Zinedine Zidane earned a great victory in his first match against arch-rivals Barcelona. Los Blancos played a brilliant game in El Clasico and got all three points thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Los Merengues defended with their lines tightly closed from the start. Yet, an early mistake from Sergio Ramos allowed Barcelona to have a golden chance to take the lead. Neymar runs away from Ramos and delived a wonderful low cross into Luis Suarez, but the striker incredibly failed to find a touch.

Barcelona dominated possession in the first minutes and they threatened Keylor Navas. Ivan Rakitic was superbly denied by the goalkeeper after 20 minutes. In the next play, Messi attempted to move past Ramos and was brought down by the Spaniard, but the referee considered that the centre-back got enough on the ball. Television replays showed the there was a fault, but just outside the box.

Los Blancos improved in the last minutes of the first half, but they were unable to threaten Claudio Bravo.

The hosts had the first big chance of the second half as Leo Messi chipped an effort from the edge of the box, but Navas incredibly flew across his goal to keep the ball out.

Yet, in the next play, Gerard Pique made it 1-0 as he thumped a header past Navas from close range following a super corner from Rakitic.

The visitors levelled only five minutes later as Benzema brilliantly volleyed into the back of the net after a cross from Kroos had been blocked into the path of the Frenchman.

Zidane men played incredible football after that goal and could have scored a couple of goals. In fact, Bale got the ball in the back of net with a precise header but it was unfairly disallowed by the official, who blew for a foul on Jordi Alba.

Ronaldo was close to scoring as he rattled the crossbar with a precise shot from the edge of the box.

Things turned difficult for Real as Ramos was sent off with seven minutes to go. The defender was given his second yellow card for a challenge on Suarez.

However, the visitors reacted brilliantly and scored the winning goal a couple of minutes later. Ronaldo controlled a high Bale cross before firing his effort home from inside the box.

Los Blancos reduce Barcelona’s lead in the table down to seven points and still believe they can win the title. Atletico Madrid are second, six points behind the leaders.

Zinedine Zidane has decided to display Casemiro in the starting eleven to face Barcelona in the El Clasico. Thus, Isco and James Rodriguez will sit on the bench.

Sergio Ramos has finally made it in the startin eleven despite suffering back problems during the week, and he will pair with Pepe in the centre of the defence.

This will be Real Madrid’s starting eleven: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Casemiro, Modric, Kroos, Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema.

Meanwhile, Luis Enrique has included Jordi Alba in the starting eleven, despite the defender’s muscle problems. Barcelona will display their usual starting lineup.

This will be Barcelona’s starting eleven: Bravo, Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba, Busquets, Rakitic, Iniesta, Messi, Neymar and Luis Suárez.

Zinedine Zidane is expected to display his usual starting eleven against arch-rivals Barcelona as both teams meet in La Liga on Saturday.

The French manager has recovered Sergio Ramos on time for this match and he will most likely include the Spaniard in the starting eleven, featuring alongside Pepe at centre-back. Marcelo and Daniel Carvajal will be the full-backs.

In midfield, Casemiro has earned a spot among the starters and he is expected to feature alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. Thus, Isco and James Rodriguez will sit on the bench.

The BBC will be in charge of scoring goals. Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo have rested during the international friendlies break and they should be in top form to face Barcelona.

This is Real Madrid’s projected eleven for El Clasico: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.

Luis Enrique has problems at left-back, as Jeremy Mathieu and Adriano are sidelined through injury and Jordi Alba has suffered from muscle problems this week.

This is Barcelona’s projected eleven: Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar.

Real Madrid take on their arch-rivals Barcelona looking to defend their honour in a season that has been dominated by the Catalans. Los Blancos sit 12 points behind Luis Enrique men on the table, with no hopes of winning the title, but a win would at least overjoy their fans.

Zinedine Zidane will miss Raphael Varane, who is suffering from problems in his calf. On the other hand, he will be able to display Sergio Ramos, who has been a doubt all week with a back injury.

With only one man on the sidelines, Zidane had to leave one of the youngster out of the squad and he has left Mateo Kovacic. Instead, Jese Rodriguez and Lucas Vazquez will make the trip to Barcelona.

The Los Merengues boss is expected to feature his usual starting eleven, with Casemiro in midfield and Isco and James Rodriguez on the bench.

Luis Enrique has problems in defence, especially at left-back. Jeremy Mathieu and Adriano Correia are sidelined through injury, and Jordi Alba has been a doubt all week with muscle problems. Yet, the Spaniard seems to have recover and will most likely start.

Possible lineups:

Barcelona: Bravo; Alvez, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Messi, Suarez, Neymar.

Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos: Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.

Zinedine Zidane has left Raphael Varane and Mateo Kovacic out of the squad that will travel to Barcelona for Saturday’s El Clasico.

The Los Blancos manager will miss the French defender due to injury, as he is suffering from problems in his calf. On the other hand, he will recover Sergio Ramos, who has been going through especial training sessions this week due to a problem in his back.

Zidane has also decided to leave Mateo Kovacic out of the squad.

The Los Blancos manager has surprisingly left Mateo Kovacic out of the squad. Instead, Lucas Vazquez and Jese Rodriguez will make the trip to Barcelona.

This is Real Madrid’s squad for El Clasico:

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Kiko Casilla.
Defenders: Daniel Carvajal, Danilo, Marcelo, Pepe, Nacho Fernandez, Sergio Ramos.
Midfielders: Casemiro, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Lucas Vazquez, Isco, James Rodriguez.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Jese Rodriguez.