Last Friday, Jose Mourinho was resolute to keep his lips sealed as Real Madrid assistant coach Karanka made the talking. This led to Spanish journalists boycotting El Clasico’s pre-match press conference whereas the public was left ignorant about the kind of tactics and formation Real Madrid would take against Barcelona.
Finally, Mourinho opted for a defensive approach with Pepe at the centre of his plan. For some, the “Special One” made a smart move. For others, the Portuguese’s coaching decisions simply proved Barcelona’s authority as “THE unstoppable team in the world” since Real Madrid never play negative games at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Well, last Saturday’s Clasico has given a reason for football fans and pundits to expect an “attacking vs defending” encounter in the 2011 Copa del Rey final on Wednesday night. But as Barcelona vs Real Madrid is about to kick off at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Jose Mourinho has shared a bit of information concerning Los Blancos’ formation against Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
“We will play with a centre forward,” Mourinho confirmed as he spoke during the 2011 Copa del Rey final’s press conference.
“We’ll have four players on the back line, three midfielders and three attackers. We want to attack and score anytime we have the ball. When we don’t have it, we must defend like a team.
“This means that the entire team will have to be active in working in both areas of the pitch. The [Barcelona vs Real Madrid] match will have nothing to do with Saturday’s Clasico.
“You never know how a match could turn out. We’ll have to see how things unfold. It’s only then that we will evaluate.
“We don’t care about the players that will play or will not play for Barcelona. Our game plan was designed yesterday.”
Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey final squad goes as follows:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Adan, Dudek
Defenders: Sergio Ramos, Carvalho, Pepe, Marcelo, Arbeloa, Garay
Midfielders: Granero, Kaka, Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Özil
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Adebayor, Benzema, Di Maria, Higuain
Real Madrid may have Adebayor starting upfront as the centre forward. The Togolese, who came off the bench in Saturday's Clasico, is expected to be chosen ahead of Benzema who didn't impress last weekend against Barcelona. Unlike Ferguson who decided to play Cristiano Ronaldo as a striker in the 2009 UEFA Champions League final against Barca, Jose Mourinho may put CR7 behind the center forward. It remains to be seen if Pepe will maintain his position in midfield rather than at the back since Ozil is poised to start tonight.
Jose Mourinho’s possible starting line up for Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Carvalho, Pepe, Marcelo, Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo, Di Maria, Adebayor
Get LIVE information about the 2011 Copa del Rey final here: Barcelona vs Real Madrid!
