A Crucial Battle of Wounded Armies

"...fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our chosing" - Optimus Prime
Corny? yeah probably, but fitting. Real Madrid are facing a test at ground where they have not won in 18 seasons, the year 1991 to be exact. Madrid won that match date 3-0 with goals from Hierro, Michel, Butragueno. I was 2 years old, before I could comprehend football, or it's meaning. A win at this northwestern stadium is a concept I have never known. Madrid will take a pack of wounded warriors into battle in the city of La Coruna without their top gunners Higuain, Ronaldo (Ronaldo has been included in the squad list but I find it unlikely that the board will appeal his ban for both matches), and a fist full of other casualties including Garay, Lass, Gago, Diarra, and Rafael Van der Vaart. Two and half of which are regular starters. This is a match Madrid must win. If Madrid lose against Deportivo on Sunday and Barcelona beat Gijon, we could fall to what could be a fatal 8 points back from the Catalans.

Goal scoring optimism is at a low. Our two main threats to Deportivo's goal, Benzema and Kaka, have been notably off form in their first half of a season season in white shirts. With so many player staying behind, Pellegrini had no choice but to bring up four Castilla players. Defender Mateos, midfielder Mosquera, and strikers Rodrigo and Raul Ruiz have been thrown into the squad list. Mateos will most likely not see the Riazor from an on-field vantage point because if back line can stay healthy, Pellegrini will want to stick with the most experienced back four as possible, especially because we are away from home and even more so because it's the Riazor. However, it may be inevitable that the remaining three may see the pitch because of our lack of substitution options for midfield and forwards. Raul will definitely see the field, maybe the golden boy will provide a spark. Aside from Mosquera, I expect all the midfielders to start. For once in a long while I think that maybe, just maybe, Pellegrini's starting XI and my own XI could be the same. Obviously due to lack of options.



As you can see, the new glass man taking over for Robben, Metzelder, though a center back, is not my first option in the position. He hasn't played in centuries and this isn't the match to get your form back in. I simply have plugged in Sergio Ramos into the center back position, moved Arbeloa to right back, his natural position, and put the young Brazilian Marcelo at left back. Even though Marcelo is a left back by trade, we all know he's not great at it when it comes to the defending aspect, but he's played a lot more than than Drenthe this season and Drenthe is no better at defending. With no Lass, Gago, or Diarra, the only option Pellegrini has (if he wants to stick with the formation he has been sporting lately) is to pull Guti back alongside (or just in front) of Xab Alonso. I've always preferred Kaka to play the poaching position he has cemented himself in the Brazil national team as so I got him there, probably always will. Finally, Pellegrini has no choice but start Pirata. Granero has been great since joining Madrid and deserves minutes. He continues to impress me every time I see his feet touch the turf. No brainer on the Benzema top striker deal. Common now Karim, we need a performance from you this weekend, I've asked twice already in as many weeks. On the left I'm unclear as to what Pellegrini will do. If he is trying to make up for the pace and 1v1 skills that will be missed by CR9, Drenthe is a clear choice but I'd rather see Raul. Here is why. Raul is left footed; so he is ideal for the left. Raul works his back end off everytime he comes on and has impressed me more than Benzema has in the last few games with just a fraction of the time. Numero Siete has the experience and is a leader amongst the group. Give him the time until his legs are failing then bring Drenthe on in his place to run at tired defenders late in the match.

As for the opposition, we can't call ourselves the only ones with absences. They too are missing crucial players. The most notable of all is Filipe Kasmirski, who tragically broke his leg in Deportivo's last fixture against Bilbao. The defender is Depor's leading goalscorer at a surprising low 3 goals. It's amazing that the Galician side has catapulted themselves into 5th place. Deportivo is also missing Angulo, Mista, Guardado, Sergio Gonzalez, and Lassad. So essentially it will be a test of team depth for both sides. Nonetheless is should prove to be a good encounter.

One thing I am most excited for about this match is say we see two Castilla players added as subs and win the match. We will have won a vital match in persuit of the title without Ronaldo, and with 7 cantera players. Just a thought. I know how important "home grown" is for some people out there. Maybe it will put a sock in a few mouths for a bit. Madrid beat Deportivo at the Bernabeu 3-2 in a back and forth game back on the first match day of the season but this will hardly be a resembling match when it comes to personnel. Kaka, Benzema, we need you now more than ever.

HALA MADRID

Bobby