Football

Raul = class. Something that's hard to find in Madrid any more.

Carrick = under-rated. His questionable decision-making (I mean United, really?) prevents me from liking him.

Carrick is a target of the media and the public alike, which he's been for long time now, but by no means is he underrated. Last year against Bayern he was a fault at a critical moment in the tie when he lost concentration and yesterday he made a really poor decision and consequently crumbled into oblivion. That's not to say he was solely responsible for the defeat, United weren't good enough in all areas, particularly Scholes, who once again showed what a vindictive little oik he can be when things aren't going his way. I shall not be mourning his hopefully imminent retirement.

Part 2 tonight.

In a move that will surprise the football world - ahem - José Mourinho has decided not to field any strikers tonight, instead we're getting Özil in a false n°9 role, and what effectively should be a 7-3-0 formation... <_<

Oh dear, Sergio...

Three cheers for the law of averages!

P.S. Get well Gerard Houllier.

So, I take it no one here really cares about El Clasico that much, right?

So, I take it no one here really cares about El Clasico that much, right?

I do! I fear Barça will lose over two legs and Real will make the final...

Mourinho has resorted to his Inter/Chelsea ways *sigh* While I was watching the Copa, Madrid's white uniforms made me think that they are a £300 million Bolton...wait, that would be an insult cause Bolton are actually quite attacking under Coyle

I can't see them beating Madrid over the next 2 legs. You'll need a ref that isn't afraid of Mourinho...or sending Pepe, Xabi, Ramos or Arbeloa off <_<

I'm going for Barca, but my head tells me Madrid will have La Decima by the end of the season

Update:

Wolfgang Stark (Ger) to ref

Iniesta out with a muscle strain

I guess that comment about a strong ref won't be coming true. Worst thing is Howard Webb isn't reffing any matches and since he can't ref the United v Schalke game, he may be in line to ref the 2nd leg of the Barca v Madrid match. Not much chance of Barca winning now unless UEFA decide to intervene again

So, I take it no one here really cares about El Clasico that much, right?

No Maxwell or Adriano for the Clasico, if the stories are to be believed. Who'll start at left back for Barca?

Adriano is out. Not sure about Maxwell, maybe Guardiola will chuck a Wenger and chuck him on? I'm guessing Masch will be put on the left with Puyol coming back into the centre if he's fit? Keita to replace Iniesta too.

I have no idea why Guardiola decided to use such a thin squad on the back of a Summer World Cup

I'm inclined to agree. The lack of numbers in the Barca squad is becoming quite evident now, what with Pedro and Villa looking fairly off colour lately. Madrid are looking good going forward at the moment and will have the luxury of having three forwards (assuming Ronaldo starts as a lone striker) on the the bench alongside a somewhat resurgent Kaka, while Guardiola will have, erm, Milito and Jeffren. I could see Mourinho really taking advantage of Barca's defensive shortcomings, provided they get enough possession going over the two legs. It'll be another tight game, but I think Real start as the favourites.

One of the Barca coaches apparently reporting that Iniesta was fatigued and not injured and will be able to start the game. Barca will need him today, that's for sure. Pretty sure it'll be Masch, Puyol, Pique and Alves playing in the backline. Ronaldo to start on the right to take advantage of Masch on the left of defense?

SCHALKE

Oh yeah...that game. Be sure to spank Manyoo and make it to the final please

I'm backing Schalke to do well and get a good result at home, but I could see United grabbing an away goal or two and thus, doing enough to make the final. Fergie seemingly favours 4-5-1 for European games but I'd be very surprised if he reverts to it again, after having the 4-4-2 work so well against Chelsea.

Here's hoping that ITV have emergency medical staff on hand in case Clive Tyldsley has a coronary mid-match.

One of the Barca coaches apparently reporting that Iniesta was fatigued and not injured and will be able to start the game. Barca will need him today, that's for sure. Pretty sure it'll be Masch, Puyol, Pique and Alves playing in the backline. Ronaldo to start on the right to take advantage of Masch on the left of defense?

They'll be looking much better with Puyol and Iniesta out there, but this game just feels perfectly poised for Madrid. Home advantage, knackered Barca squad and confidence from the Copa Del Rey victory, not to mention key players in good form and others returning from injury.

One thing Barca should have in their favour is that the referee Stark is a card-happy fellow and a self-confessed Messi worshipper. So I strongly suspect that if a Madrid player does so much as breathe on little Leo, they'll be history faster than Darron Gibson's Twitter account.

Then again, Stark was the one in charge of the Inter v Chelsea game last season where Lucio and Samuel wrestled Terry and Drogba to the ground on corners without so much as a warning :|

Other updates today:

Iniesta officially out according to Pep.

Mourinho channels Einstein.

Pep admits "[Mourinho] is the f*****g man"

Looks like Barca is imploding and Madrid are definitely at the right place at the right time. History will only remember Madrid conquering Barca, nothing more

and one more thing: Booo Manyoo <_<

Clearly, Mourinho is on top form at the moment but as far as I'm concerned, Guardiola had a point over Pedro's disallowed goal. Granted, the replays showed that he was indeed offside but in actual fact, the decision was so tight that the official couldn't have based his call on anything other than guesswork, and the benefit of the doubt, we're always told, should go in favour of the attacker.

Surprised how ridiculously one-sided last night's game was. Giggs appears to be better now than he was 10 years ago - what's he going to be like at 48?

You're always told that but the call always seems to go to the defense I guess there's a difference between what the linesman saw and what he thought he saw. It's always difficult to see everything when the ball is released so far from the runner.

Earlier in the season, when Mourinho was threatening to leave Madrid, he was saying that whether he was going to be at Madrid next season or not was irrelevant because in the next couple of seasons Barca would fall regardless of his presence. He said that Xavi and Puyol would retire or become less effective with age and the end of the generation would spell the end of their dominance cause no matter how many youngsters Barca had, they would not have perfect clones to keep playing the way that they do. Interesting comments.

Did anyone see the interview? Pep was actually quite calm (which makes it all less funny).