Before RM deals with Roma, they play an away game at Villarreal. Do you know what Garcia Remon's rotation policy looks like? I don't either, but if you get 5 yellow cards, you get a break. As stiff as Helguerra was, I assume he will not be playing along with Zidane, Figo & Guti. Here is my line-up: Owen------Ronaldo Solari----Raul---J Garcia---Beckham R Carlos---Samuel---Mejia---Salgado Casillas And here is what GR will do: Raul------Ronaldo Solari----Celades---Beckham---Juan Fran R Carlos---Samuel---Pavon---Salgado Casillas
well, there has been talk in AS (although I haven't read any quotes from GR or any statements by anyone from Real Madrid) that GR will use the 'copa del rey' lineup against Villarreal to ensure that none of the most important players are injured going into the crucial game against Roma, although Casillas is supposed to start. The lineup could look like this if he really decides to use the copa team: Casillas Arbeloa Mejia Samuel R. Bravo J. Garcia Celades Borja Solari Morientes Owen As MadridForever said in another thread, it's risky - it's an away game and Villarreal are a good team. I have full confidence in Owen and Morientes to get the job done up front. Solari always seems to play well but I'm not too excited by Borja. I believe that in the last copa game J. Garcia actually played on the wing which is out of position for him. Mejia is an underrated player imo and Arbeloa looked good in his previous outings. We'll have to wait and see but there is enough quality on the field to get a result if the players are in form.
i read that copa del rey lineup thing on marca too! i cant believe it! we do not want the gap at the top extending to any more than it already is! i think the clearest indication that he will shoose this lineup are the figo and guti bookings, which i have to say i think were intentional both the yellows came from exactly the same thing, refusing to retreat on a levante free-kick, they were both on 4 yellows, coincidence?? i think not
AS changes their tune, a little well, now they're saying the starting lineup will probably be... Casillas Salgado Pavon Samuel R. Carlos Beckham Celades J. Garcia Solari Ronaldo Owen ...although they say that either Salgado or R. Carlos will not start. I think this is a stronger lineup than the one I posted before - we've got our two top scorers coming out from the start (Morientes just can't seem to catch a break ) - J. Garcia is placed in his natural position and Beckham on the right probably needs the game to continue his return to form after his cracked ribs. I'm really looking forward to see how J. Garcia does in this game - at 17 I don't expect him to be cracking the regular starting lineup anytime soon but he's a very interesting player in a position where Real could use some reinforcement.
In-form Barca may not last the pace says Zidane MADRID, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Real Madrid midfielder Zinedine Zidane believes that league leaders Barcelona may not last the pace until the end of the season even if they are outplaying his side at the moment. "Right now there is a big difference between the two teams and there is no doubt that Barca are playing much better than us," the Frenchman told a news conference on Wednesday. http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news;_y...N0aA--?slug=reu-zidane&prov=reuters&type=lgns
Zidane: “We are going to win a title” This is the article that was quoted above. “This year we will do something important”. And since this is Zidane´s opinion, it shouldn´t be considered just a comment. The French player was convincing in his press conference saying: “We will get out of this situation and we will win a title; I´m sure of it”. He sent a message to Barcelona: “They are playing with 13 or 14 players and that can have its consequences”. He refused the idea of the end of a cycle: “There are only two or three players older than thirty”. And he gave his bet about Rome: “Playing good, bad… It doesn´t matter how, what matter is to remain in the Champions”. http://www.realmadrid.com/web_realm...icia.jsp?idnoticia=43649&sec=1&subsec=0&esp=1
League leaders face tail-enders in Spanish league MADRID, Spain (AP) - Real Madrid is counting on David Beckham to help the club overcame a poor away record and beat Villareal this weekend to keep the pressure on Spanish league leader FC Barcelona. Barcelona should beat another tail-ender, Malaga, to remain on top of the standings, but Madrid is keen to stay on its rival's shoulder while nursing injuries and suspensions. With midfielders Luis Figo and Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez suspended and Zinedine Zidane slowly recovering from back trouble, Madrid coach Mariano Garcia Remon will rely heavily on Beckham against 15th-placed Villarreal to feed a forward line he's not so worried about. http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3214472
Owen content to let his goals do the talking at Real MADRID, Dec 3 (Reuters) - England striker Michael Owen says he is content to do his talking on the pitch and hope that his prolific scoring record will eventually earn him a place in Real Madrid's starting line-up. "I'm trying to do as well as I can and fortunately I'm playing quite well and scoring goals," Owen told a news conference on Friday. "But obviously whether I play or not is down to the manager." http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,14546,-4651315,00.html
I really like seeing Beckham on the right. I hope that the fact that J Garcia is playing in the center & Beckham on the right, means that Beckham is permanently on the right in Garcia Remon's vision. About time & a major step forward. I also like GR's bravery here. It would have been easy to play Raul & put Solari on the bench. Its a good reward for Owen & Solari to start in an important game. We will also see how J Garcia performs in a big game & that will have December transfer window implacations. I still think an option is to try Raul Bravo as the defensive mid, but maybe I am missing something. What I dislike is this pairing of Samuel & Pavon again. This is similar to playing with nitro. Both are weak defenders & both have failed the team spectacularly this season. Its quite possible we will give up 1-2 goals because of this. Samuel had a good game against Levante, so I suppose there is hope.
I also want to say I am glad J Garcia gets the chance & not Borja. As MadridForever recently pointed out, Borja had plenty of opportunities last year & failed to impress.
This situation continues to get worse: http://www.realmadrid.dk/news/article/default.asp?newsid=5636 Fernando Morientes will again start this weekend's game for Real Madrid from the bench. For Real's clash with Villarreal, coach Mariano Garcia Remon has chosen to rotate his squad, but with the exception of a frustrated Morientes. Michael Owen will join Ronaldo in attack, while England international midfielder David Beckham will play again on the right. Morientes is a target for Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez in January and he has admitted publicly he will seek a move away if he continues to be relegated to the bench at Real leading up to the winter market.
GR has doubts about starting Javi Garcia Seems GR doesn't want him to fall victim to the media hype and that's good - this is potentially a very difficult game. I have to admit though I will be dissapointed if Javi Garcia doesn't get the start (especially after all that media hype ). Also, if Helguera's not going to be rested, I'd rather see him on the backline in his best position, imo.
Well it does sound like GR is getting cold feet about J Garcia. Here are two line-ups GR could use while keeping the resting theme: Casillas Salgado Pavon Samuel R. Bravo Beckham Celades Mejia Solari Ronaldo Owen Casillas Salgado Pavon Samuel R. Bravo Beckham Celades Morientes Solari Ronaldo Owen In the first, Mejia would be the def-mid, in the 2nd Celades would be. This is what I would do: Casillas Salgado Mejia Samuel R. Bravo Beckham Celades Morientes Solari Ronaldo Owen I don't understand GR's comment about sufficient midfielders, that is where we are having the most trouble. Here is another chuckle - don't want to stain the reputation of J Garcia. Ha! I understand what GR is saying, but has he checked on Samuel & Pavon's "reputation"?
The team is: -----------Casillas Salgado--Samuel-Pavon--Bravo Beckham--Helguera--Celades--Solari --------Ronaldo-----Owen Subs:Cesar, Carlos, Mejia, Arbeloa, Javi Garcia, Raúl, Morientes
Thanks, THFC1. Hmmm, Samuel, Pavon, Helguerra as the def - mid, Celades, this is terrible. The only thing I like is Beckham on the right. Oh well, fuse is lit.
87' 0-0 these were the subs made on 63' Javi Garcia on for David Beckham Fernando Morientes on for Ronaldo and on 82' Mejia on for Solari
did anyone get to see figueroa's disallowed goal? was it a good call? sorry for not giving u guys a link today, i just woke up.