Matchday 16: Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona (Sat 10/12 22 CET 16 ET)

good job Kizz

Awesome video Kizz.

jontsu wrote:Real madrid preparing for clasico:

lol We are definitely up for Most funny/immature squad award ,Barca contrary are more professionals.

^ Especially our brazilians

alexjanosik wrote:

So I will just give my lineups for the 2 formations.
3-4-3

Masch Pique Abidal

Busquets
Alves Xavi
Iniesta

Thiago Messi Villa

Alves to play RM with Thiago infront of him.They can swap places the entire game.I was tempted to play Alexis or Pedro in place of Thiago but I went for maximum possession.
With this lineup our possession will be maximised and our right flank will be iron clad.I am confident Abidal can deal with anything on the left.
The one major problem is the lack of goals.We would be solely reliant on Messi and Villa to score the goals.


Overall if asked to predict I have a feeling that we will play 3-4-3.I am almost 100% sure.
My prediction-Xavi to put on a masterclass at the Bernabeau for the 4th year in a row and for us to win 3-0.

Dont you think there is too much space at the back for this formation to be employed against Madrid? If Madrid sit back a little and counter through the wings, then there will be lots of spaces that Benzema, Di Maria Ozil and Ronaldo can utilize and that can lead to very bad things!

There is no gaurentee all four of those will be playing for Madrid, wouldnt be that shocked to se Ozil out for Lass. But yeah, I understand your point still.

I am quite sure Mou will play Ozil. The one that includes him has been the best line-up for Madrid so far.

Plus Mou always has the option of subbing Ozil for Kaka once he starts getting tired.

Plus i am not really sure how much more defensive stability a Coentrao or a Lass can add if played in the midfield. There will not be any real balance to their side either, especially if they are looking to put on a dominant performance.

Lass is set to play RB and Coentrao in midfield isn't likely to happen I would think.

From where I'm standing Ozil is likely to start. Of course Jose could surprise us all and start both Higuain and Benzema but that isn't likely to happen.

Ronaldo, Di Maria, Benzema, Ozil is the likely front four that will start. Higuain in the second half.

Out of curiosity which front four do you guys think will suit you better? And which one do you think gives Madrid the edge?

jontsu wrote:Real madrid preparing for clasico:

haha I laugh every time I see this xD

Hi all, new to the forum and am a Barca fan Love reading all ur opinions and ill add mine.

Ozil is physically weakest and even if he starts he will be subbed in the second half. The standard team if Mourinho chooses would include him, but hes got so many choices nowadays. I think its possible too that he goes for 4-3-3 with Higuain or Benzema up front and just Di Maria and Ronaldo for front 3. Personally I fear Benzema more becos his link up play is better, and even though Higuain is probably a better chance taker, he always bottles is against us so I would prefer him than Benzema who has really improved this year.

Not sure but I read somewhere Aberloa is injured? If so Lass will probably slot in.

For Barca I think it will be best to go for 4-3-3 with Sanchez and Villa the likely choices, but Guardiola has been known for throwing something new into the El Classicos so anything can happen. Im so excited and been reading lots of previews, the biggest match of the season!

Btw, the Real Madrid section also has a thread on this games so i;ll post there also

Welcome Learning Barca! I look forward to reading more of your posts!

I definitely agree with you that with Pep he might surprise us completely. He has a history of using eccentric formations when everyone expects the 4-3-3.

Yeah, to answer your question Zeal. As much as I like Higuain, I would prefer to play against him than Benz.

Benz can make things happen on his own, like he did vs Abidal previously. Higuain doesnt have that same ability to me.

I see, that makes sense I guess although I can argue that Higuain can make things happen as well with great dummy runs and smart decision making, but overall I agree.

What about the other three positions? Out of Ozil, Kaka, Di Maria, Ronaldo, Callejon who would you rather play against and who would you not want to play against?

Lass will play RB as Arbeloa re-injured himself against Ajax

Ramos and Pepe will partner in defence, Marcelo was rested against Ajax so you can be sure he will start at LB.

Khedira was rested and Xabi only played in the second half so I see them starting in midfield

Di Maria Ronaldo and Ozil were all rested so I see them lining up

Ozil has been playing much deeper all season and I feel in some way that was in preparation for this match, I expect to see Ozil in almost a CM position

Benzema was subbed off very early so I see him as the natural starter over Higuain. He gets involved in the play alot more and Jose will be looking for that rather than someone who will sit on the line all game and make the runs behind the lines

I think Jose will look to try and control and dominate the match early try and get the goals and then shut up shop with Coentrao in the second half.

If that doesn't work then he will prob shut up shop around the 75min mark and look for the draw.

If we concede then I think he will have to go with whatever works on the fly to try and recover.

Zealous wrote:I see, that makes sense I guess although I can argue that Higuain can make things happen as well with great dummy runs and smart decision making, but overall I agree.

What about the other three positions? Out of Ozil, Kaka, Di Maria, Ronaldo, Callejon who would you rather play against and who would you not want to play against?

Yeah, ad you guessed I did mean off his own work. I think there will be times when your lone forward gets isolated from the rest and when that happens, being able to do things with the ball at his feet will be important. Which is why I favour him in this game.

The others to me are easy. Ozil, Di Maria and Cristiano are the best 3 for me and want to play against least.

Ozil want last the whole game but you have depth. If he comes off and you want attack still, then I am more worried by Callejon and his speed plus diving than Kaka tbh. Callejon also caused us problems before he signed for you.

kiranr wrote:

alexjanosik wrote:

So I will just give my lineups for the 2 formations.
3-4-3

Masch Pique Abidal

Busquets
Alves Xavi
Iniesta

Thiago Messi Villa

Alves to play RM with Thiago infront of him.They can swap places the entire game.I was tempted to play Alexis or Pedro in place of Thiago but I went for maximum possession.
With this lineup our possession will be maximised and our right flank will be iron clad.I am confident Abidal can deal with anything on the left.
The one major problem is the lack of goals.We would be solely reliant on Messi and Villa to score the goals.


Overall if asked to predict I have a feeling that we will play 3-4-3.I am almost 100% sure.
My prediction-Xavi to put on a masterclass at the Bernabeau for the 4th year in a row and for us to win 3-0.

Dont you think there is too much space at the back for this formation to be employed against Madrid? If Madrid sit back a little and counter through the wings, then there will be lots of spaces that Benzema, Di Maria Ozil and Ronaldo can utilize and that can lead to very bad things!

Yeah, I think we all agree with this. Exactly why I don't want to see a 3-4-3. Madrid's width and pace could tear us to shreds. I'm hoping we don't play it.

~ #Messi vs #RealMadrid: played 15 matches ( 8W, 4D, 3L) in all competitions scored 13 goals & provided 7assists.

~ #Messi vs #RealMadrid (at the Bernabeu): played 8 matches [4W|2D|2L] scored 7 goals & provided 4assists.

~ #elclasico All time topscorers: Di Stefano 18 goals | Raul 15 | Cesar, Gento, Puskas 14 | MESSI 13 .


===============

~ Guardiola [coach] vs Realmadrid in Laliga: 5W, 1D, 0L | GoalDifference:

~ Guardiola [coach] vs realmadrid at the Bernabeu [LaLiga]: 2W, 1D, 0L | GoalDifference: 9-3.

~ Guardiola [coach] vs RealMadrid at the Bernabeu [all competitions ] 3W, 2D , 0L | Goal Difference: 13-5.

~ Guardiola record vs #Mourinho : 11games [5W,4D,2L] | Goal-difference: 18-10.

Crimson wrote:Lass will play RB as Arbeloa re-injured himself against Ajax

Ramos and Pepe will partner in defence, Marcelo was rested against Ajax so you can be sure he will start at LB.

Khedira was rested and Xabi only played in the second half so I see them starting in midfield

Di Maria Ronaldo and Ozil were all rested so I see them lining up

Ozil has been playing much deeper all season and I feel in some way that was in preparation for this match, I expect to see Ozil in almost a CM position

Benzema was subbed off very early so I see him as the natural starter over Higuain. He gets involved in the play alot more and Jose will be looking for that rather than someone who will sit on the line all game and make the runs behind the lines

I think Jose will look to try and control and dominate the match early try and get the goals and then shut up shop with Coentrao in the second half.

If that doesn't work then he will prob shut up shop around the 75min mark and look for the draw.

If we concede then I think he will have to go with whatever works on the fly to try and recover.

This sounds very good prediction on how Real will play...Barca always are better in midfield and pushing Ozil back to help counter that might be key. Although physically Ozil isnt that strong and wont last the whole match as many mentioned, but Barca still have to beware of him, since Di Maria is also a real work horse so they will be looknig to pressure Xavi/Iniesta im sure if thats how they play, if he steals the ball, he will surely look to break quickly and feed the front 3...

Higuain is more deadly in finishing, and has the pace to break, but not as good overall team play as Benzema, and looking at it, Mourinho will choose Benzema then, I hope Pique will keep him in his pocket all game

Cant believe some would prefer Sanchez to start over Pedro.
I mean Sanchez has had a good last couple of games but he still has a lot to prove to earn a spot over Pedro,especially for a game like the Clasico.
Pedro starts every single time for me.
With the game on the line and either player one on one with Casillas,I know who I would put money on bury the ball in the back of the net and it most certainly aint the Chilean.
MVP for me.

That being said Alex it seems like Pep himself is not betting for MVP, otherwise Alexis would have played in the CL and not Pedro. I think that's why most of us are expecting AMV.

Alexis does a lot more than finish as he can, in theory, create on his own and hence is dangerous in that sense. And with Pedro not being in the greatest of forms, i can see why some people prefer Alexis!

kiranr wrote:Alexis does a lot more than finish as he can, in theory, create on his own and hence is dangerous in that sense. And with Pedro not being in the greatest of forms, i can see why some people prefer Alexis!

The key part is in theory as he has not done a whole lot of creating for us.I can argue that Cuenca has created more for us.
Granted Alexis has been good the past couple of games and needs some more time to settle but he is not better than Pedro now.
I think we are forgetting that Pedro is the guy who started the rout against Madrid in the Manita and the one who scored the opener in the CL final.

MVP...MVP...MVP...MVP...MVP.........MVP

hahahaha LoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoL



Watch & Learn !

Victor Valdes has the all-time (& ongoing) record of consecutive clasicos without a loss: 10 [via @2010misterchip]

There is a first time for everything.

alexjanosik wrote:

kiranr wrote:Alexis does a lot more than finish as he can, in theory, create on his own and hence is dangerous in that sense. And with Pedro not being in the greatest of forms, i can see why some people prefer Alexis!

The key part is in theory as he has not done a whole lot of creating for us.I can argue that Cuenca has created more for us.
Granted Alexis has been good the past couple of games and needs some more time to settle but he is not better than Pedro now.
I think we are forgetting that Pedro is the guy who started the rout against Madrid in the Manita and the one who scored the opener in the CL final.

MVP...MVP...MVP...MVP...MVP.........MVP

I guess not everyone is preferring Sanchez, but as mentioned, its Guardiola who seem to want to bring him in ahead of Pedro, or Villa eventually considering the ages, and the ideal is for anyone to fit in at anytime and be equally effective for the team And trying tactics and players in the big games are brave and needed if the aim is the let the system and players settle in quickly

Khaledbarca wrote:

hahahaha LoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoL



Watch & Learn !

ROFL, nice pics Khaled! Messi ownage of every Madrid player there

Khaledbarca wrote:Victor Valdes has the all-time (& ongoing) record of consecutive clasicos without a loss: 10 [via @2010misterchip]

Cool...does this include the cup loss last season or did Valdes not play?