Kaka is not ready...

according to the press conference by Karanka.

So do we see the Higuain-Benz duo on the field together, do we go 4-3-3 with Sahin-Khedira-Alonso midfield, or does Callejon play?

I don't think Sahin is ready to start. Not enough minutes in his legs. I also am not sure that Mou likes to play our two CFs together as he likes to bring a fresh CF against a tired defense. I think this may be Callejon's game...

i think the Duo Benz/Higgy will start the game.
Mou will certainly have the idea to kill the game since the first half and btw Benz is good at pressing and getting ball from backward.
Rotating wings with CR, Benz will be a better choice IMO.

Based on the assumption that Sahin wont start it will almost certainly be Biguain time.

------------------Higz
Ronaldo---------Ozil-----------Benz
------------Xabi---------Khedira

We all know what happened last time when Biguain played vs Valencia.

I want to see Benguain with Ozil on the field at the same time Mou, make it happen

Either Coentrao or Benzema/higuain will play.

If both CFs start, someone is getting called up to the first team, Joselu or Morata :dance:

Oh just saw the list, interesting choices, Callejon has a shot at starting then.

With no ther CF option on the bench, i really don't see us starting Benz and Higuain together.

I actually think there's a good chance you see a 4-3-3 with a Lass-Khedira-Alonso midfield. Would totally fit Mou's way of thinking in the past... unfortunately.

Or granero starting, there is a chance for that, it would be a good surprise.

Although, Mourinho can bet on attacking first with the 3 forwards, and going conservative second.

I'm certainly not ready for a long term relationship and Sahin certainly isn't ready for 1st team action especially away to Valencia...

Doc wrote:I'm certainly not ready for a long term relationship and Sahin certainly isn't ready for 1st team action especially away to Valencia...

Sahin is a fighter, a midfield general in the making like Alonso. He's got charactor and aggressivity level that is needed to boss teams in midfield. If he is fit to start, he'll make the difference. There's nothing like, he isn't ready yet
If we play 4-3-3, even a crippled Sahin should start

Sahin is not going to start with 25 mins of total playing time this year lol. No way. If we go to a 4-3-3, it would be Lass-Khedira-Alonso... that's why i don't want that formation. But i think it will likely happen.

This is a big game and on the road. Mou is not going to experiment with unknowns like Callejon and Sahin. If he does, Callejon is less of a risk since he's played all preseason and practiced with the squad all year. I also don't see Mou not having a CF on the bench.

In the end, 4-3-3

Arbeloa-Pepe-Ramos-Marcelo
Lass-Khedira-Alonso
Ozil-Benz-CR7

Sahin, Higuain and maybe even Altintop in the second half. If we're winning, Ozil and Benzema get subbed out. If we're losing, Lass and whoever runs out of energy, if anyone. Khedira may even get subbed for a forward. If we're tied, i assume Mou stays conservative..... definitely makes the CF sub, but holds off on the others a bit longer.

That's my take.

Lass for CM ? just no

Mou is very aggressive in the league. Last year, he said he'd rather lose his home record than record many draws and he stood by his words. If we're behind, he'll sub off defenders/ mids for strikers
It means no Higgy+Benz from the start

If Mou starts Lass as a CM

I just had a look at marca's predicted line-up [take it with a grain of salt]:

They seem to think Callejon would start alongside Higgy upfront. Either way I'm happy if he does start, he needs to show he can be counted upon when needed

sportsczy wrote:Sahin is not going to start with 25 mins of total playing time this year lol. No way. If we go to a 4-3-3, it would be Lass-Khedira-Alonso... that's why i don't want that formation. But i think it will likely happen.

This is a big game and on the road. Mou is not going to experiment with unknowns like Callejon and Sahin. If he does, Callejon is less of a risk since he's played all preseason and practiced with the squad all year. I also don't see Mou not having a CF on the bench.

In the end, 4-3-3

Arbeloa-Pepe-Ramos-Marcelo
Lass-Khedira-Alonso
Ozil-Benz-CR7

Sahin, Higuain and maybe even Altintop in the second half. If we're winning, Ozil and Benzema get subbed out. If we're losing, Lass and whoever runs out of energy, if anyone. Khedira may even get subbed for a forward. If we're tied, i assume Mou stays conservative..... definitely makes the CF sub, but holds off on the others a bit longer.

That's my take.

Hm... a mistake there sport? that looks wrong. suppose we do go by a 4-3-3, imo it wud turn out like this:

Khedira isnt a dm, he is a Box to Box CM. Lass be the only Pure DM we have on this team hence its only right that he takes up his natural position. that way, lass will only do simple passes to khedira or alonso or if needed to pass up to front, do long passes to cr7, ozil, benz since unlike his short passing, his long passing is actually quite good (well in comparison to his short passing) and his job be mainly to shackle the midfield/take out anyone who khedira missed or cudn't catch. this enables khedira to be able to attack more freely since his responsibilities defensively be more freed up thanks to lass presence, allowing him to help out in the attacking 3rd when we have possession. also helps out alonso as he will be able to do his ball distribution without worrying much about defensive duties thanks to lass and khedira's presence.

in truth i always wanted to see a xabi, khedira, lass midfield. cud end up being a complete mess, or cud end up total genius. probably a mess. it is my understanding that most if not all of u guys are haters of lass and of his abilities, ye probably make the question of why lass in the dm spot instead of khedira. well, since his short passing forward is bad as of late, lass be better off as a dm just passing to alonso and khedira and be more likely to long pass since he wud be restricted to the defending 3rd. that and khedira wud be more effective if he isnt restricted as lass wud be.

and about his passing... interestingly i always find that lass's passing is more successful when its lob passing. if the pass remains on the ground, watch out. if he sends it to the air ala lob, it can be quite accurate at times and helpful to those in the attacking 3rd... I know Benzema has been gifted a goal or two thanks to lass's lob passing as well as adebayor (once for ade i believe).

thats my take on it sport. or maybe its all crazy talk... I am a madman after all i guess.

Come on Mou! Give Jose "Vanilla Ice" Callejon a start! The kid is magic!

"Vanilla Ice" Callejon

Zealous wrote:"Vanilla Ice" Callejon

Not many here will get this one Z lol... but i did. Very good one.