Quick Preview

By: Corey | April 25th, 2008

I found a little time between my class and my pickup game to write a quick preview for you. Squad lists are not out yet, because everyone takes their time in Spain, so I will have to do without that. But here we go!

Real Madrid vs. Atheltic Bilbao
Sunday 3pm eastern time Santiago Bernabeu Madrid

Ruud is back in training, with a view to making the bench for the clash with Bilbao. I am pretty sure Metz started training a week or so ago as well, although he probably wont make the bench for this one as he needs some time to regain fitness. With those two back, Schuster has a full sqaud to pick from, and I will say that if Balboa is not in the squad list it will be an utter tragedy. Not because of my man crush, but because he acquitted himself well with his minutes against Santander and deserves more time.

As for a lineup, I expect something fairly similar to what we saw in Santander, although Diarra may drop our for Guti/Baptista. I pray to the lord Robben is not started and Higuain partners Raul up front, such is the lack of anything Robben provides us on the field. The back four should remain the same and Casillas in goal. Look for Gago to be busy against Javi Martinez and need some help from Sneijder defensively.

Bilbao does not have a squad list out either, but based on their recent form its an obvious thing to say they are a dangerous team, who started clicking into gear during the second half of the campaign. Llorente could cause our defense problems as none of them seem to care much about jumping for high balls on set pieces or crosses. Exteberria always runs Madrid riot, but without Yeste Bilbao will have to rely on a young guy name Markel Susaeta for the creativity out wide.

I am expecting a 2-0 win for Real, with Raul and Robinho getting goals. Real is on a roll, and knows that they will have their destiny in their own hands with the title. Playing after Barca and Vilarreal doesnt hurt either, so the title could be staying in Madrid come Sunday. Everyone get out their to cheer on Los Blancos as they march towards another title! HALA MADRID HALA MADRID HALA MADRID!

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Category: Game Preview

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ahmad zulfadzli

No Ryan. We have like three/four main languages in Malaysia. Malay, Mandarin Chinese, Tamil, and English. But no part of Malaysia isn't a part of Malaysia.
Plus, Indonesian are speaking Malay too. But they're not Malaysian. The borders are clear. If they wish to fight for it, fine. But for the mean time, Catalan IS Spanish region.
Ryan Knapp

@Everyone about the Catalan culture debate:

Why is Catalunya considered to be 'not' Spain? What is ALWAYS the defining factor when talking about whether something is part of a larger entity or separate on it's own?

Language.
James

Over on the Valencia board I'm hearing David Villa to Madrid??? Granted it's goal.com and marca, but what do you all think?
Dave Martinez

hey guys

Posted this one the Barca blog too. villareal is interested in one of your targets - Jozy Altidore.

http://redbulls.theoffside.com...
James

No trophies this year for Barcelona...that's just terrible isn't it!!! Another colossal waste of Galatico-type talent, looks like they're well on their way to dismantling with Rijk and Ronnie leaving...too bad. In my opinion (humble as it may be), Barca has the biggest collection of talent at every position in Europe. They just couldn't seem to put it all together this year. Barca might redeem itself by beating us next Wednesday, but only after they applaud us when we walk on the pitch as Liga champions for the 31st time!
Jenny

But of course, someone has to keep the Evil Empire in check! Besides, you would miss us way too much!
john

I think the quest for Catalan identity is legit, and don't reject the notion of their independence outright. However, when going to Europe as a product of the 'Spanish Primera,' it makes little sense to then reject ties to Spain. And should the Catalans gain independence, would they then expect to remain contenders in Spain's league?
Rob

Corey - Yeah but they would like it so that it wasn't. Tibet is in China to use a crass analogy, but the Tibetians would like to be thier own country.
Jenny

The endless debate between the two clubs continues...

A. I'm not Spanish or Catalan, so I have no place speaking for either.

B. With that in mind, however, I am of Scottish descent, which does not mean I'm English. Not too hard to understand in the 21st century really, even for the English. This was a concept that these two sides managed to lay to rest long ago.

By the way, thank you for the complement. I share your sentiment, that is, if it's even possible to have a favorite EE fan. I suppose it's like Darth Vader near his end, you could really see his emerging goodness.
Corey

It is silly to insist Catalonia isnt Spain when every map I have seen has it there.
Joe

I'm a Barca fan (full disclosure), though not European, and I support the Catalan sentiments.. Think of it this way, if it helps: Catalunya is not Spain, it is a different cultural entity altogether... even then, Barca still represents La Liga and its successes reflect well on all the teams of La Liga.
john

Thanks for posting Jenny, you're quickly becoming my favorite barca fan! I'm still wishing your men the best of luck tomorrow, because I want Spain/La Liga to be represented in the final, and because I might decide to skip it completely should it turn out an all english affair. However, the moment I see any blaugrana banners boasting 'we're not Spain' (like I saw in the CL final against Arsenal) I might quickly change my mind. I wonder how Iniesta feels in such moments.
Jenny

This one's for John. I'm here to say congrats, no matter how much it makes my skin crawl. You guys certainly did your job to defend the "title nobody wanted" this year and it is rightfully yours for another year. What pains me more than a Real title is our spiritless and lackluster run of form in la liga. It's all a bad dream and any minute I'll wake up. NOT! Bummer, I guess I'll have to get myself out off bed in the morning with the hope for a CL victory and a second place finish in Spain. Devotion can be so cruel at times. Thank you to John, Elmeromero and Corey, not only for your support in the CL, but also for your respectful and rational visits to our site. And as always, here's looking forward to next season, oh, and that little game coming up in three weeks time!
elmeromero

Kxevin, that's very big of you, we are looking forward to Barca coming to Madrid. Don't think that just because the championship will be secured by that point that Real won't take great joy in putting a good beating on a sputtering Barca team. Right now Real is running on all cylinders and confidence is extremely high, so you guys will certainly have to find and bring your A game. Good luck in the Champions though, we wish you the best in representing Spain!
Kxevin

Alright. It's making my fingers bleed to type anything here, so I'll be brief: Congratulations. Every time you lads messed up and opened the door, we slammed it in our own faces, as one astute commentator said during our rollover against Depor.

Congrats. But know that we'll be getting in that ass at the Bernabeu. There won't be any once-in-a lifetime Baptista goals to bail y'all out. :D Later.
Corey

Barca loses 2-0 to Depor, its all down to Vilarreal now.
Louise

FYI: Cannavaro is suspended (accumulation of yellows), so expect a back four of Ramos - Pepe - Heinze - Marcelo