El Clásico: Copa Del Rey Final Preview, Team News and Predictions
It's Round 2 of the Clasico, the second meeting in four days and Jose Mourinho has the chance to revive the fortunes of the club by ending their three-year silverware drought at the Mestalla in the Copa Del Rey final on Wednesday.
Jose Mourinho has been criticized by former great Alfredo Stefano for his defensive tactics in Saturday's draw, but some of his tactics were spot-on, with Pepe playing as defensive midfielder being a master stroke.
Pepe is likely to retain his position as the anchorman right in front of the defensive line—a strategy Mourinho believes would nullify the threat of Xavi and Iniesta in the final third and also acts as cover for the deep lying center-backs.
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Mourinho would also be keen on implying the long ball tactic in offense, a feature of the English game. The tactic was used in Saturday night's fixture and Barcelona did struggle to curtail the long balls in the final third of the pitch.
Jose Mourinho is also likely to start with Ozil, who impressed greatly after coming on in the second half and is most likely to replace Karim Benzema.
Pep Guardiola, on the other hand, would be expecting a much more improved performance by his Barcelona side who did struggle to control the ball and were unusually below par.
The game plan for Barcelona is likely to be the same, apply relentless pressure and possession, try to open up the game more from the wings.
David Villa's form has been a little worry for the Catalans and his scoring form his dipped recently and this could be an ideal situation for the hit man to get back a goal or two at his former home ground.
Injuries and Suspension
Carles Puyol is battling injury and Mascherano is most likely to replace him at center-back if the captain is declared unfit to play.
For Real, Albiol would miss the final because of the red card he received during the league game against Barcelona on Saturday.
Real Madrid Squad List
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Adan, Dudek.
Defenders: Garay, Ramos, Carvalho, Pepe, Marcelo, Arbeloa.
Midfielders: Xabi Alonso, Ozil, Di Maria, Khedira, Granero, Kaka.
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Adebayor, Higuain, Benzema.
Barcelona Squad List
Goalkeepers: Valdes, Pinto.
Defenders: Mascherano, Fontas, Puyol, Maxwell, Adriano, Pique, Alves, Milito.
Midfielders: Busquets, Keita, Xavi, Iniesta, Afellay, Thiago.
Forwards: Pedro, Jeffren, Messi, Villa.
Prediction
Former Sky Sports man Andy Gray predicts that Real Madrid would win the Copa Del Rey on penalties.
It's a tough call really, but with both sides attacking with different strategies I reckon Barcelona would win 2-1.
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