Real Madrid vs Sevilla | La Liga Preview
Friday, 05 December 08, 09:14 AM · Comments (37)
So the bad news has come out and Mahamadou Diarra is going to be sidelined for approximately three months leaving Gago totally naked in our midfield. I have been thinking of a replacement though, but I don't think that Calderon is thinking about the same thing.
Gago is a fine player and I admit he has improved in the last four months or so, but yet he is not solid and can't do what Diarra does. So I believe that we need to sign someone right now to cover Diarra's place.
On the market, there isn't any Diarra-style available players. Gattuso, Essien, Toure...etc are all tied up to their respective clubs and that's another justification for Calderon for not looking for a replacement.
If De La Red was ready, he would replace him though they are not similar, but Ruben can help very much. Javi Garcia is a kind of defensive midfielder and comes from the youth system of the club and he should get some playing time.
I wouldn't go and sign someone who is going to shine sometime in the future, we'd need a ready player, but as I said, nobody is available, unless you guys know someone, do you?
Anyway, this time in the league, we host Sevilla who are coming off a humiliating defeat to Barcelona. On paper they look to be healthier and therefore the possible winner, but in these kind of matches, stuff on paper and statistics are not taken seriously - it is all about what happens on the pitch (an example is when we won 3-2 at the Bernabeu - see the video above).
With many key players still injured, Schuster will have to figure things out. Things are not by his side, but injuries are part of football.
Juventus beat us twice and they had only 12 first-team players! The key was that everyone on their team was an effective player - Del Piero scored two goals off five or six chances. This is what I call class.
Lineup
Squad List Announced:
SQUAD LIST:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek
Defenders: Cannavaro, Metzelder, Ramos, Salgado, Marcelo, Antón
Midfielders: Drenthe, Gago, Robben ,Guti, Van der Vaart, García
Forwards: Raúl, Saviola, Higuaín, Bueno
On our team, most of the effective players are injured (Van Nistelrooy, Diarra, Pepe, Sneijder...etc) and so we'd need to rely on the inconsistent performances of Rau'l, Guti, Drenthe...etc
However, the good news is that we will possibly recover Robben, Higuain and Cannavaro for this match. This is will be a big boost to the team especially in attack, because Robben is the only pure effective winger we have and Gonzalo is still our top-goal-scorer.
Casillas will certainly feature although he has conceded many goals this season and truth be told, in most cases he had nothing to do about it - pure defensive mistakes - but if we look back at the two goals Del Piero scored at the Bernabeu - Casillas was the one responsible. Still he is the best we've got, the best Spain have got and still one of the best the world has got.
In defense and on the right, there is a big chance that Salgado will play because Torres is injured and Ramos would need to partner Cannavaro in the center. While on the left, Heinze is injured as well and so Marcelo will play.
In midfield, Gago will once again start with Guti. He'll hopefully manage to recover ball possession, stop balls from getting to their attacking line and hopefully, hopefully, the lazy Guti will help him.
Van Der Vaart should start as well. Schuster hasn't used him in the last recent matches but now with Sneijder out, the German has no choice but to start VDV.
If Robben is totally fit, he should be on either the left or right side - if not Drenthe (who is not 100% fit) should start.
Upfront, Rau'l will absolutely start but with whom? Saviola, most likely.
Of course, we first need to wait for the squad list to know for sure who is fit and who is not, but in most cases, Schuster's lineup won't be much more than the 4-4-2 that he has used in our recent matches.
Casillas,
Salgado, Ramos, Cannavaro, Marcelo
Gago - Guti
Robben/Drenthe ---- VDV
Rau'l ---- Saviola/ Higuain
Sorry, Huntelaar is not there yet. How much I wish he could play!
UPDATE: Sevilla
I've asked the Sevilla blogger at the Offside, Anthony, a few questions ahead of the game so we'd know how Sevilla are doing and from a Sevilla perspective. Here are his answers - thanks again Anthony!
Adam: How are Sevilla currently doing in terms of performance?
Anthony: Way better than I expected, the absolute hammering by Barca is a huge confidence killer though.
The midfield has been pretty impressive throughout the season so far with Duscher and Romaric playing the defensive role really well, and also Renato and Maresica in the attacking slot. Of course how can you forget Adriano, Capel, Navas and no our new Belgian revelation Tom De Mul. Arguable the best four wingers in the league right there, at least in terms of a single team.
Adam: Who do you think are the most effective, consistent and dangerous players on the Sevilla squad that Real should be aware of?
Adam: Can you update us on injuries or suspensions that any Sevilla players might have?
Adam: What do you think of Real at the moment?
Adam: Do you think that Guti will be influential as he was in the 3-2 game at the Bernabeu in the 2006/2007 season (a video of the game is in the beginning of the post)?
Adam: Last but not least, what is your lineup and prediction for the game?
Prediction
As many of you have said, it is pretty much difficult to predict Real games nowadays but considering what is going on with both teams - this match is going to be difficult for both - very competitive and it will be similar to the one we won 3-2 at the Bernabeu when Capello was in charge.
So, I'm gonna predict a 2-1 win for us. Whoever scores, fine with me ;)
Alright, thats it. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this - and once again thanks for the feedback you gave me yesterday!
Hala Madrid!
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UPDATE
iarra is injured for 3 months 
* UPDATE: Diarra is injured for 3months
Sevilla are a type of team that like to bully the midfield. They use their wingers effectively and they have good strikers. If Real can control the midfield we should be in good shape. I'm curious to see if Schuster will try a trident formation playing Raul Saviola(Higuain) and Drenthe(Robben) like he has before. Not only will this spread the attack out but it may unsettle the Sevilla defense. Last week Messi completely ran riot the Sevilla defense. Some one like Robben or Drenthe that has pace will do the same. Also It might be a good idea to play Gago and Javi Garcia together to give more cover to Cannavaro and Ramos. This means that we may have to play one striker up front which would have to be Raul or Saviola. It really doesn't look good and I am sorry to say that I perdict a loss. I do hope and I am wrong though.
On the defensive midfielders available in the market, I believe that viera could be available...ok he is pretty old but would do his job until a proper replacement can be found. I really wished Real went for flamini over the summer...I like him as a player and he is wasted in Milan since they have so many players that can play in that position. And also maybe we could price Lassana diarra out of portsmouth...excellent player with high work rate. Anyway cant think of anybody else
Adam, my email is emsc25@gmail.com, feel free to drop me a line anytime you want.
Hey Rivals
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Well even if Real lost i wont be mad at them,, i just want the january transfer season to be done with,, then we can really judge the team..... I was wondering who is a better striker Huntelaar or Saviola?
Yeah,i dont think Real can win this match,1st because of the injuries and 2nd is that Sevilla is a tough foe,they are in their best form no injurues at all except i think Jesus Navas whose a very talented player,thank god he is not playing we saw what happend last week to Sevilla when Navas didn't play he is their playmaker although i say he is one man and we are 11.Hope that Robben and Higuain are fully fit to play.If we win this match and Barca lose against Valencia,and if we win El Clasico' we will share the 1st place with Barcelona!
If we win i predict a 2-0 win,both goals from Rau'l.
i thnk if it goes through a draw it would b good 4 real..
coz...a lot of injuries...specially in the midfield which is one of the key roles 4 sevilla...but lets hope 4 the best
i predict...3/2 4 real..hala madrid
Reply to Dridian:
Each has his own unique abilities. For example. Huntelaar is more like Van Nistelrooy in the sense he is a center-forward and if he gets the ball - done it is goal. However, he might lack some skills like dribbling...etc
On the other hand, Saviola is more like Eto'o - a talented player who can even play as a playmaker. He has pace which is important in a striker and has that goal scoring instinct.
However, he is not good in the air obviously because he is short.
I think Real Madrid will raise their game against the big boys just like they always do...I predict a very tight game which will either end in a 1-1 draw or a 1-0 win for Real Madrid
I think we will lose, scoreline? I don't know....the team management boasts of getting younger but they keep getting young players for the same position (eg. Sneijder and VDV).We still have 2 old men in defence (canna and salgado and 2 old men as strikers raul and VanGol) They need to also sack Guti and call up the young guys in castilla or buy players to fill them. As much as i like Huntelaar signing, that may not be enough. BTW, Michel resigned! heard why? Yup! TIIC at real does not care about the youth team players..... and it shows!
Reply to realfreak:
We have a great youth system. I honestly think that the Cantera is much better than Barcelona's Youth System. The problem is that we don't retain any young talent. The only reason why we have De la Red and Javi Garcia is because Calderon would have felt more pressure if he let them go considering that they were a part of the Euro 2008 winning squad. We have let a lot of talent leave over the years. Mata is a perfect example. He is playing extremely well for Valencia. In a case we do have a good system in that Getafe takes a lot of our players and gives them first team experience but i think Real have extremely high expectations and we overlook those rough diamond players. All they need is polishing.
Reply to realfreak:
2-0 for Real. Both scores by Higuain. We do not need Huntelaar, we absolutely need Maicon!
Reply to Samuel001:
We do need Huntilaar and Maicon, both.
Squad list:
SQUAD LIST:
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek
Defenders: Cannavaro, Metzelder, Ramos, Salgado, Marcelo, Antón
Midfielders: Drenthe, Gago, Robben ,Guti, Van der Vaart, García
Forwards: Raúl, Saviola, Higuaín, Bueno
I hate to say it but we will lose. or get a draw 1 2 1 1 2 2 or 0 2 i think it would be.
If we will win then I will just say ty Robben and Higi
holly shoot barca knocked valencia 4 nill oh man this may sound weird but ill be really happy if we lost 2-0 or a tied though it will be a mircale in the camp nou as for sevilia i predict 1-0 victory ( penalty kick ) il capitano raul at the 94th min of extra time
sevilia depend on bullying midfield and they will enjoy doing that on our expense for sure but we will win because great teams wake up at critical times 
yea ! 
plz schuster make us happy before the nightmare in camp nou
HALA MADRID
Reply to redsNblues:
Keep your chin up.
Tough game, better players than before and a lot of pressure. TThese are the conditions we thrive under and I hope today is no different. I do prefer Metzelder to be in the centre than Salgado on the right because Ramos needs to help the wingers as we don't have both wings covered. Robben should be fit as Drenthe needs some rest and I think there's no arguing who's better. As for Barca, i'm scared, but still confident as I know that our team is capable of breaking Barca and besides, it's the Clasico, motivation is sky high for that match and I full expect the team to deliver. As long as we have Sneijder, De la Red and Heinze (i'll be regretting this later) for the Clasico and nothing goes wrong today, we'll have a real mouth-watering clash come nect weekend. I'm gonna go with a 3-1, one from Higuain, one from Robben and the other from VDV while Kanoute nets one for them. Hala Madrid!
That video makes me miss Robinho and the true Guti even more
Just look at the way he used to pass, what happened to the Guti we all loved.....
Heard that Barca have agreed personal terms with aguero....now I know that is not necessarily true but it's still scary.Hope that one of the next 2 matches will be the turning point of the season
Reply to Daniel:
Aguero won't leave At.Madrid so easily, he is their best man.
Is Sneijder or De la Red or Heinze going to return for el clasico or anybody thats not in the squad today
Reply to Madridista4:
Sneijder and De La Red, probably.
Reply to Madridista4:
There's no guarantee but i'm pretty sure Heinze and Sneijder should make it and if De la Red can rejoin training with ease then all should be good. Sneijder has already rejoined training and should start normal training in one or two days. As for Heinze, he's still doing gymwork but will also probably rejoin his team-mates soon enough. As fro Pepe and Torres, they won't make it unless they pull off a miracle. Hala Madrid!
Real 1-3 Sevilla. Our defense still sucks. I'm down in the dumps.
Reply to Adambader:
Aguero can be bought with his buyout clause...marcelo is out for the classico...h received a yellow card
A fucking fantastic goal from Higuain, 3-2, C'mon folks!
It is fucking crazy - Gago scores his first goal ever with Real to make it 3-3, awesome! Just c'mon, we can do it!
Damn it! on hit the par!
Holy shit, Robben gets sent off for nothing!!!!!!!
This referee is a total jackass
gr8...a loss (in which the ref sucked) and Marcelo and Robben out for the classico...scary
why is robben send off? a totally joke. damn! schuster should start off the first half with 4-4-2. i hope they sack him...
Wow , great loss again .. beat the barca .. we totally suck
That * .. for god sake Oleole fix the god damn comment