Options Despite Injuries

Injuries are a part of football. Every team experiences them. When they decide to happen is a variable, but the fact that they do happen is a constant. Madrid have suffered injuries to key players this season. This summers biggest signings have both spent spells out of action. Ronaldo was sidelined for nearly two months. Kaka is just getting over an injury that kept him out for several weeks. Pepe is done for the season with a crucial ACL tear. Guti, Ruud Van Nistlerooy and Metzelder have spent the majority of the season training in the gym, separate from their teammates. Now the cruel issue strikes again, this time in the form of Higuain and Van der Vaart. Can Madrid cope?

Pipita is Madrid's leading scorer at the moment and is on fire when it comes to talking about form. He played 90 minutes on Sunday where he curled a beauty into the top corner with his left foot and set up the young Granero who replaced the injured Van der Vaart in los blancos' 2-0 triumph over Mallorca. To much dispair, the 22 year old Argentine will be spectating his team's matches due to a hamstring injury that will keep him off the pitch for 3 weeks. Rafael Van der Vaart looks to be headed in the same direction with his calf tear which will see him sitting next to Pipita, apart form action, for around the same time. Van der Vaart had been filling in for Kaka who made his return to a snowy Bernabeu this past weekend. Perhaps just in time..

The injuries the team have suffered this season have given other players a chance to shine. In Pepe's absence, Garay has been outstanding. Van der Vaart also proved his worth in Kaka's absence. With Ronaldo out, we needed another attacking midfielder with winger like qualities. Marcelo was pulled out of left back, where he played mostly in the beginning of the campaign and did a tremendous job, especially for playing out of position. Two goals and five assists for the crafty Brazilian thus far. Arbeloa has much to benefit from Ronaldo's injury as well. With Marcelo moved up the flank, a left back spot was up for grabs. He seems to have made the position his own and really come out of his shell in the past couple games. What does this all prove? Real Madrid are a whole team with depth that few teams can match. Barcelona haven't had nearly the injury troubles Madrid have this season yet we've kept pace with them time and time again only two points astray of the Catalans.

Now for what to do now... The obvious replacement for Higuain is Karim Benzema. We payed 35 million for the kid and he hasn't found a regular starting position so far this season. He had mentioned to the press that he was happy at Real but disappointed with not starting lately. He commented that this was a learning curve for him. Well now is time for him to prove his worth. Pipita has big shoes for Benzema to fill but I'm confident he can do it. He is a world class striker and this is a task that he can handle.

Easy fix there but as to the VdV injury, it gets a little more complex. Those who are looking for a simple solution would say just stick Kaka in his place now that he has returned. BUT Pellegrini started the pair of them last match. The boss has favored a 4-2-3-1 as of late which means there is still a whole to be plugged. What we are really focused on here is the "3" area of the formation. We'll call it the attacking midfield. If Pellegrini wants to stick with this formation, there are quite a few options he has to choose from..

1. At the weekend, when the Number 23 went down, we brought in the Number 24, Granero. This could be my favorite option. I am so impressed with this guy. He is a rare talent, so composed on the ball, very instrumental. He is still young and still has so far to go. He managed scored against Mallorca (Maybe should have had another). Not to mention, it would be great to see another Madrid-made player out there. I'm getting sick of hearing about this Barca "home grown" business.
-------------Casillas-------------
Ramos--Albiol---Garay--Arbeloa
---------Lass----XA-------------
Ronaldo-----Granero-------Kaka
-----------Benzema--------------

2. Pellegrini usually uses Kaka on the left flank but he could easily be put into the center of the attacking midfield where he could poach behind the striker, like the role his plays for the Brazilian national team. That way either Marcelo or even Drenthe, two technically gifted and naturally left footed players could play on the wing because Arbeloa has seemed to have beaten them both out in Pelle's eyes for the left back spot.
-------------Casillas-------------
Ramos--Albiol---Garay--Arbeloa
---------Lass-----XA------------
Ronaldo----Kaka-Marcelo/Drenthe
------------Benzema-------------

3. Do I dare say his name? Guti still has a role to play on this team whether people like it or not. If you are a Madrid fan, you know he is extremely talented. Who remembers when Guti tore apart Valladolid 2 seasons ago? Something absurd like 2 goals and 4 assists in a 7-0 thrashing. The spare goal he also started the attack with an amazing ball into space. If we put him as the center attacking midfielder he might even be more happy; his defensive responsibilities would be limited (I just laughed at that). However, this veteran can slice and diced a defense into peaces. But for the sake of beautiful football, have a look.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWawC873aic (Music wouldnt have been my first choice lol)
-------------Casillas-------------
Ramos--Albiol---Garay--Arbeloa
---------Lass-----XA------------
Ronaldo-----Guti-----------Kaka
-----------Benzema--------------

Tell me what you think. Have some ideas of your own? Let's hear'm!

Bobby