Real Madrid vs. Barcelonavs. Copa del Rey Semi-final: First LegVenue: Santiago Bernabeu Real Madrid News: Casillas (fractured hand) and Pepe (ankle) are out with injuries. Diego Lopez and Adan battle it out for the starting keeper spot. Sergio Ramos, Coentrao, and Di Maria are all suspended. Barcelona News: Squad is fully healthy, with Pique returning from suspension. Final Training session prior to the match: Last league match vs. Barca: Return Leg of the super cup: Preview:
.........................Lopez ....Essien.......Albiol.....Varane.....Arbeloa ................Sami..........Alonso ....Ozil..............Modric..........Ronaldo .......................Benzema
Let's be serious guys, It's mourinho we are talking about. He has so much "faith" about Adan. I'm starting to get worried Mourinho might choose Adan over Diego
I'd say that's just about correct, which is kind of worrying. I hope Lopez gets a start and perhaps someone else other than Callejon, cause he makes little impact. I hope modric or kaka get the wing spot.IMO
This is actually the type of game I wouldn't mind Mou going with the triple pivot....except that has been his go to tactic for the last couple of season's against Barca and it has not only failed but it has become completely played out now. This is an emergency type situation where the team is struggling with some injuries and really cannot afford to give up goals and I think it would be prudent to play things a little safe. However it's gotten real old, real fast having Mou resort to these tactics no matter the circumstances. So instead of giving him the pass this time around lets see what he's really made of as a manager. I want to be surprised by the lineup tomorrow and I want it to work. That's asking a lot of the manager but it is what this manager in particular is here for.
I wouldn't mind the triple either, though if it was higher up the pitch to pressure them and not to sit back -----------------Xabi------------- ----Khedira-----------Modric-- --Ozil-------------------Ronaldo-- ---------------Benzema----------- Though with that shaky ass backline, I think they'll need some help.
Agreed, this would be my choice with Di Maria missing. Modric and Sami with the form he's in should be able to give us some possession and impetus in attack while providing enough cover in front of the back four.
^ I like that line up Nate. Hard-working midfielders who can close down and also maintain possession of the ball. The Germans work tirelessly on both ends of the pitch, lifts the pressure off Xabi to be the only deep playmaker in the team. You know they're not going to give Xabi an inch to breath, he gets the ball, 2 players will be on him forcing it out of his feet. The games we've succeeded against them were the games Sami was able to run with the ball (which he should look to do more often tomorrow; he should be easily swatting those midgets off his body). That setup didn't cross my mind, but it makes a lot of sense.
Our 4-2-3-1 setup guarantees us pressuring them high up the pitch, with Ozil occupying their DM (very crucial for them bringing the ball up from the back) and wingers pining their fullbacks back (they rely on them heavily to stretch play). This guarantees us not making it comfortable for them to create chances, have two DMs deep in our half protecting our back four, and having options for a quick counter attack (basically how we have scored in the last few games). Switching to a 4-3-3 would only make sense IMO if we are attempting to compete for possession (a guaranteed bad idea).
"There is no Real Madrid side more dangerous than a wounded one" - Charly Rexach, former barca player
Having Callejon and Arbeloa on the right is just nullifying that side from an attacking perspective. And we've see the difference in our counter-attacking game when Angel plays and when he doesn't.
Why? Cavani fits a better bill. And speak English since this is a world forum. Real Madrid attracts all kinds of people, and it's not like I speak Bosnian in the Bosnia forum. My thoughts: ----------Diego---- Arb-Varane-Carvalho-Marcelo -----Khedira---Alonso Callejon----Ozil-------Ron ----------Higuain---- Don't want to see both Ozil and Modric on the field for this one. Start Ozil, playing Calleti on the RW. Don't know, but that back line is going to be shaky, and we're going to need some luck.