The Six Players (Spanish Edition)

Spain manager Luis Enrique has no problem starting six Real Madrid players

Isco will again look to find space between the lines to knit the play together and produce chances for his teammates. His creativity will be key to unlocking the Barcelona defence. It's been seven games since Neymar last scored for Barcelona.

After scoring six in his first nine appearances upon his return from the Olympic Games with Brazil, he's hit a dry spell in front of goal. Despite that, he's still been effective in other ways.

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On Sunday, as Barca laboured to a draw against Real Sociedad, it was once again a moment of brilliance from the year-old that made the difference as he breezed past Carlos Martinez and created Lionel Messi's equaliser. The role of creator is one which Neymar has regularly held this season. He's assisted seven goals in the Champions League already -- a competition high, despite still not being out of the group stages -- and has added another five assists in the league.

The Real Champs

Whether you like or loathe his trickery and flamboyance, it is clear he has an end product, too. If he maintains his creative streak going into the Clasico , he could be the player to help Barca cut Madrid's lead at the top back to just three points. Picking a left-back as a team's most important player is unusual, especially given Madrid's array of Galacticos , but Marcelo is far from a typical defender.

The Brazil international has become key to Madrid's team setup -- as proven by the stats. Of the 14 games he has appeared in this season, his team have won 13, with the other being a draw against Villarreal when he was injured and subbed off at half-time. Meanwhile, Madrid have won just one of the five games across La Liga and the Champions League, which he has missed -- including embarrassing draws with Eibar and Legia Warsaw.

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This is not coincidence, as Marcelo's marshalling of the entire left side of the pitch is vital for the shape of the team, especially when Ronaldo drifts inside from his nominal left-wing position. Barca right-back Sergi Roberto will face a tough decision -- if he tracks Ronaldo, then Marcelo will be free and can do serious damage. The Portuguese started the season slowly, but has now clicked into gear and will need to be stopped if Barcelona have any hope of winning. In the past, his duels with Dani Alves have been one of the keys to this fixture, but with the Brazilian now at Juventus, Ronaldo has a new opponent: The base is from Madrid and it seemed good.

I only see the Spain jersey.

I'm delighted that they make it difficult for me and I accept the challenge. The Spain boss was quick to heap praise on the work-rate he witnessed over the last few weeks and particularly during the Croatia game. But that result against Croatia was worth it. Debuts were also handed to Jose Luis Gaya and Ceballos and while both impressed, the Real Madrid midfielder was particularly impressive. Asensio was another player who announced himself on the scene, scoring once and forcing an own goal from Lovre Kalinic when his swerving effort came off the post and hit the Croatia keeper before bouncing into the net.

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And Asensio hailed his teammates for a "brilliant week" as Spain took six points from their first two Nations League matches after beating England on Saturday. We needed to recuperate the feelings we had before, we've played two great games," said Asensio. To help make this website better, to improve and personalise your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies? Liverpool fans' ridicule shows how Mourinho has fallen 18h Mark Ogden.

Let's start at ESPN, where a few familiar and a few unfamiliar faces have been popping up over the last month.

Of course, there is method behind the madness — Ekoku and Harkes played for their respective countries — Nigeria and the USA — at World Cups, while Mustoe has been coaching in the States since retiring. They make an odd pair. And Dan Stevens has a conspiracy theory: Gilles de Bilde offering punditry in Norway? Then let us know at the usual address. Plenty, is the short answer, but here is Sean DeLoughrey with a longer one: The ever-presence of Packie Bonner, Steve Staunton and Kevin Moran ensured a minimum of three Irish-born players on the pitch at any time though. If Argentina or Germany triumph this year, they would match that achievement, having won the new trophy for the third time.

But would Fifa give them the new trophy to keep?