El Clasico Build Up and Match Thread

I'm afraid Real Madrid will win El Classico: 1-2

Ade wrote:

fcb wrote:

Ade wrote:Lass to start tonight, what do you's reckon?

13/8 to be booked and tbf, he's the only one with decent odds in midfield or defence who could start. Thus interests me.

Almost zero chance of that happening. Mourinho has already stated in yesterday's press conference that he will start with his strongest, first-choice, team. So unless he was playing games, Lass will remain on the bench. So far this season, Mourinho has named his starting 11 before every game, and stuck to it.

Cheers Kas

Breaking news: according to the Madrid press, Higuain is not fit and won't play...and Khedira may only be fit enough for the bench. With the former out, it's almost certainly Benzema who will come in, though there is a small possibility that Mourinho will play Ronaldo as the CF and Lass in midfield.

But if Khedira doesn't start, then Lass is a near-certainty to start.


Personally I'd put my money on something like under 3 goals. Or if you want the yellow card bets, then go for Ramos, Marcelo, Pepe, Alves.

fcb wrote:

Ade wrote:

fcb wrote:

Ade wrote:Lass to start tonight, what do you's reckon?

13/8 to be booked and tbf, he's the only one with decent odds in midfield or defence who could start. Thus interests me.

Almost zero chance of that happening. Mourinho has already stated in yesterday's press conference that he will start with his strongest, first-choice, team. So unless he was playing games, Lass will remain on the bench. So far this season, Mourinho has named his starting 11 before every game, and stuck to it.

Cheers Kas

Breaking news: according to the Madrid press, Higuain is not fit and won't play...and Khedira may only be fit enough for the bench. With the former out, it's almost certainly Benzema who will come in, though there is a small possibility that Mourinho will play Ronaldo as the CF and Lass in midfield.

But if Khedira doesn't start, then Lass is a near-certainty to start.


Personally I'd put my money on something like under 3 goals. Or if you want the yellow card bets, then go for Ramos, Marcelo, Pepe, Alves.

Way ahead of you

I had mind, Madrid kicking the shit through your players similar to that a few seasons back and I fancied it to be only a goal or two at most in this at most.

Been looking at the following markets - Total Goals & Total Card Index , Total Goals & Total Corners, Total Goals and A Red Card in the Match?

Shall be doing some research during lunch on both teams booking patterns this season as well as the ref who who will be in charge for tonight's game.

they are utterly raped without kedhira, you need some BRAIN against xavi and iniesta

while lass is only stupid muscles

I don't think it'll be a physical game, but I definitely expect Madrid to take a conservative approach, focusing on the speed and clever movement of Di Maria, Ozil, and Ronaldo to create danger on the counter. Mourinho will definitely be happy with a draw.

It won't be as much park the bus as Inter in the 2nd leg last year, but will definitely be more focused on organization and 'control' (something Mourinho loves) than Inter in the 1st leg last year.

There's a very well known tactic to cause Barça trouble, famously used by Hercules earlier this season, Rubin in the CL last season, Inter in the CL semifinal 1st leg last season, etc.

This is to launch quick, direct, (sometimes diagonal) long balls to a forward who is making a run in the channel between either FB and CB. Expect lots of this to be used.

Mourinho himself has mentioned this as a successful anti-Barça tactic some time back...he talked about skipping the "2nd phase" of counter attacking against us (because you'll lose the ball to the high midfield pressure), and instead go straight from the "1st phase" (winning the ball) to the "3rd phase" (final assist or shooting chance) by using the long ball.

fcb wrote:Mourinho himself has mentioned this as a successful anti-Barça tactic some time back...he talked about skipping the "2nd phase" of counter attacking against us (because you'll lose the ball to the high midfield pressure), and instead go straight from the "1st phase" (winning the ball) to the "3rd phase" (final assist or shooting chance) by using the long ball.

Hehe I always love how modern coaches make it all sound so rocket-sciencey...

Modern media-aware manager: "We are going to go straight from phase 1 to phase 3, essentially skipping phase 2 in our management of ball possession transitions"
Old-skool coach: "We'll sit back and counter lol"

abundance wrote:

fcb wrote:Mourinho himself has mentioned this as a successful anti-Barça tactic some time back...he talked about skipping the "2nd phase" of counter attacking against us (because you'll lose the ball to the high midfield pressure), and instead go straight from the "1st phase" (winning the ball) to the "3rd phase" (final assist or shooting chance) by using the long ball.

Hehe I always love how modern coaches make it all sound so rocket-sciencey...

Modern media-aware manager: "We are going to go straight from phase 1 to phase 3, essentially skipping phase 2 in our management of ball possession transitions"
Old-skool coach: "We'll sit back and counter lol"

Football geeks like me enjoy the convoluted modern explanations though

oh me too for that matter

Good morning Mes Amis and Contes! El Super Clásico is here finally!

What will happen? will Mourinho play his pussy football again -Chelsea, Inter- against Barça or will he run with 'em?

I can see Cristiano, Di Maria, Ozil, Higuaín telling José "let's run with'em coach!".

A while back there was this vaunted college basketball team named the University of Nevada Las Vegas "Runnin' Rebels" who was DESTROYING EVERYTHING in sight during their march to the championship. They just ran roughshod over EVERYONE.

When they reached the Final, they met Duke "Blue dEVILS" who are college basketball's superpower. Duke players told their legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski "let's run with'em too coach". And Mike trusting his players, and obviously himself, obliged.

The Runnin' Rebels ANNIHILATED the super powerhouse Duke Blue dEVILS by the score of 103-73. It was a massacre, an utter humiliation on the proud Duke University college basketball program.

The next season they met again, but this time in the semifinals, and this time Duke didn't run with'em. They PARKED the bus, and played PUSSY basketball. They got the calls (Duke is one of them teams that gets the calls), and "won" 79-77 with refs's help. The fans were so angry that the NCAA immediately inducted the Runnin' Rebels into the Hall of Fame as one of the greatest teams EVER...this after "losing" to park-the-bus, pussy basketball, the status quo's darlings of Duke University.

So will Mourinho FINALLY (he's got the horses) run with'em Catalans like Duke did and risk defeat or play pussy style like Duke and nick a win, while EVERYONE still regards Barcelona as the GREATEST TEAM EVER?

"let's run with'em coach!"

Benzema into the XI according to Marca. They are also suggesting Khedira will be fit (what a relief) to partner Alonso in midfield.

Saw that on another forum:

Random facts,
J Mourinho NEVER won at the nou camp- 2 draws 3 losses
Messi never scored against a Mourinho team
Ronaldo NEVER scored against barca.

Is that right?

Yes, all those are correct.

---------------------------------

Florentino Perez: "Tenemos la obligación del 'fair play' y del juego bonito"

(we have an obligation towards fair play and good football)



Has no one told him yet who his manager is?

Right lads this is going to be a cracker. My madridista friends good luck. May both our teams provide a classic el classico abd may the best team win.

Alive and Kicking wrote:
Random facts,
J Mourinho NEVER won at the nou camp- 2 draws 3 losses
Messi never scored against a Mourinho team
Ronaldo NEVER scored against barca.

Is that right?

0-0 written all over it

Mr Vermaelen wrote:

Alive and Kicking wrote:
Random facts,
J Mourinho NEVER won at the nou camp- 2 draws 3 losses
Messi never scored against a Mourinho team
Ronaldo NEVER scored against barca.

Is that right?

0-0 written all over it

It's gonna be 1-1, you heard it here first. There's no need to watch the game.

Can't facking wait for this!!

Alive and Kicking wrote:Saw that on another forum:

Random facts,
J Mourinho NEVER won at the nou camp- 2 draws 3 losses
Messi never scored against a Mourinho team
Ronaldo NEVER scored against barca.

Is that right?

True but it is a bit misleading because the only thing resembling league games is the group stage games where Inter has met Barcelona away once. Wheras in knockouts we have a different dynamic all together. The explaination for why Messi hasn't scored against a Mourinho team has been done to death so need to further explain it:



I don't mind that Benzema starts but worrying if Khedira isn't fit because we need him, imo, more then we need Ozil or even Higuain when you consider the options. Hopefully Benzema will continue his good form even if he is yet to add goals to that form.

Im hoping the ref lets it be more like a Cl game and not the pussy stuff we are used to in La Liga. Of course with just Khedira and Alonso we might be strong enough centrally to take that advantage anyway.

Super Laudrup wrote:

Alive and Kicking wrote:Saw that on another forum:

Random facts,
J Mourinho NEVER won at the nou camp- 2 draws 3 losses
Messi never scored against a Mourinho team
Ronaldo NEVER scored against barca.

Is that right?

True but it is a bit misleading because the only thing resembling league games is the group stage games where Inter has met Barcelona away once. Wheras in knockouts we have a different dynamic all together. The explaination for why Messi hasn't scored against a Mourinho team has been done to death so need to further explain it:



I don't mind that Benzema starts but worrying if Khedira isn't fit because we need him, imo, more then we need Ozil or even Higuain when you consider the options. Hopefully Benzema will continue his good form even if he is yet to add goals to that form.

Im hoping the ref lets it be more like a Cl game and not the pussy stuff we are used to in La Liga. Of course with just Khedira and Alonso we might be strong enough centrally to take that advantage anyway.

Well, it is Iturralde Gonzalez so...





Anyhow, Mourinho has announced the XI:


---------------------Casillas

S. Ramos-----Pepe-----Carvalho-----Marcelo

---------------Alonso-----Khedira

Di María-------------Özil------------C. Ronaldo

--------------------Benzema

2009-10 Barcelona 1 - 0 Real Madrid
2008-09 Barcelona 2 - 0 Real Madrid
2007-08 Barcelona 0 - 1 Real Madrid
2006-07 Barcelona 3 - 3 Real Madrid
2005-06 Barcelona 1 - 1 Real Madrid
2004-05 Barcelona 3 - 0 Real Madrid
2003-04 Barcelona 1 - 2 Real Madrid
2002-03 Barcelona 0 - 0 Real Madrid
2001-02 Barcelona 1 - 1 Real Madrid
2000-01 Barcelona 2 - 0 Real Madrid
1999-00 Barcelona 2 - 2 Real Madrid

Decent record for us in the last decade - only lost 4 of the last 11 in the Camp Nou.

VAMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS!!!!!


Not even that corrupt c**t Iturralde will stop us tonight. Ronaldo to score a double tonight

HALA MADRID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vamooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooos!!!

XI for the contes:

-----------------Valdés

Alves-----Puyol-----Piqué-----Abidal

----------------Busquets

---------Xavi-------------Iniesta

Pedro-----------Messi------------Villa