Neymar, Bale Set For 'Clasico' Debut

[Folami David]

Neymar and Gareth Bale will get their first taste of a clash between Barcelona and Real Madrid since joining the Spanish giants in Saturday's first El Clasico of the season.
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The Catalans currently hold a three point lead over Madrid at the top of the table, but it is Carlo Ancelotti's men who have enjoyed a significantly better week in the run up to the match.
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Barca dropped their first points of the season with a 0 0 away at Osasuna last weekend and were then held 1-1 by AC Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday.
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Madrid took advantage of that rare slip-up by their rivals with a 2-0 win over Malaga and just about sealed their place in the Champions League last-16 on Wednesday by beating Juventus 2-1.
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The Malaga match in particular saw a marked improvement in Real's performance to those earlier in the campaign and Madrid haven't been beaten in their last five encounters against Barcelona.
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However, Real defender Sergio Ramos doesn't believe last season's meetings between the two will be a big factor come kick-off at the Camp Nou.
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"On Saturday we have an important game and it would be a notable step to win in the Camp Nou, but we know meetings there are always difficult and anything can happen.
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"When evaluating a Clasico you don't have to look at the previous results, nor even the last one. These games are always of the highest level and intensity.
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"There are things that we have to continue improving, but it is always nice to arrive at the Clasico after a victory."
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Ancelotti has some selection dilemmas for his own first experience of a Clasico, particularly in the case of Bale.