Real Madrid vs. Barcelona: Biggest X-Factors in Saturday's El Clasico
The first El Clasico of the 2014-15 season brings with it a number of intriguing storylines, with Real Madrid hosting Barcelona on Saturday and hoping to claw back the Blaugrana's La Liga lead.
Luis Enrique's men are currently three points clear at the table's summit, and should they earn a home victory this weekend, they will extend that advantage even more.
Heading into such a promising tie, we examine which players promise to play particularly big roles in the shaping of the result, with both Real and Barca boasting players capable of deciding which titan wins.
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Ivan Rakitic
Ivan Rakitic may well go as an understated figure in a matchup so saturated with superstar talents as this, but the Croat is one of several players ready to make his El Clasico bow with mixed prospects.
Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC suggests the midfielder's form of late may even see him lose his place in the first XI, although he did start in the 3-1 win over Ajax on Tuesday:
And that's part of the reason Rakitic will be a player of such importance. He has the playmaking potential to ignite the forward line ahead of him and turn the tide, but should he fail to deliver, a heavy weight will rest on his shoulders.
With the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric lined up opposite, it will be trial by fire for the puppeteer, too, far from possessing the same experience in this fixture that team-mates Andres Iniesta and Xavi have.
It's very likely that we'll come to see one of two extremes in Rakitic's performance: 1) Barca stands to benefit hugely if the maestro is unnerved and at his optimum, or 2) should he crumble under pressure, a potential chink in the armour will open.
Cristiano Ronaldo
There's no ignoring the current Ballon d'Or titleholder at present, as Cristiano Ronaldo is showcasing all the form necessary to retaining his place as the world's best player.
Ahead of Wednesday's Champions League encounter against Liverpool, Real Madrid's beacon is closing in on establishing himself as the top scorer in the competition's history, per OptaJoe:
With 15 goals to his name in league competition this season, per WhoScored.com, Ronaldo has already outscored his nearest competition, Neymar, by a remarkable seven strikes.
What's more, Nik Postinger of We Play depicts just how prolific Los Blancos have been since the forward's 2009 arrival compared to before:
Much of that impact has been felt in an El Clasico atmosphere, and regardless of where Ronaldo decides to roam against the Spanish league leaders, his influence will inevitably be critical to the team's success.
The width Ronaldo provides will be of even greater significance after Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti was quoted by the Daily Mail's Joe Bernstein in ruling Gareth Bale out of the fixture:
"We are working hard to get him (Bale) fit but he is not available at Anfield and not available for Saturday," said Ancelotti. "We are working hard on his recuperation."
James Rodriguez will therefore be expected to play a big role in what could be his first El Clasico, too, but the heaviest burden of all lies with Ronaldo.
Another inevitable magnet of attention will be Luis Suarez, who could make his La Liga debut on Saturday, and what a cauldron of intense Spanish emotion in which to receive one's first appearance.
Spanish newspaper Sport states the striker looks "increasingly likely" to be a part of Enrique's starting line-up in what would be a first glimpse of how he functions alongside Neymar and Lionel Messi.
Suarez makes for a welcome new character among the mass of usual suspects we've come to focus upon in El Clasico matchups, and his Barcelona tale could kick off with the brightest of starts should he help the Catalans to victory.
His FIFA ban ends on Friday, but Suarez has been preparing for his return in recent weeks, featuring internationally and as part of Barcelona B, Enrique unlikely to start the hitman unless he felt he was ready.
