There are not many FOOTBALL duels bigger than the ones involving REAL MADRID (RM) & BARCELONA (Barca) and isn't it FANTASTIC that we have another barely one month after the last one?? I disagree totally with San Iker (Iker Casillas) that the EL CLASICO is fast losing its shine because of the frequency of meetings. Perhaps, he is afraid of being destroyed again by Pep Guardiola's men. Who wouldn't?
It is not that it is pre-planned or fixed. Oh! far from it. Even the most pessimistic football fan cannot agree less that when Jose 'the special one' Mourinho arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu, he would most certainly challenge Barcelona on all fronts and he hasn't done badly in that regard. Although most will argue that since he became coach of the Merengues (Real Madrid), he has only won 1 out of a possible 8 games v Barcelona, drawing 3 and losing the rest. That is not something to write home about for a manager of his calibre and very impressive coaching stats.He has another chance to put things right when he faces the Catalans later today in the 1st leg of the CDR-Copa Del Rey at the Bernabeu.
The sanctuary of Real Madrid has become a playground for Guardiola and Barcelona in recent years, something that hasn't gone down well with followers of the Capital club. Since 2008, Guardiola has won every match (including the 6-2 bashing in 09-10) at the Bernabeu (except 2-this season's 1st leg SPANISH SUPER CUP tie, and the league game last season which ended in 2-2, and 1-1 draws respectively) and he will be very confident of coming away with YET another victory tonight especially on the occasion of his 41st birthday which coincidentally is on this day. The former Blaugrana midfielder has carved a niche for himself as the best manager in the World unarguably, but even by his lofty standards, he would be well aware that Mourinho is not far off and therefore wouldn't rest on his laurels. In Messi (13 goals in CLASICO meetings), Barcelona have in their armoury, a 3 time FIFA-BALON D'OR winner and certainly the best footballer in the WORLD today. He has managed a staggering 33 goals this season and we are only in January. He trails another goal machine and persistent rival, Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the PICHICHI (Highest goal scorer award in LA LIGA), but this is a different scenario entirely. But you ask yourself, what situation does Messi find difficult to control???none that I can remember in a Barcelona apparel since Pep took over. Ably supported by Messrs' Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Fabregas, Busquets, Pique, Puyol, Mascherano, Dani Alves, Alexis Sanchez,etc... there is no looking past them to qualify to the semi-finals on the basis of the team sheet and previous results.
It is not often anyways that Jose Mourinho's teams go into games as UNDERDOGS...But this is one of the few or maybe the only sort of game that it occurs. Mou has tried a few formations in the past to stop Barca. Both Positive and Negative, all have proved exercises in FUTILITY. Kepler Laveran Lima Ferreira aka Pepe has been deployed to man mark Messi..(something that only Esteban Cambiasso has done effectively), yet it has failed, not because Pepe didn't put in his best performance, but simply as a result of the little Argie's immense capabilities on the ball. Jose will be aiming to use a different strategy this time, after the one he employed in December yielded no fruitful outcome. He will take some positives from the League game last month nevertheless. His boys played a very good match for 45 minutes or thereabout until they collapsed immediately after Marcelo's freak own goal. Players like Xabi Alonso, Kaka, Ozil, Di Maria, Higuain, Benzema and Lassana Diarra must put in their best shifts today. Alonso most especially must hold the game by the scruff of the neck and do well to dictate proceedings from the middle of the pack. Easier said than done, but there is no harm trying. Ronaldo has to also put on his scoring boots and contribute more all round as he mostly suffers from stage fright when he faces Barca. With only 1 outfield goal (the extra time winner in last year's CDR final) against the men from Catalunya, it hasn't been one of his favourite games obviously. Mourinho can try all he can to defend the Portuguese Magician and the World's most COMPLETE footballer...however, the only way he can bury his demons is to stand up and be counted tomorrow and that he MUST do for RM to have any chance whatsoever of taking a good lead into the 2ND LEG a week from today at the NOU CAMP.
Ohis Eboreime
follow me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
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