Real Madrid CF

[sammeboy]

Was it 6-1 at half-time today?


And does Drenthe play away games?

[dena]

Originally Posted by sammeboy

Was it 6-1 at half-time today?


And does Drenthe play away games?

Yes, and Drenthe may just have to play only away games for a while if the crowd abuse keeps up

[dena]

Before we get divine retrubution in a spectacular way at Anfield, we have to play a few La Liga games, our next is v.....RCD Espanyol!

RCD Espanyol vs. Real Madrid CF

Estadio Olimpico de Montjuic

Saturday, February 28, 2009

22:00 CET (4PM EST)







Competition Stats
Top Scorer: Raul Tamudo (3) --- Gonzalo Higuain (14)
Top Assists: Anderson Nene (4) --- Gonzalo Higuain (6)
League Form: W-L-D-D-D ------------------ W-W-W-W-W

Last Meeting:
October 5, 2008- La Liga- Real Madrid 2 RCD Espanyol 2




Espanyol is coming off their biggest win of the season after beating hated rivals FC Barcelona 2-1 last week at the Camp Nou. This was the first time in La Liga history where the worst team in the league beat the best team in the league away.

This is out last game at Espanyol's Estadio Olimpico de Montjuic so we need to make it a good one.

[dena]

Calderon's socio(member) status with Real Madrid might (and should be) revoked.



Call ups for Espanyol:

Goalkeepers:
Casillas, Dudek,

Defenders:
Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Heinze, Michel Salgado, Marcelo

Midfielders:
Pepe, Sneijder, Javi García, Van der Vaart, Guti, Robben, Lass,

Forwards:
Raúl, Higuaín, Saviola, Huntelaar.

No Gago, he picked up an ankle injury v. Liverpool so we'll be going with what I think will be needed at Anfield (playing with one DM in Lass and a creative mid in either Guti/Sneijder) Here's what I'm expecting

--------------Casillas----------------
Ramos------Pepe---Canna------Heinze
-----------Lass---Sneijder------------
Robben-----------------------Marcelo
------------Raul---Higuain------------

Expecting Huntelaar to get some time, somehow in this one as well, either as a starting forward with Higauin out wide or as a sub. VDV needs to get some PT also...

[MaschPotato]

Has Dudek actually played yet

[dena]

He's played a little bit here and there, under 10 caps for sure.

[Matieo10]

I agree with the line-up, Denapro...although Marcelo on the wing? I know Ramos has his plans for him on that flank, but I remember readin somewhere that Guti would get the nod, with Marcelo or Gabi at LB.

[dena]

Marelo at Left Back is like....




for me, he's a good talent, but its all offensive. Defensively he's a liability even more so then Gabby, Gabby is solid but has always made stupid fouls every now and then that get us ****ed (which why he will be dropped in the summer) But Marcelo is worse, he can play "help defense" but that's about it.

Guti will probably get some playing time, but if I was managing I'd be thinking about (with the exception of Huntelaar) the best possible team that I could field to pick up this win vs. Espanyol while also thinking of a new line-up for Anfield, and trying it out to see if it works (we wont be able to do it next week because we have Atleti...)anyway Guti looked uninterested v. Liverpool, gave the ball away easily... didn't track back...blah blah blah, so I would have Sneijder in his stead.

Nice sig...

[barajma92]

Have you guys read the article about Robben in El País?

[dena]

No, what was it about?

[barajma92]

I'll try to find an article about it in English...

[dena]

I can read Spanish so if you can find the article I'll be fine

EDIT: Is it the one where he says how difficult the Liverpool tie is now?

[FreshGeeza]

Originally Posted by Matieo10

I agree with the line-up, Denapro...although Marcelo on the wing? I know Ramos has his plans for him on that flank, but I remember readin somewhere that Guti would get the nod, with Marcelo or Gabi at LB.

I never realised how deadly Messi really was, I'm gonna have to start saying Messi is the best in the world so people from the future will look at my posts and say...Wow, He was right all along and don't say. Wow, look at that crazy prat saying Messi isn't worth 4 players and is in a league of his own.

[barajma92]

Originally Posted by denapro

I can read Spanish so if you can find the article I'll be fine

EDIT: Is it the one where he says how difficult the Liverpool tie is now?

Ok then

"Juande tiene que hablar con Robben" · ELPAÍS.com

[dena]

That's disappointing to read, Robben needs to know who's the manager here, It's Juande Ramos, if he decides to change tactics mid game and wants Robben to move to the opposite wing (which he can do fine...) then he should listen, especially in a game of this much importance, and especially against Liverpool who were stifiling the attack in the final third... come on Robben

[dena]

Real Madrid's Guti to retire in 2011




MADRID (AP) - Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrez will follow Real Madrid teammate Raul Gonzalez's lead and retire in 2011.
The Madrid midfielder, who is playing his 14th season at the Santiago Bernabeu with the Spanish champion, would like to make the jump to playing in the United States, Qatar or Dubai after that."I won't play beyond 2011 with Real Madrid, and after that I'd like to go to an exotic country to play," Guti told La Sexta TV station. "But what is certain is that 2011 will be my final year here."
The 32-year-old Guti, known for his creative play on the field and his flamboyant lifestyle off of it, has scored 81 goals in 514 appearances for Madrid, winning five league titles, three Champions League trophies and two Club World Cups since his debut in 1995.
Earlier this week, Raul - Madrid's all-time leading goalscorer - said he planned to end his time with Madrid in 2011, but was interested in playing for a season in the U.S. after that.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

I can definitely see Guti playing for the money and "glam" of the MLS, LA or New York

[Scorpionuk69]

Im very happy when i saw that new earlier, i dont like him and will be glad when he leaves

[dena]

I gotta admit although I love Guti as a player mid-week he really disappointed me with his play vs. Liverpool, he looked very very lazy out there, granted he just came of an injury but he showed no effort.

[barajma92]

Originally Posted by Scorpionuk69

Im very happy when i saw that new earlier, i dont like him and will be glad when he leaves

I thought all Madrid fans admired him

[Scorpionuk69]

Originally Posted by barajma92

I thought all Madrid fans admired him

I hate him, all he can do is pass (and thats not always). We should have sold him years ago

[dena]

Calderon wanted to get rid of him for Kaka and Atlético were very interested a few years back but it didn't go through.

Also, 5 of our players are on 4 yellow cards:
Guti, Pepe, Sneijder, Heinze and Lass

With Atlético up next we can't afford to lose Pepe, Heinze and Lass to suspension, hopefully we dominate possession enough so they don't have to attempt shady tackles to win the ball

[Matieo10]

Originally Posted by Scorpionuk69

Im very happy when i saw that new earlier, i dont like him and will be glad when he leaves

That's harsh bro...

[dena]

Confirmed line-up:

--------------Casillas---------------
Ramos-----Pepe---Canna------Heinze
-----------Lass---Sneijder-----------
Robben-----------------------Higuaín
-----------Raúl---Huntelaar----------

I think Raul will play around 60, Marcelo will come in and play wing, and Higuain will pair up with el cazador up top, if we can get an early lead I Lass will get a rest too, he's been playing every minute since his transfer... to bad de la Red and Gago are out today, theres no other DM to fill his spot

[dena]

Espanyol playing well..still tied

[barajma92]

Yep, their defence is good!