That awesome preview aside. This CLASICO has all the ingredients of being one of the most boring clasicos of all time.
Ronaldo not playing well
Messi not playing
Benzema not playing
Bale playing

The win over Vilareal and RM loss to Sevila actually put us on a nice track to win the league this year too. Even if we lose (while fighting) to RM I would not be so mad considering our and their defensive record. A win would seriously damage RM at this point as we have passed almost all the toughest games there are for us, and they will still have more tough games than us. With that being said, I hope our players play this game as a ultimate final.

Perfect circumstances. We can lose and still top the table (well not really because of goal difference but still)

Two weeks until it though...
Hope Messi is back in time.

Hope he can at least make the bench. Will be a great morale boost

linetty wrote:Hope he can at least make the bench. Will be a great morale boost

I also hope the same

I wouldnt risk Messi. The 3 point lead gives us a cushion. We rushed him against PSG and it wasnt a wise decision. Let him fully recover.
Benitez is a cautious manager so I am not too worried. If they want to they can dominate us as they have a better midfield.

Going to get #rekt but it's okay. Will still be equal on points afterwards. Form curve is showing upwards but Bernabeu is too much without Messi and Roberto/Mascherano in midfield and Munir upfront.

Dont think Munir will play. LE has been trying out 4-4-2 lately twice. Unfortunately rakitic got injured and quickly switched to 4-3-3

Alves Pique Mathieu Alba
Roberto Masch Busquets Iniesta
Suarez Neymar

Could be an option to at least outnumber RM's quality midfield

Don't think Lucho will experiment in such huge match tbh. Munir likely to get nod imo.

I agree with the lineup but not the formation. I don't think a flat 4 man midfield is suited to these players. Roberto will just play as a "RW" in normal 4-3-3.

I just hope Messi doesn't play. Maybe as a super sub if it's something like 1-1 with 30 minutes or so remaining but definitely not more. He'll ruin the team dynamics without being fit and everyone trying to play through him again once he's on the pitch.

Yeah thats basically what i meant. My intention wasnt to make it look like a flat 4 man midfield, i just wanted to highlight that there would be 4 midfield players on the pitch. I'm sure you understand

I'd like to win, but don't see it really. Them losing 3 points to Sevilla has helped us a lot.

linetty wrote:Dont think Munir will play. LE has been trying out 4-4-2 lately twice. Unfortunately rakitic got injured and quickly switched to 4-3-3

Alves Pique Bartra Alba
Roberto Masch Busquets Iniesta
Suarez Neymar

Could be an option to at least outnumber RM's quality midfield

I think this (or in 433) would be a super lineup. We could hold Real Madrid's attacks easy and counter with Ney, Suarez, Roberto and Alba.

It's certainly the best possible lineup given the injuries. Roberto can track Marcelo and Mascherano can mark Hames, those are their 2 most creative players. I'd sign for a draw.

Messi has to play.

pls dios

Need some shaman from Africa to heal Mehssi up asap

Would also sign for a draw btw.

Whats with all the negativity? ( or are u people simply jinxing ). I think this  current team is fully capable of taking three points at Boooonabeau. And I am saying this as neutral not as Barca fan. The reason is simply RM also have their share  injury problems+Benz fiasco. On top Benitez has transformed that team into pussies who shake at first sign of trouble. Make no doubt as far as I have seen RM this is not last years dominating and charismatic RM. That being said they do enjoy home advantage but when it comes to big matches I would always put my money() on Lucho ( ). Also the team is in great momentum and S&N are hitting all the right buttons. Busi also showed his return to his usual best last match. All in all  I think it's gonna be Barca all the way!
Simply cannot take risk of jinxing. So all in all Madrid is gonna beat the living shit outta us. Also be ready for CR7 hattrick

I'm negative because I know for a fact that Madrid will not play in such fashion as they did against Sevilla. After Sevilla's 3th goal Madrid completely gave up. Been a while I've seen a team just giving up and not caring at all. Made Sevilla look like prime Barca passing the ball around. They'll be up to it to rectify this behaviour at their home ground. They also will have some important players back (at least I think so, Marcelo, Ramos, James, Benzema should all play). The optimism is cute though that you can just go to the Bernabeu and be favourites without Rakitic and Messi. The team's form is improving for sure but the first half against Villarreal was still very tough to break Villarreal down and Madrid are much better.

Wouldnt say negativity tbh, more like we're being realistic. Of course we can win if key players are on their game, it's Benitez we're playing against afterall.

I'd bet my money on Barca win if Messi was cleared to start but without him I'd settle for a draw happily, eventhough RM is not going through a great spell aswell.

Edit jinx in case:

I think we will win this, don't see how Madrid can't beat us. If they play ultra defensive, they'll struggle to score, if they open up, they'll pay against our counters. We are the heirs of mourinhism now.

free_cat wrote:I think we will win this, don't see how Madrid can't beat us..

free_cat wrote:Edit jinx in case:

I think we will win this, don't see how Madrid can't beat us. If they play ultra defensive, they'll struggle to score, if they open up, they'll pay against our counters. We are the heirs of mourinhism now.

http://www.thescore.com/liga/news/877824

Training with the ball already