Bale, Neymar, Messi, Ronaldo start in Clasico

There were no surprises in either Real Madrid or Barcelona line-ups for Sunday's crucial La Liga clash between the two at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday. Real boss Carlo Ancelotti made eight changes from the side that started against Schalke in midweek as the likes of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Luka Modric returned. Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the few not rested by Ancelotti in midweek as he took his goals tally for the season to 41 and will lead the line up front alongside Benzema and Bale. Barcelona made just three changes from their last outing, a 7-0 thrashing of Osasuna last weekend, as Neymar, Cesc Fabregas and Gerard Pique returned in place of Pedro Rodriguez, Alexis Sanchez and Marc Bartra. Lionel Messi notched his third hat-trick of the season against Osasuna and will be looking to become the outright all-time leading scorer in El Clasico as he is currently tied with Real legend Alfredo di Stefano on 18 goals from 26 appearances. Real Madrid (4-3-3-) Diego Lopez; Dani Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos (capt), Marcelo; Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric, Angel di Maria; Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo Barcelona (4-3-3) Victor Valdes; Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Xavi (capt), Cesc Fabregas; Neymar, Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta. Source: AFP