The world of football freezes in just a few hours.
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid face each other for the first time this season in the clash that will take place on the grass of Camp Nou after the suspension a few weeks ago. Currently sharing the top of the table, the confrontation between Ernesto Valverde and Zinedine Zidane's teams will focus the attention of practically all fans.
With the line-ups already known by both coaches, and only waiting for the unknowns to be cleared about which starting elevens will begin the match, Zinedine Zidane's bet makes it clear his plans with some players who have hardly enjoyed continuity during the season and have a good chance of moving elsewhere.
The first two cases, and perhaps the most significant, are those of Mariano Díaz and Brahim. Although both insisted on the possibility of staying last summer, opportunities for both have been non-existent. Thus, while the forward has not had the opportunity to be on the field for a single minute, the talented player who arrived from Manchester City has accumulated 40 minutes in four matches. While it is intended that the Dominican player leaves on a permanent basis when the winter transfer window opens, the plans for the 20-year-old Malaga-born player involve a loan that will allow him to continue his development in order to return to the Santiago Bernabéu in the near future.
The situation of the third player whom Zinedine Zidane has not called up for the Clásico raises more doubts. In this case, it is the right-back Álvaro Odriozola (24) who was signed from Real Sociedad in the summer of 2018 for €30 million but has not quite lived up to the expectations at the Santiago Bernabéu. With Dani Carvajal as the owner of the right flank, the player from San Sebastián has only played five matches. Although his departure in January is unthinkable, we will have to keep a close eye on what happens in the summer, especially if Achraf returns from Dortmund.