Jose Mourinho has already pulled a surprise in El Clasico, deplying Raul Albiol in the centre of the defence. Why? Because Pepe has been stationed as the defensive midfielder in a 4-3-3, leaving Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso stationed a little higher up the pitch, presumably to combat Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets in the Barcelona midfield.
Real Madrid Vs. Barcelona 2011, El Clasico: Real Madrid Lineup
Karim Benzema returns after an injury layoff to lead the line, flanked by the menacing figure of Cristiano Ronaldo on the left and Angel di Maria on the right. With Carlos Puyol back in the middle of the Barcelona defence, it will be up to Benzema to show that his pre-injury form hasn't been a fluke - Real will need him to be at his best in order to have any chance of breaking down the Barcelona defence, especially in the absence of Mesut Ozil, who only makes the bench in this new-look lineup. Will it be enough to avenge the 5-0 loss at the Camp Nou this season? That remains to be seen.
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Iker Casillas; Marcelo, Raul Albiol, Ricardo Carvalho, Sergio Ramos; Sami Khedira, Pepe, Xabi Alonso; Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Angel di Maria.
Substitutes: Jerzy Dudek, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kaka, Arvelo Arbeloa, Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Garay, Mesut Ozil.
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