Three keys for Real Madrid to beat Barcelona in El Clasico

Real Madrid visit Barcelona this Saturday without key players Toni Kroos and Gareth Bale. Furthermore, it looks like Casemiro isn't all that ready to complete the game even though he'll be available after recovering from a leg injury that kept him out of the squad for the last two months.

On the other hand, Barcelona have been struggling late and were very lucky to get a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad last weekend. They are now six points behind Los Blancos in the table and will need to play with desperation as the title could very well be over for them if they lose against Zidane's men.

Real Madrid must use Barcelona's situation to their own advantage and play with more composure if they want to earn a positive result from their visit. They managed to beat Barcelona at the Camp Nou last season and that experience could be very valuable for them.

1. Keep your composure. This is El Clasico and Real Madrid will struggle in some stages of the game. It's a given. Los Blancos must defend well and keep their composure until they regain the momentum of the game. Barcelona have not put 90 minutes of good football recently and that's why Madrid might prevail.
2. Finish your chances. It's hard to foresee Messi, Neymar or Suarez missing obvious scoring opportunities but the same cannot be said against Real Madrid, who usually need to create a lot of chances to score a goal. If Zidane and his men want to have a shot at the three points, Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo must be accurate.
3. Good substitutions. Real Madrid have depth. Even without Bale or Toni Kroos, players like James Rodriguez, Asensio or even Casemiro if he finally sits on the bench can change the course of the match. Zidane will need to read what's happening and never give up as his bench can turn things around.