REAL MADRID CF
v
REAL BETIS
Ai??Estadio Santiago BernabAi??u, Madrid
October 15, 2011; 2130 IST
***
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After an intense international break, Los Galacticos resume their La Liga campaign as they welcome Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu.Ai??Real Madrid look to have finally returned to winning ways after victories against Rayo, Ajax and Espanyol. Jose Mourinho will make sure that they keep in touch with their Catalan adversaries and ensure that they drop no more points before their much awaited El Clasico.
JosAi?? “Pepe” Mel PAi??rez has been a messiah for Betis. After having to endure the pain of relegation, the former Real Madrid Castilla player, led them to glory and promotion to the first division. Last season, Betis also shocked the world when they beat FC Barcelona. Betis further shocked the world this season when they went top of the Liga table winning their first four matches before finally stumbling against Getafe and Levante.
Real Betis was missed sorely in the first division and their presence is heartening. Their ever-loyal group of fans with chants of Viva er Betis manque pierda! (“Long live Betis even when they lose!”) are among the passionate set of fans in the world. They have supported their team in times of despair and finally their faith is being rewarded by the club and its players in the best possible way.
Team News and Tactical Brief
Real Madrid
Real Madrid did go through a lean patch but have bounced back in style. Against Espanyol, they turned on the style with Gonzalo Higuain netting a hat trick and Callejon also scoring one.
Carvalho and Albiol are injured and are unlikely to start against Betis. Pepe is still recovering and it is unsure whether he will make the cut. Ramos is expected to shift to the centre alongside the Frenchman, Raphael Varane. Arbeloa will take up Ramosai??i?? usual position as right back while Marcelo will start on the left.
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Xabi Alonso did not feature in Spainai??i??s last Euro qualifying game and is fresh to start again. There has been no rest given to Alonso so far and Sahinai??i??s injury has made Mourinho utilize the services of the Spanish maestro in all of the matches so far. Sami Khedira is expected to give him cover in the central defensive midfield.
Cristiano Ronaldo featured in Portugalai??i??s defeat this week and has not been called to any training sessions so far. But considering how important the Portuguese is to the squad, he will most definitely be starting. Kaka has been going through a purple patch and will retain his place in the starting XI in all probability.
Angel Di Maria was impressive in his outings with Argentina and can be given the nod ahead of Mesut Ozil on the left. Mesut Ozil has alleviated any fears arising about his combination with Kaka in the attacking half but Mourinho will like to give him some rest considering their next match against Lyon in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Karim Benzema is still on the path to recovery but Madridistas donai??i??t have too many concerns with their striking department as Gonzalo Higuain has finally come back to his true self, scoring and creating goals for his team.
Probable Starting Line-up (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Arbeloa,Varane,Ramos, Marcelo; Khedira,Xabi; Di Maria, Kaka, Cristiano; Higuain
Real Betis
Pepe Mel has surely made all the difference in this new-look Real Betis squad since his arrival. Their style of play has been attractive and the results have also been better than desirable.
Guarding the goal posts and hoping to counter the barrage of Real Madrid shots on goal would be Castro. The back four responsible for protecting their keeper will be Chica Torres, Mario, Dorado Ramirez and Perez Nacho. The defense can be very good as well as leaky on their off days. They need to ensure that they can put up their best effort against Ronaldo and Co.
The formation Pepe Mel plays resembles a 4-2-3-1 with BeAi??at being Betis’s answer to Xabi Alonso. Santos Iriney has started in all the games so far and will take his place beside Benat.
Roque Santa Cruz, the Manchester City striker has finally found a new lease of life at Betis, It seemed that his career was going no where until Betis signed him and Santa Cruz has responded well. He has already scored two goals and would relish the chance of adding another one to his tally especially at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Aiding him in attack would be Ruben Castro, who has been terrific for them with two goals and also Salvador Sevilla who incidentally also has a couple of goals against his name. The remaining spot can be filled up by either Jefferson or Jonathan. But, Jefferson could be the most likely one to start.
Probable Starting Line-up (4-2-3-1):Ai?? Casto; Chica Torres, Mario, Dorado, Nacho; Iriney, Benat; Jefferson, Sevilla, Castro; Santa Cruz
TheHardTackleai??i??s PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
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Raphael Varane(Real Madrid)
The Frenchman has looked mighty impressive in the limited time he has got on the pitch and has never looked out of place in a team filled with stars. With injuries to Albiol, Carvalho and Pepe, Varane has a definite chance of starting again and impressing Mourinho.
TheHardTackleai??i??s PREDICTION
Real Madrid 3 ai??i?? 0 Real Betis
Real Betis had a surprisingly great start to the season but have tasted defeat in their last two matches whereas Real Madrid have turned on the style in their previous couple of matches. At Santiago Bernabeu, Los Blancos would look to keep the winning momentum and Pepe Mel might just find it tough to stop them.
TheHardTackleai??i??s BLAST FROM THE PAST
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