alexjanosik wrote:

kiranr wrote:Alexis does a lot more than finish as he can, in theory, create on his own and hence is dangerous in that sense. And with Pedro not being in the greatest of forms, i can see why some people prefer Alexis!

The key part is in theory as he has not done a whole lot of creating for us.I can argue that Cuenca has created more for us.
Granted Alexis has been good the past couple of games and needs some more time to settle but he is not better than Pedro now.
I think we are forgetting that Pedro is the guy who started the rout against Madrid in the Manita and the one who scored the opener in the CL final.

MVP...MVP...MVP...MVP...MVP.........MVP

I guess not everyone is preferring Sanchez, but as mentioned, its Guardiola who seem to want to bring him in ahead of Pedro, or Villa eventually considering the ages, and the ideal is for anyone to fit in at anytime and be equally effective for the team And trying tactics and players in the big games are brave and needed if the aim is the let the system and players settle in quickly

Khaledbarca wrote:

hahahaha LoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoL



Watch & Learn !

ROFL, nice pics Khaled! Messi ownage of every Madrid player there

Khaledbarca wrote:Victor Valdes has the all-time (& ongoing) record of consecutive clasicos without a loss: 10 [via @2010misterchip]

Cool...does this include the cup loss last season or did Valdes not play?

Pinto plays in the Copa del Rey.

Well Sanchez is the hot hand right now, not Pedro. So its not exactly crazy.

I understand Pedro has a great history against Madrid and that is very important.

Like I said, I dont really mind who plays.

I love the images that jontsu keeps posting. LoooOOOOooooOOOooL

Had to share this video. If anyone knows any better ones, please do post. I can't fkin wait for this game. I'm feeling an excess of both dread and anticipation. I've experienced a couple of good omens though..which i'll share after the game as to not jinx ourselves

jontsu wrote:

The Lizard King wrote:Had to share this video. If anyone knows any better ones, please do post. I can't fkin wait for this game. I'm feeling an excess of both dread and anticipation. I've experienced a couple of good omens though..which i'll share after the game as to not jinx ourselves

Lol guys!

Ive been posting over in the Real section El Classico thread too...not sure why but its going crazy there with 20 pages, come on guys, we can do better with 5 pages only Im getting abused over there already Loool!

Btw, so Marca and AS have anything English version I can read? They seem to have real updated info which I am eager to know~ Thanks!

jontsu wrote:

GOAT always marked by 6 players

That's 5 players man.

The Lizard King wrote:Had to share this video. If anyone knows any better ones, please do post. I can't fkin wait for this game. I'm feeling an excess of both dread and anticipation. I've experienced a couple of good omens though..which i'll share after the game as to not jinx ourselves

great video... but whats with the dude in the chicken costume at 0:29???? lol

btw, great article on the 3-4-3/4-3-3 debate at totalbarca... kind of a long read, but i highly recommend it: http://www.totalbarca.com/2011/matches/el-clasico-tactical-preview-part-ii/#more-96467

no idea what pep will do tomorrow. i keep changing my mind as to which formation id rather see haha

Jack Daniels wrote:That's 5 players man.

I didnt count tbh. it was my knee-jerk reaction to the picture

OK getting close now so lets round this up. Final predictions and starting XIs?

3-1 in favor of Barca. Villa will score a goal, one by Messi (four feet away from Iker), and a fluke-like goal by Iniesta....I had dreamed this a few nights ago.

I truly hope we avoid a formation 3-4-3 especially if it's just to play Cesc.

Starting XI ~ 4-3-3 w/ Puyol at the back and Alexis to start (Pedro off the bench), you already know the rest of the lineup.

Biscuits (and who marks him) will be the deciding factor to this game imo.

Been confirmed from Madrids assistant coach that they will play a 4-3-3 with Ronaldo, Benezma and Di Maria though they didn't confirm that Ozil might play or the 3 defensive midfielders

Yeah I'm going to go with a 1-2 or 1-3 to Barca. Messi and Villa will score.

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGGOMGOMGOMG

If I hook laptop up to TV I will be able to watch El Clasico IN ENGLISH, on TV!

IN DECENT QUALITY!

I'm...so happy....this is amazing.

SPORT.es Predicted Lineups:


I'm sceptical about Fab starting, because Messi will want to be inside as well, which will leave our flank open to Marcelo. Otherwise Messi has to be very disciplined. I'd prefer our best player through the middle.

Puyol also must start no matter how good Masch has been, Puyol is our heart and soul and you can't deny the record... we haven't lost in ages with him playing. Pique + Puyol = Brick Wall

The same thing stands out at me. I really think we're going to see AMV, it is unlikely that Fab would start unless we play a 3-4-3. That being said, it's not impossible for Pep to come and play a 3-5-2 or some other formation we can't foresee right now, he's done it before.

I highly doubt Pep will go for a 3 man backline. It's kind of like suicide. Regardless of whether it's 3-4-3 or 3-5-2(although I am curious-does that turn to a 5-3-2 in defense?), their wingplay will destroy it. I'm thinking though, today this match would not be like how we played at the supercopa. We are in form now, we were not back then. That is why we were "dominated" in that first leg. I expect us to have most of the possession and Madrid to play with their counterattack. If they bring the game to us, our in-form players may rip them apart. However, Madrid's counterattacks are deadly and I can see one lapse in concentration costing a goal.

Great predictions guys. And Im surprised a bit that all of us have predicted a win I also think so, we really need it to be honest. 2-1 win for us!

As for formations its already been said above, the difference wont be that big as long as we keep enough at the back, and dont bunch up in the middle up front

The game will be tough but I think we will win. I just hope we don't play 3-4-3 just to put Cesc on a team. A draw would not be bad as well.

However, loosing would be pretty bad. It would put too much pressure on us for the rest of the season, and to be honest it would probably mean that we lost the title.

i think messi should play as a right winger.. then marcelo will concentrate defensivly and will not be able to make his dangerous forward runs..and also marcelo isnt good at all at defending and messi will cause him alot of problems

@vivabarca38 you are right, but this way Messi is not in the position where he can do the most damage. But i get your point. He will be probably marked a lot at the center, so maybe going in from the right through and while keeping Marcelo at bay, would seam as a good strategy.

paxtonpale wrote:Been confirmed from Madrids assistant coach that they will play a 4-3-3 with Ronaldo, Benezma and Di Maria though they didn't confirm that Ozil might play or the 3 defensive midfielders

That doesn't mean much tbh. The only difference between our 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 is that one of the attacking four drops deep.

Who Madrid play will determine how Madrid play, formation matters little in this case.

Problem with Messi at right is that he doesn't play like a normal winger. He tends to drift central, which not only is worse defensively, but gives Marcelo and Ronaldo space to attack. Not only does it work worse defensively, but your width is worsened, which has been your issue this season.

So Messi at right does not make Marcelo stay deeper to defend. Instead, he will take use of the space given.