Topics: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, Iker Casillas
Clasico IV is fast approaching us and Live Soccer TV previews five key players to watch in Barcelona Vs Real Madrid tomorrow.

Football players are artists that make the painting of football look beautiful and the Champions League is the competition for the best group of artists. However, when it comes to the Clasico, it is a whole new brand of talent by itself. What else can you expect when we have artists like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi attempting to re-create the battle between Pele and Diego Maradona. Epic.

So basically, we have seen three of a four Clasico marathon already and tomorrow will mark the best occasion from the lot. I mean, the league draw at the Bernabeu was nothing special and while the Copa del Rey was exhilarating indeed, nothing matches up to the thrill of witnessing Champions League football between these two sets of grandiose artists.

While the last Clasico was a perfect example for 'Too Many Cooks Spoil The Broth' phrase, much more than just pure theatrics and defensive mentality will be expected at the Nou Camp tomorrow as Live Soccer TV previews Five Key Players To Watch in Clasico IV

 

1. Lionel Messi

His astounding record of 52 goals and 24 assists this season really does make one wonder whether there's any point in continuing the ever-lasting debate between Pele and Diego Maradona. Lionel Messi is probably the man of the moment and we at Live Soccer TV will never miss him out on this list.

Especially when we consider the way he brought back sweet memories of Maradona with his spellbinding run that left the Madrid backline speechless. His performance will once again be the key tomorrow because their 2-0 lead from the first leg WILL not allow Los Blancos to set up defensively. And as vulnerable as the Madrid defence can get, extra space when Barca counter-attack could be Messi's chance of ultimately destroying the Galacticos.

After all,  if Leonardo Da Vinci is the perfect artist with his Mona Lisa portrait, another 'Leo' in Messi is absolutely the 'real deal' with his portrait of the Catalans.

 2. Xabi Alonso

It is going to be Alonso's biggest night of football at the Nou Camp tomorrow when Madrid take on Barcelona. He might have earned some success with Liverpool, he might have won the World Cup with Spain, he might have also won the Copa del Rey with Madrid but nothing will match up to the challenge he faces in Barcelona tomorrow.

Forming the 'Great Wall of Madrid' alongside Pepe and Sami Khedira was never an easy job for Alonso considering the vast attacking options in Barca's offensive department. And to be frank, Pepe was the real backbone of that defensive midfield section and his absence due to suspension tomorrow makes Alonso probably Madrid's most important player.

There's no other way than to attack for Mourinho's men and obviously, attacking Barcelona is life presenting them a half-finished portrait to be completed in a competition. There's just too much of talent in there to not bring devastating effects to Madrid and Alonso will be the main lock of Madrid's defence tomorrow.

 3. Cristiano Ronaldo

Not too long ago, he was regarded as the 'next best thing' in world football. But looking at the current situation, he is embroiled in a 'David vs Goliath' battle with Lionel Messi and it seems like the Argentinean has all the bragging rights.

Nevertheless, Ronaldo was the one who inspired them to the victory in the Copa del Rey final and if ever there was a perfect platform for him to seek justice, Nou Camp and all the things at stake tomorrow provides the perfect package for Ronaldo.

Goals is a cliche in his dictionary although when we say 'goals against Barcelona', it becomes a whole new dimension. One goal and several unimpressive showings does not justify his talent which has been casted under doubts on many occasions. However, labeling him as overrated is almost certainly an understatement considering all the impacts he has had with Manchester United and even Real Madrid. Therefore, the time has come for Cristiano Ronaldo to shine and if he prevails tomorrow, the debate between him and Messi will certainly be prolonged.

4. Javier Mascherano

Mascherano is a midfielder! Yes, no doubt he is but Adriano and Maxwell being out has pushed him in the central of defence alongside Gerard Pique. Carles Puyol is once again expected to start at the left tomorrow while Mascherano will once against slide into the central of defence. Actually, this could be the 'Real' area for Madrid to exploit.

The Argentinean playmaker never looked comfortable in it last week and his performances against Real Sociedad in the weekend was not impressive too. Coming off the bench to concede a penalty sounds rather peculiar but that was what happened with him.

So, if Mourinho has a plan of attacking the Blaugranas, it certainly will come through the middle where Barca are currently the most vulnerable at. Perhaps another option would be Diego Milito but he too isn't as convincing as Mascherano is. If you watched their defeat against Sociedad last weekend, you'd probably know what we're speaking about.

 5. Iker Casillas

We were always going to include three Madrid players and two Barce ones in this lists. Come on, Real Madrid have got a game to chase and obviously they will be the team to watch. Back to the list, the final piece in the jigsaw would have to be this man. Ever wondered why we rate him so highly?

If it was not for Casillas, Real Madrid would have succumbed to an even more embarrassing defeat last week. The Spanish goalkeeper was absolutely magnificent on that day and if there was one Madrid player that deserved some plaudits for their performance, it definitely has to be for him.

Once again, his talent will be needed tomorrow. As we mentioned earlier, Mourinho will be adopting the 'attack the the best way of defence' philosophy tomorrow although it isn't the best way of defending against Barca or to be specific,  Lionel Messi. But hey, he doesn't have any other choice right?

So, space at the back will make Madrid's defence vulnerable and Pepe's absence is likely to be a hurting one except if Iker Casillas can come up with another 'Gordon Banks' level of performance. Don't get us wrong here, we sometimes think that he is better that Banks after all.