MOD NOTE Trolling will be dealt with severely in this thread, especially during the match. You are encouraged to offer your opinions pre- and post- match in a respectful manner, but we ask that during the match you refrain from posting anything that can be construed as a wind-up. Thanks.... Thursday, the 23rd of August 2012| BARCELONA (CEST), 22:30 | LOS ANGELES (PDT), 13:30 | MONTREAL (EDT), 16:30 | LONDON (BST), 19:30 | MELBOURNE (EST), 6:30 (NEXT DAY) Convert to your local timeGoogle Street | Stadium Page Clos Gómez Full Name | Carlos Clos GómezAKA | Clos GómezDOB | 30.06.1972 (40 years old) - Teruel, Aragón, EspañaResidency | Zaragoza - SpainComity | AragonésDebut Year | 2006 (Primera División) - 2009 (FIFA Referee)Matches Refereed | 112 (Primera División)International Matches | 17 Note: Still Active FC Barcelona Alex Song has been presented and given #25 Song says that he is ready to play in the Supercup if Tito asks him LPB After undergoing many medical tests, further brain damage to Pepe has been ruled out According to AS.com, Pepe will not play as he has missed the past two training session for LPB Last Season La Liga J35 | FC Barcelona 1-2 Real Madrid | 21 April 2012 Wed 25/01/12 CDR Barcelona 2 - 2 Real Madrid Wed 18/01/12 CDR Real Madrid 1 - 2 Barcelona Sat 10/12/11 PRD Real Madrid 1 - 3 Barcelona Wed 17/08/11 SUC Barcelona 3 - 2 Real Madrid Sun 14/08/11 SUC Real Madrid 2 - 2 Barcelona Previous Meetings Tue 03/05/11 UCL Barcelona 1 - 1 Real MadridWed 27/04/11 UCL Real Madrid 0 - 2 BarcelonaWed 20/04/11 CDR Barcelona 0 - 1 E Real Madrid Sat 16/04/11 PRD Real Madrid 1 - 1 Barcelona Mon 29/11/10 PRD Barcelona 5 - 0 Real Madrid Sat 10/04/10 PRD Real Madrid 0 - 2 Barcelona Sun 29/11/09 PRD Barcelona 1 - 0 Real Madrid Sat 02/05/09 PRD Real Madrid 2 - 6 Barcelona Sat 13/12/08 PRD Barcelona 2 - 0 Real Madri...Visca el Barça
Need to play our game and we're likely to win imo. Any win a good result, score draw not too great, any loss a bad result. 0-0 not happening. Pepe likely to miss the match is kinda nice and kinda whatever. No wonder he had no brain damage though hahaha (sorry but had to do it). I don't think we have any key players out and should go with the strongest possible XI obviously, though kinda tough to predict exactly what Tito thinks that is for this match. Also am predicting a Ramos red and a Messi golazo.
"No further brain damage" is too funny, but glad he is OK even though I don't like him. Meanwhile CR7 intends to be at his best by the return leg on the 29th, weird, but no attribution in the article: http://www.marca.com/2012/08/21/en/football/real_madrid/1345532588.html Our top 11 seems fairly clear with the biggest questions being which of the 3 CBs starts (I'll guess Pique starts on bench); and who starts up front alongside Messi (I'll guess Sanchez and Pedro). So VV Alves-Puyol-Masch-Alba Xavi-Busquets-Iniesta Sanchez-Messi-Pedro Toughest omissions would be Cesc up front, Pique, and Villa.
Can't see past a win in this one. Pepe missing is good news because he is the only player on that team that is capable of breathing down Messi's neck whenever he gets the ball. The only alternative is Albiol isn't good defensively and can't be caught out by a player with just a fair bit of pace, let alone Lionel Messi. Heard Di Maria was also doubtful but don't really mind him. He's improved a lot since he first came to Real but he has been very ineffective in most of the Clasicos he's played in. Hoping for a good performance from Iniesta & Xavi and of course a Messi goal again. Been awhile since he's scored against these mugs.
This game will be televised through ESPN in the US. (Streaming available on ESPN3, or WatchESPN, or whatever it's called.) Pepe may be the best on their whole squad at doing something to contain Messi but it ain't much to speak of, frankly. And with him out LPB is possibly in for a world of hurt. Personally would like to see the big 11 including Xavi, Iniesta, and Puyol to start and then bring in the newer lights in the 2nd. Even with Pepe gone the probability for Madrid mischief is high and just like last year when Marcelo targeted Cesc, I'm thinking late in the second half either Alba or Song is due to be introduced firsthand to the morbo.
Yeah. Absolutely gotta go with the best of what we have and treat this as a as-serious-as-it-gets match. It's a competitive match, a final (1/2) and against LPB. And if last year was a hint of what's to come, everyone plays 100% serious.
Game will also be on ESPN Deportes, I forward my TV to see what the schedule was, and it is going to be on.
Yeah, Messi will always find a way past them, but just saying that their defense is going to be really vulnerable now with Pepe out. Albiol at the back and don't forget they'll probably start with their ultra defensive fullback pair in Coentrao & Arbeloa. They'll hardly do any attacking this time and we need to have them on the ropes from the first minute. An early goal would be delightful, wouldn't rule it out of being another derby day demolition. He probably will be in time, but Albiol is the third choice right now ahead of Raphael.
Hmm, forgot about Coentrao, hate to say it but he owned Dani Alves in the last clásico. Yeah, I guess we shouldn't be surprised if instead of an open game they try to tie on the road and win at home. Even though they are the reigning champs and won the last encounter, never underestimate the negativity of the man in charge.
I was under the impression that Marcelo did not play against Valencia...so I'd figure he's due to start here. Though I suppose Coentrao is more than capable of playing RB. Yesterday SPORT was saying that both Pique and Sanchez were due to start this SuperCopa game given that they were given time off in the opener (Sanchez of course didn't feature at all). So the back pairing I assume would be Pique and Puyol. Think Tito will wanna rotate Pique, Puyol, and Masch more so that Pep did at the end of his tenure. And since Masch played the entire game Sunday, I think the classic Pique/Puyol will be given the start to help combat LPB's aerial ability. Also anxious to see how Alexis performs here. Hopefully Tello's performance on Sunday, Pedro's seeming reascension, and Villa's return will induce the type of performance from him that we all believe him capable of. And of course, if we're good enough to build a comfortable lead, I'd love to see Song get some minutes!
I'd be cautious about giving Song minutes. LPB is such a tough opponent. I'd say bench Song the whole match and make him a starter against Osasuna on Sunday.
I agree that we should be wary of the new kid, but i think we could give him just a few minutes. you know, a taste of what it's like to be part of the big show. Like a baptism of fire and a welcome party rolled into one, haha. we could get a glimpse of how he reacts to the pressure. i believe he's eager to prove his worth and live up to the hype. LET'S DO THIS! In Messi we trust!
I agree. Plus I'd prefer if his first taste of Classico was in a Supercopa and not during the season or CL. This is a perfect scenario for him to get his feet wet. Wasn't Cesc's Barca debut during the Supercopa? prediction: VV Alves - Mascherano - Pique - Alba Busquets Xavi - Iniesta Sanchez - Messi - Villa Subs: Song, Cesc, Pedro
I think its only on ESPN Deportes. Not on ESPN 1/2. At least the match doesn't appear on my TV guide.
Mou's reaction after the first leg will be one of the following: -- He'll be thrilled with a score draw (even if LPB scores first) as it would put the onus on Barca to score in Madrid. -- If it ends goalless he'll say he's pleased with the result but inside he'll be going nuts knowing that LPB would have to beat Barca at the Bernabeu, something that hasn't happened in any competition since 2008. -- If LPB loses he'll say that nothing has been decided yet, that it is only halftime of the tie, he has belief in his players, and he'll remind everyone that in the end LPB are still the defending Liga champions and that the Supercopa is a meaningless trophy no matter who the opponent is. -- If LPB somehow wins he'll say that nothing has been decided yet, that it is only halftime of the tie, he has belief in his players, and he'll remind everyone that the performance proves why LPB are the defending Liga champions and that Supercopa is a nice trophy to build upon for the rest of season.
Yes, the guy I was quoting said it will be on ESPN 3, that is why I said it will also be on ESPN Deportes.
barcastuff: Teams vs which Messi has most goals+assists: Atletico 18+5, Sevilla 14+3, Real Madrid 13+10, Racing 12+4, Zaragoza 11+4 [via@messi10stats]
Mou has begunwith the excuses before the match has even started. He's saying that they'd rather win La Liga than Supercopa.
I'm anxious to see how Barca balance the attacking prowess of both Alves and Alba. Especially against LPB, which I think are undeniably the best counter-attacking team in Europe. In this last Sociedad game, they're were plenty of occasions where we saw both deep in Sociedad territory simultaneously. Certainly we've have to be a bit more cautious given LPB's decisive counter-attacking. I wonder if they'll attempt to hold one of the two back (most likely Alves) or drop Busquets back in that pseudo back three we deployed plenty last season. Either way, it will be an interesting gauge of Tito's tactical ability early in the season.