Foorumin ohjenuorat - Kaikille käyttäjille luettavaksi
0 jäsentä ja 1 Vieras katselee tätä aihetta.
Kick-off: Saturday, October 17, 2009, 20:00 CET – Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, SpainWounded GiantsSpirits are high in Spain after La Roja, the Spanish national team, posted 10 consecutive wins out of 10 matches in their World Cup qualifying matches to win their group.However, as we near a return to action in La Liga’s 7th week of action, the sentiment in Madrid is slightly less celebratory as Cristiano Ronaldo returns from the international break having re-aggravated his ankle injury, leaving the Portuguese winger out of action for at least a month.Bad things tend to come in groups and Ronaldo’s injury is the latest in a plague of mounting injuries that has struck the Madrid roster over the past week. Furthermore, Madrid are coming off of their first loss of the season - a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla - that, if not for Iker Casillas, could have been even worse.CR9’s injury does nothing to help resolve the uncertainties that have surfaced about the quality of Madrid’s play. For long stretches of games, Los Blancos have looked disjointed on the pitch, somewhat aimless in attack and lacked the flair that is so adamantly demanded by Bernabeu faithful.With Ronaldo sidelined and this Saturday’s match being played at home, the pressure will rise even further for Madrid to not only win, but also play attractively. Should they fail to score in the first half of the match against 16th place side Valladolid, there could be an uncomfortable amount of jeering as the players head back to the dressing room.Valiant Valladolid?In their third consecutive season in La Primera, Valladolid have yet to finish above 15th place in the table. With only one win in six matches (earned against newly promoted Zaragoza), the Blanquivioletas are once again struggling to climb into the upper half of the table and at 16th place in the table sit just one point above the top spot in the relegation zone.Lacking the offensive prowess to hold the ball and apply sustained pressure on the Madrid back line, Valladolid will rely on the counter-attack to exploit the gaps left by Madrid’s attack-minded defenders. The mood in the visiting camp is one of optimism as Jose Luis Mendilibar’s men have expressed in the days preceding the match that they are unafraid of the many world-class players Madrid employ.But to take any points away from their visit to the Bernabeu, La Pucela must batten down the hatches, play with a stingy defence and be clinical with the chances afforded to them. The opportunities will come - how Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side makes use of them is another matter entirely.FORM GUIDEReal MadridOct 4 Sevilla 2-1 Real Madrid (Liga)Sept 30 Real Madrid 3-0 Olympique de Marseille (CL) Sept 26 Real Madrid 3-0 Tenerife (Liga)Sept 23 Villarreal 0-2 Real Madrid (Liga)Sept 19 Real Madrid 5-0 Xerez (Liga)ValladolidOct 4 Valladolid 2-2 Athletic (Liga) Sept 27 Mallorca 3-0 Valladolid (Liga) Sept 23 Valladolid 1-2 Osasuna (Liga) Sept 20 Zaragoza 1-2 Valladolid (Liga) Sept 13 Valladolid 2-4 Valencia (Liga) TEAM NEWSReal MadridManuel Pellegrini will have limited options in aligning his team before this match as Cristiano Ronaldo, Guti, Van Nistelrooy, Gago, Metzelder and Arbeloa are all out injured for Saturday’s match. Moreover, Ezequiel Garay is doubtful for the match as it still uncertain whether or not he will be able to recover in time from a knock received in training.Pellegrini will likely give some of the international players that played full matches a rest, meaning that Gonzalo Higuain will probably start the match on the bench. Filling in for Cristiano Ronaldo, Esteban Granero will likely assume a more central midfield role.Probable Starting XI (4-2-2-2): Casillas – Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Albiol, Marcelo – Xabi Alonso, Lassana Diarra – Kaka, Granero – Raul, BenzemaValladolidFor Mendilibar, the injury woes are not too favourable either. Alberto Marcos is out of the match, forced to serve out his suspension after picking up a red card in Valladolid’s last match against Athletic Bilbao while Sisinio Gonzalez Sisi and Antonio Barragan will not be able to take part because of injury. The midfield could be further handicapped as both Fabian Canobbio and Jonathan Sesma are doubtful for the match.However, Mendilibar will be pleased to learn that Nivaldo will be available for the match against Madrid, as the second yellow card issued to him in the Bilbao match has been rescinded.Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Jacobo – Lopez, Prieto, Nivaldo, Berchiche – Borja, Rubio – Bueno, Pelé, Asier – CostaPLAYERS TO WATCHReal MadridWith Cristiano Ronaldo out for a month, the onus now falls on Kaka and Karim Benzema to shine. After scoring in both of France’s World Cup qualifying matches, Benzema has been in especially hot form and could end the match early should he receive the ball anywhere in the vicinity of the area. Raul also has a strong record against Valladolid and it would not be a surprise if the captain adds more to his tally. Scoring in his debut for Argentina in a crucial World Cup qualifier, Gonzalo Higuain could also see minutes in the second half.ValladolidReal Madrid youth product Alberto Bueno makes his return to the Bernabeu and should draw a warm welcome and a fair bit of support from the Bernabeu faithful that have already seen one star youth player leave Madrid this season in Alvaro Negredo. Portuguese youngster Pele is also an exciting player and will start should Cannobio be unfit for the match.PREDICTIONComing off the back of their first loss of the season and suffering from a number of injuries, Real Madrid are still much stronger than the visitors and will be eager to prove it. This is a match that Los Blancos should attempt to dominate for the full 90 minutes, although Valladolid could threaten on a few occasions through their talented youngsters.Real Madrid 3-0 Valladolid
Real MadridCristiano Ronaldo will miss the next four weeks for Real Madrid after re-aggravating an ankle injury in Portugal’s 3-0 victory over Hungary on Saturday.The Portuguese playmaker returned to action in an attempt to overcome an ankle injury sustained in Real Madrid’s Champions League match with Marseille but lasted only 27 minutes before being replaced by Nani.Manuel Pellegrini will have to fill the void left by the electrifying Ronaldo as Real Madrid welcome Valladolid to the Bernabeu on Saturday.Ronaldo has already tallied five goals for the club in five games before missing Real’s sixth match against Sevilla, a match Los Blancos incidentally lost.Looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season, Pellegrini will have a number of other stars in his squad that he can turn to in the absence of Ronaldo for this Real Madrid vs Valladolid fixture.Guti is expected to miss the match against Valladolid, but is aiming for a return against Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday.Kaká, could take on the playmaker role while Ronaldo is sidelined. The classy Brazilian would easily be the go-to-guy for most clubs, but has somewhat fallen into the shadows of Ronaldo since his transfer from Milan. ValladolidValladolid have somewhat expectedly struggled in the opening matches of the 2009/10 campaign.Jose Luis Mendilibar’s squad were tipped in the preseason to struggle this season and if early results are a sign of things to come, the Pucela are in for a long season.Through six games played, Valladolid have managed one win, while losing three and drawing two. The victory came away against Real Zaragoza, but the scary truth for Valladolid fans is that, other than a match against Valencia, Valladolid have not faced any of the “top teams” in Spain.Yet, they have struggled mightily when faced against teams they would want to take points off.Mendilibar will know the task of coming to the Bernabeu and taking anything from this Real Madrid vs. Valladolid match is slim, although if he can motivate his team to put in a good performance, it could bode well for upcoming fixtures. PredictionLast season's Real Madrid vs Valladolid meeting ended in a 2-0 victory for Los Blancos, whilst the reverse fixture also saw the Galacticos win 1-0.Simply put, a focused Real Madrid side should win this 99 times out of 100, even without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo.Real Madrid v Valladolid Prediction: Real Madrid 3 - Valladolid 0
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.
Real Madrid Team NewsSquad List:Goalkeepers: Casillas, DudekDefenders: Ramos, Pepe, Arbeloa, Marcelo, Albiol, Garay, DrentheMidfielders: Diarra, Lass, Granero, Kaka, Van der Vaart, Xabi AlonsoForwards: Raul, Higuain, BenzemaMetzelder 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, HiguainI 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.
Raulillakin pitkästä aikaa hyvä päivä
