March 28, 2024, 08:25:11 PM

Author Topic: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona  (Read 11169 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Toppa

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5518
    • View Profile
El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« on: December 05, 2011, 12:34:43 PM »
Since Disgruntled rel sticking... :bs:

Saturday 10th December
4pm EST
El Santiago Bernabeu



A power shift in La Liga?

It’s a little premature to suggest there is a shift in power from Catalonia to Madrid, but for the first time in Pep Guardiola’s reign as manager of Barcelona, are Real Madrid looking the favourites ahead of the first Clasico of the league campaign?

To suggest Barcelona are going through a ‘mini-crisis’ would be wide of the mark, they are still the premier footballing side in Europe. But there could be a few doubts creeping in and we’re seeing the side’s weaknesses come a little more to the fore than in previous years.

It seems to be that the ‘lesser’ teams in Spain have cracked the code in how to repel Barcelona’s wave after wave of attacking threat. Getafe last weekend were not the first team to frustrate Guardiola’s men this season, with Sevilla picking up a much-deserved draw at the Nou Camp thanks to the heroics of Javi Varas, and Athletico Bilbao taking advantage of horrendous playing conditions to also grab a point from the reigning champions.

Teams have become more compact against Barcelona’s style of play, that being the patient, meticulous break-down of their opponents. We’re not accustomed to seeing goals scored from whipped in crosses from the flanks, nor do Barcelona’s frontline use the width of the pitch to great effect, rather relying on the marauding Dani Alves to provide options from wide positions.

On the other hand, Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid are looking unstoppable, and it may be for one very obvious reason: the burden of goal scoring is not placed on one player. Cristiano Ronaldo may be first in line for spot-kicks and all free-kicks within range, but Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema have been in sensational goal scoring form so far this season.

Instead of having the tip of the spear pulling defenders out of position and unsettling the nerves of those at the back as Lionel Messi so effortlessly does, Madrid possess a far more lethal sledgehammer of an attack in which to pick up the win.

It’s not that we should detract from the effect Ronaldo has on this Madrid side, it just appears to be that he can have a night off and Mourinho could still call upon surrounding members of the cast to provide equally devastating, counter-attacking football.

However, take Messi out of the equation at Barcelona and we’re looking at a forward line of an out-of-form David Villa who, despite scoring last week against Rayo Vallecano and Zaragoza a few weeks earlier, has not looked the predatory striker that arrived from Valencia. Playing from the left of the attacking trident will of course harm his numbers in front of goal, but his first season at the Nou Camp saw Spain’s all-time leading goal scorer rack up 23 goals in all competitions. Other areas of the Barcelona attack also seem to be going through a similarly dry spell but the return from injury of Alexis Sanchez is welcome and gives Guardiola another option at the Nou Camp.

At this stage of the season Real Madrid are looking more like their bitter rivals both on and off the pitch. We’re yet to hear of a controversial Mourinho moment since he ‘offended’ the Catalan press following their game against Espanyol and his side are displaying a new-found desire in especially troublesome games, as was the case against Valencia a few weeks ago where Ronaldo’s winning goal late in the game was celebrated by Mourinho jumping on Jose Callejon’s back. The Madrid manager stated that Valencia should not be offended by his actions but rather accept it as a “compliment” that his side were able to overcome such a difficult opponent in Unai Emery’s side.

Barcelona’s formula of playing is not something that has all of a sudden broken, they still play wonderful, attacking football that is easy on the eye and they will continue to win by playing this way. But it’s the poor recent form by their standards which sets them up as second favourites in this tie. Their heads drop now when they go behind, they struggle to find the net when they should be getting a score of five or six and, most importantly, they lack the consistent goal scoring of more than one individual, something which may prove to be a problem over the course of the season.

http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/12/football-blogs/a-power-shift-in-la-liga
« Last Edit: December 10, 2011, 06:41:29 AM by Toppa »
www.westindiantube.com

Check it out - it real bad!

Offline Observer

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5428
  • The best gift for a footballer is Intelligence ---
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2011, 01:38:21 PM »
Cannot see Barca winning this game, with their present defense and  the present form of Real Madrid.
To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead
                                              Thomas Paine

Offline Toppa

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5518
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2011, 01:53:32 PM »
Cannot see Barca winning this game, with their present defense and  the present form of Real Madrid.


 :wavetowel:
www.westindiantube.com

Check it out - it real bad!

Offline Peong

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 7410
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2011, 02:31:48 PM »
Iz a classico, current form has no bearing, both teams will step it up.

Offline Toppa

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5518
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #4 on: December 08, 2011, 11:25:04 AM »
Ok, now that the CL distractions are over,,,on to the main event!

Counter kings Real versus lords of possession Barca

MADRID, Dec 8 (Reuters) - The most dangerous team without the ball, counter-attack kings Real Madrid, host lords of possession Barcelona on Saturday (2100 GMT) in a titanic clash of footballing philosophies.
The world's two richest clubs by income will lock horns for an eighth time since Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho took the helm at the Bernabeu a year and a half ago and they could be forgiven for being sick of the sight of each other.
European champions Barca, who continue to be considered the benchmark in world soccer, are chasing a club record-equalling fourth consecutive La Liga title and under coach Pep Guardiola have held an almost hypnotic hold over their arch rivals.
Guardiola has won seven out of 11 'Clasicos' since 2008 and after former Barca assistant coach Mourinho arrived at Real in 2010, when the intensity of the rivalry soared, he has notched three wins, three draws and only one defeat.
Mourinho's one success came in last April's King's Cup final, but by the Spanish Super Cup double-header in August Madrid could claim to have at least matched Barca on the pitch as they fell 5-4 on aggregate.
Saturday's match at Real's Bernabeu stadium is unlikely to stray from the standard script of Barca seeking to control possession, with Real applying asphyxiating pressure and then breaking quickly when they steal the ball.
"Barca are going to dominate the 'Clasico' but I believe this is exactly what Madrid want," Ajax coach and former Barca player Frank de Boer told Spanish daily El Pais on Wednesday.
"Madrid are more dangerous when they don't have the ball because they have so many quality players who can make things happen, letting you have possession and pouncing on your mistakes."
UPPER HAND
One big difference this time round is that Real hold the upper hand just over three months into the season.
They top the standings by three points with a game in hand and are on a run of 15 straight wins in all competitions. The pressure is on Barca to come looking for a victory.
Real have suffered six red cards to Barca's one in the last seven 'Clasicos', and that has in part been due to the anxiety and frustration they have felt as they have tried to overhaul their bitter rivals.
"Madrid are euphoric and physically strong at the moment, all their players seem to be in top form," former Real director general Jorge Valdano told Spanish radio this week.
"Barca have looked weaker on the road this season and because of this Madrid start as favourites. This has not happened for a long time.
"(The points difference means) it is inevitable there will be some anxiety and this is a terrible enemy for Barca. Madrid suffered from it before."
The main question for Mourinho will be whether he sticks with the 4-2-3-1 formation which has served them so well of late.
The alternative, which caused Barca problems last season when Pepe stepped up into midfield, is a 4-3-3 line-up with two holding players alongside creative fulcrum Xabi Alonso.
Sami Khedira and Lassana Diarra could provide lung-busting running while a more creative midfielder such as Mesut Ozil would be sacrificed.
Top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, La Liga's leading assists provider Angel Di Maria and strikers Karim Benzema or Gonzalo Higuain would then provide the quick-breaking forward threat.
MESSI RELIANCE
Barca have struggled on their travels in La Liga this year scraping only two 1-0 wins, drawing three and losing 1-0 at Getafe just over a week ago. They have appeared jaded and over-reliant on top scorer Lionel Messi at times.
Guardiola has been experimenting with a three-man backline but will probably revert to his tried and tested 4-3-3.
The arrival of Cesc Fabregas has given him greater tactical flexibility, with a player who can help control possession in midfield alongside his Spain team mates Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets as well as score goals.
A key question for Guardiola is whether to pair David Villa with Messi up front, or employ the pace of Pedro or Alexis Sanchez.
Barca's ability to control possession is their key defensive and offensive weapon and when all else fails it is Messi's insatiable appetite for goals against his favourite victim that has seen them through.
The Argentine World Player of the Year has bagged 13 goals in 15 'Clasico' appearances and stopping him has proved almost impossible for Real in recent years.
(Editing by Patrick Johnston; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
www.westindiantube.com

Check it out - it real bad!

Offline dinho

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 8591
  • Yesterday is Yesterday and Today is Today!
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2011, 11:26:05 AM »
Will this game be showing on local cable? What channel?
         

Offline Mango Chow!

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5720
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2011, 03:49:03 PM »
Ah know allyuh Real fans likin' allyuh self these days eh.......but allyuh due fuh a cutarse, remember dat!


Not because a man ears long and he teet' long dat it make him a Jackass!

Offline kicker

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 8902
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #7 on: December 09, 2011, 04:21:41 PM »
Barca is still the team to beat IMO.

This is the closest Madrid seem to be to them since the Pep era, but the precision of Barca's approach play and their unpredictability once Messi picks up the ball is still on another level.  Observer's point about their defensive vulnerability is valid, but that's mostly on set plays...we'll see if we can capitalize there.

I not getting carried away with Madrid's form because this match is not really about form (and especially for fear of goat mouth  ;D)

Live life 90 minutes at a time....Football is life.......

Offline Toppa

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5518
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2011, 07:06:14 PM »
Ah know allyuh Real fans likin' allyuh self these days eh.......but allyuh due fuh a cutarse, remember dat!

Not from allyuh!!
www.westindiantube.com

Check it out - it real bad!

Offline Toppa

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5518
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #9 on: December 09, 2011, 07:06:58 PM »
Barca is still the team to beat IMO.

This is the closest Madrid seem to be to them since the Pep era, but the precision of Barca's approach play and their unpredictability once Messi picks up the ball is still on another level.  Observer's point about their defensive vulnerability is valid, but that's mostly on set plays...we'll see if we can capitalize there.

I not getting carried away with Madrid's form because this match is not really about form (and especially for fear of goat mouth  ;D)



Steupssss

You always like to play Diplomat-in-Chief eh!
www.westindiantube.com

Check it out - it real bad!

Offline 100% Barataria

  • aka Nachilus
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5014
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2011, 08:06:32 PM »
 :rotfl:  kicker eh play he smart nah, wha school yuh went to?  ;D

Anyway, RM is the team to beat IMO, on form alone + they playing at home.  Barca form hasn't been the best this season, but last two games have looked solid, with the potential B team players looking really impressive (Thiago, his bro, Cuenca etc).  Should be nice, have meh tomato/baigan choka and coco water ready, jus leh de game unfold
Education is our passport for the future for the future belongs to those who prepare for it today

Offline Toppa

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5518
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #11 on: December 10, 2011, 06:42:13 AM »
Edit: match starting 4pm est eh.
www.westindiantube.com

Check it out - it real bad!

Offline D.H.W

  • Forever Man Utd
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 17937
  • "Luck Favours The Prepared"
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #12 on: December 10, 2011, 02:05:50 PM »
ah backing Real again , fork Barca
"Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid."
Youtube Channel


Offline Peong

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 7410
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #13 on: December 10, 2011, 02:22:46 PM »
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/JpTyvMiN3Xs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/JpTyvMiN3Xs</a>

Offline Mango Chow!

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5720
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #14 on: December 10, 2011, 03:05:42 PM »
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/JpTyvMiN3Xs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/JpTyvMiN3Xs</a>

 :rotfl:


Not because a man ears long and he teet' long dat it make him a Jackass!

Offline Toppa

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5518
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #15 on: December 10, 2011, 03:08:47 PM »
 :)
www.westindiantube.com

Check it out - it real bad!

Offline Peong

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 7410
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #16 on: December 10, 2011, 03:11:13 PM »
Game on!  Benzema on 0:22!

Offline Mango Chow!

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5720
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #17 on: December 10, 2011, 03:14:51 PM »


Not because a man ears long and he teet' long dat it make him a Jackass!

Offline Toppa

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5518
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #18 on: December 10, 2011, 03:22:42 PM »
www.westindiantube.com

Check it out - it real bad!

Offline Mango Chow!

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5720
    • View Profile


Not because a man ears long and he teet' long dat it make him a Jackass!

Offline D.H.W

  • Forever Man Utd
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 17937
  • "Luck Favours The Prepared"
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #20 on: December 10, 2011, 04:11:18 PM »
 :cursing:
"Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid."
Youtube Channel


Offline Brownsugar

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 10179
  • Soca in mih veins, Soca in mih blood!!
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #21 on: December 10, 2011, 04:12:35 PM »
@ Toppa Well, well, well..... ;D
"...If yuh clothes tear up
Or yuh shoes burst off,
You could still jump up when music play.
Old lady, young baby, everybody could dingolay...
Dingolay, ay, ay, ay ay,
Dingolay ay, ay, ay..."

RIP Shadow....The legend will live on in music...

Offline Tenorsaw

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 3247
  • YNWA
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #22 on: December 10, 2011, 04:27:50 PM »
Barca have dem reeling.  Too much pretty knock in tight spaces.  Messi did really well to stay on his feet and thread the ball to Sanchez for the first. 

Offline fari

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 3060
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #23 on: December 10, 2011, 04:29:00 PM »
Barca have dem reeling.  Too much pretty knock in tight spaces.  Messi did really well to stay on his feet and thread the ball to Sanchez for the first. 

that knock is from another planet sah...if u see me shadowing.

Offline Mango Chow!

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 5720
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #24 on: December 10, 2011, 04:40:51 PM »
Barca have dem reeling.  Too much pretty knock in tight spaces.  Messi did really well to stay on his feet and thread the ball to Sanchez for the first. 

  Real was knockin' d ball nice, too, on the counter....but that was early in the game when they had the eneergy to press Barca and win the ball.....Barca found their rhythm and it not so easy any more.


Not because a man ears long and he teet' long dat it make him a Jackass!

Offline Tenorsaw

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 3247
  • YNWA
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #25 on: December 10, 2011, 04:41:54 PM »
Barca are very good defensively.  We just overlook it because of their pretty, attacking football, but they press high at times, and swarm you when they lose the ball.

Offline fari

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 3060
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #26 on: December 10, 2011, 04:54:14 PM »
puyol mom for me...that man defend as if his life depended on it

Offline Tenorsaw

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 3247
  • YNWA
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #27 on: December 10, 2011, 04:56:46 PM »
Good game...not too much play-acting, just good end-to-end action.  Real had their chances too, but need to be more clinical in front of goal.  All in all, the better team won.  Real have closed the gap, but they still can't stanch that free flowing football of Barca.

Offline FF

  • Moderator
  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 7513
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #28 on: December 10, 2011, 04:56:51 PM »
Cronaldo fail when it was needed the most. Had clear chances to make it 2-0 and also 2-2 only for barca to go up de road and score.
Iniesta is de difference maker for me.

Messi is garbage ;-) (had to get that parting shot in)
THE BEATINGS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MORALE IMPROVES

Offline palos

  • Hero Warrior
  • *****
  • Posts: 11529
  • Test
    • View Profile
Re: El Clasico 2011 Real Madrid - Barcelona
« Reply #29 on: December 10, 2011, 04:59:46 PM »
My MOM is Andres Iniesta

Best player for Real Madrid IMO? - Angel DiMaria

CR7 didn't exactly go missing today as he is prone to in big games, but that missed header late in the 2nd half is indicative of just how below par he was.

Carlos "The Rolls Royce" Edwards

 

1]; } ?>