David Villa and Ricardo Kaka |
Although he has not yet decided the starting lineup against Barcelona, Mourinho is clear that at least five of the ten usual players of Camp Nou will rest tomorrow: Varane, Alonso, Di Maria, Ozil and Higuain. The replacements would be Pepe at the defense , Essien and Callejon in the midfield, Kaka as playmaker and Benzema in the striker position.
Of the starters of last Tuesday at the Camp Nou only three of them seem to have a guaranteed place in the team: Diego Lopez Arbeloa and Cristiano. Coentrao and Khedira could repeat in the Mourinho's team but the Portugues coach could also choose to grant them rest to the Old Trafford fight.
The tomorrow's Classic, however, will be a very special examination for players like Kaka and Benzema. If the Brazilian or the Frenchman complete a great match against Barcelona, Mourinho would consider them to be starters in Manchester, in view of the poor performance of Higuian both at Riazor and in the last Classic at Camp Nou.
And in Barcelona team the same thinking. Just after the Spanish Cup match at the Camp Nou, Roura talked about not rule out changes in the coming matches. The two defeats against Milan and Real Madrid have forced the coach to move something on the team, looking for a reaction within the squad.
At San Siro and in the Classic match at Camp Nou, Barca made only four shots on goal, a pyrrhic figure for a team accustomed to more than ten. Messi, who has scored 37 goals in the league, did not shot on target in any of the two games. There is no greater sign that Barcelona is not attacking as usual.
Therefore, the most likely option is that David Villa moves into the starting lineup at the Bernabeu. Messi already asked for him after the match against Sevilla. The Argentine said on the club television that he played better with David Villa on the field as striker because it was another problem for the rival defense. The other for Villa is to play on the left wing, in order to create open spaces. In any case, Alexis seems that is not going to be the turning point that requires the team. The player stayed at the stands in the Spanish Cup Classic
Expected Starting Lineups:
- Real Madrid: Diego Lopez, Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao, Essien, Modric, Callejon, Cristiano, Kaka, Benzema.
- Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Pique, Puyol, Jordi Alba, Busquets, Thiago, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi, Villa.
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