Copa del Rey Preview
By: Corey | January 15th, 2008Real are down a goal to Mallorca in the Kings Cup, but once again are sparred having to contain Dani Guiza who did not make the trip for the islanders. Schuster’s patched up back four will be praying to whatever statue they have in their house. Its almost like deja vu writing about Mallorca again, I did this same thing a week ago, so refer to that for anything I dont mention in this post: http://real.theoffside.com/game-preview/copa-del-rey-mallorca-up-next.html Lets hope for a different result though, as I dont know if I can contain my frustrations with another dour performance like the past two.
SQUAD LIST:
Goalkeepers: Dudek and Codina
Defenders: Salgado, Cannavaro, Ramos, Marcelo, Torres, and Drenthe
Midfielders: Gago, Guti, Baptista, and Sneijder.
Forwards: Van Nistelrooy, Robinho, Saviola, and Higuaín.
No El Capitan, he gets to rest his knee. Expected starting lineup is (why play Sneijder, why?):
————–Dudek—————
Torres—-Ramos—-Canna—Marcelo
Sneijder—-Gago—-Guti—-Robinho
———-Ruud—-Hig’s————
Injuries are as follows:
The six sick bay residents continued their respective recoveries during today’s session. Javier Balboa has a sprained right internal lateral ligament, Gabriel Heinze is dealing with a torn left thigh muscle, Metzelder’s plantar fasciitis is on the mend, Pepe is suffering from a bruised right achilles heal, Roberto Soldado tore his left hamstring, and Arjen Robben is recovering from a strained lower back and left hamstring.
Mallorca will put out a more defensive unit then before, but it will probably include two of Arango, Ibagaza and Nunez in midfield. No gimme’s at the back with Ramis probably dropping to the bench while Moya may get the nod again ahead of Lux after a good performance last time out. I dont have any Mallorca team news other then Trejo is not that bad off after his collison with Dudek in the last game, so they really have no injury worries. They got an encouraging 2-2 draw against Zaragoza this weekend which saw Victor Fernandez loose his job.
I will expect a strong lineup from Mallorca, and they will go for the death blow with a goal on the counter. Thats all, Im saving myself for the Atletico game. Also, you get sick of writing the same thing over and over again. I dont want to see Mallorca again til next season (unfortunately, we have to play them in the league yet again still.)
This is a must win game, because I feel if we cannot pull this one off the wheels on our season may begin to come off. I may have been a little negative before about the teams play, I do concede that the results have been positive and the points are on the board, I just cant help but think how long we can play like crap and keep winning.
Bernadine Pre-Match Presser:
Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster offered an extensive press conference and made it ever so clear that tomorrow’s goal is to eliminate Mallorca for a spot in the quarterfinals of the King’s Cup.
Does it bother you that Gregorio Manzano said “tomorrow we’ll have two rivals: Real Madrid and the referee.”?
No. I just hope that’s the case. I couldn’t ask for more. I hope he’s right and that there are penalties and disallowed goals in our favor. I’m joking of course. I hope we make it to the next round, but not because of the referee’s actions.
You’re taking it with a grain of salt. Is playing it down the best thing to do?
I understand what he said. I don’t take part because it hasn’t been done with other small teams. When speaking about Real Madrid, the referees are always brought up. It’s a kind of tactic.
How do you feel about Dani Güiza not making the trip.
We didn’t think it would help in the first match, and it didn’t. They scored twice without him. He’s always a danger on the pitch, so we have to take advantage of his absence while not letting his substitute play either.
How are you planning this Cup match with the derby just around the corner?
I have to play the best team possible tomorrow because we want to make it through. With one game after the next, I always look at the first and not so much at that which follows. We want to make it to the next round. I do have to admit that drawing up the squad list is a lot easier with so many players out.
Will Raúl sit out this match?
It’s possible because he’s played a lot of matches. He also suffered a knock to his leg.
Why is Saviola playing so infrequently?
It’s complicated when Van Nistelrooy and Raúl are playing the way they are. There are so many matches to play, and we know we have them for when we need them. Saviola hasn’t given up. He’s always up for the challenge and waiting for his chance. Whether it’s sooner or later, you always get a chance in football.
What do you expect of your team during the second half of the season?
The same as the first half, effectiveness. We have to try to reach the end in first place while also maintaining a distance. We need to make it look like everything is under control and we can’t concede any goals. We’re coming up on important stages. In the Champions League a spot in the final is at stake. We have to do well in League and Cup play in January, and it’s just what we’re doing.
Is improving the team’s football a part of the plan?
I disagree. I feel like sticking up for my team. We had a lot of chances in Levante. Last place teams don’t make it very easy. We were the better team and we had two shots hit the post and balls cleared off the line. Let’s not get into it. You also have to be objective with Real Madrid.
Honestly, did Gregorio Manzano’s statement bother you? And are you worried about Mallorca?
Of course I don’t like it when a claim like that is made. We all have to be equal. I do worry about Mallorca because they already proved that they can beat us without Güiza. They have the chance to eliminate Real Madrid and make it to the next round. They’re a good team and a dangerous opponent.
Are you satisfied with the way Real Madrid is playing?
Yes, totally satisfied. I have to be. Why wouldn’t I? That would be a disgrace. We’re still not at 100%, but look at our numbers and our room for improvement.
Madrid is the best team in the league, but you said you wanted to strive for good football.
I’m shocked to hear you talk about playing well. Looking only at our lineup, we’re a more offensive team, the highest scorer, and the second-least scored upon. I disagree with you. There have been matches this year that you didn’t see in any of the last three seasons.
Nice Manzano, claim ref unfairness before the match even begins…Sour grapes anyone? On that note, I have decided to get my ref certification again so I can do some matches while at school, as a hobbie. Except I forgot exactly how I got the certification ohh 7 years ago or so, lets hope I remember what I have to do. Anyways, lets hope for a Madrid win and progression towards the treble! HALA MADRID!
Category: Game Preview
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Comments
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I’m guessing it’ll be the other Argentine starting up front with Ruud. The little one. The one who can’t score.
Posted from
United States
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I read that Cannavaro will be out too, problems with his knee. If he is, I think our only option is to play Torres with Sergio Ramos in the middle, since he did play centreback in the youth system. Salgado and Marcelo start too, in what is possibly the worst backline ever.
Also, if this is the case, i think Guti starts instead of Sneijder, since Guti is more defensively aware and can play behind the halfway line better than the Dutchman, which is saying a lot since this is Guti we’re talking about. Gago might be under strict orders not to cross the halfway line.
Upfront then, we’re basically hoping that Guti can provide service from deep to Baptista, Robinho and probably Higuain, just to maintain width.
Posted from
United States -
Yes Steve, I just saw that and its worrying. I will believe it when the lineups are announced, but it may be a good move with the atletico game coming up. I actually think Torres-Sergio Ramos in the center will be interesting. Neither can attack so they should be more solid defensively, they both have the burden of needing to attack down the flanks which complicates their defending duties. But having Salgado AND Marcelo may be to much for them, so this isnt looking good. The midfield situation is just as hairy, its to bad Djila is gone, but this is why we have a deep squad. That is dibilitated by injuries…. youth team players really should be used in this situation, Schuster should come to his senses.
And John, Saviola did nothing to suggest a start. Higuain on the other hand did, and with Schusters throbbing love muscle more inclined to Sneijder on the right, I tend to see Hig’s up front in the hole with Ruud. Saviola is just balls.
Posted from
United States -
Very interesting lineup with the makeshift central defense. I still think we can take this game and save Canna for the derby. Hala Madrid!
Posted from
United States -
Didn’t you hear? You guys are already champs in Ireland.
Posted from
United States -
I would much rather see Higuain over Saviola up front, but that has always been the case, and I’m used to being disappointed. It also worried me that Schuster was talking about him (Saviola) and his place in the club in this weeks pressie - which is why I’m suspect that Saviola will get his start. Regardless, I get a kick out of seeing make-shift squads like the one we’ll see today. Hopefully they can make some magic. HALA MADRID!
Posted from
United States -
I dislike the Irish Ryan, I am Welsh and Scottish and would rather not venture there. Real have not won anything yet, so they are idiots.
And John, I am use to be disappointed as well, but I hope I get to see an entertaining game today, I always hope that and it usually doesnt happen.
Posted from
United States -
an early penal!
Posted from
United States -
booo ref, that was a clear handball
Posted from
United States -
Saviola was chopped down in the box, no? But no call. Interested squad out there, and have been playing relatively well, from what I’ve seen. Higuain especially seems eager for the back of the net, hopefully he’ll find it in the 2nd.
Posted from
United States -
Awful
Posted from
United States -
ditto.
Posted from
United States -
We played well, but bad finishing let us down terribly. Saviola is useless.
Posted from
United Kingdom -
as an avid barca supporter i really despise real madrid and my best friend who loves real madrid but doesnt have any means to watch their games- believes im biased when i tell him that they played like crap and still won. Im just glad to read that its not just me that realises it… thanks corey
Posted from
Australia -
Actually - b**ca fan, if you’re talking about today’s game, Madrid played good, attacking football, but as Ryan said, we lacked finishing (with Raul not even on the bench, Van Nistelrooy out for the first half, and Robinho out for 3/4 of a game). This was another case of Madrid playin b-team in Copa del Rey, which gets Wenge praise in the FA Cup, but will no doubt get Schuster jeered in Spain. Personally, I’m sick of Madrid underperforming in the King’s Cup, but it’s clearly not their main focus.
And for the record, your Catalans have been playing some right ugly ball themselves lately. So stuff it.
Posted from
United States -
John, you pointed out something very interesting there: Madrid doesn’t really care about winning the Copa. I think that’s sad, really, but it’s not something intrinsic to Madrid by any means. The domestic cup should be another competition that everyone wants to win, not just those who are out of the title race.
I like that Barca is putting out a first team squad, but that is more a function of our current position in the league and last year’s collapse than anyone in the Barca front office caring about the Copa. Until you need to bring in the silverware, there’s no reason to waste your energies on the Copa, it seems.
The Champions League is the main Cup focus, of course, and it’s hard to say that it isn’t more important, but even last year, when Barca was out of the CL, they fielded a pretty weak defense against Getafe during the second leg (and look where that got us) rather than caring. I think Madrid is suffering from this same idea, that the Copa is for training players and letting the young guns show off their stuff.
Only time will tell, of course, if Schuster can maintain the league form, but it can’t hurt to have better rested players. Or at least I wouldn’t think so. Does this improve Madrid’s chances of winning the league and the CL or not? I don’t really know, but, again, I don’t see how it can hurt.
I also wonder what it says that the “B” teams of both squads (Madrid and Barca) are playing better, more attractive football that their “A” team counterparts. The league could very well become more enjoyable to watch if Barca begins to play with a “nothing to lose” attitude in the league rather than the sourpuss show they put on against Sevilla on Tuesday. Boring is boring is boring, no matter who does it. Kudos to the defenses, of course, but blah to the offenses.
Posted from
United States -
Your right Ish, the Copa is just not a priority, unless either Barca or Real go out of the CL in the group stage (disaster), there is no reason to try very hard in the Copa, its just not worth it. Its a good oppurtunity to give fringe and youth players a shot. Its the same in all other countries, not just Spain. I actually do see one positive from last nights loss. Even with a banged up defense and central midfield pairing, we were able to exert pressure on the opponent. So we will be fine at home for the next month. But away games are what win the league, we cant slip up because Barca will be there to take points off the lead.
Posted from
United States -
Yeah, guys. Copa del eh. Given my love for Spanish football, however, I still feel a Spanish trophy should be a big deal. But the Primera and the CL are clearly the priorities and it’s hard to argue with that reasoning. As you’ve both (Coery and Isaiah) pointed out giving some of the benchers a chance to play is a damn fine thing, and even if Madrid lost, they put on a hell of a show.
And good luck to Barca from here out in the cup, Isaiah, but it’s all Getafe for me at this point. Vamos Azulones!
Posted from
United States
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