My XI:

Casillas
Ramos - Pepe - Carvalho - Marcelo
Khedira - Alonso
Ozil - Kaka - Cristiano
Benzema​

Kaka should get another start as he was excellent against Sociedad. Benzema to start over Adebayor, IMO. Khedira healthy so he regains his place alongside Xabi.

 

Surely will be a tough match.

I like that formation, but like you said, anything can happen with so many internationals playing today. :rollani:

I hope Benzema can score and start to get more confidence going into Champions in a couple weeks.

 

Espanyol coach Mauricio Pochettino hopes that referee Mateu Lahoz is not influenced by the recent media speculation regarding the number of fouls committed on Cristiano Ronaldo, in this weekend’s clash against Real Madrid at the Cornella-El Prat.

Los Blancos coach Jose Mourinho commented recently on the amount of tackles that the Portuguese winger is subjected to throughout matches.

The Argentine tactician however told the media today that he hopes that the referee can remain impartial.

“All of these comments can influence the referee. Not me, we prepare for the game without thinking about this.

“I’m sure Mateu Lahoz can be impartial and will not be influenced by all the talk during the week. I hope it goes unnoticed and is irrelevant. Sometimes, we get too fussy, and forget that this is a sport of strength and touch.”

Pochettino also added that his players will not allow themselves to become intimidated by Real Madrid, and if his team can play to their potential, they are capable of victory.

“I hope that we can produce a good game, play good football and win, which is the most important thing.

“If we look at it in terms of budget, then there is no comparison between us and Real Madrid, but in football anything is possible, and sometimes work and effort outweigh millions.”

 

Here we go with the referee bullshit.

Every ****ing game we play, the other team's manager comes out before the game and pleads with the referee.

I ****ing hate it, you shouldn't be allowed to talk about referees before or after the games.

 

:howler::howler::howler:


What would Mourinho talk about then??

Or was this some very smart and sarcastic comment cause your own manager seems to be the one who cant keep his mouth shut about the opponents, pitches, referees, Barcas players, Barcas opponents.

 

isnt that the ref we had in copa against Atleti (first game)? I liked how he let the game flow.

 

Let's hope no major injuries in today's fifa friendly matches

This.

 

Don't know what you guys are losing the head over? DEportivo was making a comment about Mourinho. Not Barcelona. He simply mentioned that one of Mourinho's favourite topics of conversation is Barcelona, which is correct, no??

 

Yeah , there is already a Mourinho thread

http://www.xtratime.org/forum/showthread.php?t=250979

 

Beating Real Madrid Means More Than Just Three Points - Espanyol Midfielder Javi Marquez​

Espanyol midfielder Javi Marquez feels that defeating Real Madrid means more than just three points, given their pedigree.

The talented Blanc i Blau star will face up to Los Blancos on Sunday evening, knowing that three points will be vital in order to maintain his side's aspirations of finishing in the Primera Division’s top four.

Marquez told the media: “These matches are special because they are against a different rival. Winning against Madrid is worth more than three points. They play great football and will come out for victory.

“I do not know whether they will be under pressure in the league, there are still many matches to go, but we are looking after our own interests.”

The 24-year-old doesn’t feel that midweek international commitments will have had any bearing on the fitness of the Madrid players going into the encounter.

He continued: “They have a large staff of players and can rotate smoothly. They will play the team that they see fit for this match, and we will do our best to keep the three points at home.

“We have a philosophy and we will die with it. We will show our strengths and we will try to beat them.”

 

Oh we know what happens to Espanhol whenever we play them .They will be destroyed

 

:righton:

 

The idiots just sold 2/4th of their starting defensive line which was their strongest side during this season and lastly managed to pull off a 2-3 loss to Almeria. Of course they are going to lose this game.

 

They built a stadium only recently so its understandable that they want to recoup some money. Yeah, but still it would have made much sense to sell them in the summer since they were competing for CL places..

 

Its not so much about wanting but more about needing Though yeah, weird decisions selling those guys in the winter. Will be interesting to see whether theyll manage to hang onto European places after the break.

Cause El Prat has become one of the hardest venues in La Liga and the way Espanyol can play, they are one of the few teams in the league capable of putting up a fight against the two top teams.

 

Espanyol

A late call will have to be made on David Garcia, who’s likely to sit out due to a fractured nose. Verdu and Sergio Garcia will both have to overcome gastroenteritis to play but Carlos Kameni has overcome a muscular complaint and will feature in goal.

Pablo Osvaldo, Ivan de la Pena and Felipe Mattioni are all still out.

Real Madrid

All 13 players who competed on international duty have returned to the camp and trained successfully. Jerzy Dudek and Gonzalo Higuain are still out. Sergio Ramos returns after suspension and Pepe should be fully integrated after returning to training last week.

 

I guess 0-3 benzema 1 and cr 2

 

Pepe, Ramos, and most importantly, Jerey Dudek, all return to the squad. Ramos back from suspension while Pepe and Dudek return from injuries.

Pedro Leon and Canales out per manager decision.

20 players called, so 2 will not make the bench. Probably Garay and Gago.

Squad called:

GK: Casillas, Dudek

DF: Ramos, Arbeloa, Pepe, Carvalho, Albiol, Garay, Marcelo

MF: Lass, Gago, Khedira, Xabi, Granero, Ozil, Di Maria, Kaka

FW: Cristiano, Benzema, Adebayor

Injured: Higuain
Technical Decision: Pedro Leon, Canales, Adan

 

mou went to spy out watch OL tonight with Karanka doing the presser.

 

Why is Pedro not getting any chance

 

Now that they are healthy, I'll go with:

Dudek[C]

Ramos - Pepe - Carvalho - Marcelo

Sami - Xabi

Ozil/Kaka - Kaka/Ozil - Cristiano

Benzema​

 

Dudek? :howler:

 

Marca is saying that this is our lineup:

------------Casillas----------

--Ramos--Pepe--Carvalho--Marcelo--

--------Alonso---Diarra--------

----Ronaldo---Kaka-----Ozil----

----------Adebayor---------

Sick lineup, me likey :thmbup:

 

Well its nice idea to start with adebayor he is good atm and i guess benzema is tierd after the match against brasil-

 

As pointed out in the Telefoot show this morning, Benzema isn't likely to play at all tonight because of the hit he received on the chest by Hernanes during the France-Brazil match.

 

that was tough tackling by the brazilian player. but he continued the match after it..

 

That is what Mou told Aulas during Lyon-St Etienne.

 

I doubt he'll start Benzema.. I believe he will start both Adebayor and Kaka since they are fully rested.

 

It's not going to be easy, a very tough away match. They are doing well this season. I still expect 3 points.

 

humm interesting I though Benzema would get the nod, we shall see thought