Real Madrid vs Barcelona Match Preview
by Angela Asante, Jan 16th 2012
Once again, the Santiago Bernabeu will be set to flames. It’s the first leg of the Copa del Rey’s Real Madrid-Barcelona tie on Wednesday, January 18. You just can’t miss it!Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance in the latest Clasico was so appalling that many fans and pundits, non-Madridistas and Madridistas alike, suggested that the player gets benched in the next Barcelona meeting. However, this is very like not to happen. What every Real Madrid supporter can now hope is for Ronaldo to live up to expectations at the Bernabeu.
With the absence of the injured Sami Khedira, Jose Mourinho could use Pepe in midfield to mark the untouchable three-time world player of the year, Lionel Messi. This tactic actually worked in the first leg of last season’s Champions League semifinal tie. It only collapsed when the referee dismissed the Portuguese defender for a challenge he never committed on Dani Alves.“Whether I'll play in midfield again? The coach will know what to do against Barcelona. I'm always available to help Madrid,” Pepe told AS concerning the possibility of being deployed as a midfielder come Wednesday.“Everyone knows what my qualities are and what I can do for the team. The coach is the one who makes the decisions though.”In defense, Alvaro Arbeloa will be missing. The Spaniard has to serve a one-match ban in the Spanish Copa del Rey for receiving a yellow card against Malaga in the previous round. Real Madrid appealed against the decision without success.Jose Mourinho has been urged to start with Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain and Özil against Barcelona. The good news for Real Madrid is that Angel di Maria has been deemed fit to make his return after missing so many matches lately. The Argentine’s place in Mourinho’s starting XI is yet to be confirmed as competition against Jose Callejon exists.Either way, the inclusion of both players in the roster would give more options to the coach. It’s important for Real Madrid to possess a strong bench against Barcelona as the super-sub factor could influence the game.Meanwhile, the visitors are preparing to do what they know best. All eyes will be on reigning Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi. He has been tipped to put Casillas in trouble once again. If Barcelona score at least one goal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, they’ll be even more favorites to reach the semifinals of the Copa del Rey.After all, everyone is aware about the mesmerizing impact of the Camp Nou stadium. Pique believes that there are no favorites ahead of Wednesday night’s Copa del Rey quarterfinal first leg match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. How true is the defender’s opinion?
A look at Real Madrid and Barcelona’s previous results in the 2011/12 Spanish Copa del Rey:
Round of 32:
- Ponferradina 0-2 Real Madrid; Real Madrid 5-1 Ponferradina (7-1 to Real Madrid on aggregate)
- L’Hospitalet 0-1 Barcelona; Barcelona 9-0 L’Hospitalet (10-0 to Barcelona on aggregate)
Round of 16:
- Real Madrid 3-2 Malaga; Malaga 0-1 Real Madrid (4-2 to Real Madrid on aggregate)
- Barcelona 4-0 Osasuna; Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona (6-1 to Barcelona on aggregate)
What’s next for Real Madrid and for Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey? Where will each team stand ahead of the second leg in Catalonia?
by Angela Asante, Jan 16th 2012
Once again, the Santiago Bernabeu will be set to flames. It’s the first leg of the Copa del Rey’s Real Madrid-Barcelona tie on Wednesday, January 18. You just can’t miss it!Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance in the latest Clasico was so appalling that many fans and pundits, non-Madridistas and Madridistas alike, suggested that the player gets benched in the next Barcelona meeting. However, this is very like not to happen. What every Real Madrid supporter can now hope is for Ronaldo to live up to expectations at the Bernabeu.
With the absence of the injured Sami Khedira, Jose Mourinho could use Pepe in midfield to mark the untouchable three-time world player of the year, Lionel Messi. This tactic actually worked in the first leg of last season’s Champions League semifinal tie. It only collapsed when the referee dismissed the Portuguese defender for a challenge he never committed on Dani Alves.“Whether I'll play in midfield again? The coach will know what to do against Barcelona. I'm always available to help Madrid,” Pepe told AS concerning the possibility of being deployed as a midfielder come Wednesday.“Everyone knows what my qualities are and what I can do for the team. The coach is the one who makes the decisions though.”In defense, Alvaro Arbeloa will be missing. The Spaniard has to serve a one-match ban in the Spanish Copa del Rey for receiving a yellow card against Malaga in the previous round. Real Madrid appealed against the decision without success.Jose Mourinho has been urged to start with Karim Benzema, Gonzalo Higuain and Özil against Barcelona. The good news for Real Madrid is that Angel di Maria has been deemed fit to make his return after missing so many matches lately. The Argentine’s place in Mourinho’s starting XI is yet to be confirmed as competition against Jose Callejon exists.Either way, the inclusion of both players in the roster would give more options to the coach. It’s important for Real Madrid to possess a strong bench against Barcelona as the super-sub factor could influence the game.Meanwhile, the visitors are preparing to do what they know best. All eyes will be on reigning Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi. He has been tipped to put Casillas in trouble once again. If Barcelona score at least one goal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, they’ll be even more favorites to reach the semifinals of the Copa del Rey.After all, everyone is aware about the mesmerizing impact of the Camp Nou stadium. Pique believes that there are no favorites ahead of Wednesday night’s Copa del Rey quarterfinal first leg match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. How true is the defender’s opinion?
A look at Real Madrid and Barcelona’s previous results in the 2011/12 Spanish Copa del Rey:
Round of 32:
- Ponferradina 0-2 Real Madrid; Real Madrid 5-1 Ponferradina (7-1 to Real Madrid on aggregate)
- L’Hospitalet 0-1 Barcelona; Barcelona 9-0 L’Hospitalet (10-0 to Barcelona on aggregate)
Round of 16:
- Real Madrid 3-2 Malaga; Malaga 0-1 Real Madrid (4-2 to Real Madrid on aggregate)
- Barcelona 4-0 Osasuna; Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona (6-1 to Barcelona on aggregate)
What’s next for Real Madrid and for Barcelona in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey? Where will each team stand ahead of the second leg in Catalonia?
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