Cesc, Vargas, Agüero… – Gijón pre-preview
Marca apologised to its fans on behalf of everyone involved with them as they couldn't Photoshop this picture of Cesc into the one in which he is sports a Real Madrid jersey.
What is common between Cesc Fàbregas, Juan Manuel Vargas, Sergio Agüero, Jesús Navas, Diego Perotti, David Villa, David Silva, Franck Ribery, Andres Iniesta, Steven Gerrard, Romelu Lukaku, Fabio Capello, Rafael Benitez, José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti? The answer is quite simple. These are the players/managers who have been linked with Real Madrid by dear ol’ Marca in the past few months. And the list will continue to grow for the next 12 weeks until it reaches its all time high by August when we will be linked with almost every single soul on the planet. Bullocks!
In the latest shyte produced by Marca, its Cesc and Vargas who have topped this weekend’s list of Top 10 players who have been linked with Real Madrid for next season. While Cesc is pleased that someone like FP wants to sign him, he wants Real to wait till the summer when he will assess whether or not to remain in Arsenal. And the best part about this rumor was that Cesc found out about it through a friend of his who is close to Real Madrid. OMFG.
Juan Manuel Vargas was the next target and this time its not only Marca. AS too confirms the speculation that Real have been joined by Juve and Man City in the fight to sign Viola’s 26-year-old left-footed wing-back. The Peruvian is a highly talented youngster who is at the peak of his career. No doubts about that. My only question is whether we need another Marcelo in the team? They also say that if we miss out on him we still have Evra, Kolarov, Clichy, Andre Santos, Luis Filipe, David Luiz and Ashley Cole to target.
On to tomorrow’s game now as Real Madrid get ready to battle Sporting Gijón at Fortress Bernabéu – a team against which we dropped points earlier in the season. Sporting, who are currently 11th on the table with 32 points, held us to a 0-0 draw at El Molinon on Matchday 7.
They are managed by Manuel Preciado who is in his fourth year at the helm of the team and he’s been a fan favorite ever since he got the team promoted to the First Division in 2008. Preciado only had kind words for his Real Madrid counterpart and namesake as he said that Pellegrini sadly is being a part of a witch hunt and that he has done a remarkable job for Real. He also went on to say that Sporting have everything to gain and very little to lose through this game and that they will do all that they can to stop Cristiano Ronaldo and co. even if it has to be done the Nivaldo way. Considering their dismal away form I doubt if they can do the job tomorrow. As a visiting team they have only won two games and drawn three games. Sporting will be without Ivan Cuellar, Milan Smiljanic and Francisco Maldonado.
SPORTING SQUAD LIST
Goalkeepers: Juan Pablo, Raul
Defenders: Sastre, Botia, Gregory, Canella, Jose Angel, Ivan Hernandez, Gerard
Midfielders: Rivera, Carmelo, Lora, Diego Castro, Camacho, De las Cuevas, Pedro, Kike Mateo, Matabuena
Forwards: Luis Moran, Bilic, Barral
Real on the other hand will be without the likes of Kaká, Benzema, Diarra, Pepe and Drenthe. Pepe and Drenthe have been out for sometime now. Kaka is still nursing his injury, while its deemed too early for Benzema to play again as his injury has to look genuine and hence he has been given yet another week off. Diarra has a bruise on his right knee. I guess someone pulled a Nivaldo on him. Marcos Alonso has been picked again. But I’m sure he’ll feature for Castilla this weekend as well. I wonder why Mosquera’s name isn’t on the list.
REAL MADRID SQUAD LIST
Goalkeepers: Casillas, Dudek
Defenders: Ramos, Albiol, Arbeloa, Metzelder, Marcelo, Garay, Marcos Alonso
Midfielders: Gago, Lass, Xabi Alonso, Granero, Guti, Van der Vaart
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul, Higuain
I am looking at the same line up that started against Valladolid except for probably one change as Garay might come in for Arbeloa. But since Sporting have a few good wingers at their disposal I wouldn’t be surprised if Eze G is omitted yet again. As much as I’d love to see Gago given a go, I feel that Manu Pellegrini will be hesitant to risk dropping any points whatsoever. He will be forced to play his best team and changes will be far and few in between. So I guess there will not be too many changes in the line up. Three points and a 100% winning streak at home is at stake and its up to us to go for it.
Probable Starting XI: Casillas, Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Albiol, Marcelo, Lass, Xabi Alonso, Granero, Van der Vaart, Cristiano Ronaldo, Higuaín;
Prediction: Real Madrid 3-0 Sporting
Para Siempre Blanco!
Hala Madrid!!
Pellegrini press conference
Manuel Pellegrini addressed the media the day prior to his team’s clash with Sporting Gijon at the Bernabeu.
"The league title is very important and we currently lead the championship"
Title hopes:
We have twleve very important games to play. We have to realise that the team that makes the least mistakes will win the championship. It would be beautiful to win the league title.
Sporting:
Sporting are a dangerous team. Much is at stake for them. We’ll have to play well to defeat them.
Fan support:
We’ve always felt the support of the fans. They know it is important to us. We’ve put on some good shows at home. The league title is very important and we currently lead the championship.
Just another Madridista
Junta speak