Matchday 34: Barcelona - Real Madrid | Sat Apr 21st | 20:00 CET/14:00 ET

Funny, I'm with the non-Barça fan Danyjr here. I think Cuenca was more than fine considering the lack of suport and he played a role in the two goals. Much more than what Alexis or Pedro did out wide (Pedro very little, Alexis nothing).

For me, it is obvious that if Pep wants his wide players to act as real wingers, not as wing forwards, Cuenca has to start. Is the only one that is a real winger. Pedro and Alexis don't work good sticking to the line: their strength is making runs in behind and scoring, and in Pedro's case making one-twos with Messi in the midfield. While Cuenca can create from his side, either by getting to the byline and crossing, coming to the center or passing.

I would go with our best XI available:

Alves Masche Puyol Adriano
-----------Busquets
-------Xavi-------------Iniesta
Pedro---------Messi-------------Alexis

If they play, very, very, very defensive, Pique should go into the box to head crosses from Alves/Pedro/Alexis, and we could consider subbing in Cesc for Xavi to give more header ability and sub in Cuenca for Pedro/Alexis to give more crossing.

Kieta, Cesc and Cuenca to come on most likely if free_cat's linuep is right.

I have a mighty feeling that Pep is going to play 3-4-3 agains with Busquets playing a CM-DM-CB role alternating between the 3 throughout the match.
Mourinho is a coward and he is very scared now.i can bet anything that he is going to park the plane and hope for a draw.Guy doesnt have the guts to go for it.
I would actually start Pedro and Cuenca upfront with Messi.Since I am guessing its going to be a 3-4-3 Cesc supporting Messi as the false 10.
The usual midfield 3 with Busquets playing the combo role and a back 3 of Alves,Pique and Puyol.
Am confident we are going to smash them to smithereens.

danyjr wrote:Sorry if my words deem harsh by some. I don't mean it.

• Movements for both goals were started by Cuenca. That's enough for me to justify he had a good game.
  
• The one time someone came to help him out (I think it was Sánchez), he did a one-two that lead to the penalty. Other than that occasion, he was isolated for the rest of the match.
  
• No, you don't necessarily need to be a professional footballer to know when a player makes a mistake. But Cuenca is actually a smart player. If you criticise Walcott, if you criticise Lennon, I agree. These players are one-trick ponies, but Cuenca isn't. He simply didn't have viable options.
  
• How are you going to cut in, surround yourself with more defenders than before, risk losing possession in a more dangerous place, or at best retain possession. I really want to see those of you who criticise Cuenca osilated with 3 defenders surrounding you and see what the heck you would try to do.
  
• Don't know where the Valencia vs Cuenca comparison coming from. When has Valencia been in a situation with 3 defenders surrounding him down the touchline with the opposition parking the bus? Never. Here are his goals and assists this season. Not even remotely similar situations.

Noone said he didnt have a good game.

Noone said he never got isolated.

The comparison with Valencia comes in because Cuenca's actions in this game were very much like that of Valencia. He had 1 v 1's (after being isolated, both because of his teammates but also because he choose to run into cul-de-sacs) and what did he do? Went around the outside and cross. Look at the play when Valdo put him into the advertising stands behind the goal, what happened in that play?

He was predictable and Valdo read him.

And another time, I forget the defender, read him again and simply took the ball.

I could see something like this but I really dont know what to think about it.



Busquets doing his pwn Ozil/centerback role which means 4 man back without the ball and 3 man with it. Basically 3.5 at the back as it seems easiest to say.

Iniesta sort of left, which I dont like and I really dont like considering just how poor I think Madrid are at rightback, be it Coentrao or Arbeloa.

Frees line up to me gives me less worry and more confidence, but I dont actually believe we will start like that.

alexjanosik wrote:
Mourinho is a coward and he is very scared now.

Best line I read today !!!

Seriously though, have you guys been following his mind games? He has said Chelsea has no chance against us. Now that goads Chelsea to put their lives on the line if at all they needed any goading. More importantly this is meant to put pressure on referees to award most 50-50 decisions to Chelsea i.e. go the extra mile to prevent themselves from being accused of having favored Barcelona once again.

After the whole Øverbø incident, no referee in the world will call a penalty in favour of Barcelona in Stamford Bridge. Even if he is sure about the penalty.

The Franchise wrote:I could see something like this but I really dont know what to think about it.



Busquets doing his pwn Ozil/centerback role which means 4 man back without the ball and 3 man with it. Basically 3.5 at the back as it seems easiest to say.

Iniesta sort of left, which I dont like and I really dont like considering just how poor I think Madrid are at rightback, be it Coentrao or Arbeloa.

Frees line up to me gives me less worry and more confidence, but I dont actually believe we will start like that.

Dani I rate Arbeloa highly as hes very solid, often able to hold his side better than Real's LB side. I know vs Ribery he struggled a bit but I dont think he got much help from the midfielders, so overall hes good. What is it about him u think is weak? If hes not good enough what do u think Real should do, buy a new RB?

How epic would be if we win and the goals come from Cuenca and Tello????

Yes, I think Arbeloa has been weak for about 6 months barcalearning.

He used to be solid defensively, which ofset his lack of ability on the ball to a degree. But recently, I have seen him be beaten 1 v 1 very often.

If Pedro plays on that side I think he can do well and I think the same about Cuenca.

What should Madrid do? I think they want to sign a rightback, but its very difficult to find one. Really good fullbacks seem very rare nowadays.

Well compared to their left I alwaysthought their right is more solid....so now more and more I sense Real are a bit overrated and have quite many weaknesses lool. I hope that continues

So can we expect Madrid to draw inspiration from Chelsea tonight? They know that parking the bus is effective, they know that they can do it (see Copa) and they know that they only need to draw to maintain their lead. I can see them parking the bus.

Agree with dani. Dunno what happened to arbeloa, guy was fantastic defensively.

I hope we don't park the bus. we are not built for this simply because our defenders aren't as disciplined as other teams.

I'm more concerned about fatigue though, how Madrid and Barcelona are going to line up ? both teams are tired after their CL's clash.

Pedram wrote:I hope we don't park the bus. we are not built for this simply because our defenders aren't as disciplined as other teams.

I'm more concerned about fatigue though, how Madrid and Barcelona are going to line up ? both teams are tired after their CL's clash.

No idea.

I think the game unfortantely became even more important.

If we lose or maybe even draw to you, I dont think we will beat Chelsea. I think it will be the end of the season for us. If we beat you, I think we will beat Chelsea.

And if you lose 2 games in a row, the amount of pressure on you will be immense, not only to somehow go and have the confidence to beat Bayern but also pick up results in the rest of the league.

This game just got twice as important imo.

By the end of it, it might just be the nail in the coffin for one of our season.

Both coaches have go work to do, both in fixing mentality and tactics.

Two losses in CL. Pressure already on the two teams (more on Barca as Madrid got the away goal). Good match coming up wityh Mourniho to park the bus against us...

Hopefully we don't park the bus.

Are you against parking the bus because of pride, or because you dont think its the best way to get a result?

Because, a draw, would do you excellently of course.

I guess you just believe you cant park the bus, not give away chances and are in serious risk of letting in goal/s.

I expect a defensive game from them. I don't think they will sit and park the bus, but they won't play an attacking team and will rely on running and counter. Khedira was quite good as a box-to-box last time, and offered a decent threat on the counter. I wouldn't be surprised if Mou uses him there. Di Maria's dribbling and work-rate is immense. Even if he's struggling for fitness, Mou should play him. He's a great player and considering Ronaldo hides in big games he's close to their best weapon.

Expect maybe...


Like Dani, while I would prefer A-M-P up front and a back 4, I suspect Pep has another tactical reshuffle for us. Wouldn't be surprised to see Pique, Puyol and Masch at the back. Alves pushing forward offering width on the right. I'm hoping Iniesta and Xavi both coming through the middle. I'd then prefer Pedro, Messi and Alexis... hopefully no Cesc, and there's a chance he won't, because he'll be used in the UCL...

Maybe something like...


Of course this is half expectations, half my hopes...

I seriously think Fabregas will be on the bench and then comes on and creates magic. I seriously do as he does it so many times. This season, Getafe 3-2, he was the difference when he came on and setted up Tello (I think) and of course SuperCopa where he was involved in the linkup play that led to the final goal, he also was passing it well in the middle (how come that changed?). I expect 4-3-3 turning into 3-4-3 after the break. Afellay will get the chance to play a few minutes as we are playing home and well theres nothing like a big roar.

paxtonpale wrote:Two losses in CL. Pressure already on the two teams (more on Barca as Madrid got the away goal). Good match coming up wityh Mourniho to park the bus against us...

Defo. I cant remember another Classico with both teams teams coming out of a loss, For us at home we will have both matches on our shoulders, no matter how many officials/ players say "were only focused in one match at the time" This will be a double personal proof for players to get the gel feeling at home and start creating Goals!

But i still see a 4 in defense, Alexis - Messi - Cuenca up front i expect.

AS are saying Kaka will be playing, so that maybe rules out parking the bus.

I wouldn't expect Di Maria, he has been having fitness issues since injury.

I'd prefer Kaká as well. Every time he plays he causes Barcelona trouble. For me, Madrid should stick to what they did in Supercopa second leg. Pressure Barcelona like maniacs for 10-20 minutes. If they are not unlucky, they will score. Then they can sit back, recuperate and save some energy and look to hurt Barça on counters and set-pieces.

We knew this was going to be a important week for Barcelona and after the Chelsea loss it has become more and more crucial. They will need to sweat if they want to come out victorious in both matches. All that said, they could easily be out of all competitions by Tuesday. Let's see if the defending champions can do it once again.

Btw, Alexis Sánchez is almost out of el clásico after picking up an injury against Chelsea.

Wouldnt be surpried if Ozil is dropped, becos he struggles physically vs us, although hes on good form, dont think Kaka will be given the chance... not sure if Mou will park it too, since last game they really had us in trouble towards the end...wonder if he will be brave and take the game to us...

Think I wont get time to watch the gmae live, grrr...oh well, this game and probably Chelsea second leg will be even more important though!

The Franchise wrote:

No idea.

I think the game unfortantely became even more important.

If we lose or maybe even draw to you, I dont think we will beat Chelsea. I think it will be the end of the season for us. If we beat you, I think we will beat Chelsea.

And if you lose 2 games in a row, the amount of pressure on you will be immense, not only to somehow go and have the confidence to beat Bayern but also pick up results in the rest of the league.

This game just got twice as important imo.

By the end of it, it might just be the nail in the coffin for one of our season.

Both coaches have go work to do, both in fixing mentality and tactics.

Really interesting thoughts dani.