Ozil had a dip in form lately, we need him to bounce back if we want any chance against Barca.

 

Yup just like Cristiano. And Benzema just came back from an injury.

 

Ola,

Yes, I agree on fact that Saturday match is a formality for us. (like any league match) for a won league already.
FCB shall play this match on its own merit for the league count,not that we need to win a 4/4. I am not too fussy about "going all out" to smash you as we have been doing in the past because we have bigger fish to fry in terms of progress in the CL. we would like to minimize threat and injury risk for near-future games.
how is RMA hoping to perform on Saturday..?

 

Ola

there is no Formality in any el classico match

 

What area is CET? The match is at 21:00 spanish time I thought?

Nevermind, it's at 22:00.

 

Agree with Josh. Both teams are under immense pressure in all 4 Clasicos. The intensity from both sides in a Clasico make it like no other game in the league, CL or Copa Del Rey imo. These four games are gonna be very, very close and although I'm hoping for the best, and I'm not expecting it to be honest.

 

Agree with Josh. Both teams are under immense pressure in all 4 Clasicos. The intensity from both sides in a Clasico make it like no other game in the league, CL or Copa Del Rey imo. These four games are gonna be very, very close and although I'm hoping for the best, and I'm not expecting it to be honest.

I just love the pessimism and honesty of long time cules (those that remember they were predominately a choker team until 2005)

But to be honest you guys are indeed the favorites, the margin can be debated forever of course.

btw, where is K4 ??

 

****ing chompng at the bit - lets get it on...

 

José Mourinho has called up 19 players for the match this Saturday will play Real Madrid against Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabéu (22:00 pm laSexta and Autonomous), corresponding to the 32 th day league. Benzema and Khedira 's new in the list from the last league match played at San Mames. Stay out Gago and Lass injury; Barn through suspension, and Pedro Leon and Channels by technical decision.


REAL MADRID :
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Adam and Dudek.
Defenders: Garay, Albiol, Ramos, Carvalho, Pepe, Marcelo and Arbeloa.
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso, Özil, Di Maria, Khedira and Kaka.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Adebayor, Benzema and Higuain.

Lass misses the match due to injury (?)

I thought he only had the flue

 

http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/mourinho-ensaya-pepe-di-maria/20110415dasdasftb_25/Tes

as.com stating that Jose tried this in training today:

Casillas
Ramos - Carvalho - Albiol - Arbeloa
Khedira - Xabi - Marcelo
Özil - Cristiano
Adebayor​

So I guess Marci in midfield against the spurs was sort of dress rehearsal.

Why Pepe wouldn't start is beyond me

 

Pepe must have had a slight knock in training, there's absolutely no chance he is not starting if he is healthy enough.

I also don't expect Adebayor to start. Marca said Karim is at 100% and ready to go, Jose can't overlook his form pre-injury here.

 

So exciting.

They are talking like the excitement of this game is null in the cule forum.

If anything, I find this more exciting. The beginning of a Madrid vs. Barca marathon. Spread out over different types of events and a 20 day period. However, this is the first episode. How can you not be excited for the first episode which will give you a hint to the rest of the season.


So pumped up for this.


Ale Real Madrid Ale Ale :hopeful:

Hala Madrid Para Siempre roud:

 

Puyi Capitan returns to the match squad! Remains to be seen if Pep risks him in the starting eleven.

 

he'll be starting.

 

Man, I'm so anxious for this match, I have faith in Mou and in our squad. I just hope Pepe plays over Albiol.

I really think that a 4-3-3 will work rather than the usual 4-2-3-1. I expect us to really go at them the first 10-15 minutes like we did vs Tottenham on Wednesday, after that we will sit back regarless if we score and then try to control the pace of the match.

HALA MADRID

 

I have a feeling Real will win 2morrow 2-0 or 2-1 (Benz with the goals, and Villa), and Barca winning the Copa 3-1.

 

What about CL dude?

 

Draw today would be good.

 

Marca saying Ozil gonna be benched and Pepe again as a DM.

Ramos-Albiol-Carvalho-Marcelo
Khedira- Pepe - Alonso
Di Maria-Benzema-Ronaldo​

 

Ramos-Albiol-Carvalho-Marcelo
Khedira- Pepe - Alonso
Di Maria-Benzema-Ronaldo​

In other words, 1-7-3. Pure counterattacking.

 

I don't like it.

 

I could understand Pepe playing DM at camp boo, but not at home.

Sure he does great at sweeping from there, but he doesn't distribute as well when he's in defense imo (less time) and certainly isn't netter than other midfield options.

If Ozil is to be benched (his form has taken a dip these past 2 weeks) I actually would rather have Kaka in his place (with Pepe in his best position as CB)


But I'm sure Jose knows best.

 

I don't know what is going to be more entertaining, the Madrid-Barca marathon or the mind games Mourinho will play through all of this :howler:

 

i dont know what to think of this lineup, but i know one thing for sure, the bernabeu most likely won't appreciate it

on that note, any tactic/formation sounds equally crap right now

 

i dont know what to think of this lineup, but i know one thing for sure, the bernabeu most likely won't appreciate it

Bernabeu is desperate and hungry as a bear, so everything that wins them the game will do.

 

They have always been somewhat desperate and hungry even if triumphant, playing cautious football at home is terribly acidic. I hope it is just some aspect of his mind-gaming routine.

 

If you play terrible defensive football and win 1-0 on a rebound, everyone will call him a God.

If you play super attacking football and lose 0-1 conceded from an unfair PK, you will start hearing "FUERA".

There is a thin line between love and hate. Especially when you are part of Real Madrid.

 

If you play terrible defensive football and win 1-0 on a rebound, everyone will call him a God.

If you play super attacking football and lose 0-1 conceded from an unfair PK, you will start hearing "FUERA".

There is a thin line between love and hate. Especially when you are part of Real Madrid.

You have a fair point. But the thing is, we can be skeptic to use a line-up we've never, ever used before.

 

So, you'd rather use the same line-up that has utterly failed with Barca?

GOLTV

or espn3 or espn deportes

Thanks :thumbsup:

 

AS reporting the same thing.

So 1st of all, here's a nice 'I told you so' to the people who told me to stop talking about Pepe as DM because it'll never happen.

2nd of all, I expected this in Camp Nou, but not in Bernabeu. Very surprised.

Alas.. In Mou we trust.

 

I had a hunch Pepe would be a DM basically to bark at some ankles and make a nuisance of himself in addition to winning some ball.

 

If you play terrible defensive football and win 1-0 on a rebound, everyone will call him a God.

The press certainly will, but I don't think the supporters will do so . . . unless if they have given up in the principles of keeping people like Capello out for the sake of preserving their ideals. If so, I think you might be right.

If you play super attacking football and lose 0-1 conceded from an unfair PK, you will start hearing "FUERA".

In that situation, I am sure the fans are not going to bellow in such a callous way completely without insight, but the press will certainly indulge in plastering that term without hesitation.

There is a thin line between love and hate. Especially when you are part of Real Madrid.

I prefer to call them glory-hunters.

 

The expected formations according to Marca:

AS:

Sport:

El País:

 

Um... thanks?

 

Anyone from the US? Which channel is broadcasting the game?