Good vs Evil, Capital vs Rebellion, Audacity vs Philosophy, Real vs Barca, The Clash of Titans

Barcelona Football Club have become obsessed over their club motto, "Mes que un Club" which translates to "More than a Club" in the English language which ultimately traces to an ethnocentrism that lingers around the Northeastern Spanish city. But El Clasico is really something more than it seems. It's greater than a your every day derby or rivalry adventure. Nearly every match in Spain is kindled by a behind the scenes blaze, fueled by political and nationalist separations that all but breech certain regions of a beautiful country. However, no match can to top El Clasico and all the luggage it carries. There is a long, twisting, history of hatred and boiling blood between the capital of the country and the capital of Catalonia. Battles of the two date back to the Spanish Civil War and beyond. Those who play for the Clubs endorse the teachings of what it means to bare the shirt they will make their trade in. The message has been burned into the hearts of the players who rise from the depths of the Clubs' academies but those transferred in quickly adapt the meaning and the club's sense of pride which comes with a hefty side of disgust for the El Clasico counterpart. Real Madrid represent the Capital, the gem, the pride of Spanish football, dubbed the most successful club of the 20th century by FIFA. Barcelona depict a much different image. They are the reformation, the rebellion. Often times consider themselves and Catalonia as a whole, as a separate nation with a different culture, language, and history, living in the great shadow cast by the Royal Club of Madrid. The feud is never ending and the personas of protagonist and antagonists have never been officially assigned. Though the roles do tend to change with time.

This weekend's match could be the very pinnacle of the El Clasico history. The rivalry continues to grow and after Barcelona went on to win all three of the available contests last year, which eventually lead to a sextuplet in completion births that the first three privileged. The Blaugrana are the only team to ever achieve this feat. Barcelona also stormed into the Bernabeu last season and humiliated los blancos 6-2 in front of their own extremely hard to impress fans. In reaction Real Madrid were in search of a renaissance. The re-emergence of former club president Florentino Perez, who signed big names such as the first Ronaldo, Zidane, Figo, and David Beckham, had returned for round two. The inclusion of these stars started what is known as the Galactico Era. Now, Florentino, back for a second term, has a new set of super stars to grace Chamartin. Their names are Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema, and Xabi Alonso. Spending close to 250 million in the summer has rejuvinated the squad, now labled the Neo-Galacticos. The two rivals are level on 77 points, one less point than Real Madrid managed in the entirety of last season. Also, in La Liga history, the top two teams have never been even on such a lofty plateau. Ray Parlour, GolTV commentator seems to think that it isn't good for La Liga because other teams cannot compete, but even if that is true, it proves to make some of the most exhilarating title races and El Clasico's between Real and Barca. A friend of mine who supports Barcelona brought to my attention that in my 20 year life, Los Blancos and the Blaugrana each have 3 European Cups, but Barcelona has 9 La Liga's compared to our 8. So in order for Real to tie them in that respect would be to win the La Liga this year. As a whole, the overall record between the sides in 159 matches played is Real Madrid wins 68, Barcelona wins 61, and draws 30. Real Madrid has won 31 La Liga titles whereas Barcelona remain 12 astray with a mere 19. Real Madrid have won 9 European Cups and Barcelona six behind with 3. Real Madrid lack in the category of the Copa del Rey. The Blaugrana have won 25 and the Royal Capital only 17.

Barcelona have become the globe's new obsession. The world wide bandwagon has begun after their sextuplet and housing the World player of the year, Messi, isn't a bad attribute to have. They are seen as the good guy going into El Clasico this time around. Commonly seen as protagonist this season. Home-bread talent, their obsessive passing style of play, Messi in general, and to top it all off the Unicef logo on their shirt to support the organization. Real are easily seen as the antagonist. Spent a quarter of a billion on players this summer, a more counter attack based team with lots of strong personalities, Ronaldo who is commonly referred to as a cry baby and prima dona, and the gambling company of Bwin.com on their shirt. Barcelona have boasted about their home grown team but it's not as much of a tradition as newcomers may begin to think. It wasn't until the installation of Guardiola that this project really began to take full flight. As for "new products" Messi was a product and Bojan had received time. Pique was brought back to Barcelona by Guardiola from Manchester United. Pedro didn't receive any time to speak of the year before Pep's arrival. That leaves just Valdes, Messi, Puyol, Xavi, and Bojan if you can count him as a significant enough factor, five names. Madrid just had Iker Casillas, Raul, Guti and Miguel Torres who has been transferred to Getafe. So we're talking home grown 3 or 4 against 5? Is this really even a stat? Madrid are thrown into the fire for buying players but Barcelona have bought Thierry Henry, Ibrahimovic, Dani Alves, Keita, Hleb (who has since moved on) and Maxwell. That's not exactly home grown either. I mean there was a time when Barcelona was a very much a Dutch team. Is this home grown thing a philosophy or a new trend? Nonetheless, Guardiola made it to the peak of success using it.

Injury fears amongst both camps in the week approaching the massive occasion this weekend. Ibrahimovic missed out on Barcelona's Champions League quarter final second leg against Arsenal where Lionel Messi got messy against the Gunners, unwinding the North London club with four goals of his own including a first half hat trick that quickly eclipsed Bentdner's opening goal at the Camp Nou. Some might think the Barclona's midweek Champions League duty would be a Real Madrid advantage because of player fatigue but that isn't entirely true for the blaugrana back line. Barca's primary pair at center back is Pique and Puyol, two former Masia products, one old, one young. However, both missed the Arsenal match due to suspension, Pique for yellow card build up and Puyol for the red card he recieved in the tackle that was said to break former Barcelona youth team member, Cesc Fabregas's right leg in the first match at the Emirates Stadium last week. So the two Catalans will be rested. Eric Abidal has missed the last several weeks with an injury but summer signing Maxwell from Inter Milan has done a successful job taking his place at left back. The two split time against Arsenal.

Madrid have concerns or concern of their own. The critics have fallowed Kaka around like lost puppies this season. In my opinion, we haven't seen his very best but it is certainly not as bad as critics have made it out to be. For the amount of matches Ricky has played injured and games he played in all together, his numbers aren't aweful. That begin said, I know he can do better. But if Kaka wants to impress this weekend, he's got a mountain of not only critics but fitness to climb. He's missed the past couple Madrid La Liga matches and is in a fitness race for El Clasico. Much like fellow massive signing Ronaldo was for the first El Clasico. As of Wednesday he was doing his own exercises but is intent on joining the squad as soon as he can. Although, if his appearance is not made this weekend, we have no reason to worry because Van der Vaart has been exquisite. Xabi Alonso, the glue of the Real Madrid midfield, received a knock in training on Wednesday and missed Thursday's session. He would be a great loss for the team. Alonso has not played since El Derbi Madrileno where he picked up a yellow card (on purpose) to miss the Santander match instead of missing El Clasico is he were to be cautioned in Santander.

So you have to think at this point who plays? What's your line up for such a massive match? Who is on form? Who isn't? How do you deal with a player like Messi? Will it be Arbeloa? You're at home, how to you approach the match? The questions are never ending. Let me throw down a line up and I'll explain my decisions after wards.

It took me a long time to come up with this line up because obviously against a team like Barcelona, the margain for error is practically invisible. Let me start with my back line. With Barcelona's attack rarely stopped by anyone, this was the most difficult of the three sectors to plan. It doesn't look uncommon from many other Real Madrid line ups. The reason I have Arbeloa at left back because Messi spends a lot of time on the right side (his right side) . The only other options to put on that left hand side would be Marcelo, and I know we don't want him defending Messi, despite his improvement in defensive performences for the most part lately, or Drenthe who is still a questionably fit or not even though he's been steadily making his way back to the training ground. Ramos was held responsible for marking the Argentine on a prior El Clasico but it resulted in mostly fouls. Arbeloa is the best option. He's been playing there for a great portion of the season and has even played their for the national team. Plus our tactic should be to play our own game. It shouldn't be what we have to change to cope with them. We should let them cope with us. We're no slouches ourselves. In the midfield I have Xabi Alonso, given the fact that he is fit, and Guti because we need to test Barcelona's back line. They're not as solid as they appear. Barcelona keep so much possession that they hardly have to defend yet they still leak the occasional goal. Other teams don't have someone of Xavi's ability to see and pass. We do, Guti. I think he may be the clue to unlock Barcelona. I don't think Kaka will be able to rekindle fitness in time. By Thursday, he is still in the gym and the match is Saturday. If he does make the squad list, its Van der Vaart to start for me. The Dutch captain has been outstanding and nothing short of a work horse. He is on form and has had a knack lately for getting crucial goals. To think we almost let another Dutch gem slip away (Adios Robben and Sneijder. Glad to see you are both doing well). I put Marcelo out on the left because he is sprightly and lively. He's creative. I think w could use that on that flank. I recall last year's Champions League semi final Chelsea vs Barcelona at the Bridge. Dani Alves had so much trouble handing Moulouda, he cried his way into yellow card suspension for the Final (idiot). Marcelo is a similar kind of player. Also when I watch Barcelona, Alves goes forward so often that eventually he gets caught out. As professional center backs should do, Barca's pair slid over to cover when he ventures. Abidal or Maxwell fallow. But defending with three against Higuain, Marcelo, Ronaldo, and Van der Vaart could prove fatal for the Blaugrana.

There is hardly anything I can tell you about Barcelona that the world already doesn't know. They won't stray away from their style. The sad part about the last El Clasico is that we dominated, deserved a draw at the very least but were faulted by an offside Ibrahimovic goal. I'm not even going to start the Villarato debate. That's a squawk for another day. I will be most regretably missing the match (tears in my eyes). I have a spring season tournament of my own to play in at Bucknell University. It may save me the anxiety I suppose but I've come to terms with missing it. For all of you that took time to read this lengthy post I thank you. I've been so caught up with school and personal affairs lately that I hardly have had time to write. Also our internet has crashed at my house. I will continue to write the best I can. Thanks everyone.

HALA MADRID!!

Bobby

City Bragging Rights

Real Madrid broke down their city rivals, Atletico Madrid, who took an early lead and fortress Bernabeu on Sunday. Los blancos battled back from a one goal deficit in another El Derbi Madrileno which ended in a victory for Real Madrid, 3-2. It wasn't as glamorous as it may seem as Real add another choppy win to their resume. Three points is three points but the room for improvement is notable at very least. It seemed to be another case of us scoring enough goals in one half to create a big enough insurance bubble to last us the match. Our chances out-weighed Atleti's remarkably but the fact they they were still able to score 2 goals isn't too reassuring. Let's take a look at this edition of the Derby. But before I get started to anyone else notice how slick the pitch was? It was like they were skating out there.

We let up the first goal 10 minutes in to a 20 minute period where we just hadn't shown up yet. A lot of people will love to point the finger at Marcelo. He was the one responsible for Reyes but was pulled out of position when Albiol recklessly few into a tackle that he didn't win against Thiago. The Portuguese international evaded the challenge leaving us stretched. Ramos had to leave his mark, Aguero to cover for his other center back and Marcelo had to slide in to try and get to Aguero in time. The Brazilian did manage to to stand up the Argentine but Aguero's clever flick to former Madrid player Reyes was too crafty. Reyes settled and curled it in to the back post. Nothing Casillas could do.

I wanna discuss Xabi Alonso this match. He was a major part of the rise and fall at times. First half, abysmal. Second half, just brilliant until he gave a way the second half penalty that made things 3-2 and made the last 25 minutes a bit uncomfortable. I've hardly ever seen a performance so bad out our number 22 as I seen in this first half. Given away sooo many times in midfield and miss hit balls over top. Usually when you're having a bad day you just wanna go back to basics and keep things simple but he couldn't even done that. Pellegrini must have dug deep into him during the interval because he started our comeback in the second half. I have to credit Pellegrini for his tactics on corners because Xabi Alonso has scored two goals from that exact situation on corners. It was Albiol who got up to win the initial header. Though heading wide of the far post, Alonso cleaned it up by thumping the ball into the roof of the net and from there we built, and so did Xabi Alonso. The Basque-born midfielder was turned toward our own net at midfield and hit an absolutely unhuman ball over the top of Atletico's back line to a streaking Arbeloa. Quality and vision like none other found the right back in stride. He juked one defender and then De Gea before slotting the ball far post. An unlikely goal from an unlikely source. 2-1. I'll get to a third goal in a minute but the second goal against should have never happened. Yes, we're up 3-1 at the point but unnecissary with the handball of Atletico's corner. If you're not going to win it, don't handle it. Giving them a penalty, that Forlan eventually scored, is a more sure chance of a goal than letting them trying direct it in off their heads yeah? He didn't even get booked from it. However he did pick up a booking for thumping Salvio (maybe?) on the sideline. Must have been on purpose because he will be suspended for the next match rather than El Clasico the fallowing weekend. Sergio Ramos did the same but did his a little more subtly but wasting time rather than inflicting pain. However, I don't mind causing Pathetico pain.

Thiago picked up an assist on our third goal. By tackling Granero, he played Pipita in who casually slotted the ball with his unfavored left foot past De Gea who had his young hands full all match. I want to give credit to Marcelo who I thought played one of his most collectively solid game, meaning offensively and defensively, of the season. He did try to sombraro Simao in our own corner, which was stupid, but other than that, let's not slay him this match okay? Ronaldo will be disgusted with himself as always when he doesn't score but probably in tears that he missed that header at the end of the first half and three opportunities to score from a free kick. Not his best performance. He had to change boots at half time I noticed. I don't know if it was him changing up his fashion for the night or to prevent himself from slipping, but either way it didn't improve his performance. The subs didn't do anything after arriving on the field. Raul, Guti, Diarra, did nothing for me. One thing that did scare me though, was I felt like I saw dashes of the old Gago, charging around meaninglessly diving into challenges and pulling himself out of position. Pellegrini, slap him on the wrist before it starts up again.

Athletico haven't beat us in 11 years now. Goltv said something like out of Raul's 27 matches against them, he's only lost twice. Whatever the case may be, our city bragging rights are more than off the charts right with all the latest clashes against the Mattress Makers. We equaled Barcelona on points and made up the goal differential they put up against Mallorca this weekend with the loan Zlatan goal. I thought that Mallorca were unlucky not to score. They rang the frame twice in the first half and a couple nmore efforts went unpayed. I couldn't tell if it was Barcelona or Villarreal with the aweful yellow shots. top of the league for now and 9 finals to go.

HALA MADRID

Bobby

Sparked by Arrogance of a Foe

I really didn't have much planned to write about this week. It's kind of bland and we are still in a bit of a depressing stage with out Champions League exit. Even though I hate bringing it up, I have to at times. We can't escape it. But while reading an article on goal.com, I was astonished at arrogance of Dani Alves, who I've never fancied as a person or player. He throws a hissy fit because he couldn't handle Malouda in last year's second leg of the Champions League semi final (in which Chelsea was cheated but that's an arguement for another day) and get's himself booked for crying, disabling him to play in the final for yellow card suspension, childish. He stated that fellow Brazilian, Kaka, had picked the wrong club and should have come to Barcelona instead. First of all, I think that Dani Alves should keep his nose in his Barca business and maybe hold his tongue and concentrate more on trying to catch us and focus his own football. It rekindled my hatred flame for the right back, if he even be considered that. It also conjured up so good debates and discussions that had my mind ticking like a time bomb in World History 2. Here are some of his out of place and of bad taste comments.

"In Milan, he played for the team, but that is not the case in Madrid."

"They have bought many important players, and one seems to take away the space from another. Kaka is not playing in the position he likes, things are complicated, and the pressure increases."

“At Brazil we play as a collective, something that also happens in Barcelona, but not at Real Madrid. It would have been better if had come here with us."

"Our game is perfect for him..."

First of all before I get carried away. There is truth in the statement in which the right back (sorta) mentioned Kaka has played in his position of choice. That was true in the earlier parts of the season but since then, Kaka has been playing in behind the striker(s), the position in which Alves is referring too.

Where did Dani step out of line (besides calling himself a defender)? Where he said we play collective at Barcelona , but not at Real Madrid. Okay, so at Barca the play a very obsessive pass possession footballing style but its almost a comment of ethnocentrism to think that just because they've been very successful at it, that it's the best and only way to go about playing. However, that being said, who's to say we don't play team football as well? We're not as seasoned as a team because our core players haven't played together as long as those at Barcelona, and just because we have big names, everyone needs to brand them as individuals, not team players. Especially Ronaldo. Because he has such individual talent and can often times take on a hand full of defenders and score, he isn't a team player? But it's a bit of a double standard. Not that I want to bring Leo Messi into the debate but he is the best comparison. He scored a hat trick this weekend in what was mostly individual efforts. I mean you pretty much have to receive the ball from somebody but twice he deeked out a couple of defenders and scored goals pretty much single handedly but you hear no rings "ball hog" or people saying he isn't a team player. The third goal, he received a quality ball from Henry, but he still did most of the work himself It's really unfair if you think about it, just because we bought big players. However can we really be blamed from spending big? We obviously needed a major change to compete with a team that won the treble and then went on to add a perfect 6/6. This past summer Barcelona purchased Zlatan Ibrahimovic who cost them €70 million plus Eto'o who was rated around the same price. The also bough Maxwell as a supplement to be injected at left back. The year before that, when Madrid had previously won the title, the blaugrana spent 80€ million on Hleb, Caceres, Keita, and Alves himeslf. Madrid have bought big but also sold big as well, Robben, Sniejder, Robinho ect.

I think it was dumb of Alves to throw his compatriot under the bus like that too. Kaka has been under a pressure like no other and with the World Cup approaching, he decides it would be a good idea to put more attention on him. Can the spotlight get any brighter on the guy? He played the first half of the season injured with a team that hardly knew each other. He finally recovers, we still have a ways to go but the gelling is starting to set in, and we are starting to see the Kaka we all know. Prior to the Lyon tragedy, he had netted 3 goals in two games. If anyone is underachieving that is expected to do great things, I'd point the finger at Iniesta. He's played three more games than Ricky, and has 6 less goals, and 2 less assists. Yet you don't hear him getting the same drilling that Kaka gets in the media because he wasn't bought for a great sum of money. However, Ibra was and despite his clear lack of form, goal scoring ability, and discipline lately, doesn't get nearly as much as the drudging Kaka gets. I do agree that we haven't seen Kaka's best stuff but patience is a virtue.

Alves seems to be gloating and bragging about how they do it at Barca and how their style is better and Kaka would like it their better but look who is chasing who right now? Aren't we winning the league? I wouldn't expect Alves to say this out of the pressure of the league race or jealousy for that matter, but then again he is a child. I think his comments are misplaced. Who says we don't play team football? Here are some counter arguments.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skp376uK0r0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1x73hmxFEQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drht7ZSRpSI

There are more but I'm gonna wrap this up. I have Spanish to do and if I don't stop stating my case now. I never will. Way to piss me off Dani Alves.

HALA MADRID

Bobby

Back With a Flash

I've yet to see the entire Real Madrid vs Valladolid match. Actually I'm watching it while I type but I have seen the highlights and inevitably the final score. I was traveling back so school, frequently using my phone to check the score as well as the Barca score. I had a bit of false hope when the blaugrana and los che were even after half time. Then I got a text message from when of my Barcelona supporting friends that read something like "Messi hattrick!!!!!!" After that I just decided I'd wait until the Madrid game started to checking up on the scores again. Valladolid 1-4 Real Madrid. At first reaction after seeing the result and score sheet I realized we had accomplished two things. We not only responded to the midweek tragedy but did it with four goals (five if you count Albiol's). We desperately needed a win. Ever since the exit to the Champions League, I've been eager to put it behind us and I think we did all we really could have done to do that. What more can we do than win our next match in La Liga? Nothing. The second thing Madrid accomplished or more Higuain in particular is that Pipita scored, not one not two but three goals! When I saw that my initial feeling was, "He scores three here, and misses an open net vs Lyon?" Whatever though, not much we can do about it now. I was worried about his confidence after goofing up at least two clear chances to score last Wednesday. Not to mention I could text my Barca friend back with "Pipita hattrick!!!!!" Really did some favors to keep himself in the race for Pichichi. The most important aspect of the weekend is that we remain the leaders. We only had Barcelona on goal differential coming into the weekend but Messi's 3 goals in Barcelona's 3-0 win over Valencia put them up by 3 points and one goal. So We need to win by at least 2 if we wanted stay leaders. That's also another criteria that we rose too.

As I'm watching this match though, the start really hasn't been pretty. This further reinforces my thoughts that we struggle to play a complete 90 minutes of good football. Whether it be the second half, or the first 25 minutes, I'm yet to recollect a performance where we dominated from start to finish in 2010. Ramos just picked up another booking, his 10th of the season (sigh) and Vallodolid just missed wide. I hate to keep bringing it up but after the Lyon match, the pressure is on us to succeed and achieve especially now that Barcelona is the ones chasing us. Scoring goals is important as long as we are even on points. It's about the 24th minute and we're starting to move the ball around more effectively and Valladolid really has had no other option but to foul us which is frustrating for me because I want to see us flow but it lead to a great Ramos header on the back post.

From the highlights, I saw that Granero drew the free kick that Ronaldo scored from. Good to see another contribution from El Pirata. Ronaldo scored his free kick, took a slight deflection but took leadership to break the deadlock and open the floodgates. I'm sure CR9 will be happy that he has scored. I call it the Ronaldo appeasement policy. He'll be sour if he doesn't get one. It was nice to see Van der Vaart get the start in Kaka's absence. I've always found him useful and has done good things this season despite being somewhat of a squad outcast when this whole project started, taking his number from him and everything, rightfully returned. I saw Ronaldo get stomped on, that wasn't pretty. Childish from the Valladolid player. Did't see who it was. Ronaldo's reaction deserved an Oscar though. I would have been just as pissed though so I can't say a whole lot. Nasty looking wounds. Casillas Made a pretty save on Pele's freekick. It was in a very dangerous area dipping toward the bottom right corner, maybe knicking off someone's head.

Pipita's second goal was mighty pretty. Free kick quickly taken by Xabi Alonso who chipped a ball delicately into C-Ron who flicked it on to Higuain. Pipita blew past a defender leaving him to watch the Numero 20 tuck the ball into the corner from the view of the turf. He also did well to score his number three. One of the best qualities of being a striker is being a poacher, being in the right place at the right time to score. Ask Ruud or Inzaghi. He made a living out of it. So when Ronaldo's tight angled shot, Higuain was in the perfect spot tuck home the rebound. Pipita has 19 goals in 20 games. The most efficient goal scorer in La Liga. It seems like him and Messi are playing the "Anything you can do I can do better." Casillas played a great game. He was unlucky not to get the clean sheet when his kick save hit Albiol and ended up in our own net. We have Arbeloa to thank for that.

This match improved our away form record as well. I always get a bit nervous when we travel but was comforted by this game's final score. Next week we go back to the La Liga fortress Bernabeu to take on Sporting Gijon who we drew 0-0 with away earlier in the season. Barca travels to Zaragoza where I expect them to win, and maybe by a significant score so it is important that we win comfortably as well. That's all I have for now. I'll continue writing this week.

HALA MADRID

Bobby

Another Year, Same Old Sad Song

Frankly it's another disgrace. Laughing stock of Europe once again. It's almost as if I've built an immunity to the pain and just leaped forward to being extremely pissed. Let's see what we've accomplished. Never beaten Lyon away, never beaten Lyon at home, lost every time to Lyon away, drawn every time to Lyon at home, and haven't progressed passed the round of 16 since I was 14 (I'm now twenty). It's been over half a decade. The sad part is even if we would have managed to keep Lyon scoreless in the first leg, we still would have gone out. Let me remind you that this surely hinders us in next season's Champions League group stage draw. Maybe instead of drawing with a big team like Milan, we'll Draw someone easier like Manchester Utd or Chelsea (sarcasm). I really don't even know where to begin. What do you say? At least we can focus on La Liga now? I guess that's the only positive you can take from it. The final at our own ground will be played in our absence. In what many saw as our primary objective has gone up in flames. We'll be ridiculed and harrassed for our spending and you can't say we don't deserve it. If we can't beat Lyon we can't expect to beat those who progress to the next round any how. Save us the embarrassment of being beaten 5 or 6 to nil by an Inter Milan or someone. Unfortunately, Pellegrini's future is in dire questioning. If I had my way I'd keep him but for those of you who know the club also know it's out of our hands.

Is it just me or does anyone else think that we were two totally different teams in the two halves? First half, we came out roaring! Our goal was a work of art from Guti, Ronaldo ran onto it and smashed it through the legs of Lloris, 1-0. We got a goal in 6 minutes! That means we have 84 + stoppage times in two halves to get a second. I wasn't even drastically upset after Pipita missed that open net by hitting the post because I just got the feeling we were gonna get one, but from then on out, everything took a turn for the worse. I'd like to personally send a F*ck you to the both the referee and linesman for not granted us a clear penalty which they both had an exceptional view of. Match decider right there. It's like all of our energy was burned up in the first half. Lyon were man handling us second half. We had hardly any possession second half (before Lyon scored) whereas Lyon only had 37% or something like that in the first half. OL only had 1 shot, off target, in the first half. I just can't believe we're out, again.

Ronaldo was great in the first half, microscopic second half. I can say the same for Higuain and Kaka. It's as if someone broke into our locker room at halftime and shaved down the trident. Everyone was remarkably poorer in the second half. Except for Lass who was awful in both halves. Thanks for your services bud, but if you don't regain any sort of form, I'm in favor of selling you. It's a shame that Xabi had to miss this. Arbeloa, an ugly performance. When we actually did get the chance to string a few passes together and regain momentum and possession in the second half, he lets the ball role past his foot an out of bounds. It happened more than once too. Today you could visibly tell he is not a natural left back. When receiving passes from Garay, he turned up field using his right foot, most of the time sprayin the ball upwards and out of control. I must have been 8 years old when I was told to open up using my back foot, in this case, the left foot. You're a professional! And for Real Madrid! I don't care what foot your better with. I actually missed Marcelo at left back today. Yeah, I DID just say that. No surprise that Pellegrini pulled him off for Diarra.

Guti said it after the match today "No sabemos jugar en los partidos importantes." For those of you who can't read Spanish it's "We don't know how to play in important games." I can't agree more. Sure we have El Clasico twice a year. However, playing Sevilla and Valencia are not the same as playing Champions League matches. We lost to Milan at home, we tied them away. That could be considered a big game, yet no wins. We have one big game left this season, a month from tomorrow we play Barcelona. We say that we have this great team but look at our resume from this year, a win against Valencia away, and Sevilla at home am I forgetting anything? We're more of a disappointment than success again. If those are our wins, look at our faults. Loss to Barca, knocked out of the Champions League to Lyon, loss to Milan, losses to Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla away, draws at Gijon, Osasuna, Copa del Rey exit to Alcorcon (need I say more?).

We have one competition left, La Liga. We already knocked ourselves out of the other two. We actually have a chance of saving ourselves a bit of pride from what we have left by winning the 32nd. We're top of the league now but on goal difference alone. If Barcelona we're to tie us on goal differential as of right now, they would go top because the next tie breaker is head to head in which we lost. We have to sweep our shit together, once again forget what's in the past, and ride on with our La Liga form. Tonight should have hurt our players. If they are not crushed, they don't deserve the shirt, few do. By the way Cris, I've lost all respect for you for kicking Raul, you little prat. Forever a Real Madrid supporter, I will be built up be let down. When you always expect greatness, you're often times disappointed. I knew this burden before I chose my club. It's just adding on to sad chapter in Real Madrid History. The dark ages of our club are among us. We need the white shirt to shine more than ever now.

Bobby

Tenerife Voted Off The Island

Raul scoring at the death of this game has left a smile on my face I just can't get rid of (not that I want to). I've been propelled into an even better mood this weekend with Real Madrid's 5-1 thumping of an admirable and courageous Tenerife. I give my thumbs up to the Canary Island based club. They never quit and created chances of their own time after time despite being hounded at their own end by viscous Real Madrid counter attacks. Their coach was bold because even though at the time they were down 3-1, he took off defensive minded players in favor off offencive players. They switched up their formation adding another attacker, opting for 3 at the back. Awfully risky when you consider the counter attacking power that shown by the Ronaldo, Kaka, and a brilliant Higuain. There is no doubt that we were robbed of a clean sheet though. Casillas clearly had clutched onto the cross firmly when Tenerife's Ayoze came crashing through him, knocking the ball from Casillas' grasp and into his goal mouth. But my anger subsided a few minutes later when Pipita slid in Kaka, who is really starting to shut up some critics lately. Kaka took the ball in stride and drove a low shot into the far corner. Is it just me or do Ronaldo and Kaka have a planned celebration for every match? I can't tell you what that one was.. lol.

Ronaldo got a goal so I'm sure he'll be content even if it was just a penalty. May I offer my compliments to Van der Vaart. What an impact he had coming in off the bench. Drew the penalty by blasting the ball into a defenders hand, and assisting the great Raul. The Dutch captain lifted the tempo of the match when he came on. Granero didn't play poorly but VDV did more in 15 minutes than Pirata did in 75. However, I wanna take a look at the last goal. Look at the experience and knowledge Raul has. The first curled ball in from Marcelo aimed at the path of El Capitan is cut out with a last gasp effort from the defender which deflects the trickling ball toward the point where the box meets the end line. Raul reloads his run and jets himself at the near post where a driven low cross is the most likely candidate for a ball into the danger area. His experience pays off and he nets another historic goal. Just brilliant.

Man of the match you may ask? Has to be Pipita. Two goals and an assist. That's 4 goals in 2 games for the Argentine. He is such a critical finisher. After Marcelo evaded with the challenge on the sideline with a sneaky spin, he touched in Gonzalo in on the edge of the area, he strikes it low and hard with his unfavored left foot and from the moment he hit it, I knew it was a goal. Great finish. Marcelo adds his assist total to six (Did you know Marcelo has more assists and goals than Iniesta who people are calling the best in the world?). However the finish is better on Higuain's second goal. Of all people, Garay, who is up from set play, picks out his fellow Argentine beautifully. And with the ball skipping across the turf at pace, Pipita whacks it into the far corner. The adventurous Tenerife goal keeper never stood a chance.

Let's take a look at some more individual performances. Marcelo, good offensively and yes I'm saying it, a little better defensively. Is he my first pick for left back? Far from, but I know an improvement when I see one. He blocked a few crosses and cut out some passes. Still room for improvement though, littly reckless. Lassana Diarra was worlds better than he has been in recent games. He just linked everything together. Little, short, quick, simple passes. It was useful. A lot better from him. He didn't try to be an attacking midfielder for once. I hope Pellegrini encourages his performance and says "More of that." Garay and Albiol were under immense pressure all night considering the highly aggressive and offensive formation that Tenerife sported in the second half. Everyone knows the Tenerife's goal was no one's fault except for the man with the whistle so the center back pair are not to blame. They made a couple of very last ditch efforts to clear balls away that were played in behind them, especially inside our own areas. An image in my head of San Iker giving Garay thumbs up resides in my brain. Kaka has been telling critics to put down their pens in his last two performances. Instrumental again today.

No Castilla players again. Pretty disappointing. I was really hoping to get at least one on there. I've noticed that Pellegrini almost refuses to make substitutions before 75 minutes. Every game. It's like VDV did so well, but we could have seen even more of his talent if you would have put him in 10 minutes earlier.

I may be looking ahead but hear me out. We are very dangerous team on the counter attack. It's been said many times that the way to beat Barcelona is on the counter because they attack with numbers. If we counter attack like we did today on April 11, we could totally throw Barcelona on the back foot. Do you agree? Bounce them off their game plan at Fortress Bernabeu and we may be in a good position to win that match. Just a thought yeah?

All Madridistas should be in a good mood right now. With Barcelona vs Malaga tied at 0-0 (halftime), we are top. Tenerife were as offensive as possible and we let up no goals threw fault of our own. At the moment I'm pulling for Malaga who seem to be frustrating the Blaugrana but definately on the back foot. No one is gonna say it but I will. I think Messi looks selfish lately.

Hala Madrid!

Bobby

Another 3 Points For the Taking.

Tenerife vs Real Madrid. I'm obviously pretty confident we can take this match but I said that against Xerez and it was a struggle for the first 70 minutes. I'm in a delightful mood though. Today was the second day in a row in which my classes were canceled due to bad weather (which really wasn't that bad, but I'll take the four day weekend). I really hope a lacking Madrid performance at a must win destination doesn't bring down the mood. We are on fire in the league as far as results go but like a mentioned in my "La Liga Deciding Fixtures" article, our away form has not been stellar. Games against lowly opponents away scare me at times for a few reasons.

1. No matter who we play, teams are always up to play Real Madrid, especially in front of their home fans.

2. When the opposition is low in the table, Madrid are expected to bake up a scintillating performance with a dramatic scoreline in our favor. Which adds pressure to games that don't have the same caliber of El Clasico, or a Valencia clash.

3. Sometimes players (cough Ronaldo) try to do things that they wouldn't normally try to do against a stronger opponent. It was seen in the Xerez game and when we went back to playing like the team-minded Real Madrid team we've seen for the better chunk of the season, 3 goals in 10 minutes.

But for now let's forget about the mental aspect and get to the match itself. The game will take place off the cost in the Canary Islands, where Tenerife is located. Pellegrini has named his team for clash leaving out Benzema and Drenthe who are still recovering from their respective injuries, Guti who has recovered but is not quite up to speed, and Arbeloa who is suspended for this match. I'm sorta glad that Arbeloa is missing this match rather than Sevilla at home next week. Two Castilla additions on the squad list. Marcos Alonso and Mosquera. I really hope that at least one of them gets a chance. I know we won't see it happen if we don't get out in front of them with a significant lead with a good bit of time to spare. Pellegrini is too cautious about putting our latest products in the line-up. It would be nice though considering this would be one of the ideal teams to test them out against. I've devised two line-ups for the match. One of my own, partnered by the one I think Pellegrini will opt for.


There's almost no doubt that with Arbeloa out, Garay will emerge from the pine once again to take center back, pushing Ramos to right back . For some reason or another, Pellegrini thinks Marcelo is a good choice left back. I know it's Tenerife but he didn't look good there against Xerez. That's why on my side I've chosen a cantanero! Marcos Alonso? Think I'm jumping the gun? Well I'm no Pellegrini. He can't be any worse defending than Marcelo that's for sure. Give him a shot. Anyone with me? To my dispair Pellegrini has shied away from the 4-1-3-2 (which Zizou and I have established to be virtually the same thing as 4-3-1-2 not to confuse anyone) and decided on the double pivot. I'm still more of a fan of the single pivot system. I just don't think Xabi Alonso plays as well along side someone as he does isolated as a deep lying playmaker. That's my opinion. I think Lass hurts him quite frankly. Moving up, Pellegrini and I still have the same "Kaka-Granero-Ronaldo." Granero hasn't been himself in the last 2 matches but I think that's because we have such high expectations for the guy. As great as he is, he cant have an assist or goal every match. Moving him to the bench will only hurt his confidence I think. However, that's just my opinion. Yes! Raul is in my line up, my man. I have just been dying to see him score again. He hasn't gotten one since October if my memory serves me correctly. I hope he plays and impresses. Once loved, always loved. Higuain will lead the line obviously for both me and boss because Benzema will still be in Madrid. Plain and simple.

In all respect to Tenerife, it's not them I'm worried about. It's us. Though they have improved slightly I guess since the break, I don't see them as a threat. Second in the drop zone and not much to be proud of as far as this season goes. Juan Fansisco Martinez is the club's leading goal scorer this season so he's obviously the one to keep an eye on. Los Blanquiazules were thumped last weekend by Bilbao 4-1 and will be looking to bounce back. This game is very manageable but if all possible I want to stay out of card trouble if all possible, which we failed to do against Xerez. We need three points. Barca are at home with Malaga coming to visit. I don't see an upset in the cards. Let's get in and get out. Get the job done and then turn our focus toward next week's game against Sevilla at Fortress Bernabeu.

Hala Madrid

Bobby

La Liga Deciding Fixtures

Okay, So it's only February 22. But with a La Liga title race this close, it's about time I took a look ahead. There are still 15 match dates to be played but there are certain fixtures that could decide which out of the obvious big dogs will triumph or falter. Both Real Madrid and Barcelona are in control of their own destiny. They are only separated by two points because Real took advantage of Barcelona's crumble to Atletico Madrid. Probably the only time where both Madrid based clubs celebrated for the same reason. Essentially if Real Madrid win the rest of their games, they are Champions. Same goes for the Blaugrana however because the two giants still have to play each other at the Bernabeu where Real Madrid are not only unbeaten this year, but they've taken three points from ever match at their fortress. Last time the two met, los blancos missed the opportunity to go 4 points ahead of their rivals because going into the match at the Nou Camp was the only time the Merengue lead the title race. Real lost that match 1-0 to a lone Zlatan Ibrahimovic goal despite having more than enough chances to put the game in their favor.

Madrid would like to think they've played the toughest part of their schedule already. Los Blancos have already visited challenging grounds like Camp Nou (Barcelona), Mestella (Valencia), Sanchez Pizjuan (Sevilla), Reyno de Navarra (Osasuna) , Madrigal (Villarreal), San Mames (Athletic Bilbao), Riazor (Deportivo), and Molinon (Sporting Gijon). These are notoriously the toughest grounds in Spain that Madrid have to visit. Real still has the challenge of going to the Island to play Mallorca in the ONO Estadi. It proved a struggle for the Galacticos. We've only taken a measly 11 points out of a possible 24 from the away matches listed above. However there is an upside. With those matches behind us, those squads have to travel to fortress Bernabeu in this latter half of the season. Madrid tend to find the net at relative ease in La Casa Blanca which has attributed to them being La Liga's top scorers after the 6-2 thumping of Villarreal this weekend. Los Blancos have racked up 59 league goals compared to Barca's 57. However, the Blaugrana have let up 4 less goals this campaign which gives them a 2 goal better goal differential. So enough with the stats. Let's take a look at so crucial fixtures starting with the match they both have in common.

El Clasico: Real Madrid vs Barcelona - Estadio Santiago Bernabeu - April 11

Ultimately this is the big one. Like I said If Madrid win all the rest of their matches they'll be holding up their 32nd La Liga title. Barcelona's Sergi Busquets already said to the press that the title will be decided in this match. It's the six pointer at the top of the league. If Real and Barca win all their matches up until this point, it will surely a vital factor. If Madrid were to win at this point, only for the second point this season would they climb above their rivals. The gap would only be a point but nonetheless Real would be 1st. If Barcelona were to win in the Bernabeu (which they so painfully destroyed last season) they would extend their lead back to 5 points. Barcelona have won the last 3 clashes between the sides but he match always has an entertaining twist to it. Real Madrid could put their stamp on not only La Liga but the world by snatching 3 points because Barca are currently considered by many to be the best team on Earth.

Real Madrid Crucial Fixtures

Real Madrid vs Sevilla – Estadio Santiago Bernabeu – March 7

A Ronaldo-less Real Madrid crashed in Seville to 2-1 earlier in the season. Casillas had what some people are calling the save of his careers where he crawled across his 6 yard box to deny a point blank shot after the ball was squared across the mouth of his goal but it just wasn’t enough to propel Madrid to victory. Pepe had Madrids loan goal. Navas and Renato cheesed for the Rojiblancos. Jesus Navas looks increasingly dangerous in every match, reeking havoc on the wing. It will be a return home for Alvaro Negredo as Deigo Capel, Adriano, Luis Fabiano, Freddy Kanoute and company look to take us down again in just two weeks time. Real Madrid vs

Atletico Madrid – Estadio Santiago Bernabeu – March 28

Many (including myself) hate putting Atletico in the same sentence as ourselves, let alone a challenge, but the Madrid derby is always going to be a high pressure game. Atletico haven’t been able to beat us since they returned to the first division in 2002 but they’re always up for it. Madrid even went out in front 3 goals to none at the Calderon and Atleti still pulled back 2 goals and a series of good chances late in the Match that had every honest Madrid fan a little shaken up and relieved to hear the final whistle. After all this is the same team that beat Barcelona 2-1 a little over a week ago.

Real Madrid vs Valencia – Estadio Santiago Bernabeu – April 18

The 3-2 win for Madrid at Mestalla earlier this season was a thriller. Higuain lead his side to victory despite Los Che drawing level on 2 occasions and the loss of defensive leader, Pepe, to a season ending ACL injury. You can never count them out with David Villa on top. He was highly coveted by Madrid in the summer, but when almost assured plans fell through, Los Blancos opted for Karim Benzema instead who played a part in putting Valencia away in the fall. This will be a stern test after El Clasico has been played. If Madrid beat Barcelona, choking on Valencia would be a real shame.

Real Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao – Estadio Santiago Bernabeu – May 9

I simply put this game in here because I’m still upset about this loss. Even though Bilbao beat us 1-0 in the Basque Country, we were clearly the better side. After they went above 1-0 via Llorente in the 3rd minute, they never had another shot on goal. Madrid hasn’t lost in La Liga since then but I am craving revenge.

Barcelona Crucial Fixtures

Barcelona vs Valencia – Camp Nou – March 14

These two teams played to a thrilling (yes, I said thrilling) goalless draw at Mestalla earlier this season. I say thrilling because I’m a Madrid supporter and Valencia should have beaten the Blaugrana despite missing star striker David Villa. Juan Mata and David Silva asked plenty of questions of the backline. One of them (I forget which) was in the six and volleyed the ball right into Valdes with a whole goal just gaping and begging to be scored on. Nonetheless I was happy Barcelona dropped 2 points there.

Villarreal vs Barcelona – Estadio Madrigal – May 2

We skipped all the way to May where Barcelona will play the first of two vital late season clashes away from home. This one is against Villarreal who came back to draw Barcelona 1-1 at the Nou Camp earlier this season. Barca is always expected to win by their fans as well. I watched that match at home in my living room screaming for the Yellow Submarine, much like I screamed against them recently against Madrid. Villarreal was robbed of at least one penalty against Barca and perhaps deserved a win. Barcelona already knows they’ll have to play better to beat the Submarine at their place.

Sevilla vs Barcelona – Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan – May 9

Just a week after the Villarreal test, the Rojiblancos will be standing in the champions way. Sevilla already managed to knock Barcelona out of the Copa del Rey this season but were smashed 4-0 at Camp Nou just a week later. The fans in Andalusia will be lively after the nail-biting and heated affair that occurred last time the two teams met in Seville (Barca’s Copa del Rey exit). Barcelona has a lot of away pressure to withstand at the end of the season. If Madrid can take full advantage of El Clasico, it’s a possibility that the all-mighty Barcelona may crumble under the weight of their own expectations in the final half month of La Liga play.

Unlike Madrid, Barcelona have to travel to most of their most challenging games this spring. It’s up for grabs. Us as Madridsitas would love to outreach the Blaugrana in race for the finish. This is looking to be as good a title race as the 2006-2007 where Real Madrid came from behind to beat Mallorca 3-1 on the final match day to win La Liga on the head-to-head rule. Everything will unfold in coming weeks. Who knows, maybe there will be a slip up where it’s least expected. I didn’t put Mallorca vs Madrid in the mix there but that too will pose a threat to our title campaign. Will the Mighty Madrid take the title? Only time will tell.

HALA MADRID

Bobby.

Sank the Submarine

Los Blancos responded well to their more than disappointing Champions League loss to Lyon. The score finished 6-2 but it didn't always look like the Merengue were running away with it. The men in yellow cut the lead back to just one goal on two separate occasions giving me one or two reasons to bite my nails. However, our prolific strike force's torpedoes eventually sent the submarine to a watery grave below fortress Bernabeu. Although I was furious at giving up goals this game proved that we can overcome setbacks and adversity to eventually triumph. Hopefully we can take the lesson learned and transform it into a similar performance when OL come back to visit in March.

Summer spending payed off again. Four of the six goals were scored by new faces. Dos for Kaka, uno for Ronaldo, and Xabi Alonso tallied his first goal in a Real Madrid Uniform. May I offer him my congratulations. The game also acted as a stat booster for many. Ronaldo not only scored, he marked 2 assists and also drew the penalty that Xabi Alonso took (twice lol). Pipita returned to scoring form with 2 pieces of cheese. He is in 3rd place running for Pichichi with 14 goals, 2 goals off the leader, Messi, if my memory serves me correctly. Marcelo added to his assist total with his cross for Higuain's second which makes 6 goals created for the young Brazilian this season. In all fairness I think los blancos should have won by a few goals more. Ronaldo and Kaka both failed when 1v1 with the keeper and Ronaldo's breakaway was wrongly called offside. Madrid seem to rise to the challenge everytime it was thrown at them. When Villarreal scored we made it a bigger gap. When they scored again, we did the same. When Kaka converted the penalty I texted a fellow Madridista, and said "2 goals from deadballs. I want 1 from open play." Madrid then rose to that challenge as well.

Refereeing decisions were a question in this match. Many people seem to think that the penalty Ronaldo drew was a dive. Honestly I thoughts he got clipped from behind but honestly people, was it a match changing decision? No. On Higuain's first goal, when Arbeloa played the ball up the line to CR9, he did appear to be off by a step. However, later in the match as I said above, Ronaldo was called off when he was most certainly on. Though he had been flagged, play continued and he dribbled around the goalkeeper and passed the ball home. These decisions were not all correct but nonetheless wouldn't have changed the result.

We were a totally different team from what I saw in France. We were so lively. Runs in behind the back line on so many different occasions. The ability to find players was 20 times what it was on Tuesday. Creativity was a major boost. I think it raises more questions about our away form. I mean sure, our European away form has been good other than this loss, but we beat Zurich and Marseille away and only tied Milan. It's not like we beat the best team in our group. Our La Liga away form hasn't been pretty at all, a loss to Sevilla, a loss to Barca, a Loss to Bilbao, and Draws at Gijon and Osasuna where we failed to score both times. The only real significant away win that we've recorded was our thriller against Valencia, and if you think about it it that's probably the best team that we've beaten all season. We still have lots of hype to live up to ladies and gentlemen, but I'm gonna stop being pessimistic on a day with reason to be optimistic. Just pointing a few things out.

Let's start with what I was not pleased with, Lassana Diarra. Many player have hot and cold games but Lass has had and cold minutes. He is the fastest changing Dr. Hyde and Mr. Jekyll. He fouls too much. Right after Marco Senna scores from a well taken free kick, he goes and clatters some yellow shirt from behind a yard or two off the top of the arc. Needs to be smarter. Needs to stop dribbling. He looks a much better player when he plays it quick. I'm surprised Pellegrini hasn't said something more about it. Arbeloa played a good game but what bothers me is he always gets beat on a give and go (one-two). Track your defender, don't get caught ball watching. Wingers will get a free cross every time. For once, Marcelo wasn't horrific on defence but he can always do better. I can definitely call it an improvement from the Lyon game. Ramos, all I can say is class. I know he is a right back but he is a damn good center back as well. He too was beat by a one-two on Villarreal's second goal, scored by Nilmar, but that counter attack should have never happened. Too many opportunities to shut it down. We need to make sure we don't put too much emphasis on offense that we forget we have a goal of our own.

I don't know if it's just me, but Pellegrini seems to make subs very late on in matches. I know in this case it was okay because we needed to establish a gap in scoreline when the Yellow Submarine doesn't go away, but the subs hardly get any time to adapt to the match. Raul, Van der Vaart, M. Diarra, I can't even tel lyou how they played really. I'm never going to complain when we get a result like 6-2, but I don't even know what to say about them. I can say that today is the first time where I thought Guti wasn't missed as much. We had plenty of creativity. Granero may not get the credit for today but I thought he was solid. Quiet, but solid. He keeps the play moving in midfield. He doesn't do anything out of his element but links together big pieces like Higuain, Ronaldo, and Kaka. Benzema wasn't missed either today. Higuain found form again and it didn't look as if we would have needed him today anyway. With that said, I'm still sure it will be a boost when he returns to the squad.

This win will be in the back of Barcelona's head. When Villarreal visited them, the two shared the points. Now that we are within 2 points of the blaugrana and we are tallying up 6 goal performances in a still perfect record at home, where they still have to visit, they can definitely feel our hot breath on their necks. This match puts a smile on my face once again and I can look at the crest and know that we haven't failed it last time we took the field. Well done. Next up we have Tenerife away. We are expected to pick up 3 points there. Malaga visit Barcelona but I don't think the Catalans will drop anything there.

Hala Madrid!

Bobby

To Rest or Not to Rest?

It would be a disgrace for Real Madrid not to take 3 points at bottom of the table Xerez on Saturday. The Andulusian side only has a pathetic 2 wins from 21 one games. Madrid smashed the lowly outfit 5-0 earlier in the season where Ronaldo scored in what I believe to remember the second minute. I decided to take a different approach to the preview because without overlooking the La Liga fixture this weekend, we have to keep half an eye on Lyon on Tuesday. Don't get me wrong, it is essential to beat Xerez. For the first time in a good number of weeks, Barcelona have a difficult task infront of them because they visit our cross town rivals with a very skewed back line. The blaugrana is missing Pique and Marquez due to suspension and Dani Alves and Abidal missing with injuries. Pep Guardiola has already hinted at youngsters but it is almost without question that we will see Gabi Milito in a once-in-a-blue-moon appearence and rare spotting of Maxwell who transfered from Inter Milan this summer. Puyol will obviously be part of the wounded defense, but with a back four that hasn't played together, or played hardly at all, will they be able to handle players like Aguero, Forlan and co. who scored 4 against Racing last week in the Copa del Rey? We can only hope not. So I decided to go down the roster (excluding the Castilla players who in my opinion should get a call up to this match because I'm not sure which of them if any Pellegrini will summon) and state whether or not I think they should play a part and how much of a part they should play with the Champions League in mind.

1. Iker Casillas - It's an easy one 90 minutes. I don't know the exact figures but Casillas has hardly missed any La Liga matches in his career. He should be on.

2. Alvaro Arbeloa - With our preferred back line (Ramos-Albiol-Garay-Arbeloa) all healthy once again. I think they should all start to get reaquainted (if that's even the right word) or some extra practice before traveling to France.

3. Pepe - Without say, out for the season.

4. Ramos - The Spanish international has done a fine job filling in for the injured Garay at centerback in recent weeks but I think he should get some time back at right back before the Lyon test

5- Gago - Because of the whole Manchester City fiasco, and the fact that we've recently been working with only one holding midfielder, I think Gago is pretty far down the pecking order to play Saturday despite the opposition being Xerez

6. Diarra - I don't know if Big Diarra will see the pitch with one pivot point but he's above Gago for me, always has been.

7. Raul - Last 2 matchdays Raul has been a worthy stand-in with Ronaldo and Higuain absent from the line up. This time it's Benzema with the injury bug and with Raul's minutes limited nowadays, I think he should get atleast 90 minutes. People say that his legs won't carry him that long. That's a lie. Guti is a year older and played 90 against Depor in the midfield. I'm sure if Raul was told he's gonna he 90, he'd be thrilled and work his back side off the whole match.

8. Kaka - Surely I think Kaka can rest. I don't think we need to start him. Maybe give him 20 or so minutes in the second half to keep him fresh but with the way he played last weekend, we will surely need him against Lyon. I don't think he needs to play.

9. Ronaldo - Usually I would be against giving Ronaldo a great deal of time with the Champions League around the corner but because he has missed the last 2 matches, keeping him sidelined for another might not be a great idea. He's a big player for los blancos and we don't want him getting stale, then thrown into the mix from the go in a big match. Give him 60 minutes from the start. That's more than enough time for CR9 to find form. Hell, last time it only took him 2 minutes to score against Xerez. That could be 30 goals for him on Saturday ( I'm only kidding).

10. Lass- If we are playing the single pivot I would split the time at holding midfielder between Lass and Xabi Alonso half and half, maybe give Lass a little less time. Lass wasn't impressive last game and he must know it. Give him a little confidence booster against Xerez.

11. Benzema - despite how he is feeling from his injury, leave him in Madrid. There is a very small percentage he will return against his former club but we don't wanna hurt those chances even more by risking him against Xerez. Easy decision.

12. Marcelo has recovered from his bout with a stomach virus, which caused him to miss training yesterday. He trained without incident today and I'd start him in the midfield on saturday with maybe the long lost Drenthe subbing in for him at half.

13. Dudek - Second best to Iker, will not play.

14. Guti - The evil genious has been instrumental lately and could be the guy that tears appart Lyon. I know this, Guti knows this, and Pellegrini knows this. I vote to give Guti the day off because of his aging legs so he is fresh and fit for the french.

15. Drenthe - Drenthe hasn't seen significant time in a long while. It would be good for him and good for the team if he could get it in for atleast 30 minutes. He is auxillery relief at the moment but I still rate him a useful player and there is no better chance to chance for him to gain confidence than against Xerez.

18. Raul Albiol - Start to finish at Centerback

19. Garay - Same as Albiol. He needs the minutes having missed Depor and Espanyol

20. Gonzalo Higuain - Pipita is arguably our most important player. He already showed last weekend that his form hung out with him the entire time he was injured and that it was never lost. I definately wouldn't give him 90 minutes but he needs some time having only played 15 minutes last match.

22. Xabi Alonso - Often times doesn't get the recognition for victories but is secretly the glue that holds the Real Madrid foundation in place. (Just ask Liverpool). Although The job against Xerez should still get done without him. I like him for the first 45 minutes.

23. Rafael Van der Vaart - Happy Birthday! Anyways, he should play because I said we can rest Kaka. He played the long ball that ultimately lead to Pipita's goal last game.

24. Granero - Fabulous in times of player absense. I can see him playing 90 minutes. He has been great. Keep the starting spot and should play a place against Lyon.

I'm not even going to try and get into Pellegrini's head for this match. Him and I don't often times think on the same plain. However, I conjured up a line up fallowed by my planned substitutions, given everything goes according to plan.


Okay. I'll get to my selection after I list my substitutions.

45' - Drenthe for Marcelo
60' - Lass for Xabi Alonso
- Higuain for Ronaldo

Before you start picking me appart let me explain. Above I mentioned I wanted the back four to play together because they haven't in a while so no surprise there and no surprise with Casillas obviously. Xabi Alonso will play the first hour because we have still just converted to the single pivot and I want him to have one more go at it before we try it out against Lyon. I don't want to kill the guy so I have Lass who desperately wants and needs to improve from his last performance. Marcelo is a better winger than defender that's for sure, and I think we can agree the same with Drenthe so I have those two splitting the match for Drenthe's sake of playing time and because we need to rest Marcelo. Chances are the young Brazilian will play more of a part on Tuesday than his Dutch colleague. Ronaldo needs to get back in the swing of things before the trip to france so I am giving him an hour hard work. Higuain who only played 15 minutes last match will fill in for him at the same time I'd like Lass to replace Xabi Alonso. This still gives Pipita enough time to spread his wings for a bit and some more game time before the trip.

I don't expect everyone to agree with this. I never do (lol). However, this is what I think. I'm interested to hear what other people have to say. You might even change my mind. It's happened before. I would be severely pissed if we don't win against Xerez. Hala Madrid!

Bobby