Week 11
EL CLASICÓ
La Liga| Saturday 19th November 2005 | 20:00 CET| Estadio Santiago Bernabéu
This is for me the biggest match of the season. It doesn't get any better then "El Clasicó" at Bernabéu.
Barcelona's recent form has been scary, but i think that Real Madrid are also in form, despite the 2 losses against Valencia and Deportivo. The team has been dealing with 5 long-term injuries on important 1st team players in the last couple of weeks. Ronaldo, Zidane, Baptista, Helguera and Gravesen. add to that, that Beckham has been playing with back-pain in a few matches. despite that they're only 3 pts under La Liga leaders "Osasuna" and are already through to the 1/8 finals in Champions League. that's why i think that Real Madrid have a very strong squad this year.
now to the big match on saturday. if all goes well, Real Madrid coach Luxemburgo will have a full squad available. (with the exception of Woodgate who's injured.) The biggest surprise is that Ronaldo has said: I will play against Barcelona. He's recovering well and all indicates that he will be ready.
Baptista is also working to get ready for saturday. And as it looks right now, he will be ready too. Zidane has recovered also.
Barcelona's Mark Van Bommel will definitely miss the match and Belletti is a doubt. Deco will most likely take Van Bommel's place in midfield. The rest should be ok and ready to play.
probable lineup's:
Real Madrid CF
1 Casillas
2 Salgado
4 S. Ramos
6 Helguera
3 R. Carlos
23 Beckham
12 P. García
14 Guti
10 Robinho
7 Raúl
9 Ronaldo
subs:
13 D. López
21 Diogo
24 Mejía
22 Pavón
15 Raúl Bravo
16 Gravesen
8 Baptista
5 Zidane
FC Barcelona
1 Valdés
23 Oleguer
5 Puyol
12 Gio
15 Edmílson
6 Xavi
4 Márquez
20 Deco
8 Giuly
9 Eto'o
10 Ronaldinho
subs:
25 Jorquera
2 Belletti
16 Sylvinho
3 Motta
24 Iniesta
7 Larsson
14 Ezquerro
CURRENT FORM:
PREVIOUS MEETING:
10 April 2005:
Real Madrid CF 4-2 FC Barcelona
(Zidane 7', Ronaldo 20', Eto'o 29', Raúl 45', Owen 65', Ronaldinho 73')
TV:
Al Jazeera Sport
Canal+ Sport 2 (Poland)
Canal+ Sport (Poland) (Delay 21:30)
NTV Turkey
Taquilla 1
7TV - Russia
Sport 1 Hungary
TV Sport RO
TV4 Plus (Sweden)
Diema 2
Kanal 5 (Denmark)
Supersport 2
S.Sport 2 Hellas
Sky Sports 1
TV2 Xtra
!HALA! MADRID