Friday, 07 November 08, 07:56 AM · Comments (41)
Real Madrid vs Malaga | La Liga | 08/11/2008 - 20:00 CET | Santiago Bernabeu

We have lost three of our last five matches and Bernd Schuster thinks we are not on skid. Not only that but he also thinks that we played very well against Juventus but we lost because we were unlucky. He also said he wouldn't look at the score but rather at the performance in order to evaluate his team.
Frankly, he pisses me off. His news conferences are always boring and he says the same crap all the time.
I cannot judge a match on score alone. If I take a look at those matches without noticing the score, I don't think we've hit any bumps in the road. I see mistakes, but we have played well. I know the final result is what matters, but I can take other positive elements from each. We've made mistakes in important matches; small mistakes that cost us dearly. Take Almeria for example. We had the game well under control, but we let it slip though our fingers.
So how come you think our performance was good and we made mistakes at the same time? A good performance is the one in which you play good football, make one, two or no mistakes and win. We didn't play good football, we made more than two mistakes and we didn't win - so where is that good performance, huh?
And in addition to having a stubborn coach, we also have a sickbay full of injured key players. The latest addition is Ruud Van Nistelrooy who has a knee injury. It isn't yet known for how long he is gonna be sidelined, but it looks like he will have an operation which means he will not recover quickly.
Robben is out for six weeks. Ramos' foot is very swollen. De la Red is still resting until he gets the green light from doctors, Pepe is out too, Torres is not fully fit yet - things are very complicated.
So to beat Malaga tomorrow night, we need a hell of a starting lineup. We need every single player to give 200%, we need them to be motivated, committed and strong.
I know it isn't easy for them to re-concentrate but if we win tomorrow night, that will help very much.
UPDATE: Squad List Announced; Ramos makes it.
Lineup
Casillas will definitely start, no question about that. Yes, he has made a few mistakes recently, but he is still the best we've got.
Ramos will probably make it, but if not, Salgado will play. Since Pepe is out, Cannavaro will play with either Heinze or Metzelder, while Marcelo will play as a left-back.
In midfield, we have Gago, Diarra, Sneijder, Van Der Vaart, Drenthe and Javi Garcia to choose from. I'd play with Diarra and Guti in the center of midfield while VDV and Sneijder on the wings.
In attack, we have Rau'l, Higuain and Saviola. I'd love Saviola to start, but yeah Schuster will still stick with Rau'l who will partner Higuain. So here it is - 4-4-2:
Casillas, Salgado, Cannavaro, Metz, Marcelo, Diarra, Guti, Sneijder, VDV, Rau'l, Higuain.
Prediction
I know I haven't talked about Malaga in this preview, because I don't know about them. I only know that they have been in great form as of late but lost to Barcelona the other day. Thats clearly besides the point, because it shouldn't matter for us tomorrow night if they have been playing well or not - WE MUST BEAT THEM NO MATTER HOW.
I'm gonna predict a 2-0 win. Higuain scores both.
Whats your thoughts, prediction and lineup?
Hala Madrid!
I'd love Saviola to start,i saw a couple of matches for this guy and he played very good,about what dridian said is 100% true its better for Saviola and Higuain to know each other well on the pitch before its too late,
My predictions is that we are going to lose (SORRY) 0-1 Dudu will score for Malaga
,and Schuster will be fired for sure
If Ramos has a niggle or has a minor injury I hope Schuster does not risk him. Let Salgado play. Metzelder should play as well. Heinze has been nothing but a pest these past few games. Saviola and Higuain should start. Raul should rest. Line up:
-----------------Casillas------------------
Salgado -- Cannavaro - Metzelder -- Marcelo
------------------Diarra-------------------
Drenthe--------Van Der Vaart--------Sneijder
------------Saviola-----Higuain-------------
Result: 2-1 Saviola and Higuain Score I hope.
Reply to TheAngelOfMadrid:
BUENNO. I love that he's getting a chance, though Parejo was better, I would love to see him, Higauin and Saviola up front and that's probably going to be the case as Raul's played what...7 games in a row! As for the match, I expect a total demolition after what they gave us against Juve, expect...
You are pretty optimistic. I like that
Reply to MadridistAli:
I'd love Saviola to start,i saw a couple of matches for this guy and he played very good,about what dridian said is 100% true its better for Saviola and Higuain to know each other well on the pitch before its too late,
My predictions is that we are going to lose (SORRY) 0-1 Dudu will score for...
Even if we lose, I don't think Ramon will press the "fire that guy" button. I was intending to write a post about that, but lazy I am, anyway, I think it wouldn't be the best thing to do. We have to keep everything stable at the moment and lets see what happens.
Reply to helmet_09:
If Ramos has a niggle or has a minor injury I hope Schuster does not risk him. Let Salgado play. Metzelder should play as well. Heinze has been nothing but a pest these past few games. Saviola and Higuain should start. Raul should rest. Line up:
-----------------Casillas------------------
...
A good lineup and I like the fact that you lined up both of Saviola and Higuain. Hopefully Schuster will do the same thing tomorrow night.
Let us forget what happened in the last week(which was a bad week for me at least)and look forward the season still in the first step and REAL as usually can recover,and this match is very important to win no matter how(as you say).
I have a question why Schuster ignored Saviola?
I predict 2-0.
Reply to abdullatif:
Let us forget what happened in the last week(which was a bad week for me at least)and look forward the season still in the first step and REAL as usually can recover,and this match is very important to win no matter how(as you say).
I have a question why Schuster ignored Saviola?
I...
Nobody knows. He just seem that he doesn't have faith in him. I find that kinda weird because Schuster was who brought him. Another thing is that whenever Saviola played he scored.
Malaga?Our subsidiary?4:0, for the little consolation,maybee even more(my wish)
it's become very difficult to predict real games now. you just don't know. You know when we meet barca and those other top teams we will get a beating. Malaga will be a draw....and that is a kind prediction. I can't see us win.
Come on, if we lose this match, I will seriously go cower in a corner and just cry. Even if it is 1-0. I am still happy. WE NEED A WIN! Actually, keep losing. I want to see Slaven as manager of Real!!
*Edit
I LOVE SLAVEN!! Not as much as a certain someone though... but, you know.
Reply to realfreak:
it's become very difficult to predict real games now. you just don't know. You know when we meet barca and those other top teams we will get a beating. Malaga will be a draw....and that is a kind prediction. I can't see us win.
A little too over=the-top...Real Madrid always find a way back and I can guarantee you, they will do so again. Why do you think we all love them so much? See, a fan should always be optimistic, no matter what, it pays off. Another thing, nobody will give us a beating! And drawing with malaga at home is equal to or maybe evn worse than losing to Juve, and they won't let it happen. WE CAN DO THIS! Hala Madrid!
Reply to azzurri16:
*Edit
I LOVE SLAVEN!! Not as much as a certain someone though... but, you know.![]()
I already know that
, but do you really think that he will have success with Madrid? I doubt so.... CAPELLO!!
I want to share some thoughts. About:
Drenthe/ I've heard that he's tested positive for some drug and that there's been a lots of "party, party".Is that the reason for him not to have played? I really like him and want him to grow up and grab his chance!
Ruud/ This is the third season his gone at this time of the season. Last season he got an operation because he would be fit for the Euro 2008.This year the same
?
Sneijder/ Wasn't very good at this time last season either.For the same reason as Ruud? For the shape for EM?
VdV/ Haven't got to many chances yet. I really want him to play, love his "heel's"
Robben/Wounded again
Is going to be very exciting to see if they (our Dutchmen)regain form in february, in time for the CL (I expect for us to compete!) and WC kvalifications!
Anybody here with the same thoughts?
Reply to BIM-56:
I want to share some thoughts. About:
Drenthe/ I've heard that he's tested positive for some drug and that there's been a lots of "party, party".Is that the reason for him not to have played? I really like him and want him to grow up and grab his chance!
Ruud/ This is the third season...
Well, I haven't heard anything negative about Drenthe. He seems to be a down to earth guy and a hard worker too.
As far as injuries are concerned, yes Ruud got injured again but thats football. Robben had been doing well, but it seems that injuries have started cursing him again. I just hope he recovers quickly before the Clasico.
If you see him play...Drenthe is just as good as Robben if he learns how to cross the ball well and shoot.In the game againt Juve he beat two defenders with one move
When I've seen Drenthe play I noticed one thing...he seems to play better on the right wing then on the left....does anybody agree with me?Because I'm not sure...but that is my impression
Reply to Daniel:
If you see him play...Drenthe is just as good as Robben if he learns how to cross the ball well and shoot.In the game againt Juve he beat two defenders with one move
When I've seen Drenthe play I noticed one thing...he seems to play better on the right wing then on the left....does anybody...
Yes I saw that excellent move. He beat both of them brilliantly, however, as you said he still needs to learn how to cross balls properly. He also should practice on shooting.
THIS WILL BE A DRAW! SO I CAN WIN ~ 800€
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KEEP IN MIND! DRAW! LOOK AT THE CLOCK.. I'M POSTING @ 18:33 PM CET. THE MATCH WILL BE @ 20:00
DON'T FORGET TO PUT ALL YOUR MONEY ON A DRAW RESULT
Reply to kami:
THIS WILL BE A DRAW! SO I CAN WIN ~ 800€
DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW D...
Is this supposed to be funny, because it is not.
Reply to Adambader:
Reply to kami:THIS WILL BE A DRAW! SO I CAN WIN ~ 800€
DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW D...Is this supposed to be funny, because it is not.
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if the game ended now you'd be rich
Heinze just pisses the hell out of me. I mean did you see his performance? Holy Crap. The first goal was his and Marcelo fault. The second goal was also his fault I mean he is just totally crap.
And Argh that fucking idiot Ramos. He stepped over the Malaga player's chest!! I mean, what hell was that? He deserved that red card.
Higuain, Guti, Drenthe, Sneijder are all awesome so far.
I think Saviola should've started as the main striker and have Higuain in Drenthe's place
well under 30mins to go....kami needs to hold up on the prayers so real can get a third goal.
and i'm with you one the Heinze issue. And also Diarra should've started instead of Guti....cant' believe he played mess in CL and started today still
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
do i need to say why i said that?
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you know why...come on real!
haha higuain showing shades of CR7....the ball don't lie but he scored on the rebound. I can't eally complain
darn it! VDV could've just put it away!
Reply to Adambader:
Higuain scored four goals. Real 4-3 Malaga!
![]()
I was waiting for you to write a POST on the match
I think this game between Malaga and Real had everything in it,, it showed the guts of the young players on the pitch and the fighting spirit Real was missing in previous games...I am a bit surprise i never knew Higuain and Saviola could play so good together,, at first i must say the game was balanced even with the man advantage Malaga had..But when Saviola came on we started over dominating the game for a little while...What a game Higuain had,,,I told U that i wish injury on no specific player,, but i also stated the injury would work for the better of the club and remember i stated it would be good for Raul to take a vacation and he did take a vacation and the game was superb...Sergio was so brutal to step on the player,,,did U see Dentre shaking his head..Diarra came in and slowed the game down, diarra is a good player but he doesn't have the pace,, I think his role should be limited in protecting a Lead in which Real has
Well, i'm glad that we are finally regaining spirit and Real Madrid have a totally different game when their minds are focused. Higuain did brilliantly and i'm sure this experience will really help him. I'm glad to see that our second-string forward line can easily handle teams like this and we should give them more chances. Drenthe showed so much quality with his dribbling, his stepovers remind of Robinho but his crossing needs a lot of improvement and if he can improve enough this season then perhaps we can finally play two wingers which i'm sure will benefit the team. The defence on the other hand is simply pathetic, especially the centre-backs, they need much younger and more agile centre-backs and Heinze and Cannavaro are too old. The best option, in my opinion is to recall Garay in the winter and then use him as much as we need in the King's Cup and the league and use Cannavaro instead of him in the CL. It should be like this; Ramos-Pepe-Garay-Marcelo. The pace and defending ability of these players is great and their also very influential in attack which will make a very strong attack-minded yet stable defense. They'll need experience but i'm sure it will work. Lets keep it going, hope Barca lose
Hala Madrid!
Raul Gonzales Blanco You can be satisfied!We found Your succesor tonight!Gonzalo Gerardo Higuaiiiin el matador!!!!
The new spirit of Los Blancos!OMG I am still shaking...
Cheers Azzuri.... aka miracle!
I am proud of Higuain. I have faith in the younger ones all the time and he showed me why. Raul should start getting accustommed to his role tonight. Higuain and Saviola play well together. Hope Schitster sees that and uses them together more often now. Our defense stinks! PERIOD!
I mentioned before that it was difficult to predict games now and again that was proven tonight. IMO, real looked second best for most of the game. I predicted a draw and we were looking so most of the time but the youth really showed us tonight. If our defenders :::cough heinze cough::::: didn't mess up, the scoreline would've looked so much more attractive.
Reply to Dridian:
Reply to Adambader:Higuain scored four goals. Real 4-3 Malaga!
![]()
I was waiting for you to write a POST on the match
Yeah I'm putting the finishing touches
Guys can you copy and paste your post-match comments here in the review article:
LINK
Thanks
Reply to kami:
THIS WILL BE A DRAW! SO I CAN WIN ~ 800€
DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW D...
This was not a draw,never could be a draw and You will never be rich
41 Madridistas have commented on "Real Madrid VS Malaga | La Liga Preview" · Add yours
I think Saviola needs more playing time..If Raul gets injured it will be hard to start both Saviola and Higauin,,, because they both don't have that great experience as playes in certain high level games,,, i think Schuster should let Higauin and Saviola complement each other in certain games,,, we need that rotation before it gets too late. i am not saying they both should start this game but schuster should find a way to let them know each other on the pitch
BUENNO. I love that he's getting a chance, though Parejo was better, I would love to see him, Higauin and Saviola up front and that's probably going to be the case as Raul's played what...7 games in a row! As for the match, I expect a total demolition after what they gave us against Juve, expect Drenthe to show some skill while Robben is out and it's a good way for him to build potential, problem though is...Robben will mis the deadly period of December, which includes El Clasico and inase you remember, WE DON'T HAVE ROBINHO!
I'm gonna go with 5-1, Higuain nets 2, Saviola, Bueno and VDV with one each. Lets get the show back on the road, we still ahve hope
Hala Madrid!