FC Barcelona will be playing their first competitive match of the 2011-12 season at Santiago Bernebeu stadium tomorrow night. The Spanish Super cup in contrast to their Premier League rivals is a two legged affair and we do have the advantage of playing teh second leg at home. Real Madrid and Barcelona had kind of a contrasting pre-season tour. Real Madrid won almost all their pre-season matches and did score lots of goals in those. In contrast we had a mixed result with wins and loss sandwiched between the draws. It is not a big matter of concern for us as we played our kids in most of the matches, whereas they played the stablished stars. Still the fact that majority of their stars has been playing togetehr in the pre-season gives them a bit more better preperation. But then ours is a team where the first eleven hasn't much changed in the last two seasons and should feel fine without much pre-season togetherness. We saw the example of that last season when Messi waljed into the team just like that in the second leg of super leg and won us the match. The build up to the Super Cup has been a very quiet affair till now but it is expected to get heaten up once the first leg get over at Madrid, the reason - Jose Mourinho.
Usually El Calsico has always been a memorable footballing occasion for every football fan across the world. But the series of Classic last season did take their toll on the everyone. But this one is supposed to be much more quiet affair, but I doubt so with Mourinho at helm in Real Madrid. Whether they win or lose, Mourinho will find reasons to cry. Meanwhile the squad selected by Guardiola to travel to Madrid is Valdés, Pinto, Messi, Thiago, Piqué, Puyol, Alves, Xavi, Villa, Iniesta, Alexis, Mascherano, Keita, Sergio, Pedro, Adriano, Abidal, Maxwell, Afellay, Abidal, Montoya, Dos Santos and Muniesa.Real Madrid did end their previous season on a high by scoring tons of goals once we won the league. But that should not give anyone hope of them attacking us at their own turf. Mourinho is too dignified to do that. So we can expect the similar sight of Pepe playing in midfield and raging all over the pitch kicking our players again and again. But Mourinho has some selection worries with Ramos only been declared fit to start from bench. That means he may have to use Pepe back in the defense.
Meanwhile it is yet to debate how Guardiola will line-up our boys. Pique and Busquets are carrying knocks from their international duty and but both are expected to start. I believe we may see a defensive formation of Alves, Abidal, Pique and Adriano. The midfield should have Busquets, Xavi and Iniesta. Mess should play the false nine role with Pedro and Villa flanking him on both wings. And of course we will be having Valdes in the goal. To predict the scoreline of this leg will be a very tough one. I have a feeling that we will be destined to see a goaless draw with both teams not actually taking any risks. We will definitely try to play our way but if Mourinho park the bus as expected then we may not force the issue on them or atleast in the early stages. Bringing Afellay when their full back are tired will once again the key for us.
All About FC Barcelona
AllAboutFCBarcelona.com is a Blog dedicated to the Most prestigous Club in the world, FC Barcelona by an ardent fan. Here I discuss about the Latest happening surrounding our Club and present my Views about the same.
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