Not one to be easily upstaged, Cristiano Ronaldo appears eager to spoil what could be a record-breaking day for Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez’s first official match with Barcelona in the first clasico of the season.
Ronaldo and Real Madrid are on an eight-game winning streak but can ill afford a loss at home to Messi, Suarez, Neymar and Barca that would leave them seven points adrift from their fierce rivals at the top of the La Liga table.
While Ronaldo is in spectacular form, manager Carlo Ancelotti may have to again find replacements for Gareth Bale and defender Sergio Ramos with both nursing nagging injuries.
Here are five Madrid players to keep an eye on at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday:
Rampant Ronaldo: If you thought you had seen the best Ronaldo could offer last year when he ended Messi's four-year run as the world's best player, think again.
Ronaldo has made an unprecedented start to this season after a disappointing World Cup, with 20 goals through 13 games, setting a Spanish league record with 15 goals in the first eight rounds. The forward has found the back of the net in 10 games in a row for Madrid – as well as giving Portugal a 1-0 win over Denmark in a Euro 2016 qualifier with a goal deep in injury time.
He will be facing Messi, who is one goal away from equalling the Spanish league record of 251 goals as its all-time leading scorer.
“I feel good, in high spirits,” Ronaldo said after scoring in the 3-0 win at Liverpool on Wednesday. “I want to keep up my streak. It will be a tough game because Barcelona are playing well.”
All eyes on Iker: Criticised for his poor play with Spain during and after the World Cup, Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas is in need of a sound showing against Barcelona with Keylor Navas waiting on the bench.
Once considered an idol of Madrid’s faithful, Casillas was jeered by segments of the Santiago Bernabeu during shaky performances earlier this season.
The key will be for him to stop Messi, something he has not had much luck doing.
Casillas said he has faith that Ronaldo will help him.
“Cristiano is better than Messi,” Casillas said. “Cristiano is playing at an incredible level.”
The quiet man: While Ronaldo soaks up the glory, strike partner Karim Benzema is thriving as his quiet sidekick.
The last time Madrid played Barcelona, Benzema’s well-timed runs and passes from the point of attack were overshadowed by Bale’s amazing sprint for a late goal to win the Copa del Rey.
Benzema scored twice against Liverpool and is likely to start again, leaving Javier Hernandez to come off the bench.
“We are playing at our best and are going to win,” Benzema said.
Ramos on the mend: While Isco played admirably in place of Bale at Anfield, Ancelotti is likely hoping Ramos is back fit in time for Barcelona.
If not, the Italian coach will likely align Raphael Varane again alongside Pepe in defence.
Varane had a breakout game against Barcelona before a leg injured slowed the Frenchman’s progress.
At the helm: Toni Kroos helped Germany win the World Cup, and then packed his bags to leave Bayern Munich for the European champions.
He will get his first major test for Madrid against Barcelona’s midfielders, who normally overwhelm their Madrid counterparts and reduce them to defensive players who quickly outlet to Ronaldo and Benzema on the break.
Kroos will be helped by Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and perhaps Isco, depending on Bale’s health.
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