The two giants of Spanish football meet at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday in one of their most eagerly-anticipated clashes for years
Real Madrid have the chance to make history when they take on bitter rivals Barcelona in El Clasico on Saturday. Carlo Ancelotti’s men are just one game shy of La Liga’s unbeaten record after a run of 42 games without defeat.

It’s beautifully poised, if only for purposes of narrative, that Barca set the current record back in 2018, and it’s equally fitting that they will represent Los Blancos’ toughest test so far this season. Hansi Flick found a club in ruin after Xavi’s tumultuous exit, but has the Blaugrana sitting top of the table through 10 rounds of fixtures.

Over in the Spanish capital, Real have lumbered from win to win without yet finding the right balance usually befitting of the champions of Europe. The arrival of Kylian Mbappe has proven as luxury a headache as Toni Kroos’ retirement.

So, on current form (this is our liability absolver, please take note), who deserves to make a combined XI between the two clubs? GOAL makes our picks, and there’s of course going to be some which aren’t universally respected. Nevertheless, do tell us what you think in the comments at the bottom…
GK: Andriy Lunin

Oh boy, we’re already starting on the back-foot to try and appease the masses, aren’t we? Heading into Saturday’s encounter, both Real and Barca are without their first-choice goalkeepers, leaving their undercooked understudies to choose between.

Largely based off his performances in the absence of Thibaut Courtois last season, Andriy Lunin gets the nod. His displays deservedly earned him a spot on the Yachine Trophy shortlist, and he was heavily linked with a move away to one of Europe’s elite clubs, such is his over-qualification to merely serve as a backup.

No offence to Wojciech Szczesny, but he has literally just come out of retirement. No offence to Inaki Pena, but he has literally forced Szczesny to come out of retirement…