Time zone: US/Eastern | Register | Login
Search:

Dropping Cristiano Ronaldo & 3 things Real Madrid must do to beat Barca at home

Angela Asante, January 17 2012,
Real Madrid want to defend their Spanish Copa del Rey title at all cost. To make this wish a reality, they might need to follow the three rules mentioned in this article.

Real Madrid vs Barcelona and the Cristiano Ronaldo factor. What do you think?

Related Content:

Real Madrid
Barcelona
Related Articles: El Clasico, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid, Barcelona
For Real Madrid, like for all clubs these days, beating Barcelona is a phenomenon. Joseph Guardiola’s Catalans have grown so mighty that opponents tremble in fear at the thought of facing them. Some downplay panic, but the outcome remains the same; Barcelona maintain their dominance at the end of the day.

Manchester United, AC Milan and Santos are some of the world’s top teams that have bowed down to the unrivalled power of the Blaugrana. It’s probably right to say that Real Madrid know even more suffering than Santos, Milan or 2009 and 2011 Champions League beaten finalists United. The routine of El Clasicos tells it all.

Since defeating Barcelona 4-1 in 2008, Real Madrid have managed only one victory against the Catalans. It occurred in the final of the Spanish Copa del Rey in April last year. A 103rd minute goal from Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo made the difference as Xavi, Lionel Messi and David Villa ran out of tonic. Madridistas described the victory as the beginning of a new era for Los Blancos and as the end of Barcelona’s dominance in Clasicos. Time and results, however, proved otherwise.

 

Despite being in formidable form ahead of December 10’s meeting, Real Madrid exploded like a balloon against the sword of Barcelona. Karim Benzema offered the home crowd a great start to the show but the Catalans replied with 3 goals to spoil Real Madrid’s night at the Santiago Bernabeu. In addition, many of Los Blancos’ remarkable records went broken on December 10, 2011.

For the first time since then, Real Madrid and Barcelona will clash. The venue for this two-legged Copa del Rey tie is the Santiago Bernabeu, where the hosts are normally invincible against every opponent but Barca.  If Real Madrid want to successfully defend their Spanish cup title, they have to overcome the Catalans. To do that, they will need to take full advantage of the home factor so as to enter into the second leg with confidence and realistic hope.

In this editorial, we single out three of the most important things that Real Madrid should do to beat Barcelona.

1)    Jose Mourinho must drop Cristiano RonaldoCristiano Ronaldo needs a break to find his form against Barcelona.

Cristiano Ronaldo fans would find this offending, perhaps even impious and irrelevant. However, such a decision might be perfect for the team as much as for the player. Flopping against Barcelona is Ronaldo’s habit. Poor shots, bad runs, petulance and distress are on show when the star winger faces Lionel Messi’s Catalans.

The consequence of Ronaldo’s terrible performances in Clasicos is obvious: jeers from anti-supporters and intense criticism from the media as his fans find excuses and hope elsewhere.

It is surely time to give Cristiano Ronaldo a break. The burden of high expectations is perhaps weighting heavily on his shoulders.

Jose Mourinho should consider shocking Florentino Perez and the public by omitting Cristiano Ronaldo from his starting XI. The €94 million signing may be more inspiring in the match as a substitute.

Above all, dropping Cristiano Ronaldo must not be seen as a risky decision. Real Madrid already know what it means to suffer humiliation in the hands of Barcelona. The absence of Ronaldo should therefore not create any surprise.

The Portuguese star, besides, is always accused of being selfish particularly against Barcelona. As much as football is a team game, a starting XI without Cristiano Ronaldo shouldn’t harm Real Madrid’s hopes.

Benzema should lead the attack with Gonzalo Higuain against Barcelona.2)    Real Madrid must play according to Barcelona’s approach

You could spend hours, days and even months building a plan to stop Barcelona, but still fail on the D day. Pep Guardiola’s army of players has strength in depth. Let’s admit that. In addition, Barcelona have luck (or favor from referees as some would claim). Consequently, and in other words, Real Madrid have to work many times harder to achieve something against the Catalans.

Jose Mourinho needs not to guarantee anything in terms of formation or squad choices. The key here is to play according to Barcelona’s approach while trying to prevent the Catalans from advancing as much as possible.

Negative tactics may be needed to stop Barca’s game of possession but discipline will count more. Fouling and giving away free-kicks would only kill Real Madrid’s chances of winning. Jose Mourinho should play Benzema and Higuain upfront and ask them to cooperate as they know best.  

3)    Real Madrid must be mentally fitEl Clasico becomes ugly.

Mental fitness is Real Madrid’s main problem. Los Blancos lack of confidence and self-control. They panic every time Barcelona have a shot on goal and they collapse when they concede one. Eventually and evidently, they lose.

The Spanish giants need to forget about the hype of El Clasico, about Barcelona’s advantageous record over them and about Xavi and Messi’s power on the field. They must develop total concentration on their own game and own desire to triumph.

When they’ll find genuine confidence within, they’ll find stability. As of now, it has become natural to witness physical fights and several bookings when Real Madrid and Barcelona clash against each other.

The Camp Nou is a scary stadium so Los Blancos better create and take their chances at the Bernabeu on Wednesday before it is too late.


 

Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Date: Wednesday, 18 Jan 2012
Time: 16:00 ( US/Eastern )
Competition: Spain Copa del Rey
Live/Repeat: Live
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid)

Related Articles

Member Sign In »

Username Password
Forgot Password | Remember
Not a Member Yet? Register Now