Which of the two sides is stronger going into next season…?
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We’ve gone through the possible starting XIs of both Barcelona and Real Madrid next term, and decided which of the Spanish giants is strongest in each position.
Interestingly, five Real Madrid players get our vote, five from Barcelona, and there’s one position we simply couldn’t split!
GK)
Real Madrid: Diego Lopez or Keylor Navas
Barcelona: Claudio Bravo or Marc-Andre ter Stegen
With Real Madrid likely to sell Iker Casillas having signed Keylor Navas, the keeper spot at the Bernabeu looks like a straight battle between the Costa Rican and last season’s La Liga choice Diego Lopez. Barcelona, having released Victor Valdes, signed two keepers – and it’s yet unclear who will take the no.1 jersey. We’re going to plump with Real Madrid’s options here, as they’ve proven themselves in La Liga.
Vote: Real Madrid
DR)
Real Madrid: Dani Carvajal
Barcelona: Dani Alves
Alves is the more experienced, and a more attacking fullback. Carvajal’s talent is huge, but he’s not quite at the level of the Brazilian yet.
Vote: Barcelona
DC)
Real Madrid: Sergio Ramos
Barcelona: Javier Mascherano/New Signing
Barcelona could bring in Jeremy Mathieu to replace the depurated Carles Puyol, but neither he, or Mascherano, are anywhere near as good as Ramos as a central defender.
Vote: Real Madrid
DC)
Real Madrid: Pepe/Raphael Varane
Barcelona: Gerard Pique
Varane has the potential to be the best central defender in the world, but at the moment, due to his added experience, we’d rather have Gerard Pique starting at the back.
Vote: Barcelona
DL)
Real Madrid: Marcelo/Fabio Coentrao
Barcelona: Jordi Alba
There isn’t much to choose between these two first-choice left-backs. Neither are especially brilliant defensively, but both provide a superb, constant attacking influence up the left flank. Real Madrid though have a much better backup option in Coentrao than Barca’s Adriano, so Real get out vote.
Vote: Real Madrid
DMC)
Real Madrid: Xabi Alonso/Asier Illarramendi
Barcelona: Sergio Busquets/Javier Mascherano
Busquets and Mascherano are both much more mobile and defensively strong than Real madrid’s battlers here, and with Sami Khedira likely to leave – we’d prefer Barcelona’s options in anchoring midfield.
Vote: Barcelona
MC)
Real Madrid: Toni Kroos
Barcelona: Ivan Rakitic
Both Barca and Real have signed a new central midfielder for the upcoming season. Rakitic was superb for Sevilla, and provided goals and assists – leading his side to Europa League glory. Kroos though just won the World Cup, and for us, is probably the best passer in world football right now. He gets our nod.
Vote: Real Madrid
MC)
Real Madrid: Luka Modric/Isco
Barcelona: Andres Iniesta
Both Modric, Isco and the possibly arriving James Rodriguez will provide outrageous creativity in the centre of the park for Los Blancos. Barcelona’s Iniesta though is arguably the greatest midfielder of the past decade, though – and it would be sacrilege to vote against him! If Rodriguez were to arrive though, and fulfil his potential, he could himself become one of the best midfielders of the modern era following his World Cup performances.
Vote: Barcelona
AMR)
Real Madrid: Gareth Bale
Barcelona: Luis Suarez
We’ve found it impossible to split these two. With Suarez likely to play down the right for Barcelona as part of a wonderful front three with Neymar and Messi, he could be used in a similar way to Bale at Madrid. While Bale is physically better, and faster and stronger – Suarez possesses that little bit more genius. Both of them won the Premier League Player of the Year award during their final seasons in England.
Vote: Draw
AML)
Real Madrid: Cristiano Ronaldo
Barcelona: Neymar
Neymar has all the ability to develop into the world’s best player, but Ronaldo is already there. The Ballon D’or winner obviously gets the vote here for us, although Neymar will hope to have a far more impressive season this time out.
Vote: Real Madrid
FC)
Real Madrid: Karim Benzema
Barcelona: Lionel Messi
Benzema’s one of the best strikers in the business, but he still isn’t in Messi’s league. This one’s pretty easy…
Vote: Barcelona
