PBP: 12/13 Copa del Rey Semifinal: Leg 1 | Real Madrid v FC Barcelona | 30 Jan 2013 [R]

Discussion in 'Barcelona' started by Viscaelbarca, Jan 28, 2013.

  1. tadm123

    tadm123 Member

    Mar 26, 2008
    Club:
    Sporting Cristal Lima
    Apparently if Ronaldo gets a yellow he'll miss the second leg, lol.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Gilmango

    Gilmango Member+

    Jul 20, 2006
    San Francisco, CA
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Makes sense that Lopez would've already played in the Copa this season but did not realize one could be Copa tied (makes sense though). I was already thinking GK is another question spot for them.

    Other questions could include whether Jose goes triple pivot again (adding Essien and Sami K just in front of Xabi); and, if he doesn't play midfield then, esp. if Marcelo not fit, does Essien plug a fullback spot again; the Higuain v. Benzema debate continues though Benz seems the favorite; Callejon is most like Di Maria but not always loved so his replacement could be triple pivot, could be Modric or Kaka playing next to Ozil (and Crissy) in front of the DMs. Does Carvalho get out of the mothballs in place of injured Pepe and suspended Ramos?

    I guess I don't follow then enough but lots of permutations even with all their injuries and suspensions. They will score but hopefully only once, we will score too, hopefully twice or more.
     
  3. Hendrixforpope

    Hendrixforpope Member+

    Barcelona
    Brazil
    Dec 15, 2007
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Considering everything that is going against them (injuries, suspensions, cup-tied 2nd keeper), It would be unfortunate if we couldn't capitalize with a positive result that gives us the advantage going into the 2nd leg. Still, It should be hell out there tomorrow.
     
  4. MavadoDribblez

    MavadoDribblez Member+

    Feb 7, 2008
    Ontario
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    I can't see this match being easy for either team. With our defense I wouldn't be surprised if we concede once or twice, but I expect us to also score once or twice.

    I don't think mou will sit back, because he knows we will control the match and probably slay them. I expect them to go on the offensive. If you recall from the days of the 5-0 scoreline, he went incredibly defensive the first few matches and we dominated. When they went at our defense that's when the matches became difficult for us.

    I think we'll try and overload their midfield and hence I'm tipping Iniesta and Cesc to play from the start.
     
  5. MavadoDribblez

    MavadoDribblez Member+

    Feb 7, 2008
    Ontario
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Hendrix, get some sleep dude, you're up waaaaaay too late for a weeknight. *

    * this was a quantity post, not quality....just to prove a point :p
     
    Hendrixforpope repped this.
  6. Rattlehead

    Rattlehead Member+

    Barcelona, Inter Milan
    Argentina
    Jun 21, 2010
    Jakarta
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina


    I forgot we're actually fell behind first

    0:44 , Balance = 99
     
  7. Diego Maradona

    Diego Maradona Member+

    Apr 8, 2007
    London, England
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    It should have been 2-0 when Messi took that pen
     
  8. Diego Maradona

    Diego Maradona Member+

    Apr 8, 2007
    London, England
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    I am wondering if I should bet on us to win, it's 5/4 and I am thinking of betting £40 on us, what you think?

    and Messi to score and us to win is 7/4 also I hope we can do what our Barca B squad did against Real Madrid B squad recently with the 3-1 win
     
  9. Leon12

    Leon12 Member+

    Jan 5, 2006
    Man of the world
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    Personally I would not bet that much, a tenner would do, that way it doesn't matter that much if you lose the bet.;)
     
  10. BocaFan

    BocaFan Member+

    Aug 18, 2003
    Queens, NY
    A good reason not to play Masch tonight. Cesc can play because he probably won't get a yellow anyway. Masch's chances of getting a yellow is probably well over 50%, which is about the same percentage as Puyol's likelihood of being injured a month from now.
     
  11. inswinger

    inswinger Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 17, 2001
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Yeah, I just realized on rewatching those highlights how the Ramos-Henry duel that defined the match. First Ramos sent in a cross to Higuain for the 1-0, then Henry made him look silly to equalize. Later Ramos headed in to cut it to 2-3, then Henry burned him again to extend it to 2-4. That was a damn fun game.

    Today I expect Moanio to tell his players to pressure in 2 fronts, as they did before: high up the pitch when we have it in the back, hoping they can pinch it off VV or one of our backs for instant goal opps. And then deep bunker when we are able to play it into forward positions.

    The key is in the transition. If Xavi, Iniesta, or Busquets can get the ball around the center circle with enough time and vision to pick out Messi or Pedro on the break, Moanio's tactics could turn suicidal. But they've been very good at containing our counters, or we've been shy to make those killer passes...

    They are going to bite, scratch, and brawl as usual, but we have to take advantage of the absences of Ramos, Pepe, and Casillas.

    And I'd be surprised if Marcelo starts. No manager can afford to put non-match-fit players vs. us. It already costs you one valuable sub just to replace the winded player.
     
  12. Gilmango

    Gilmango Member+

    Jul 20, 2006
    San Francisco, CA
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think Masch and Cesc are in the same boat.
     
  13. Rana catesbeiana

    Mar 11, 2008
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    I wouldn't worry about Masch and Cesc.

    If Masch is away, play Puyol and Pique.
    If Cesc is away, play Iniesta in midfield, Villa in attack.

    Cristiano is way more important for LPB than Cesc/Masch is to us, at this moment of the season. Long term, Cesc especially is super important for us. And of course can't really say Masch isn't important either.
     
  14. Leon12

    Leon12 Member+

    Jan 5, 2006
    Man of the world
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    And someone like Masch is going to pick up suspensions (as are Pique and Puyol) that just part and parcel of their game and the positions he/they play in.

    Cesc this season is the player he was at Arsenal, I was dissapointed with him last season, or the 2nd half of last season, much more so than with Aleix. Because we knew Cesc was a world class player with his performances for Arsenal and Spain.

    Just this one time, please can we start of at a fast tempo against LPB, please.
     
  15. Diego Maradona

    Diego Maradona Member+

    Apr 8, 2007
    London, England
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    Argentina
    Well I hope he gets one and we win this leg as that will be a double whammy then for LOS PUTOS BLANCOS
     
  16. inswinger

    inswinger Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 17, 2001
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    I can't think of a moment when there was more pressure on LPB going into a Clasico. There's turmoil from the lockerroom to the board room, and a loss at home today means they will be hanging by a frayed string in 2 major competitions, with a showdown against a very strong ManU coming up--and it's not even February yet.

    Any other season they would've fired the manager by now. But Mou wields special power over their club. Plus, his payout if they fire him is enormous. PLUS, there is the sense that there aren't much better alternatives.

    All this will either weigh on the players in white, or possibly inspire them. They are a wounded beast, and I hope our guys go for the jugular.
     
  17. os_mutante

    os_mutante Moderator
    Staff Member

    Aug 8, 2003
    City of Bad Carls
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Who's captain whilst Iker is out? Please tell me it's the oaken one.
     
  18. jfcule

    jfcule Moderator
    Staff Member

    Aug 4, 2005
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Exactly, LPB are needier than we are. They will be eager to get on the scoreboard fast. Mou usually plays for a clean sheet(or at least a scoreless draw) at home, but in this case the Bernabeu won't go for it. We should slow things down in the first half and then play with their desperation. The pressure on them will only rise as the match goes on.
     
  19. Rana catesbeiana

    Mar 11, 2008
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Might be wrong, but I feel we always concede first. Would like to score the first goal. As for slowing down, I kinda disagree. Better go full mayhem on them and try to get those away goals, especially now that they're without Iker and few key defs. Better 4-3 win than 1-0.
     
  20. .Azulgrana.

    .Azulgrana. Red Card

    Aug 2, 2012
    Mascherano is super important as well, otherwise he wouldn't have started the most games this season after Messi, Xavi, Valdes, Busquets, and Pedro.

    He isn't just 'one of the bottle', to quote Senor Porquinho. :D
     
  21. Rana catesbeiana

    Mar 11, 2008
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Well, it's all relative. Of course Masch and Cesc are super important (and super good). But neither of them is the most important player of the team, like Cristiano is to LPB.
     
  22. manyfaces

    manyfaces Member

    Feb 4, 2004
    SF Bay Area
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Coming across twitter. Too good not to post here.

    [​IMG]
     
  23. Gilmango

    Gilmango Member+

    Jul 20, 2006
    San Francisco, CA
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I could really see it cutting either way in terms of pressure. Barca have more to lose in some senses, whereas if Madrid can get a win or a low scoring draw that might give them a boost. Yes, they very likely won't win La Liga but if they can get a result against Barca - despite all the turmoil, the injuries, the suspensions that will show that they really are on the rebound and be a big boost to them in their Decima quest and their rivalry with Barca and Copa quest.

    Of course if they play with fear or confusion rather than with the freedom of us being expected to win then perhaps we can blow their season to smithereens in a single game.



    Captains beyond Iker are Ramos (suspended), Marcelo (possibly injured but rumored to be starting), and Higuain (often benched for Benzema). So maybe we will see a new captain added. Normally Xabi would make great sense but he is rumored to be part of the Spanish NT cabal that is on the outs with Mou (Iker, Ramos, Xabi). We'll see, hopefully Marcelo cannot play and the orange guy gets the nod and they lose.
     
  24. os_mutante

    os_mutante Moderator
    Staff Member

    Aug 8, 2003
    City of Bad Carls
    Club:
    FC Barcelona
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think Cronaldo got the armband in that game a few weeks ago when Casillas got benched.
     
  25. evil_allan

    evil_allan Member+

    May 3, 2004
    Turtle Island
    i feel like going at them in "full mayhem" mode plays to the strengths of madrid by turning the match into more of a physical competition. madrid can more than hold their own in those kind of end-to-end one-on-one battles, but they can't match us on a collective level if we can manage to seize control and move the ball around quickly. madrid will be the ones hoping for full mayhem because that gives them a chance to see the ball once in a while because it means more high risk passes and therefore more possession turnovers. i think it might be a better idea to frustrate madrid early on by controlling the ball and minimize their home-field advantage - shut the bernabeu up and the frustration will boil over and the home team will struggle.

    remember, there is a second leg at our house so the pressure is all on madrid today. the atmosphere in the bernabeu is already pretty toxic to begin with, and if we can keep control of the ball we can use that in our favour. i'm not saying they need to be slow, actually they will need to move the ball very very quickly in order to stay ahead of the madrid players, the idea is to dominate and control proceedings - to suffocate and smother them. i think patience, and control, will be key today. hold the ball ... make them run around in circles ... frustrate them ... lure them out of position ... and then pounce!
     

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