The two giants of Spanish football meet at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday in one of their most eagerly-anticipated clashes for years
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Real Madrid have the chance to make history when they take on bitter rivals Barcelona in El Clasico on Saturday. Carlo Ancelotti's men are just one game shy of La Liga's unbeaten record after a run of 42 games without defeat.
It's beautifully poised, if only for purposes of narrative, that Barca set the current record back in 2018, and it's equally fitting that they will represent Los Blancos' toughest test so far this season. Hansi Flick found a club in ruin after Xavi's tumultuous exit, but has the Blaugrana sitting top of the table through 10 rounds of fixtures.
Over in the Spanish capital, Real have lumbered from win to win without yet finding the right balance usually befitting of the champions of Europe. The arrival of Kylian Mbappe has proven as luxury a headache as Toni Kroos' retirement.
So, on current form (this is our liability absolver, please take note), who deserves to make a combined XI between the two clubs? GOAL makes our picks, and there's of course going to be some which aren't universally respected. Nevertheless, do tell us what you think in the comments at the bottom…
Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportGK: Andriy Lunin
Oh boy, we're already starting on the back-foot to try and appease the masses, aren't we? Heading into Saturday's encounter, both Real and Barca are without their first-choice goalkeepers, leaving their undercooked understudies to choose between.
Largely based off his performances in the absence of Thibaut Courtois last season, Andriy Lunin gets the nod. His displays deservedly earned him a spot on the Yachine Trophy shortlist, and he was heavily linked with a move away to one of Europe's elite clubs, such is his over-qualification to merely serve as a backup.
No offence to Wojciech Szczesny, but he has literally just come out of retirement. No offence to Inaki Pena, but he has literally forced Szczesny to come out of retirement…
AdvertisementGetty Images SportRB: Jules Kounde
Once more, the potluck of injury has made this pick a little easier to make. Dani Carvajal has been in Ballon d'Or conversations, but his ACL injury has brought an end to his 2024-25 season.
Though Lucas Vazquez was on the scoresheet in Madrid's stunning 5-2 comeback win against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday, it is Barca's Jules Kounde who has owned the right-back spot in La Liga this term.
Beyond his radical fits while away with France, the 25-year-old has at long last embraced his position as a full-back rather than a centre-back, and Barcelona are reaping the rewards with some excellent displays.
AFPCB: Pau Cubarsi
Everyone and their uncle knows about Barcelona's financial troubles at this point, but it's to 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi's credit that even if the club were flush with cash, they wouldn't be looking to the market for an upgrade.
The teenager is quickly passing through every checkpoint on his way to the world's upper echelon of defenders. A supreme centre-back in his own time, Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany showered Cubarsi in praise prior to their Champions League meeting earlier this week.
"Easy answer: he will be one of the future defensive leaders of world football. It is not common to reach such a high level at this age. If he doesn’t get injured, he could have a great career," the former Manchester City captain said.
Getty Images SportCB: Antonio Rudiger
Next to the boy wonder is a seasoned veteran who has grown into his standing in Madrid. A tough debut season for Antonio Rudiger at Real was followed by one which ended in a Champions League and La Liga double.
Ancelotti's side have, to put it kindly, controlled games with the effectiveness of a kitchen sieve so far this term. Rudiger has been as reliable as ever in trying to keep danger at bay, if still a little too busy for his manic liking.
It was hard to snub his Madrid partner Eder Militao, particularly given his goal against Atletico at the end of September, but hey, you can't have everything, Madridistas.
