Real Madrid's Need to Avoid El Clasico Defeat Will See Ancelotti Alter Tactics

Any game in isolation doesn't define a season, but if the game is big enough, it can certainly define how a season is perceived.

And in terms of big games, it doesn't come an awful lot bigger than El Clasico in the modern age. Real Madrid host Barcelona this weekend—it's the reigning European Champions, the biggest club in world football, against the side who swept all before them toward the end of the last decade and who are top of La Liga this term.

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

With both sets of fans baying for nothing less than three points and an absolute humiliation of their rivals, managers have to take a more pragmatic look at the game.

As things stand in La Liga, the first Clasico of the season couldn't really be more finely balanced: Playing at the Santiago Bernabeu, it's not a game that Barcelona have to go and win, but Real Madrid most certainly cannot afford to lose.

As a result, Carlo Ancelotti will likely seek to have his side set out not defensively, but certainly with more solidity, than they have needed in recent weeks.

Gap

Barcelona currently lead the table by three points ahead of Sevilla, a surprise strong side early on in 2014-15, with Real Madrid a further point back.

Barca, who came within 40 minutes of winning La Liga last season despite being nowhere near their best, have been nothing short of sublime in almost every game this term, playing with not only the swagger and confidence of the Pep years but, crucially, also with the pressing game from that period.

Hard work off the ball, cutting edge when in possession and a fresh impetus given by the new head coach, Luis Enrique, have seen the Catalan side surge clear unbeaten in their first eight matches.

Real Madrid, for their part, have been playing catch-up since early on when back-to-back defeats cost them dearly.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

The four-point gap between the two means largely nothing at this early stage, but should Barcelona take victory, seven points suddenly becomes far more tangible, far more difficult to recoup, far more reliant (from a Madrid point of view) on other teams upsetting expectations by taking points off the table toppers.

Switch that around and Barcelona, obviously not wanting to lose the match anyway, will know that even a draw keeps Real at bay for the time being.

Neither Barcelona nor Real Madrid will be aiming for a draw, but the final minutes of the match, if it is evenly poised, could give a big indication of the mental state of each side.

Do either of them push for the victory, leaving themselves open to the counter?

Do either of them need to?

Form

Real come into the game in the better form, but there isn't too much in it.

Since those two straight losses, against Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid, Real have won seven straight matches (and will hope to extend that to eight in the Champions League against Liverpool on Wednesday night).

"

Since losing back to back vs Real Sociedad & Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid have since won 7/7 and have scored 32, keeping three clean sheets.

— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) October 20, 2014"

Consecutive 5-0 wins in La Liga have given them the best goals for tally, and they will head into El Clasico in tremendous confidence that they can take the points for the first time in three attempts. Indeed, Real have won only two out of the last dozen Clasicos in La Liga.

Barcelona, meanwhile, have won every single fixture this season apart from two: a draw with Malaga at the end of September and a defeat at Paris Saint-Germain a week later. Three wins since then have restored confidence and form, with the front players excelling—therein showing the key, the excitement and the expectation surrounding this particular meeting.

All-Out-Attack Must Give Way

Ronaldo, Benzema, James, Bale. Neymar, Messi, Suarez, Iniesta. Kroos. Rakitic. Modric.

The offensive talent available to take part in the game is simply obscene, on both sides, and the way that they are set up, tactically and mentally, is to take to the field in the expectancy of attacking, then attacking some more, and then to keep attacking until either the opposition meekly surrenders or they pack in in such numbers as to make penetration impossible.

"

4 - Messi has been involved in four of Barcelona’s six CL goals this season (2 goals, 2 assists). Lynchpin.

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 22, 2014"

"

Neymar has scored 10 goals in his 10 Liga and Champions League games with Barcelona this season #fcblive

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) October 22, 2014"

"

Cristiano Ronaldo will look to continue his impressive start to the season away at #LFC tomorrow. #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/hEarj53knl

— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) October 21, 2014"

"

Matchday | Most Assists: Bale: 5 Isco: 4 Benzema: 4 Marcelo: 4 Kroos: 4 James: 3 Modric: 3 Cristiano: 2 Chicharito: 1 Pepe: 1 Arbeloa: 1

— RMadridHome (@RMadridHome) October 22, 2014"

So who will be brave enough to set out so openly attacking in El Clasico?

It comes back again to Real Madrid not being able to afford defeat. Neither team are particularly built to withstand onslaught, but Los Blancos have shown in recent games—such as the win over Villarreal—that they are now more together, balanced and able to soak up pressure. Critically, they have an armoury that is explosive and lethal on the counter-attack.

David Ramos/Getty Images

Barcelona, not necessarily needing to win this game, may not over-commit players forward, but they can still be expected to hold long spells of possession and control the flow of the game.

Real cannot absorb a defeat without relying on the rest of La Liga, or a huge downturn in fortunes from Barca, to make up ground afterward. This is what may force Carlo Ancelotti's hand in sitting in a little more than they have of late, and looking to strike down their rivals with pace, penetration and incisive play.

Whether that includes bringing in one of Asier Illarramendi or the fit-again Sami Khedira, or simply defending deeper in the 4-4-2 to allow a compact midfield and plenty of pace and goals (read: Cristiano Ronaldo) staying up front, Real have enough options in the squad to change things about and retain quality levels.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Alberto Saiz/Associated Press

Purists and impartials alike will want this to be an end-to-end, one-attacks-then-the-other affair, but this is unlikely to be the scenario of the match—at least after a no-doubt frantic opening 10 minutes beds down a little.

Either way, most viewers would be surprised if Claudio Bravo's eight-game run without conceding a goal as a Barcelona keeper survives until half-time at the Bernabeu.

It's the best scoring record against the best defensive record, but both those labels will be severely put to the test on Saturday.

Follow @karlmatchett