Valladolid Preview

By: Corey | October 15th, 2009

Real Madrid – Valladolid
Santiago Bernabeu
Jornada 7 17/10/2009
20:00 NOT ON GOLTV BOOOO!
Streams available here

I dont get Valladolid. On paper, there team looks pretty good, just like Malaga. They have some very interesting players and some up and coming youngsters that would get most managers into a top half finish. Not Jose Luis Mendilibar, who seems to be holding back many of the players with restrictive tactics, weird formations and aura of defeatism around the team. Not to mention not playing some of the new players he added in the summer. It seems strange to me, but maybe with a few more bad results he may change his mind.

To date, they only have one win against newly promoted Zaragoza, although that in itself is an accomplishment considering how well Zaragoza has done. Draws against Almeria and last match day Atheltic Bilbao seemed fair enough, but loosing heavily to Mallorca and getting nicked of three points by Osasuna at home were not good results. Valladolid’s confidence is low right now, and Real has historically taken advantage of such ebbs in form by hammering our neighbors. From 2000 to 2004, when they were relegated, Real Madrid were able to put up numbers like 7-2 and 6-1 and in the 07-08 campaign, 7-0. Valladolid have only one three times and drawn three times in the history of the two facing one another at the Bernabeu. Raul has scored, get this, 15 goals against Valladolid, including two hat tricks. The last time Valladolid picked up a point at the Bernabeu, Cuauhtémoc Blanco was playing for them…

Despite that 7-0 drubbing, the past three seasons Real have only recorded only two wins in six matches. Valladolid won one last year and the remainder were hard fought draws in Valladolid. There is a grit about the team that one must admire, and I suppose that is a hallmark of Mendilibar’s team to be praised. But it is time for the team to take it to the next level. Their grit has not been on show so far this season with the inconsistent displays, and a goal difference of -5, with only 7 goals scored but 12 conceded.

Up front they have three new signings who have not jelled with the rest of the team yet. Manucho, the Angolan, was brought in from Manchester United, and while his physical nature and quality in the air is notable, he posses little challenge to the average defender. He has only made 2 starts this season, with a further two games off the bench, scoring one goal, but if I was Pepe, I would not be all that concerned with him. Diego Costa is another new player that was brought in from Atletico Madrid in a trade for Sergio Asenjo this summer. Costa is a skilled player, but unlike most Brazilians, he learned his trade in Europe, having played in Portugal at a young age, and with Albacete last season on loan. Because he matured in Europe, he is also not stereotypically Brazilian in that he is easily moved off the ball. His foot skills are commendable and he is a hard worker, but his finishing is often wayward and he looses concentration in matches, which is why Atletico let him go.

Diego Costa should start up front alongside Fabian Canobbio, who is a seasoned Liga player. Canobbio was groomed as a winger but has played more centrally, often behind the striker for Valladolid and can be considered their main weapon. He has a very strong shot and is a quick player that will run at defenders. Besides Manucho, Nauzet Aleman and Haris Medujanin are sometimes used as forwards. Aleman as the point player and Medujanin in the hole, each is dangerous in short bits. Medujanin had a bit of a hot streak last year with some inspired performances, but his form is very inconsistent so he is often used off the bench. Aleman has been effective off the bench, and his start against Valencia ended in him scoring one goal and being a nuisance when playing alongside Diego Costa. With injuries to the midfield, he may partner Costa.

Also in the striking core is former Castilla hot shot Alberto Bueno. He has only made one substitute appearance so far this season and is still finding his feet at the club, so we probably wont get to see him at the Bernabeu this weekend. To bad, I really liked that kid. Bueno can be used in the hole or on the wing, and I think that Mendilibar feels most comfortable using him on the wing as of right now. Its an odd move since he also has the excellent Marquitos who signed from Villarreal this offseason as a winger. With injuries, one of Bueno or Marquitos should start on the right side of the midfield.

Valladolid often uses a lone man up top, either Manucho or Diego Costa, supported by a hole player, Canobbio. He is then flanked by Sisi and Jonathan Sesma, Valladolid’s best players. Each is your stock Spanish schemer, like Crusat at Almeria, Pedro Leon at Getafe or a poor man’s Iniesta. Unfortunately for neutral fans, Sisi is a serious doubt for the match with an injury. Sesma should play though despite also having a mild injury (barring a fitness test), and in Sisi’s place we will see either Marquitos or maybe even Bueno. Canobbio is also a doubt for the match with a niggle, os Medujanin could play in his place as well. Valladolid are a little banged up in the front and have some suspension problems at the back. Mendilibar may have to rethink the five man midfield if he has so many injuries.

The midfield, which constitutes two defensive midfielders and the three man attack that often drops deep in to a 5 man midfield, should feature Alvaro Rubio and Borja in the center of the pitch. Both are defensive players by trade, and they will be tasked with keeping Kaka at check and pressuring Xabi Alonso while on the ball. Borja was a Castilla graduate who actually play a decent amount for Real in two seasons, usually off the bench. He is a good player, and he should be respected. Rubio will most likely start alongside Borja, although the few times Mendilibar has went for a game he used Medujanin in the midfield surprisingly. Baraja is an option as he will most likely play in defense, and the Portuguese player Pele is also fit again and will probably start from the bench. Pele is a strange case because I thought he was a decent youngster at Inter Milan, but he has hardly gotten a game in the last year and a half.

In the defense, Valladolid has some problems as two of their starters saw red in the last match against Bilbao. Nivaldo and club captain Alberto Marcos are both suspended for the match, leaving the defense light on numbers. Antonio Barragan is also a doubt for Valladolid, which means that the left back spot should go to the young Basque Yuri Berchiche, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. He started the first game against Almeria and did well, so he should be able to step in for Barragan (not much older himself) if needed to. Nivaldo will be a big loss, because he and Prieto brought a certain physical presence to the back line that they will need against Real. When he did not play last, Valencia put 4 past Jacobo…

Alvaro Rubio may move back in to the center of defense to partner Luis Prieto, but I would assume Baraja would do a better job seeing as how he played there against Valencia this season. Cesar Arzo is also available, and seems the more logical choice, but he has so far not made the squad since the match against Osasuna. I can only assume he is injured because he is a more suitable replacement for Nivaldo then defensive midfielder Baraja would be. Right back will be maned by Pedro Lopez and in goal Mendilibar prefers Jacobo over the Paraguayan Justo Villar, who I think is the better keeper.

My predicted lineup for Valladolid is highly tentative because of all the injuries and suspensions Valladolid has.

————–Jacobo——————
J. Lopez—-C. Arzo—-L. Prieto—-Berchiche
——–Alvario Rubio—Borja———-
Sesma———Medujanin———Aleman
————–Diego Costa————–

Squad List:
Jacobo, Fabricio, Pedro López, Nivaldo, Baraja, César Arzo, Luis Prieto, Yuri, Borja, Haris Mendunjanin, Pelé, Álvaro Rubio, Nauzet, Asier, Marquitos, Bueno, Héctor Font, Manucho y Costa.

Mendilibar interview here.
Favored son Alberto Bueno interview here.
Nazuet Aleman interview here.

Real Madrid Team News

Squad List:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek
Defenders: Ramos, Pepe, Arbeloa, Marcelo, Albiol, Garay, Drenthe
Midfielders: Diarra, Lass, Granero, Kaka, Van der Vaart, Xabi Alonso
Forwards: Raul, Higuain, Benzema

Metzelder was taken to a hospital for tests on an ankle injury on Tuesday and is expected to be out of action for between a week and ten days. Guti will begin a specific recovery programme after suffering a twisted left ankle and is out for the match. Arbeloa has trained on the pitch this week but the clubs physio is still unsure if he is fit to play yet. Gago, Van Nistelrooy and Ronaldo are all also working towards recovering from their injuries. Lord knows who will return from international break with injuries…

Lass should be ready to go after he played for France this past weekend against the Faroe Islands. Higuain and Dudek both trained in the gym after returning from international duty but both should be fine for the weekend. Kaka was rested by Dunga so he should be full of energy, and Benzema only played combined a full game, so he should not be to tuckered either. Pepe and Albiol probably are a little fatigued, but with Metzelder out and Garay having a few problems leading to him working in the gym, both will have to start the match.

Much has been discussed in the past two weeks about the Sevilla defeat and the problems of set piece defense, Pellegrini’s tactics/formation and his rotation policy. I see Valladolid as a clean slate for him. He does not have Ronaldo, so he needs to become creative in order to put players in more spots on the field then the center of the pitch. Surely he learned that Marcelo and Ramos can not solely provide width in the attack while being left along to defend. I hope he did at least.

Another interesting point that I discussed in the podcast is whether or not a Castilla player is ready to make the bench yet. Marcos Alonso, Luis Hernandez, Christian and Szalai (Real Madrid C’s Salinas as well) trained with the first team in the past few weeks. Is Pellegrini looking to say Marcos Alonso or Szalai as a realistic alternative to a thin striker core, or a problematic left back spot? I hope he gives some of the young guys a chance, and a home match against Valladolid early in the season seems as good a time as ever. Then again, players like Drenthe, Granero and Higuain all could use this match to prove their worth to Pellegrini, so youth team player call ups may still be a further down the road.

With all of this swirling around my head, much like Valladolid’s lineup, I cant really decide on a set lineup for the match. Even down a few players, we still have numerous options. Ill be realistic more so then optimistic then.

—————Casillas————–
Sergio Ramos—Pepe—Albiol—Marcelo
—–Granero—Xabi Alonso—Lass—–
—————Kaka—————-
———-Benzema—Raul———–

Subs: Dudek; Arbeloa, Garay; M. Diarra, Van der Vaart, Drenthe, Higuain

I suppose Higuain should start over Raul, but Higuain is a little tired from his travels from South America so it may be best to rest him for this match and give him a start next weekend. Benzema scored twice in two games for France so he deserves a chance, but can he succeed with Raul as his partner. Methinks not, but Pellegrini will probably persist because Raul has been diligently training all week.

Mahamadou Diarra probably should start over Lass, but we know who is favored in Pellegrini’s eyes. Granero is the default since Guti is out, and lets hope he can play as wide as he did in the preseason in order to keep Valladolid spread out a bit. Lass needs to sit deep with Xabi in order to win balls back, I do not like him venturing forward all the time, it limits his defensive contributions which is exactly what he is on the field for. Makelele use to move forward once and awhile, but then everyone laughed at him and he ran back to the center circle. No seriously Mak did move forward, but he picked his spots. Lass just goes for it every time, and he needs more discipline there. I put that on Pellegrini. Unless Manuel is telling him to move forward, which does not seem logical to me.

De la Red and Granero did a joint interview where the two talked about the team and De la Red’s illness. It was nice that Ruben still believes in an eventual return, and that he is still a part of the squad, going to all the home games and visiting with the team frequently. Read the interview in Spanish here and in English here.

My prediction for the game was a blowout, a 5-0 or so. Valladolid are without some of their best players, so this one will be easier then it looks. Real, despite not having Ronaldo, still should have enough offense to overwhelm Valladolid even if they do park the bus.

Here is the weekly podcast. The player is below, but visit OwnGoalNetwork for some great football coverage. Also, here is the iTunes link to subscribe to the podcast. My microphone was a little quiet and hollow this time out, I will have to work on that for next time.

I can not do a live blog because while I will be watching the game on my laptop, I will be in the library studying all weekend. I have tests in Statistical Analysis and International Business Negotiations next week, so I need to be prepared. I have a Corporate Finance test the following week, so I may brush up on that too. UGH GRAD SCHOOL SUCKS! Anyways, ill check in on the comments of the match. As always, HALA MADRID!

And here is some training picks. I have not put any up in awhile, enjoy.