El Clasico Tactical Preview (CDR 2013 SF - 2nd Leg)

Barcelona will face off against their arch rivals in the Copa Del Rey Semi finals - Second Leg tomorrow. After goals from Cesc Fabregas and Varane cancelled out each other, the tie is now evenly poised.
The aim of both the teams will be to take lead at the earliest and see that they dont allow anymore goals, as simple as that, but easily said than done.

The build up for this Clasico, for that matter any Clasico cannot be measured. Hence, instead of just the build-ups as to how much Morale boosting the win would be, How the defeat will affect their UCL performances, etc would have been already analysed by every football fan. The importance of this Clasico can only be felt by the respective club fans. Lets go straight to the tactical part of the Clasico.

The return of Casillas (though its not clear whether he will start) and Pepe will boost the Madrid's defense with youngster Varane is most expected to share the CB position with the Portuguese. In Barca squad, return of El Guaje would have increased the morale, even more after his wonderful goal against Sevilla.

EXPECTED LINE UP :

Barcelona's lineup, now under the charge of Jordi Roura is quite straight forward to predict. But the Special one's Mind cant be read unless and otherwise there are way too many injuries in the squad. Being a Cule, its even more difficult for me as to what to expect (with respect to the Lineups). But thanks to Ashish Singh, a Real Madrid FRIEND (believe it Cules and Madristas can be friends :P ) I was able to come up with a squad and tactics for Los Blancos as well.

Expected Lineup - Barcelona

Expected Lineup - Real Madrid

What Barcelona Must DO:

Barca approach for first 15 Mins

Pique and Alves Must Contain CR

Madrid has always been the better team for the first 10-15 mins, the time which the Catalans require to settle down with their Tiki-Taka. Whether a CUle can accept the fact or not, Madrid has been the better team in most of the recent clasico for the first 15 Mins. In the first leg CR had 2 great shots and a free kick, which were brilliantly saved by Pinto. (And every Cule will be sincerely hoping for Pinto to keep up what he has done in the first leg).

So a defensive approach for the first 10 minutes, ie the full backs staying in the defensive half and Busquets helping out the CBs would be preferable with Alves and Pique trying to keep off CR from advancing. Xavi would take the centre of the pitch and tick the passes with Don,  Messi and Pedro. Once they get settled down, its hard to break the passes. Against AC Milan this element of getting settled down was absent, which caused an upset for the Catalans.

Experimental Lineup - Barca

Villa's Participation is crucial

Up in the front, Villa must start ahead of Cesc (who has been a bit inconsistent) with Don playing in the midfield.

Messi should take RW position, where he played at time during the first leg and against Milan. This shifting also worked out well against Sevilla which enabled both Clinical Guaje and La  Pulga get on the score sheets. Besides Messi can trick or treat the LBs more easily than when he plays at the centre which is expected to be crowded with Varane, Pepe and Xabi - who will trying either to get the ball or get him down.

Sanchez, though not having a brilliant season, was good with his off the movements and runs and will be a better bet to get past Varane and have a shot. Pedro has not been consistent and is finding the passes and positioning a bit difficult offlate as well.

With Busquets, Xavi and Don to move the threads from Midfield there is more hope for Villa and Messi to have a good shot and possibly take lead, which will force Madrid to go on all-attack strategy, since they will be required to score 2 goals to stay in (or win) the tie. Now that Messi also went on to praise Villa's presence in the team, it shouldnt be considered a risky move. After an hour or so, the speedsters Pedro or Tello - Cesc and Mascherano or Song (for defensive approach, if leading) can be brought in to see the tie off.

Summary - Ensure that Madrid doesnot take the lead by fending off CR, Benzema and Ozil, especially in the first few minutes - Get settled with passing in Midfield within 15 Mins - Play Messi on right and Villa - Sanchez trading positions.

What Real Madrid Must DO:

Experimental Lineup - RM

Rejuvenated Kaka

"Play Kaka, instead of DiMaria." - This came from someone (Ashish ofcourse) who has always been saying 'Kaka has got past his prime, he is not worth starting, etc'. This shows the recent performances Kaka has put up. Besides its been long time that Barcelona last faced the Kaka magic, whereas they would have got used to the DiMaria way. Hence this ignorance might help the Blancos to go ahead.

Playing Pepe in midfield, Essien as RB and Ramos as CB would not be a good move. Though it has reaped favorably for Mourinho whenever he played Pepe in mid, it will be wise not to do so against Barca. Pepe, though it hurts to admit as a Cule, is a great defender, especially in pressure situations. He doesn't need a second thought to tackle down players (even if its Arbeloa :P). Hence Pepe as CB would be the best choice. (Getting a straight red for fouling Messi is always on the cards though).

Madrid will be desperately try to go ahead, coz of the away goal lead Barca has. If Alves and Pique are gonna fend off CR, then the LB, either Coentrao or Marcelo must plunge forward while on attack and help him out. And whenever Ramos or Coentrao go forward, Xabi and Sami must drop deep and cover their positions.

Set pieces are the best possible way to score. Hence utlising them to the fullest possible extent would be the key to Madrid's success.

Summary - Attack through set pieces and crosses from flanks - Fend off Messi - Defend as a group and Most Importantly - don't make Barca setlle down with their Tiki-Taka.


Key Battles - obviously, Messi vs Pepe and CR vs Alves 



















DID YOU KNOW (Courtesy - Goal.com) :

• Barcelona are on a 22-match unbeaten run at Camp Nou in all competitions (W18, D4).
• The Catalan giants have won just one of their last six encounters against Real Madrid (W1, D3, L2).
• Lionel Messi (pictured, right) has scored a club-record 17 goals in 23 Clasico appearances.
• Real Madrid are facing Barcelona for the 224th time in all competitions. The capital club have 88 wins to Barca's 87.
• Los Blancos have only won three of their last 10 away matches across all competitions (W3, D3, L4).
• Cristiano Ronaldo has scored seven goals in his last seven matches against Barcelona.

DRAMAs - Nowadays, it has become very hard to see a clasico without any drama. Now that Pepe has come in, it must only add more spice to this brilliant encounter.

Match Prediction - Would be a close encounter once again, though more goals can be expected compared to the first leg. But it looks like Barca might beat the Blancos 3-2 (Saying this not because am a Cule). And they are expected to win for the ailing Tito. There is also a slight probability of Abidal returning to pitch in the dying minutes. 

All set for a Spicy Clasico Thriller.