Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid

Coentrao isnt a bad player so the drop down in quality isn't that much I believe. And as I've already mentioned, during our first half blitz last week Marcelo was a pretty non factor, all our attacks went through the right wing. Both James and Marcelo were quiet. Marcelo woke up in the second half but by that time we'd already cooled down and were playing for a draw. I am just glad most of our defenders are available because if we can't score then at least we can hold out for a goalless draw

If we score early then its bye bye to Atleti but if the score early I can see them scoring again when we try to push for goals see Copa second leg. The key is to score when we have our best spell in the first 45 minutes. We miss chances and we will go out. Yesterday Bayern had 11 shots and scored 6, last week we had the same number but came out with a draw, that's the difference between us and Barca/Bayern. If we scored on the chances we create we probably would finish the game/tie off in the first half. That has been a recurrent problem for us over the years and needs to change starting today

billy_gr wrote:does Atleti have any noticeable absences?

Mario Suarez that's about it

His replacement is Tiago who although experienced has a knack of making costly mistakes in his own half but that would mean one more thug hacking at our players. We can't afford anymore injuries

Yeah he is a very good player. I still remember him in that demolition at the Calderón

He is a little kid that just toyed with our midfield. He even scored iirc. Anyways Carlo doesn't trust Illarra. Ramos in midfield it is cant wait for him to pretend he is Xabi with his poverty long balls

Last time we tried Ramos in midfield we were horrid but we played the wrong front three then too. I wouldn't mind Varane in midfield, he is good in the air, is strong, fast and has got a good passing range on him. We are in real trouble if Ramos or Pepe play there because they dont have the traits to work there in the system that we use. Doubt Carlo will try something completely new without practicing it first especially a formation. Its going to be Pepe or Ramos in midfield definitely in a 442

Ronaldo just square that to Chica

He squares it and we score. Hope he learnt his lesson. Not the best game offensively but solid defensively. All of Varane, Ramos and Pepe neutralising their aerial threat

Chica injured thats how many now......... soon we wont even have a bench because Castilla's injury list is pretty long too

Coentrao can go back into oblivion, he truly is the left sided Arbeloa is he allergic to crossing???

Better second half from Isco after being anonymous in the first half. James was anonymous in the second half though but gives a fck we are throooooo

Motm definitely our defenders. We never let Atleti through once. Well maybe once or twice but you get the gist.

Happless must've been proud of himself this game, Kroos only made sideway passes

Definitely. I think our flexibity in playing style matches well with Bayern but its never good to play bloodthirsty teams so avoid please

Barca would be good but we are lacking Modric now and Carlo will definitely play this midfield again in the CL which failed against Barca but it'd be good to have Ramos up the field were he would get into the box when we cross

Oh and I like how everyone helped out to defend and win the ball back as soon as we lost it...wasn't surprised with the pass accuracy stats, Ronaldo and Chica barely saw the ball it was circulating between our defenders and midfielders lol

No offense to Bale but we are so much better without him