A Dry Patch
By: Corey | February 11th, 2008
So the transfer window shut, and we just beat Valladolid down pretty bad. We had three Castilla players in training with us during the international break, but other then that there really is not much for me to report. Yeah we have a game against Betis coming up, but that hardly sets the pulse, and the Champions League tie with Roma is awhiles away, so I am gonna ask you. What would you like me to write about? What has been bugging you that you want me to weigh in on, or what have I not covered that you think needs attention. Or maybe you have a really good article that you want me to publish as a guest piece. That would be great, go ahead and email it to me at cnfiske@quinnipiac.edu
Its up to you, give me something to do.
Category: Team News
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I also don’t have anything to write about, Corey. I just reported that Robinho is gonna be sidelined for two weeks on my blog and thats the latest thing.
How about an off-topic post? Or anything interesting?
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United States
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I don’t know - I’m ready for some roma match-up info. I don’t really follow the Serie A, so I’d be curious to know what kind of formations, attacks, strategies Roma uses. After all, it’s only a week away.
Besides that, I always love pondering line-ups, and wouldn’t mind a bit of reflective ‘who’s your ideal starting XI’. Corey, Steve, elmeromero, Elisa, evo, Louise, Rajab, Luis and anyone else! Who are your favorite XI Blancos to start?
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United States -
Alright, an early Roma preview will be pretty easy, me and Chris are pals. And as for a starting lineup, this is my preference:
Casillas: Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Canna, Torres: Guti, Gago, Baptista, Robinho: Raul Ruud
That seems logicla doesnt it? Well, I would like to see Balboa start on the right, and occasionally see Diarra, Soldado and Marcelo swaped in and out. And what to do with RObben, he looked good again Valladolid, if he is healthy does he start too?
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United States -
John asked me to comment on this on my blog, so I’m repeating my answer here.
My starting XI: Casillas; Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Heinze; Diarra, Guti, Robben, Robinho; Baptista, Van Nistelrooy
Controversially (?) no Raúl, though I would rotate him in with Baptista depending on the opposition, and Heinze (when fit) as left back - I think Marcelo needs to mature somewhat on the defensive side and Torres is not a natural left footer. You lose something in attack, but gain a lot more at the back - I’m just cautious I guess.
Sneijder would also come in for Robben when he invariable gets injured. But I probably wouldn’t play a static XI, and I’d definitely give Soldado more playing time than Schuster has (at least give the lad a chance!)
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United Kingdom -
I figured out a new post, just put it up. And Gonz, I dont trust in Heinze as much as other do, while I think playing Robben and Robinho wit Guti in the middle leaves Diarra awfully exposed which he usually can cope with but has been having trouble lately. And to leave Raul out?
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So here’s my ideal XI -
Casillas (shock); Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Torres; Guti, Gago, Baptista, Robinho; Raul, Ruud.
Yes, I actually picked Gago in favour of Diarra, which is perhaps a bit foolhardy. I also recognize that this is a midfield poised for attack, and would most likely have a difficult time defending, but alas, I can’t help it. Guti has had some of his best games when played on the ‘right wing’ which actually ends up being a floating forward role, even more so than Robinho’s. It tends to leave him unmarked, in the part of the pitch where he can work his magic. So in reality, the formation ends up more of a 4-1-3-2, with Gago the holder. Normally, I’d be more than a little uncomfortable with this set-up, but with my ideal back four, I think it just might work.
On the bench I’d have Marcelo, Drenthe, Diarra, Dudek, Higuain, Robben, and Balboa. Likely subs - Balboa or Robben for Guti (if Guti’s having an off day), Diarra for Baptista (if Madrid is struggling to control the midfield) and Drenthe for Robinho (if Robinho deserves to be singled out for ovation before the 90th minute).
I’ll be the first to find fault with this squad: Sneijder isn’t even on the bench. I know a lot of you would agree, but I still think the Dutchie has got some talent, and deserves his chances. I suppose ideally I’d put him on the bench instead of Dudek. If Casillas (God help us) had to be taken out, perhaps put Diarra between the sticks? Hmmmm…
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I agree with Gonzalo for the most part. However, I don’t think Robinho will be fit. Let’s put Raul our CL star in the starting 11. I would put in Gago for Diarra. I really like the way he has stepped up lately. Heinze needs more rest per Corey. I would have Marcelo at stand by for Ramos, just in case Sergio is still aching or he needs to sub for Pepe.
My preferred starting 11-
Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Canna, Torres: Guti, Gago, Baptista,Robben : Raul Ruud
Should be a cracking game!
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United States -
Right now I favour
Casillas, Ramos, Pepe, Canna, Henize:
Diarra, Guti, Sniejder, Robben :
Raul, RuudIf Robinho is out (looks like it), then I’d have Sniejder in instead - otherwise Robinho gets starting spot.
I’d swap in Baptista for Guti part way through the second half or maybe earlier - it’s hard to know which Guti you’re going to get on any given day, but my guess is that Roma won’t have done thier homework and will give him more space than the smart teams tend to in La Liga. Also I think Guti and Robben compliment each other very well - they both seem to think the same way.
Robben tends to run more with the ball, rather than ‘juggle’ it like Robinho, so there’s less overlap with the full back - I think. For this reason Henize gets a start ahead of Marcelo. If Robinho were starting then I think I would have Marcelo starting instead.
My third likely sub is Higuian for Sniejder, but if Robben falls over and gets a ‘hurty knee’, then Drenthe comes in.
I can’t imagine bringing Soldado on unless something goes wrong - Higuain would be my first striker sub choice ahead of him to be honest in such an important game.
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United States -
I can’t believe how much talent we have, it’s actually extremely tough to pick the starters and have to think about leaving someone like Sneijder, Baptista, or Raul on the bench. Or just resting Robinho with no major disadvantage. Glad to see these guys are taking it in stride and being team players. I also think Robinho will be rested which is just fine, because with the way Baptista has been playing lately it’s got to be scary for opponents. You gotta love THE BEAST!
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United States -
I’m a little late to the party, and i don’t even know who will see this, but here’s my ideal starting XI (injuries notwithstanding):
Casillas, Ramos, Pepe, Cannavaro, Torres, Gago, Guti, Baptista, Robinho, Robben, Ruud.
Strangely, i’ve been a big defender of Raul this year, but I can’t find a place for him in my ideal setup of 4-3-3, mostly because he’s not the lead striker anymore, and there’s no room for the “in-the-hole” striker in my formation.
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