Real Madrid C.F. VS F.C. Barcelona

Ravenbarberadrijugon94, you have no faith in Villa. That said, Madrid will still struggle because Ramos is not a particularly good, nor disciplined centre back and when fit and in good conidition, which he invariably will be in the first half of the season, Messi will beat Pepe at least once or twice. Ramos will almost certainly be sent off in a one-on-one against Messi. Just put him on that side of the pitch against Ramos, and watch the Spain international get booked again and again and lose his head. Carvalho has proven how much he struggles against Barcelona when the chips are down. He should have been sent off in the 5-0 Camp Nou mauling.

As for Sahin, is a central midfielder, or an attacking one? Is he experienced enough and mentally strong enough to limit Iniesta's impact on a game? Also, Coentrao at Right Back? So you have Di Maria and Coentrao on the right hand side? Two left footers on the right hand side? Where's the width gonna come from from that side, since both will have to cut inside to get onto their best foot? Who will put in crosses for Ronaldo from that side, since that will be his best bet from scoring alone up front?

Also, Ronaldo can't really play up front. He is best as a slanted winger, someone who uses his pace to get into central positions from out wide, usually from crosses or low slung crosses. (That's why Ronaldo's career will stall when he loses his pace. He is not a technically gifted, nor tactically intelligent enough to be reinvented in a different position.)

Nice try though, adrijugon94. Ronaldo will be 27 next year, and has rarely if ever been a reliable presser or defender from the front. He will press and defend in fits and starts throughout a game, but not for the entire game. Madrid cannot beat a full strength and fit Barca if even one of their players isn't defending for an entire match, like the all of the Barca players do. You need all your men mindful of defensicve duties against Pep's men.

06.06.2011

Joe423I agree with what Ravenbarber is saying. It's all well to match up to their system, but with the two inverted players on the right the system will be naturally lop sided and drawn in towards the centre.

I would play a midfield trio of Pepe, Alonso and Khedira. The energy of Pepe and Khedira will help combat Barcelona's midfield and Alonso can pull the strings. Ronaldo on the right and Di Maria on the left, with either a deep lying, almost false nine Mesut Ozil or a tall target man such as Emmanuel Adebayor(assuming he is their next season.)

08.06.2011

Real Madrid C.F. VS F.C. Barcelona

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