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Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI: Who joins Lionel Messi in our fantasy team?

The two great rivals meet at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night

Wednesday 06 February 2019 12:38 GMT

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Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde discusses Lionel Messi involvement in Real Madrid clash

Barcelona take on Real Madrid in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final clash at the Camp Nou tonight.

The hosts have won each of the last four editions of the competition but had to make a dramatic comeback against Sevilla to confirm a meeting with their clasico rivals, while Real Madrid’s journey to the semi-finals saw them dispatch Girona rather more comfortably.

Both sides are facing injury concerns ahead of the tie, which is live on Eleven Sports this evening, yet there will still be an abundance of world-class talent on show in Barcelona and in the return leg in Madrid on February 27. But who would make it into your combined team?

Surely you have to include Karim Benzema after his 18 goals so far this season, but does he merit a place in the forward line ahead of fellow Frenchman Ousmane Dembele who has scored 13 goals and provided five assists from the wing this season?

Casemiro had a difficult start to the season but his recent performances under Santiago Solari have seen him return to the dominant, tough-tackling displays we have seen in previous season, but does he get in ahead of Ivan Rakitic, who has played all but one of Barcelona’s La Liga games this campaign? There really are selection dilemmas all over the board.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI

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1/11Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI

Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI

Claudio Bravo

Barcelona have the best defensive record in the league and the most clean sheets, Bravo has been fantastic in his debut season at the Nou Camp and is excellent with the ball at his feet - a necessity. Iker Casillas is not as bad as some would have you believe, he is a long way from what he once was.

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Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI

Dani Alves

Not able to race up and down the pitch quite as he once was but the Brazilian is still a key outlet for this team and a fiery defender. It'll be very difficult finding a replacement for a very unique player.

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Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI

Sergio Ramos

A great defender, although he can cross the line between aggressive and dirty if things are not going his way. Possesses great talent on the ball, a threat in the opposition box, but don't be surprised if he sees red.

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Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI

Gerard Pique

Has returned to the kind of form that made him the world's best under Pep Guardiola, no matter who is playing alongside him. Brilliant on the ball, strong in the tackle and dominant in the air, he is the best both teams have to offer.

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Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI

Jordi Alba

Marcelo has been a much improved defender this season but Alba is the superior option in defence and attack. His pace and energy are crucial to Barca's high pressing game.

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Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI

Toni Kroos

Xabi Alonso has been forgotten far more quickly than could have been anticipated because of the ease with which Kroos has slipped in. A true great in possession, Kroos perhaps is found a bit wanting in his defensive duties but one of the best in his possession in the world.

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Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI

Isco

During Real's bad patch since the turn of the year Isco has been the one bright, consistent spot for Carlo Ancelotti. Another who is superb on the ball and has the ability to drive his team forward with his low centre of gravity. This team is perhaps a touch attacking, and Sergio Busquets will play as bigger a role as any of the stars during the game.

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Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI

Andres Iniesta

Still the master. Age may have finally caught up with long-time partner Xavi but Iniesta shows no signs of slowing. Yaya Toure and Fernandinho couldn't get near him on Wednesday night and while he has lost a little bit of pace, his brain is as sharp as any in world football.

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Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI

Lionel Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo may have won the Ballon d'Or at the turn of the year but Lionel Messi has easily been the best player in the world since then. Where Ronaldo has struggled (by their standards) - nine goals in 14 matches - Messi has thrived with 20 in his last 17.

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Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI

Luis Suarez

After taking a few weeks to work it out, his Barcelona debut in the Bernabeu was a real struggle, Suarez has finally clicked with his new team-mates. He may not quite be as prolific as he was during his Liverpool days but he is forming a nightmarish front three with Messi and Neymar that cannot be stopped.

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Barcelona vs Real Madrid combined XI

Cristiano Ronaldo

Even if he is struggling a bit, are you really going to leave Ronaldo out? Messi might be in better form, but no other player comes close to striking terror into opponents as much as the Portuguese. Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema have been anonymous lately, while Neymar is unlucky to miss out.

Check out our selections in the gallery above

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