Both FC Barcelona coach Tata Martino and Carlo Ancelotti,Buy Cheap Abercrombie Men's Sweaters his
opposite number in Real Madrid, have doubts regarding their respective
starting 11s ahead of Saturday's Clasico between the two sides in the
Camp Nou Stadium.The game is the first time either coach has sat in the
dugout for a Clasico and the result and performance of their teams could
go a long way to determining how long they last in their current
positions.Barca go into the game with a three point lead over Real
Madrid and the advantage of playing in front of a stadium packed with
their home fans.Martino's side has not been at its best since returning
from the international break and has managed just two draws from two
games, although some would argue that the 1-1 draw Barca took away to AC
Milan in the San Siro Stadium was far from a bad result.The good news
for Martino is that Leo Messi looked back to his best on Tuesday night
after missing three weeks with a thigh injury and Messi's will be the
first name down on the Barca teamsheet, quickly followed by that of
Neymar, after that there are questions Martino must answer, such as who
will be the third player in attack.Alexis Sanchez seems to be Martino' s
preferred choice and the Chilean has been in good form this season with
his pace and workrate compensating somewhat for his lack of precision
in front of goal. There is also a good case for including Pedro
Rodriguez, who has a habit of finding the net against Real Madrid and
also for Cesc Fabrigas,Wholesale Outerwears cheap Outerwears who can play as a false striker and whose late arrival into the penalty area is hard for defenders to close down.
Cesc's
inclusion would mean there are no doubts over the regular midfield of
Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, meaning the
remaining questions to be answered hang over the Barca defense.While
Dani Alves and Adriano are both certain to play as full backs, who plays
in central defense depends on whether or not Gerard Pique is able to
play after suffering a slight pelvic injury in Milan.Snow plough suppliers If
Pique recovers he will probably partner club captain Carles Puyol, who
was rested in midweek, but if Pique can't play, Martino will have to
decide between youngster Marc Bartra,Wholesale Caps cheap Caps who
has performed well in recent weeks, or the more experienced Javier
Mascherano, who only returned after injury himself on Tuesday
night.Ancelotti also has doubts,China Block clamp but
apart from Xabi Alonso, who is putting the final touches to his return
after injury, he has no fitness problems in his squad.Real Madrid look
to be improving in recent games and as a result Ancelotti will keep
faith with a three man midfield, composed of Sami Khedira, Luka Modric
and Asier Illaramendi, with Isco relegated to the subs' bench.
There
are questions over who will play at right back with Alvaro Arbeloa
likely to get the nod ahead of Javier Carvajal, although it is possible
Ancelotti might decide to move Sergio Ramos across to the right and pair
Rafael Varane and Pepe in central defense, a move that would add to
Madrid's considerably height advantage at set pieces.Speaking on Spanish
radio on Thursday night, Ancelotti hinted that Gareth Bale could start
in the Camp Nou, which seems logical if Madrid want to see a return on
their massive summer investment, but that decision means Ancelotti has
to decide between dropping Angel de Maria or playing without a
specialized center-forward.Di Maria has responded to Bale' s arrival
with some of the best form of his career and his pace and ability to
curl the ball in from the right would be lost if Bale replaced him in
that position.In order to accommodate both Bale and Di Maria, Ancelotti
could opt to play Cristiano Ronaldo as a central striker, but has
already said that would not be a good idea given Ronaldo's effectiveness
cutting in from the left, or he could play Bale in a central role and
leave both Karim Benzema and Alvaro Morata out of his line-up.What the
debate does do is highlight the options available to both coaches ahead
of what promises to be another tense encounter in the biggest club match
in the world.
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