Barcelona edge out Real Madrid 6-5 in El Clasico combined XI

When the LaLiga fixtures are announced, El Clasico is usually the first fans look for. Barcelona vs Real Madrid attracts global interest given the stature of the two teams on show and the first Clasico of the season is now upon us. 

Using WhoScored's unique rating system, we look at a combined XI of the two teams using their 2020/21 season rating, which means both league and European performances are taken into account. Barcelona edge out Real Madrid in this XI, 6-5 - a sign of things to come today?

In this instance, Thibaut Courtois (6.96) beats Neto (6.66) to the spot between the sticks. Marc-Andre ter Stegen's absence hasn't necessarily hindered Barcelona - only Atletico Madrid (1) have conceded fewer goals than the Blaugrana (2) this season - but Courtois has been the busier of the two shotstoppers, which pushes his rating up. 

Real Madrid's first choice centre-back pairing features at the heart of the defence. Sergio Ramos (7.19) returns to the first team fold following his absence in midweek and is joined by Los Blancos teammate Raphael Varane (6.88). At full-back, though, it's Barcelona duo Sergi Roberto (7.23) and Jordi Alba (7.12) who star at right and left-back, respectively, with the latter included in the squad following a hamstring issue. 

There's a tidy central midfield pairing of Frenkie de Jong (7.26) and Luka Modric (7.18) with the young Barcelona star joining the experienced Real Madrid ace at the base of the midfield in this combined XI. And in support of the frontman, it is a Barcelona trio that shines. 

Ansu Fati (7.82) has made a stunning start to the season, scoring four goals and providing one assist in five league and European appearances in 2020/21. Coutinho (7.29) occupies the number 10 berth. The Brazilian was expected to leave Camp Nou over the summer, but has established himself as a first team regular under Ronald Koeman. 

Finally, Lionel Messi (8.04) rounds off the attacking trident with the Argentine the best rated player in this combined XI. The 33-year-old hasn't lived up to his lofty standards in the opening weeks of Koeman's tenure in Barcelona, but Messi continues to shine for the LaLiga powerhouse. And leading the line in this combined XI, Karim Benzema (7.21) may have scored just one goal and provided one assist in his six league and European outings this season, but it's not for want of trying having mustered 20 shots and four key passes.