Crucial Absences and About Time Returns

Mallorca will be a vital test for Real Madrid on Sunday. The Islanders are currently enjoying a good run of form and an evenly great first half of the season as they sit pretty in La Liga's 4th place spot. Real Madrid will miss Sergio Ramos and Lassana Diarra through suspension while Kaka is expected to return along with veteran Guti who has been surrounded by fallout controversy with Manuel Pellegrini this season. He has always been a strong personality. However, it appears that Pellegrini is the one who holds the reigns and has a firm grip over the squad.

Perhaps the most crucial absence of weekend will be right back, Sergio Ramos because it will stir up more trouble than you might think. Here's why. Usually there are two possible replacements for the Spanish international. There first of which is Alvaro Arbeloa. However, for those who have been fallowing the club, Arbeloa has been playing left back since mid November. The second replacement Pellegrini uses for Sergio Ramos is Lassana Diarra. Although he is a midfielder by trade, Pelle has slipped the number 10 into the right back spot on several occasions. As I already mentioned, Lass is also suspended. So what to do...

1.) An obvious option would be to move Arbeloa, who was truly inspired against Osasuna, to right back and slide Marcelo or Drenthe into the vacant left back position. However many people are life-threateningly against putting either of them at left back because they both lack defensive qualities.

2.) Another option would be to give a go to a youth player. Many have tipped Marcos Alonso who was on the squad list to Valencia, to do a job, but the match against Mallorca may be a little too much pressure to throw him into. As mentioned above, Mallorca are in good form this season and with the title race being so close, this may not be a chance we want to take. Perhaps he could get minutes against a team that are not pushing for a place in European football next season.

The absence of Lass is not as vital considering there are plenty of midfielders that can do the job for Real. There are many options, Granero, Gago, or Guti, who hasn't played since the beginning portion on the season. There is much controversy between supporters on whether or not they would like Guti to return. There is a great article on http://www.real.theoffside.com/ (where you can also find a great Mallorca preview) regarding the Guti situation. I know Guti is tremendously talented. Butespite the spats between him and the coach, if we need him, we need him. I'm not going to hold a useful player out of the squad because we don't get along when the title is within two points. If I were Pellegrini, (if there is still a grudge or dispute still at hand, I'm not sure, its been a quiet topic), I would put relationship matters aside to earn 3 points. Then rebuild the relationship because in the end the two may need each other to achieve the same goals.

On another note Kaka will be returning. He was not selected by a coaching decision by Pellegrini last weekend because he had hardly trained and needed more time to get up to speed. Whether or not he will start tomorrow is unsure because Van der Vaart has done a sufficient job filling in for the Brazilian playmaker. On another note Garay, trained in the gym today. Hopefully he is available for the squad list. The team is already stretched at center back due to the season ending injury to Pepe. Maybe we will see the return of Metzelder if Garay is not fit. If not Metzelder and not Garay, we don't even have to option to push Sergio Ramos back into that spot. Castilla's Juanan has been in training this week with the first team. Seeing as he was born in Palma de Mallorca, I'm sure he is chomping at the bits to get on the field. This presents the same concern as did the Marcos Alonso, too crucial a game?

This is the line up I suspect Pellegrini to go with given that Garay is healthy.

------------Casillas------------
Arbeloa-Albiol-Garay-Marcelo
Ronaldo-Alonso-Granero-VDV

------Benzema--Higuain------

I don't expect Kaka to start. I could be wrong. I have been before, but I think he will be an early second half sub for Van der Vaart who has been playing regularly in his absence. Granero is in place of Lass. I think that Pellegrini will choose the "Pirate" because his ability to handle the ball at relative ease and his composure in possession.

Now here would be my starting XI.

------------Casillas------------
Arbeloa-Albiol--Garay-Marcelo

-------Alonso---Granero-------

VDV---------Kaka-----Ronaldo
------------Higuain------------

I continue to preach that Kaka's best position is the poaching spot behind the striker(s), the same role he plays for Brazil that he triumphs in. I have Ronaldo on the left, but as always he is free to roam, so Marcelo will be the one getting forward on the wing the majority of the time. The other side is just the opposite. Van der Vaart will play more of a fixed role on the right wing where Arbeloa won't be charging forward as much (unless he reconstructs his Osasuna performance). Higuain is the is the forward in whom Ronaldo will join on a regular basis. Benzema would replace Higauin early to mid second half.

Sunday will certainly test the depth of Real Madrid's depth in back line and somewhat in the midfield. Madridistas everywhere will be anxiously awaiting the return of Kaka. Can Marcelo defend at left back? The Mallorca team is full of former Madrid cantaneros and will be a vital match for our pursuit of the trophy.

Bobby