The combined Real Madrid and Barcelona XI
With less than a week left in the most awaited El Classico, Bettor.com has decided to compare the two teams and see who will make it to their combined XI. Many regard Barcelona and Madrid as the two best teams on the continent and
a combined XI would give any world XI a tough time.
Formation – 4-3-3
Goal Keeper - Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
It’s really difficult to look past this man when it comes to picking a player between the sticks. This is a reasonably straight forward choice as the Spanish skipper is 1st choice for his country and Valdes is 3rd choice.
The legendary Real Madrid goal keeper probably has the safest pair of hands in the game today.
Right Back – Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)
The strong and pacy Spaniard just edges out Dani Alves for the right back berth. Ramos has got all the necessary ingredients to play in this position for any team in the world. The world champion is aggressive going forward, rock
solid in defence and is a threat from corners due to his aerial ability.
Centre Back – Carlos Puyol (Barcelona)
He is the heart and soul and the leader of the talented Barca side. Puyol epitomises playing football with passion. He has never given anything less than 100% in his career and his desire to win and fight till the end makes him our
1st choice at the back.
Centre Back – Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
Pique is a classy mix of an old fashioned and a modern day centre back and amazingly he has picked the best qualities of both. At only 23 Pique is a European and World Champion and has won every trophy at club level. There was no
way that even the super Ricardo Carvalho was taking over from either Puyol or the best young defender in the world, Gerard Pique.
Left Back – Marcelo (Real Madrid)
The only position where neither of the two teams have genuine super stars, but in Marcelo Madrid have the better option than their rivals. The Brazilian may get caught at the back every now and then but is a serious threat going forward.
Now that he has Ronaldo ahead of him, he gets more space to run into and cause opposition all sorts of trouble.
Defensive Midfield – Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid)
One of the most pleasing players on the eye, Xabi Alonso is probably the sweetest passer of the football. His vision and range of passing is second to none. He faced tough competition from his former team mate Javier Mascherano but
the World Champion is too classy to be ignored.
Centre Midfield – Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)
If you were thinking that Messi and Ronaldo are the obvious choices in this line up, then add Xavi to that list as well. The diminutive midfield maestro is not far behind the two names just mentioned. It’s a shame that he does not
score many goals but he is the one who makes his National team as well as the Barca side tick. And he will be our General of the combined XI.
Attacking Midfield – Andrea Iniesta (Barcelona)
On current form it is difficult to ignore Mesut Oezil; however, Iniesta has been there and has done it all. Xavi’s partner in crime, Iniesta has got amazing close control and hardly loses the ball even when running at players. Another
Spaniard and it’s almost a Spain XI so far.
Right Forward – Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
The best player in the world and an unstoppable force, Messi bagged his 6th hatrick of 2010 last weekend and a lot will depend on him on Monday night. It’s set up beautifully for the classiest of EL Classico.
Right Forward – Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
The second best player in the world? He might not agree but he is right up there with Lionel Messi and some regard him as a more complete player than the Argentine. Ronaldo, like Messi has been in scintillating form this season and
responded to Messi’s hatrick with a treble of his own on the same night.
Centre Forward – David Villa (Barcelona)
The little magician is the eighth Spaniard in our team and it’s simply because they are the best football nation in the world. Villa would love to play ahead of this lot and is preferred over Higuain simply because he is the better
of the two in nearly all departments.
Tags: