El Clasico Match Preview

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Match Preview on the forums. Topic Thread: LINK

From Risto - REAL MADRID

How's it going boys? It's time for the Clásico!

With around 24 hours left before the game, one name is on Real Madrid's fans' lips: Lassana Diarra. Wait! What?! Lassana Diarra? Lassana 'Lass' Diarra? The oh-so-useless body that Mou never used last season is now guaranteed a place in the team. And not only that, but his role is going to decide a lot about how the game will go. Wow. That's a huge role for someone who's considered a left-over in Mourinho's franchise.

Okay, maybe I am overreacting here, but Lass is going to be huge in this game. If Arbeloa is unable to play as the right back, Lass will play there, leaving a gap to the midfield in Mourinho's big-game-four-three-three. He essentially has only Coentrão to fill that gap on the midfield (who, frankly, could play as the right back, which would be, however, risky).

The boys at zonalmarking made an interesting point about the game: for years it hasn't been this difficult to predict the line-ups. Barcelona have several options, and so does Mourinho. The most important thing about this game is the fact that Real Madrid do not have to win this game, while it's essential for Barcelona to do so. Mourinho will definitely settle for a draw, but the Madridistas will also. With the league divided so greatly to the two Clásicos, six points after the first one is a nasty lead.

Barcelona have proven under Guardiola to be the best with their backs against the wall, but now they face a completely different kind of challenge: a very confident and well-playing Madrid side that doesn't have to be afraid of losing because they will still remain the leaders... and also a furious crowd. I honest to god can't remember the last time Madrid went to a home Clásico with a point-advantage, let alone six. That's a huge factor.

Mourinho has seemed to learn from his mistakes and has been very quiet about all this, making sure not to make it too easy to get motivated for the Barcelona squad. The players have learned their lesson from last season's first Clásico, and the practice matches from this year. They know how, at least in theory, to win this game. They can play a more relaxed game of football with hopefully huge support from the home crowd.

Bullet points about the game:

• What will Messi do, and what will Mourinho do to stop him? With Fàbregas and Alexis, they have more firepower, which might actually work well for Real. Now they have to defend a team, not one man, so stuff like the Villa-Albiol penalty accident will not happen.
  
• How long can Madrid press? It's obvious they'll come out like street dogs, run the hearts out of their chests, but they have to cool down and wrap it up. Some Spanish experts say they'll press hard for the first 30 minutes, and then shut the blocks.
  
• The first goal. Gosh, first goal, it's such a cliché. But still. Madrid can't allow Barcelona to score the first one which they definitely want early on. Madrid need to be cool in front of the net, because both teams will get great chances to score (I think the level of finishing will ultimately decide this game).
  
• Midfield. Khedira needs to shut down Xavi like he has shown he can, and Lass needs to deal with Iniesta. They need to make room for Alonso to protect the defence and launch the counter-attacks.

CASILLAS

ARBELOA - PEPE - RAMOS - MARCELO

ALONSO

LASSANA - SAMI KHEDIRA

DI MARÍA - BENZEMA - RONALDO

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From Cam - FC BARCELONA

Saturday we play a retarded repulsive reeking redeemed Real Madrid. Those Madridistas are first place in the league with a six point lead over FC Barcelona. Their forwards are in superb form. Their midfield is disjointed yet effective. The back line is solid. How are we to go about this?

Barcelona looks more vulnerable than ever on the road this season. The team has suffered three 2-2 away draws to Valencia, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad. All the goals Barcelona have conceded this year have been away from Camp Nou.

Fortunately, everyone except Ibrahim Afellay are available for selection. This is the opportunity Josep must take. If Barcelona prevails, the deficit is cut to three points and the campaign is right back on track. A draw sees the status quo prevail, and would surely be a moral victory for Madrid. Defeat sees those wretched wasteful Whites taking a nine point lead. Nine points would look like an insurmountable total to eclipse.

How to go about dismantling miserable mad mortifying Mourinho and his rag tag bunch of hooligans?

Josep will surely want to stick to the traditional 4-3-3 or a 4-1-2-1-2. A three man back would open up the field for Madrid endlessly every time they retrieve possession. Their defensive line will be a high one. This year they look impressive with the space they close down. An Abidal, Pique and Puyol combination would simply not be enough against the pace of Ronaldo, Benzema and Di Maria.

In midfield, it looks increasingly likely that Mourinho will play detrimental Diarra, astute Alonso (respect) and klusterfuck Khedira. This would surely be to stifle Barcelona's midfield creativity. Lass especially has endless energy and is a dogged pursuer of the ball. Ramos and Pepe have plenty of pace and crazy at the back to hamper the slashing runs into the box. Marcelo will team up with Ronaldo to make bombing runs down the left hand side in an attempt to overwhelm Alves and pen Alexis deep in our own half.

We'll use standard tactics to combat this, and rely on the collective understanding and brilliance of the team to unlock this badly built breaking Bernabeu fortress.

Abidal - Pique - Puyol - Alves at the back. Alves dominated Ronaldo in the Spanish Super Cup, and if Madrid get behind, look for Ronaldo to attempt his hero tactics once again. Plays right into our hands. Pique - Puyol are solid at the back, with the aging Tarzan still an ever present and calming force in the side. Piquenbauer to initiate attacks from the back, hopefully bringing pressure to the Madrid midfield and pulling them out of position. Abidal has dat pace for Di Maria, albeit he has looked a bit out of form as of late.

Busquets - Iniesta - Xavi are the standard three for this side. Busquets with the incredible vision and reading of the game to protect the back before they realize it. Xaviesta. That's all I need to say there.

Villa - Messi - Alexis. Villa is a force to be reckoned with in big games. His dipping pile driver in August was astonishing. He is a man for the big moments, and will work nail and tooth to help the side. Messi needs to be more active in this game. What I mean by more active is moving into space to receive the ball, not standing still and expecting it as he usually does. Alexis has a great work ethic and he was good in his debut against the side. Perhaps he will switch wings with Villa, as he looks amazing on the left.

The lulz were had

We're left with the strongest formation we can conceive:

Valdes

Alves - Puyol - Pique - Abidal

Busquets

Xavi - Iniesta

Messi

Alexis ----------------Villa

Subs: Pinto, Cesc, Pedro, Keita, Mascherano, Adriano, Thiago.

Visca el Barça!

Fuck you Real Madrid. I hope we embarrass yall like 6-2 and manita. Though I am not expecting it.

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Topic Thread: LINK