El Clasico - Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Must win game for us. Carlo has to prove he can lead us to the league this season.

We're at home and are playing well. No excuses.

I think Hala or Valk would have to say something positive on this one because I'm just a big old negative Nancy with this game. Fully expecting one of the following:
1) Bale and/or Benzema to be mediocre
2) Ronaldo to be really mediocre
3) Marcelo to lose his marker every chance he could
4) Ramos to either not be able to read an offside trap or give way a penalty
5) Carlo to use the wrong personnel

Doc wrote:I think Hala or Valk would have to say something positive on this one because I'm just a big old negative Nancy with this game. Fully expecting one of the following:
1) Bale and/or Benzema to be mediocre
2) Ronaldo to be really mediocre
3) Marcelo to lose his marker every chance he could
4) Ramos to either not be able to read an offside trap or give way a penalty
5) Carlo to use the wrong personnel

Not really. I have a bad feeling about his match. Don't think we'll win. I don't fear for Ramos, Marcelo, Bale, Ronaldo etc. I fear for our midfield. Kroos-Modric-James/Isco is a midfield that waits to get destroyed. I hope they and Carlo will prove me wrong, but I don't believe. But if a bad result(draw/lose) would make Carlo play Illarra I'd be half happy.

I'm actually convinced that we can win and win well but obviously we simply don't have any past results to fall back on at the moment.

If we can get it right tactically it might be an embarrassing night for the cules.

The past 2 games have eased my mind, sure we beat on poor teams but our passing/movement/chemistry was all on point..

We will concede but I think we can outscore them

LeSwagg James wrote:The past 2 games have eased my mind, sure we beat on poor teams but our passing/movement/chemistry was all on point..

We will concede but I think we can outscore them

Yup this is how I feel as well.

Barca, as always, flood the midfield and force our mids to make plays.  I don't think Kroos is equipped to handle pressure any more than Alonso was.  Since Bale is injured, Isco is going to have to make plays.... they're going to focus on Modric and Kroos and betting on Isco to make bad decisions.

Honestly, I don't think Isco is ready for that.  James would have been a better call since he has better vision and passing ability to go with dribbling.  Maybe Carlo keeps James in the midfield and puts Isco on the right hand side.... but i doubt it.

Neymar is in top form and Messi is in better form than last year.  You also have Suarez making his debut.

This is going to be a tough one.

sportsczy wrote:Barca, as always, flood the midfield and force our mids to make plays.  I don't think Kroos is equipped to handle pressure any more than Alonso was.  Since Bale is injured, Isco is going to have to make plays.... they're going to focus on Modric and Kroos and betting on Isco to make bad decisions.

Honestly, I don't think Isco is ready for that.  James would have been a better call since he has better vision and passing ability to go with dribbling.  Maybe Carlo keeps James in the midfield and puts Isco on the right hand side.... but i doubt it.

Neymar is in top form and Messi is in better form than last year.  You also have Suarez making his debut.

This is going to be a tough one.

who'll be super-motivated. Modric and Kroos have to step up. I don't have any concerns about Isco really, he'll have a great game.

Isco got eaten alive by Barca last season when given a chance and his big problem is that he doesn't release the ball fast... a big issue against Barca.

Alonso/Di Maria are much better than Kroos/Isco mainly because the difference defensively is a chasm.

Yeah i'm not too worried about Isco defensively... but i do worry that he tries something fancy in a dangerous place and we get countered by Barca. I hope he releases the ball early and only takes risks if there's good enough cover.

Well if Isco replicates his performance against Barca in the CdR final he should be OK.

I genuinely regard Bale highly but it really is a blessing that he is not available for the Clasico. Really unfortunate that he is injured again but I could see him being a serious hindrance to which Hala would just about lose his shit with regards to him and of course, I'll die a little bit more inside

Zealous wrote:Well if Isco replicates his performance against Barca in the CdR final he should be OK.

He was one of our best players. Great performance from him that night, on both ends. Isco's close control and dribbling could be very useful against Barca's pressing.

Relax. We will be conceding and losing for the first time in the league.

Damn dat elite reverse jinx attempt

Bankz wrote:why u no play bale? Now u've made the game almost impossible for us to win u pos! Anyway, bravo to finally concede for us.

You're trying to hard to be funny .

In his press confrence today Carlo said there might be surprises in the starting XI

Zealous wrote:In his press confrence today Carlo said there might be surprises in the starting XI

Khedira

Jese outta nowhere

Khedira won't be a problem if he starts as long as it isn't for Isco. Kroos-Modric is too light against barca.

Who will he sacrifice?

It's going to be Pepe-Ramos and Khedira for Isco... and i'm going to be very annoyed if we don't win as a result

carlo say ramos will play