El Grande Classico

Ricky1985

Real Madrid v Barcelona, Santiago Bernabéu, 21:00 kick-off.

The first of 4 head-to-heads spread over 3 competitions in the next 18 days. Always a great game, this one should be no different. Mourninho has already added extra spice by refusing to speak to the media at a press conference, staying silent as his assistant answered the questions - causing 30 journalists to get up and walk out!

It will be really interesting to see if Jose has a plan to stop them, his last one failed spectacularly, but you wouldn't bet against him finding a way, would you? Or maybe Barca will give them another lesson.

Either way, I can't wait to sit down and watch this one.

goon

Mourinho such an attention whore.

Timbob

Heh, was thinking of making this thread, but some people round here get their knickers in a right twist whenever Barcelona are mentioned.

Pepe LeFrits

This is going to be epic.

Pepe LeFrits

Edited your thread title Ricks - don't think we're going to need 4 threads for Barca - Real!

Iloveyouarsenewenger

Tim wrote:
Heh, was thinking of making this thread, but some people round here get their knickers in a right twist whenever Barcelona are mentioned.

There are four games coming up, so, a thread would do just fine.

Mourinho is not the kind to sit back and try the same tactics that have failed him before. If Madrid keep on losing, we'll see him doing something radical, before long.

It is hard to see Barca losing a game that they are up for. At the same time, I can't see Mourinho not managing a single positive result in the three competitions.

Clrnc

Watch Real get thrashed and some Mourinho drama

Lukazan

Going out so going to miss this but I'm gonna sky plus it then watch it when I get in sloshed.

Don't like Barcelona but I'd love to see Mourinho get hammered again. Even better in his own backyard.

Claudius

I don't care if Real don't win a single one of these Classicos. I just want them to advance in the Champions League. Today's result is less important to me.

Iloveyouarsenewenger

Barca: Valdes, Alves, Pique, Puyol, Adriano, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi Villa

Madrid: Casillas, Ramos, Carvalho, Albiol, Marcelo, Pepe, Alonso, Khedira, Di María, Benzemá Cristiano

From A-M

If these line ups are correct, then Barca are going with their first choice side with the exception of Abidal and Madrid have replaced Ozil with an extra central defender.

ibby

Pepe will play as a DM, won't he? He has played there before.

Iloveyouarsenewenger

I think, Albiol might play as a DM.

What's the difference anyway? He'll be pinned back in his half all the time.

Claudius

So Madrid have a bench that includes Kaka, Oezil, Higuain and even Adebayor?
Fark me! We could do with one of those guys.

Ricky1985

Not the last guy thanks.

Iloveyouarsenewenger

Won't take Kaka or Ozil over Fabregas as a first choice either. But, Cesc's hamstring injuries are becoming increasingly troublesome.

Yaya

Real madrid are pretty good at counter attack's and their off the ball movement is pretty good too but in terms of keeping the ball, I think they're actually quite poor.

Ricky1985

Anyone got a good English stream, I'm struggling to get one working.

Nela

Try Veetle Ricky. They almost always have English streams for La Liga.

Claudius

How do these two teams have 12 Spanish national team players in addition to all the other international stars on their books? Feck. We need a salary cap to go along with FFP

IBL

Bartha are utter cunts but their ball retention is insane, think they've had 85% possession so far