Real Madrid vs Barcelona preview: The end of a hegemony? [2012/2011 HD]

Real Madrid vs Barcelona preview: The end of a hegemony? [2012/2011 HD] Real Madrid and Barcelona will clash this Saturday, for the first time in La Liga this season. Real Madrid currently leads the Spanish League table, with 1 game less disputed and a 3 points gap from Barcelona. If the Merengues manage to pull off a victory from the "Clasico", the title race may very well turn out to be a 1-way ride until the end. The "El Clasico" is right around the corner, as Real Madrid and Barcelona bump into each other this Saturday (December 10), in a "La Liga" fixture. Could we finally be on the verge of Barcelona's hegemony end? The "Merengues" haven't won a single game against Barcelona in the Spanish League, since May 2008 (4-1 win), in a total of 5 losses and 1 draw. However and for the first time in recent years, Real Madrid steps up to this match as slightly favorite, according to several football betting companies and sports bookie experts. The game will certainly be an exciting and thrilling one, as it has been an appanage of all the recent "Clasicos", but Pep Guardiola's men can't afford to lose this battle, otherwise they will risk seeing the gap to Madrid being extended to a 6 points margin, with still 1 game less disputed. If José Mourinho finds himself on top with a 9 points lead, then not even a Barcelona dream team will probably be able to catch up the Merengues. Real Madrid, who is currently in a 15-game winning streak (10 in "La Liga"), will host Barcelona in the best possible moment. In the other hand, the Blaugrana dropped 5 points in their last 5 matches for the Spanish League, after drawing 2-2 against Athletic Bilbao in San Mamés and losing 1-0 to Getafe, in the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez. Real Madrid seized that opportunity to takeoff and José Mourinho is certainly more than aware of the importance of such lead advantage. After this Saturday's "Clasico", Real Madrid next fixture in "La Liga" will be against Sevilla, in the "Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán" (17th December) and it could turn out to be crucial not conceding a loss to Barcelona, in the week before. Cristiano Ronaldo has been spared from the UEFA Champions League fixture this Wednesday, against Ajax, and it should be safe to say he'll be a starter against Barcelona on Saturday. The Portuguese player will be eager to improve his goalscoring stats, as he already counts with 17 goals in "La Liga" 2011/2012 and is actually tied with the Argentinian Lionel Messi.Real Madrid starting line-up against Barcelona won't be very easy to predict, since there are a few regular choices who are still recovering from injuries and José Mourinho tactical choices could easily provide last minute surprises. While Iker Casillas will certainly be on the goal line, the defensive line could suffer a few changes. The Brazilian left-back, Marcelo, has been struggling with a few minor injuries and if he doesn't get fit before Saturday, he'll probably be replaced by the Portuguese player, Fábio Coentrão. In the center of the defense, Pepe should line-up with Sergio Ramos, but the right-back spot is also prone to raise some questions, even though Arbeloa should have his place secured after performing well against Ajax. In the other hand, Lass Diarra could actually lack the required experience to play on that position against such a challenging opponent as it is Barcelona, but he might be a valid option for the midfield, if Mourinho decides to strengthen his team against Barça's "tiki-taka".

2011-12-09 · 0:25 · 0 kommentarer · av williamo9

Taggar: Real Madrid vs Barcelona preview: The end of hegemony? [2012/2011 HD] 2011 12 09 El Clasico 2012/2011 Cristiano Ronaldo Lionel messi 2012 José Mourinho Pep Guardiola Santiago Bernabeu stadium Camp nou MadridxBarcelona ver: fin de una hegemonía? Реал проти Барселони