date/time: Sat., Nov. 21, 12:15 p.m.
ET, 6:15 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid,
Spain
TV: beIN Sports (US and Canada - English);
beIN Sports en Español (US and Canada -
Spanish); Sky Sports 2/HD (UK)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (US and
Canada); Fubo TV (US); Sky Go (UK)
ET, 6:15 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid,
Spain
TV: beIN Sports (US and Canada - English);
beIN Sports en Español (US and Canada -
Spanish); Sky Sports 2/HD (UK)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (US and
Canada); Fubo TV (US); Sky Go (UK)
Saturday marks the return of one of the
biggest fixtures on the world football
calendar, with Real Madrid hosting
Barcelona in the first Clásico of the season.
It's a rivalry that has its origins beyond
football, with Barcelona traditionally a
vanguard of the Catalan independence
movement, and Madrid a symbol of
monarchical conservatism. Though these
lines are no longer so clear-cut, the enmity
that has built up over the years invariably
produces an incredible atmosphere.
It is helped, of coTy urse, by the fact these
sides are so closely-matched on the
field. Heading into this fixture Barcelona sit
top of the table, only three points clear of
their Madrilenian counterparts. Save for
the massive upset Atlético Madrid produced
a couple of seasons ago, it's nearly always
Real Madrid and Barcelona battling it out
for the league title, and it's looking like that
will be the case once again. Defeat for
Madrid here, however, and they'll already
be falling dangerously far behind.
Key player: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
The bad news for Madrid is that Barça
golden boy Lionel Messi looks set to return
to action after an injury layoff, which only
strengthens what is already the most
potent attacking force in world football.
The Argentine is probably the greatest
player on the planet at the moment, and it
wouldn't be at all surprising if he makes a
goal-scoring comeback.
Key factor: Where will Cristiano Ronaldo
play?
The only man who could claim to be Messi's
equal is Real Madrid winger Cristiano
Ronaldo, though how well he performs
could well hinge on where manager Rafael
Benítez decides to deploy him. The recent
absence of striker Karim Benzema has
seen Ronaldo used as a center-forward
rather than out in his preferred role on the
left, and it's had the unfortunate effect of
reducing the space in which he can use his
pace, strength and skill. Should Ronaldo be
played through the middle again in this
match, recent rumours of a rift in the
Madrid camp may only worsen.
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Karim Benzema
(hamstring); Keylor Navas (muscle).
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Rafinha (knee); Douglas (foot). In
doubt: Lionel Messi (knee).
Madrid have no certain absentees, but are
waiting on the fitness of striker Benzema
and goalkeeper Navas. Both are expected to
be involved.
Barcelona will be without midfielder
Rafinha and fullback Douglas, though Messi
should mark his long-awaited return from
a knee injury.
biggest fixtures on the world football
calendar, with Real Madrid hosting
Barcelona in the first Clásico of the season.
It's a rivalry that has its origins beyond
football, with Barcelona traditionally a
vanguard of the Catalan independence
movement, and Madrid a symbol of
monarchical conservatism. Though these
lines are no longer so clear-cut, the enmity
that has built up over the years invariably
produces an incredible atmosphere.
It is helped, of coTy urse, by the fact these
sides are so closely-matched on the
field. Heading into this fixture Barcelona sit
top of the table, only three points clear of
their Madrilenian counterparts. Save for
the massive upset Atlético Madrid produced
a couple of seasons ago, it's nearly always
Real Madrid and Barcelona battling it out
for the league title, and it's looking like that
will be the case once again. Defeat for
Madrid here, however, and they'll already
be falling dangerously far behind.
Key player: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
The bad news for Madrid is that Barça
golden boy Lionel Messi looks set to return
to action after an injury layoff, which only
strengthens what is already the most
potent attacking force in world football.
The Argentine is probably the greatest
player on the planet at the moment, and it
wouldn't be at all surprising if he makes a
goal-scoring comeback.
Key factor: Where will Cristiano Ronaldo
play?
The only man who could claim to be Messi's
equal is Real Madrid winger Cristiano
Ronaldo, though how well he performs
could well hinge on where manager Rafael
Benítez decides to deploy him. The recent
absence of striker Karim Benzema has
seen Ronaldo used as a center-forward
rather than out in his preferred role on the
left, and it's had the unfortunate effect of
reducing the space in which he can use his
pace, strength and skill. Should Ronaldo be
played through the middle again in this
match, recent rumours of a rift in the
Madrid camp may only worsen.
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: None. In doubt: Karim Benzema
(hamstring); Keylor Navas (muscle).
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Rafinha (knee); Douglas (foot). In
doubt: Lionel Messi (knee).
Madrid have no certain absentees, but are
waiting on the fitness of striker Benzema
and goalkeeper Navas. Both are expected to
be involved.
Barcelona will be without midfielder
Rafinha and fullback Douglas, though Messi
should mark his long-awaited return from
a knee injury.
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