosque.
With Real Madrid colleague Keylor Navas nominated for La Liga goalkeeper of the year last week for his efforts with Levante in 2013/14 and his World Cup heroics with Costa Rica, the pressure is building. Casillas continues to start but Carlo Ancelotti certainly has a viable alternative on the bench. The captain is closing in on 700 appearances for Real Madrid and is just 50 behind Raul’s all-time record. He could do with an error-free Clasico if he is to be sure of getting there.
Debut delight for Luis Suarez?
The wait will soon be over for Luis Suarez. Champing at the bit? His two goals for Uruguay earlier this month suggest he hasn’t completely lost form and fitness during his four-month ban. Barca coach Luis Enrique has also spoken of his intensity in training. “I feel good,” said Suarez. “Maybe if you’d asked me a couple of weeks ago the answer wouldn’t have been the same, but after two friendlies with Uruguay I’m very happy with the condition I’m in. I feel better than I thought I would.”
Whether Luis Enrique will be willing to throw Suarez in for his debut in the cauldron that is El Clasico is not clear. Training is one thing. The Bernabeu is another. His team have been in good form without him and a disappointing performance in a game so big could dampen enthusiasm regarding his return at just the wrong time. Barca might take the view that holding Suarez back as a substitute provides the option of giving the team a second-half lift instead.
What is obvious is that there’s a place in the Barcelona starting line-up just waiting for him. Pedro has been involved regularly in an insight right position alongside Messi and Neymar but has found the net only once and even that was the fourth in a 5-0 win over 10-man Levante. The role would appear made for Suarez as part of a fantasy forward line for the ages. Dream teams don’t always work out but given that Suarez had more assists than any other forward in the Premier League last season and has a phenomenal work rate, it’s tough to see how this combination could fail.
Isco’s chance to shine
Liverpool fans were full of optimism before Wednesday’s Champions League tie against Real Madrid at Anfield and part of the reason for that was the absence of Bale due to injury. Looking back, it’s difficult to comprehend why that should’ve raised expectations. Isco is rather more than an effective deputy. Cutting inside from the left, the young Spaniard showed composure and class in helping to set the tempo as well as retain possession thanks to his instant control in tight areas.
That ability to work in a confined space actually gives Real an added dimension when he is in the team. While Bale and Ronaldo can batter teams on the break, Isco can carve open a packed defence with a through-ball or a blind pass. He showed as much in a man-of-the-match performance in a 5-0 win against Levante last time out in La Liga. It’s eight goals without reply for Real since Isco returned to the starting line-up.
Of course, El Clasico is another matter. But in his only previous start in the fixture, Isco impressed as Real won the Copa del Rey final. Indeed, the Opta statistics show that he created more chances than any other player on either side that evening at Mestalla. A repeat of that feat in the Bernabeu this Saturday and Ancelotti might find himself unable to resist the calls for him to find a permanent place for the player in his first-choice starting line-up. This is Isco’s chance.
Watch El Clasico live on Sky Sports 5 HD this Saturday (5pm kick off)
