La Liga Preview: Real Madrid vs Real Murcia | 13/04/08 - 19:00 CET

Will Schuster play Robinho tonight?

La Liga - 13/04/08 - 19:00 CET | Santiago Bernabeu Stadium

Due to being busy, I couldn't write an extensive preview of the match so I apologize. Here are just some basic information & other previews from fans at Real Madrid Forum.

Squad List: Cannavaro, Van Nistelrooy, Metzelder & Ramos Out

Goalkeepers: Casillas & Dudek.
Defenders: Pepe, Salgado, Marcelo, Heinze & Torres.
Midfielders: Diarra, Gago, Drenthe, Guti, Baptista, Sneijder & Robben.
Forwards: Higuaín, Saviola, Robinho & Raúl.
Left out: Codina, Balboa, Soldado & Cannavaro (coaching decision); Metzelder & Van Nistelrooy (injured); Sergio Ramos (suspended).

Schuster's press conference:
How does Robinho feel? Has your relationship with the player changed?

Our relationship hasn't changed at all; I still believe he is an important player for Real Madrid, which doesn't mean you have to play in every game. Lining up Robben was a tactical option. Besides, Robinho hadn't recovered perfectly from his injury and it would have been hasty to line him up at the start of the match. He hasn't played due to some special circumstances, but he is still as important as he ever was.

Will he play against Murcia?

We want his strength now that he is totally recovered. It is important to count on players who are very good in one-on-ones and that look for gaps in defence; Robinho is a good alternative for tomorrow's game.

How is your relationship with Javier Clemente?

It is good. I've respected him all my life, especially because he's been an international coach. We all play our cards differently, but we all sometimes end up doing the same things.

He recently said coaching a team with 20 international players is very easy...

I don't know if he is experienced enough at that to say so, but I guess being a national team coach is rather similar. Coaching a great club has its perks, but it is generally harder... He is right about some things.

You are both very straightforward men...

Javi has always set a good example and it is true that he is very straightforward. We have a strong character. We all have stadiums at which the fans treat as worse than anywhere else and it seems his is the Bernabéu. The media hits the jackpot with us because we say exactly what's on our minds. Once I got to know him better I realized we aren't actually that different from each other.

What would you say if the referee's performance was detrimental to you this weekend?

It surprises me to hear people say referees help us. Other teams shouldn't complain about how they are treated by referees at the Bernabéu.

Is Murcia the toughest rival you have left?

The game will be very difficult, but I wouldn't say they are the toughest rival... There are many more left, like Racing, Osasuna, Barcelona... They are all tough, especially now, when so much is at stake for all of us. Murcia fight to avoid relegation. The difficulty of the game will depend on how they arrive at the stadium. We depend on ourselves and on our attitude. During today's training we've looked to strengthen our defence and to work on counterattacks. The match will be difficult.

Diarra has said that if you count on him next season he will stay at Real Madrid...

I've spoken to him; I understand players who only feel important when they play, but here at Real Madrid you aren't important only when you do so. We have a large and quality squad. Diarra is as important to me as Robinho and Gago. I've told him what I think and I have faith in him.

You seem to be more relaxed and open during training sessions and press conferences...

I always like being this happy, but my relationship with the media is like a marriage; we both have to work hard at it. We sometimes fight more than we should. I admit I have been rather defensive when I have received much criticism, but we've found solutions to that with time.

Fan Previews:
Apoc

The Murcia game I think will be an awkward one but it is one we should win comfortably, their defence is abysmal and so full of holes that we'll be guaranteed chances for sure I think...but then they did absolutely hammer espanyol a few weeks ago, so i'd like to see a commited performance from our lads to make absolutely certain that there won't be a shock. If we play well, i'm certain we'll have victory, just depends on whether we play well though.

If all remain fit and with Ramos suspended in consideration, this would be the lineup i'd field-

Casillas
Torres Pepe Cannavaro Marcelo
Diarra
Sneijder Guti Robinho
Raul
Higuain

Gago for me has been our standout player for sometime, in the past few weeks though i think he's worked his socks off and deserves a rest, from what i've seen of Diarra coming off the bench, he's improved and I think this will be a good oppertunity to give him some minutes and give Gago a break, I think we can afford to rest him for the bigger games later on for this game. Sorry to disaree with you Zizou but I think this is good game for Diara to build his confidence, I think he can handle this one.

Heh, I know its a long shot but i'm liking the belief that Schuster has a masterplan just now to get Robinho back in form, he left him on the bench in the last few games against difficult defences and played Robben and has saved Robinho for this match which should give him more freedom to build his confidence again.

Ditching Robben? Well in the past few games in my opinion 98% of his game has been theatrical moaning, diving and runs that came to nothing, constantly let down by his touch and his passing and crossing has been poor..maybe come on as a sub in the second half...to add an injection of pace for the final half hour or so, coz for me, he starts well (against sevilla and mallorca) he had a good first half hour and then just fizzled out. A good weapon to be put on late in the game, can't believe he's kept Robinho on the bench with the performances done recently.

Don't even get me started on Baptista, I like the guy but his performances have been apalling recently-I say he doesn't even deserve to be on the bench, Soldado should be ahead of him just now!

Score prediction? I think we can destroy this team far worse than Deportivo did last week...yes they're good at home, evidenced by defeating Valencia earlier today but in the Bernabeu? I'm going to say an extravagant but not necessarily unrealistic 5-1 win. Realmadrid

Madrileno:

It's payback time now Murcia, we gonna beat the crap out of ya, hehehe just kidding I'm not a revenge type of guy Smile but it'd be nice if we score like 3-4 goals after a while.
I think Schuster and the "chosen eleven" will have too much for a side like Murcia, at least I hope.

Considering the injuries and suspensions that are present this would my starting 11:
Casillas
Torres---Pepe---Cannavaro---Marcelo
Gago
Sneijder---Guti---Robinho
Raul---Higuain

I would like to see Madrid playing with 2 wings one day but I don't think that day will be Sunday, Schuster would probably continue his old scheme with 1 classic wing and this time it seems that would be Robinho, as Robben struggled a bit in the last 2 games he played especially in the second half, I wouldn't be surprised if I see Diarra starting on Sunday, not because of Gago's poor performances but strictly not to forget that we have a great DM in the squad and of course to give Gago a little break, the boy runs like hell when he plays.

Score prediction: I'd say a comfortable 3-0 win.
May God be with us!
Hala Madrid!!!

I once again apologize for not writing a more original & thoughtful post, but you know, everybody is busy ;)

Please post your lineup, prediction and views in the comment section.

Hala Madrid!