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Real Madrid vs Barcelona Report
REAL MADRID AND BARCELONA'S TEAM LINEUPJose Mourinho stunned the public with a risky 4-3-3 lineup which had Altintop at right-back and Pepe in midfield. Interestingly, Mourinho responded to the fans’ desire of starting with the Benzema-Higuain duo. Carvalho made a surprise comeback in Real Madrid’s first XI.
Attacking-minded midfielders Kaka and Mesut Özil started El Clasico from the bench. Callejon received a call-up while Angel di Maria didn’t make the cut based on fitness worries. Pepe was supposed to lead Real Madrid’s planned approach from the midfield. Instead, the Portuguese defender eventually destroyed his team’s chances of winning as Barcelona carried the day yet again.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona: Players to watch and El Clasico comparisons
Yes, both Real Madrid and Barcelona have their strengths and weaknesses. Thus, when it comes to naming the true favourites, it is largely a matter of management.
Certainly, trying to determine who has the best players only raises issues of personal taste. It is not wrong however to assess both teams’ positives and weight their advantages along with their expectations. This puts into question the form and aim of each key player in El Clasico.
All 22 active players on the field after the referee’s opening whistle will surely be ready to put on a good show for a million reasons. But then, each player will be having his challenges; and one could identify these challenges as the results of both teams’ close standards - which eventually increases the excitement ahead of El Clasico in the Spanish capital.
Invincible Barcelona annoyed after drawing twice in a row
Barcelona lost a precious 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 against minnows and rivals Real Sociedad last weekend. That draw allowed Real Madrid to open an early 2-point gap against them at the top of La Liga standings. In the UEFA Champions League recently, the Catalans failed to make the most of their dominance against AC Milan in the second period of the match as a late Thiago Silva header forced them to settle for a single point at the Camp Nou.
Xavi called the result “unfair” and a product of “pure bad luck.” Team mate Carles Puyol echoed Xavi’s comments by stating at a press conference on Wednesday:
'Excited' Chicharito Applauds Barcelona Ahead Of Champions League Final Clash
Who would have imagined Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez to be playing in a Champions League final after making his debut for Manchester United last summer? Nevertheless, the Mexican prodigy is living his wildest dreams with the Red Devils currently"This first year has been marvelous for me. Neither the coach, nor I, nor my family expected this.
"You always want to think that things will go well, that things will go for the best, but never did I imagine playing much. I've been involved a lot in my first season, when I hoped to make a few appearances and play with the reserves and just a few minutes with the first team.
Real Madrid Vs Barcelona: Should Guardiola's Men Develop New Mentality For Clasico III?
5-0 was the score when Barcelona last met Real Madrid before the current Clasico marathon kicked-off. Well, Jose Mourinho was probably brought in to break their invisibility in the Champions League as well as crush Barca's dominance over the Spanish La Liga. But that defeat last November raised numerous doubts on whether Mourinho was indeed...
Barcelona’s El Clasico Team News: Huge Boost As Injured Carles Puyol Returns
Pep Guardiola has revealed his 20-man squad for Real Madrid vs Barcelona. Among the interesting picks are Fontas and Dos Santos, but the biggest news is that Carles Puyol stands a chance of kicking a ball at the competitive level for the first time in almost 3 months.
The captain’s last game for Barcelona occurred in January 22 as the Catalans took on Racing Santander in a home game that ended 3-0 in favour of the hosts. Goals from Pedro, Messi and Iniesta sealed a comfortable win on that night for Barca but there was some bitter news as Carles Puyol fitness suffered a setback. The defender had to be taken off after 45 minutes for Gerard Pique as his knee caused him problems.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona & Eight Money Facts Ahead Of El Clasico 2011
Welcome to Saturday’s showdown between the team that has it all when it comes to money and the team that rests most on their home products. What could we be talking about but Saturday’s Real Madrid vs Barcelona match at the Santiago Bernabeu?
It’s El Clasico time! Eventually, Live Soccer TV gives you an opportunity to know 8 interesting facts about the differences that exists between Florentino Perez’s and La Masia-inspired Barcelona.
Spain vs Czech Republic Team News: Puyol Still Out, Xavi Set For Milestone
Graduation For Two U-21 Players, Barcelona And Real Madrid Domination
Vicente del Bosque will have to do without the likes of Carles Puyol and Pedro Rodriguez. The Barcelona pair joins Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas on the sidelines. Puyol is yet to recover from his knee injury whereas Pedro and Fabregas are carrying hamstring and groin injuries respectively.
The exclusion of both Puyol and Pedro still doesn’t deny Barcelona from having the highest number of players in Vicente del Bosque’s roster for Spain’s Euro 2012 qualifier against the Czech Republic. The Catalans actually have 6 of their players called up for this international game whereas Real Madrid have 5.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid And Co Unite For Barcelona’s Eric Abidal
Abidal’s operation was due to take place on Friday, but it has been rescheduled for Thursday. The 31-year-old’s career is now in serious danger and fellow professionals from around the world have been quick to express their sympathy. Some of the messages can be read below:
AS Roma Captain Francesco Totti on his official website
“He will soon go under the knife and this will be his greatest battle – greater than any football match. I can only wish Eric all the best, from the bottom of my heart. I hope he overcomes this and that he returns to the pitch better than ever.”
Barcelona President Sandro Rosell on Barca’s official club website
“Barca is 100 per cent behind Eric Abidal. The club will do everything within its power, and even more, to help his recovery. Health is above any other aspect of life. Abi, Barca loves you.”
Barcelona vs Arsenal: Facing Arsenal Is Hard But Magnificent – Guardiola
The Catalans went 2-1 down at the Emirates Stadium back in mid-February, in their challenge’s first leg. A simple 1-0 victory will therefore be enough for them to progress into the quarterfinals; yet, the Spanish League leaders are looking forward to getting an overwhelming result.Succeeding and overpowering Arsenal at the Camp Nou will obviously call for a flow of perfection on behalf of Barcelona, and Pep Guardiola strongly believes that such a pricey achievement is nothing but a huge possibility. Both giants are currently facing fitness problems in their respective squads, with Alex Song and Theo Walcott certainly unavailable for the Gunners.
Champions League – Barcelona vs Arsenal: No Carles Puyol For Barca Again
The Barcelona defender was expected to win his fitness race in time as the Catalans aim to overturn the 2-1 defeat they suffered at the Emirates Stadium in the hands of Arsenal a few weeks ago. However, it has been understood that Carles Puyol still has knee troubles as a statement on Barca’s official website could read:“Carles Puyol will not be available for the Champions League match against Arsenal on Tuesday.
“The captain has been feeling problems in relation to his previous injury, and so he will not be able to play in the Champions League.”
Spanish La Liga: Barcelona And The Risks Of Sunday's Game Against Bilbao.
February has been an intense month for Barcelona. First, the Cule squad connected its 16th consecutive victory in La Liga, breaking a new record in the Spanish League. But afterwards, things started going awry for Pep Guardiola's boys. Their last two matches away (Gijon, to visit Sporting, and London to take on Arsenal for the Champions League) have been rather disappointing, failing to return home with three points from Gijon and falling against Arsenal 2-1.
It's interesting to notice something similar happened last year, back in February 2010, when Barcelona fell against Atletico 2-1 and tied a Champions League game against Stuttgart 1-1. Those games were a turning point for Barcelona, as they pick up 29 of the next 30 possible points.
Arsenal vs Barcelona: Carles Puyol Fails To Recover In Time For The Catalans
Puyol has apparently failed against time to overcome the tendonitis problem which has been worrying him since a few weeks now. The Barca skipper had to miss last weekend’s 1-1 draw against Sporting Gijon as Pep Guardiola was hoping to have him fit for this week’s Champions League Round of 16 match in London.But Puyol is not the only man on Barcelona’s injury list. Youngster Jeffren is yet to find back the level of fitness that can see him participate in training sessions.
In contrast, Arsenal could welcome Nasri back into their line up. The French man claims to be fully fit after sustaining a hamstring injury back in January.