I'm with you... if ever there is a fractured formation this is it. We will be compact but I can see us gifting the ball to Sevilla... and as you say, an early goal for them would ask Jose a serious question. I don't think width is an issue here... I don't see Jose wanting to play a wide expansive game... this would be a bunker down and get out of here alive line up. Nothing wrong with that I suppose, and it may well pay dividends, but i wonder if shutting up shop and getting out alive is what we should be aspiring to? As Cyrudan says... if that doesn't provoke a 0-3 scoreline nothing will.
Kills me to see a team with Real Madrid's calibre with 3 defensive mids. But Arbeloa and Marcelo at fullbacks seems to work. Just not a fan of Ramos at CB considering he's one of the top RB's in the world.
Casillas Ramos Albiol Carvalho Arbeloa Khedira - Alonso - Lass Christian - Benzema - Özil The 4-3-3 is I presume to negate the threat from the wings. Really glad Angel has been given a rest, and I hope Benzema can once again have a positive impact on the game.
Considering the lack of minutes Albiol has got this season, he seems to make big mistakes. But let's see what todays starters can do. I just hope we get a a few goals.
it looks like they're both keeping their hands behind their back, so they dont end up punching him in the face lol.
I think playing away and not really firing on all cylinders up front, Jose is just being cautious that we dont get run over in the early going, and we can then take our chances later on. Against Sevilla, their initial onslaught often seem to be the worst phase. I think its a solid approach that worked to our advantage in the past against Auxerre.
Casillas; Ramos, Albiol, Carvalho, Arbeloa; Xabi Alonso, Khedira, Lass; Cristiano, Özil y Benzema. Confirmed. http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/di-maria-marcelo-seran-suplentes/20110126dasdasftb_18/Tes
The superior being does not indulge in violence, specially when it concerns maggots like del Nido. But i really wish he would sock him one. Right in the kisser. 3 DMs?? DO NOT APPROVE. But i guess Jose knows more than i'll ever know about football. Its risky though. I hope we can win but at the very least i expect a draw. A loss is not really acceptable after all that's happened in the last few days. Slightly OT: It kinda saddens me to see us playing 3 DMs at Sevilla (unless its an obvious tactical ploy and not shitting your pants before battle)... I mean come on, aren't we still called Real Madrid or did we change it to Blackburn Rovers while i wasn't looking?
---------------Casillas--------------- Ramos----Albiol------Carvalho---Arbeloa --------Lass---Alonso--Kedira-------- ----------------Ozil------------------ ---------Ronaldo----Benzema--------- Sevilla usually attacks from the flanks with either with Perroti or Navas so congesting the middle with 3 DM may not work. Even If we end up using 3 DM in the above formation you can bet Seville will focus on the link up between Alonso and Mesut trying to shut Alonso's passing game. In this case you need the other two DM to do the passing. For this reason you have to have Gago in the line up; he passes the ball better and faster than Lass and Khedira. Like this formation ---------------Casillas--------------- Ramos----Albiol------Carvalho---Arbeloa --------Lass---Alonso--Gago-------- ----------------Ozil------------------ ---------Ronaldo----Benzema--------- One more thing, to avoid a pig gap between the middle and attacking contingent we either need to put more bodies to support Ronaldo/Mesut/ Benzema, preferably adding Kaka and sacrificing one of the DM, or we need to slow down the tempo to allow the DMs to catch up and join the attacks; playing more possession game thus sacrificing Ronaldo's "catch and run" attack.
I'd rather get the result we want. Unfortunately a name and a brand don't win you football matches, nor does anything you have achieved in the past. You take care of the being Real Madrid business by winning games, not losing others and doing whatever it takes to bring home the silverware.
Lass can bring the ball forward, so he won't exacly be sitting in his position. Ronaldo and Ozil need to work from further back though, a more 4-3-2-1 formation
Barely. In theory I understand all the explanations for this triple pivot that are being tossed about but it's the personnel that worries me, Lass in particular. He seems to have reverted to his "forget the game plan, I'm going to do what I want" style of play of late and in a formation that seems to be based on everyone having a specific role I'm a bit nervous. When Lass decides to ditch the playbook not only is he not doing what he's supposed to do but he's usually getting in everyone's else's way as well.
At least put Marcelo in for Arbeloa. Now with three DM'S Marcelo would have less work at defending. Arbeloa doesn't add sht at leftback. With only Ronaldo and Özil up front we aren't going to create any danger.
Agreed. This is what we pay Mourinho to do, adapt and prepare our team to win. If he was forced to play an attacking formation every game then I might as well be coach, and nobody would want that.