In the wake of another Champions League match that all Madridistas would love to pretend never happened, Villarreal is scheduled to visit the Bernabeu. The match itself is a challenge but the mental aspect is even greater. The team cannot let what happened to the in Lyon affect how they perform on Sunday. It's a different competition and a different mind set. Despite Barcelona's injury problems they are unlikely to drop points to an unstable Racing at the Nou Camp. Maybe Sergio Canales can already begin to do favors for Real Madrid but we can't depend on it. Pellegrini was in charge the last time the Yellow Submarine visted the Bernabeu. We have to be cautious, although the entire Population on Villarreal could fit into the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, the team is always a force to be reckoned with. Afterall, it's the same Villareal that came from behind to draw 1-1 with Barcelona at the Nou Camp earlier this season. Los Blancos did get a 2-0 result at El Madrigal this season. Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock before most fans got to their seats in the first minute. The Yellow Submarine are coming off of a recent 2-2 draw with German champions Wolfesburg in the Europa Cup on Thursday but have had an up an down season laced with inconsistency, but every team gets up to play the Galacticos.
Real Madrid are boosted by the return on Rafael Van der Vaart. Perhaps he might be a useful tool to add to the lack of inventiveness breathed out of the midfield on Tuesday. Guti remained in the gym with the terminally ill Metzelder. Drenthe is the latest victim to fall to injury. His quad tear will keep him sidelined for 2-3 weeks. Although Drenthe was energetic after coming on against Xerez last weekend, I don't think his presence will too missed. The squad demographics for the Villareal match doesn't concern me as much as the mental state of the team with the pressure from pretty much everyone after what happened. Kaka has told the media that the match was not his fault. Rumor has it that if Pellegrini can't get the team to turn around the Round of 16 situation at home, he'll be sacked. The last two performances, Xerez and Lyon, the latter of which was dreadful, were not good enough by our standards. Even though Real beat Xerez 3-0, the showing was questionable. Higuain hasn't been himself for the last two matches and to add to the mind games, Madrid have stalled Pipita's contract talks to have him focus on what happens on the field. I get the feeling that this will be another stern test, despite the fact the match will be at Fortress Bernabeu.
Villareal have themselves to focus on, however. The team will still be adapting to a new coach after Ernesto Velverde was sacked when the Yellow Submarine sank at the hands of Osasuna a few weeks back. Madrid will have to beware of some special players in yellow. Nilmar is always a goal threat and has been making a case for his establishment in Dunga's Brazilian national team. Marcos Senna in my opinion is one of the best midfielders on the planet. It's a surprise he isn't at a greater club. Left back Joan Capdevila has 5 goals from left back and Santi Corzola, Spanish International is another one to keep your eye on. Robert Pires has experience that few can match dating back to his triumphant days in a Gunner's jersey. American-born Italian international, Giuseppe Rossi, is still missing from the squad due to personal problems.
This is my line-up for the clash:
Please Pellegrini can we play this back four together for the start? We were lucky to escape from Lyon without a costly mistakes from Marcelo who just cannot get the job done at left back. For me, the decision should have always been this line up with Garay available. I wasn't impressed with Diarra against his former club. I think Granero, Xabi Alonso, and Ronaldo AS A WINGER in midfield. I don't feel like Ronaldo suits too well as a second striker. Originally I liked the Idea because of his goal scoring abilities but I think to put him out wide and let him meander freely as he did early in the season is his best position. Am I the only one that thinks Pipita and Benzema would make a good strike partnership? Let me know what you guys think. I'd like to see it. We have Raul to come off the bench for the one who performs second best and the formation can always be changed.
Madrid face a sterner test than Barcelona this week. We are now within two points of our Catalan neighbors and we can then again control our own destiny when Barcelona come to visit. I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts. Madrid need a morale boost from what happened in Europe but we need more than that. We need the three points. HALA MADRID
Bobby
Real Madrid are boosted by the return on Rafael Van der Vaart. Perhaps he might be a useful tool to add to the lack of inventiveness breathed out of the midfield on Tuesday. Guti remained in the gym with the terminally ill Metzelder. Drenthe is the latest victim to fall to injury. His quad tear will keep him sidelined for 2-3 weeks. Although Drenthe was energetic after coming on against Xerez last weekend, I don't think his presence will too missed. The squad demographics for the Villareal match doesn't concern me as much as the mental state of the team with the pressure from pretty much everyone after what happened. Kaka has told the media that the match was not his fault. Rumor has it that if Pellegrini can't get the team to turn around the Round of 16 situation at home, he'll be sacked. The last two performances, Xerez and Lyon, the latter of which was dreadful, were not good enough by our standards. Even though Real beat Xerez 3-0, the showing was questionable. Higuain hasn't been himself for the last two matches and to add to the mind games, Madrid have stalled Pipita's contract talks to have him focus on what happens on the field. I get the feeling that this will be another stern test, despite the fact the match will be at Fortress Bernabeu.
Villareal have themselves to focus on, however. The team will still be adapting to a new coach after Ernesto Velverde was sacked when the Yellow Submarine sank at the hands of Osasuna a few weeks back. Madrid will have to beware of some special players in yellow. Nilmar is always a goal threat and has been making a case for his establishment in Dunga's Brazilian national team. Marcos Senna in my opinion is one of the best midfielders on the planet. It's a surprise he isn't at a greater club. Left back Joan Capdevila has 5 goals from left back and Santi Corzola, Spanish International is another one to keep your eye on. Robert Pires has experience that few can match dating back to his triumphant days in a Gunner's jersey. American-born Italian international, Giuseppe Rossi, is still missing from the squad due to personal problems.
This is my line-up for the clash:
Please Pellegrini can we play this back four together for the start? We were lucky to escape from Lyon without a costly mistakes from Marcelo who just cannot get the job done at left back. For me, the decision should have always been this line up with Garay available. I wasn't impressed with Diarra against his former club. I think Granero, Xabi Alonso, and Ronaldo AS A WINGER in midfield. I don't feel like Ronaldo suits too well as a second striker. Originally I liked the Idea because of his goal scoring abilities but I think to put him out wide and let him meander freely as he did early in the season is his best position. Am I the only one that thinks Pipita and Benzema would make a good strike partnership? Let me know what you guys think. I'd like to see it. We have Raul to come off the bench for the one who performs second best and the formation can always be changed.
Madrid face a sterner test than Barcelona this week. We are now within two points of our Catalan neighbors and we can then again control our own destiny when Barcelona come to visit. I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts. Madrid need a morale boost from what happened in Europe but we need more than that. We need the three points. HALA MADRID
Bobby
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBenzema injured at the last minute? dammit. i gotta start waiting to do this previews. o well we can get it done.
ReplyDelete