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.

If 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.

My preferred starting 11-

Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Canna, Torres: Guti, Gago, Baptista,Robben : Raul Ruud

Should be a cracking game!

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…

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!)

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?

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?

How about an off-topic post? Or anything interesting?