29 November,2010 09:35 AM IST | | PA Sport
One of the biggest club matches in the world takes place tonight as Spanish superpowers Barcelona and Real Madrid go head-to-head at the Nou Camp.
Here are the key battles which could decide where 'El Clasico' is won or lost.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Gerardu00a0Pique
Ronaldo is in stunning form at present, scoring 17 times in his last 12 competitive outings for Madrid, while he has netted 51 goals in just 54 appearances for the club since his record-breaking ufffd80million move from Manchester United in the summer of 2009. However, Spain international Pique should know the Portugal ace better than most having played alongside him at United, and that inside knowledge could prove invaluable as Barca ufffd as they managed twice last season ufffd look to nullify the in-form forward.
Xavi vs Xabi Alonso
Xavi and Xabi Alonso are no strangers to each other either with the pair having earned over 180 caps between them for Spain - helping the Iberian nation become both world and European champions in the process. Xavi has been struggling with an Achilles tendon problem this season, but the 30-year-old remains a vital and influential cog in the Barca machine. Alonso is also a valuable member of the Madrid line-up, providing the steady wise head that allows the likes of Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil to strut their stuff.
Lionel Messiu00a0vs Ricardo Carvalho
Widely regarded as the best player on the planet ufffd narrowly ahead of Ronaldo ufffd Messi is also bang in form heading into El Clasico, netting 16 goals in his last 11 appearances for the Catalan giants, including his sixth hat-trick of 2010 for the club and his 150th official goal for Barca. Messi just seems to be getting better and better, which is a frightening thought for opposing defenders considering the Argentina ace is still only 23 years old. Looking to stop the diminutive playmaker is a player at the other end of his career, although you would not have thought it seeing how the 32-year-old Carvalho has performed since his summer move from Chelsea.
Marauding runs forward, including two crucial goals against Osasuna and Atletico Madrid, combined with watertight defending ufffd Madrid boast the tightest backline in the division ufffd means the Portugal international is proving himself one of the signings of the summer in La Liga.
