Real Madrid VS Barcelona

So here we are. worst form ever. another 4-0?

Reports saying this will be last match for Lopetegui regardless of the result. I don't see how we win this one, but at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if Barca slipped on a banana peel without Messi.

We have veteran big game players... I think we can pull off a performance over 1 game.

It's 50-50 if you ask me. It can go either way.

Finally have some damn free time to post, shit, couldn't even watch games. Honestly, we probably would either put in a performance so inept that Barcelona would win just by passing the ball to Messi and he does ridiculous things or we put in a fantastic display. Yea, we ain't inbetween-ing this one, it's one or the other.

Messi broke his arm, and was wearing a cast when they played their last game. I'll be surprised if he actually plays in this match. I expect Ramos and Marcelo to step up their game, as per usual. Without Messi, I dont think they possess more talent than us - On the contrary, I think we have more individual quality.

However, they have a more balanced team, and their players have been playing with more grit and intensity than us this season. Someone on here corrected me when I said that certain players of ours look unmotivated. Regardless of whether or not that is true, they clearly look more hungry for trophies than our players do, and I think the superior work rate of their players is a good indication of it.

Like us, they didn't really sign any well established profiles, but they still made signings that improved the team, as was evident with the positive performances of Lenglet and Arthur against Inter Milan. They are the media's favorites, going into this match. Each team's respective form has traditionally not seemed to matter much in El Clasicos in recent years, so hopefully we'll still come out on top. The difference in pace and firepower worries me, though. Bale better not pick up another injury..

I can see us getting a win because form never matters in Clasicos

messi out makes a huge difference ., i'm actually not too worried. they'll not play a defensive game and thus it should be quite open, we can take advantage of that. their goalie has been in fine form though, so i hope we can take chances that we get....ofcourse i have headaches over our defense; its one thing to say they'll play an open game and we can capitalize, but on the other hand it doesn't guarantee our own defense will keep things cool.

We got ripped apart by Patetico, we got ripped apart by Sevilla and we'll get ripped apart by Barca. If there's a glimmer of hope of us beating it is going to lie squarely on Iscos shoulders. Right now he's the only one I trust to step up. Perhaps Benz too against his favourite opposition

We really have an opportunity against the Barca back 4. They don't have Umtiti, Pique sucks and Alba/RB are glorified wingers.

If we don't score at least 2, we're really shit. There's no Messi to be cautious about. Just go for it.

Bale hasn't beaten Alba in his life. Modric is in a bad place form wise. Likewise Varane. Kroos cba to defend. It's going to be a looooong afternoon

Alba going forward leaves their left side exposed. Bale should take advantage.

Varane had one bad game and has been otherwise incredible...  and that happened 3 days after the international game against Germany for France (poor performances after international games is very common over the history of football).  

Also remember he was taken out early (half time) due to muscle fatigue in France's first game against Iceland and only practiced one day before Germany to give him time to recover.

That's bad form?

Lope did the right thing to rest him in the last game. After winning the CL, winning the WC, going straight into league of nations... plus the start of the league/CL... Varane is obviously going to get tired. We have to manage him a bit until the winter break so he has a few more weeks to recover.

Varane was also the catalyst behind our Uefa Super Cup loss. He's been as bad as the rest

halamadrid2 wrote:Varane was also the catalyst behind our Uefa Super Cup loss. He's been as bad as the rest

I thought Navas and Marcelo had a lot more to do with that.

Wow hala. Just wow.

*bleep* stupid. Alba runs behind the defence easily. this team can't defend ffs.

Thimmy wrote:The difference in pace and firepower worries me, though.

Not surprised that they're the first one to score

Nacho

what is our right side doing? they have destroyed us from right.

*bleep* it i'm done. not watching anymore.

How many wide open free crosses are they going to give Alba. Bale needs to help ffs!!!!

Bale seems to help in intervals

We need a complete overhaul starting with the attack. Look at Barcas pressing compared with ours. And that clown Varane there again to gift goals like sweets. Ughh

I swear if this guy brings in Asensio before Ceballos he deserves to be sacked the min this game ends. Kroos needs to go, Modric needs to go. Ceballos and Mariano need to come on. Need to see some heart out there. Barca have been so comfortable. And top it all Marcelo has probably been told to stay back

Lucas coming on for Varane. Thank God