Barcelona - Real Madrid PREDICTION: Uphill Battle For Los Galacticos (Champions League)
If Real Madrid thought the first leg didn't go so well, they may be in for an even worse second leg, as the Copa del Rey champions face rival Barcelona on Tuesday at Camp Nou in the final part of the Champions League semi-finals.
With Barcelona leading on aggregate 2-0, Real Madrid faces a difficult challenge: handily beating Barcelona on their home field.
The Catalans will be be heavily favored. The last time the two teams met at Camp Nou, Barcelona danced all over Real Madrid, 5-0.
This time, Jose Mourinho's club will be without the suspended Pepe. The 28-year-old central defender is a key player on a defense that has to deal with the likes of Lionel Messi, David Villa, and Pedro.
While Ricardo Carvalho will be back in action, Real Madrid will be missing Sergio Ramos due to suspension.
Barcelona is dominant at home. With the loss to Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, they will no doubt look to pour it on their rivals. Real Madrid will have no choice but to attack, and Barcelona will have plenty of room and opportunity to counter-attack.
At Camp Nou, Barcelona will have the home crowd, and all of the momentum. Real Madrid will be desperate to attack, and that's a tall order to beat a great passing team like Barcelona.
No team in the world is as good at time of possession than Barcelona.
Real Madrid is probably in for a strikingly frustrating match.
PREDICTION: Real Madrid will need a red card from Barcelona, and they won't get it. Xavi will setup Villa and Messi for plenty of opportunities, and the forwards will make good use of them. Cristiano Ronaldo will become increasingly frustrated by his lack of touches, and will fail to be effective. This will be a blowout.
SCORE PREDICTION: Barcelona 4, Real Madrid 0.
Probable lineups:
Barcelona (4-3-3):
G: Victor Valdes;
D: Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano, Gerard Pique, Dani Alves;
M: Sergio Busquests, Xavi, Andres Iniesta;
F: David Villa, Lionel Messi, Pedro.
Real Madrid (4-2-3-1):
G: Iker Casillas;
D: Marcelo, Raul Albiol, Ricardo Carvalho, Alvaro Arbeloa;
M: Xabi Alonso, Lassana Diarra; Angel di Maria, Mesut Ozil, Cristiano Ronaldo;
F: Gonzalo Higuain.
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