BATE Borisov Vs Real Madrid | Champions League Preview
Written by Adam Bader on Sunday, 23 November 08, 07:39 PM
- BATE Borisov VS Real Madrid | Champions League| 25/11/2008 - 20:45 CET | Horodskiy Stadium
- Yeah Bernd, Interaction and Communication is Vital
- Sometimes I wonder if Real shouldn't be criticized for not performing well and winning when many key players are injured. I think that a big club like Real Madrid needs to have a full squad in which each player is capable of being a starter, a player you can count on and a player that ACTUALLY helps (unlike Heinze).
- Looking at the names we have, you just can't believe that we lost to a second division team like Real Union or struggled against a small time like Huelva. It is sometimes very confusing. Is it the coach? The management or the players themselves.
- Our bench is being warmed by Dudek, Salgado, Saviola, Metzelder, Van Der Vaart...etc players that other teams, even big teams desire to sign. Maybe the key is communication between the coach and the players. I bet that Schuster doesn't communicate with Saviola or even most of his starters.
- Even during matches, he just warms the bench and keeps observing the match without any reactions. He would sometimes jump up with happiness when a player scores and saves his ass, other than that, he wouldn't stand up and instruct the players as most coaches who have commons sense do.
- Anyway, this game is going to be a difficult one. Not because we are on the skids, but because Higuain, our top goal scorer is not going to play. He sprained his ankle against Huelva and therefore will be staying in Madrid. However, Wesley Sneijder will be able to play despite straining a triceps against Huelva as well (what a match!).
- Bueno from the Castilla team, who by the way their over-five-month unbeaten run came to end this weekend as they were beaten 2-0 by Las Palmas B, has made the squad list and there is a big chance that he'll participate unlikely as a starter but as a substitute in the second half as we are short on strikers.
- Cannavaro, Diarra, Robben and De La Red haven't recovered yet, while Heinze is back after missing the La Liga game for suspension (wish he always stays suspended). Here is the full squad list:
- Goalkeepers
- Casillas, Dudek, Codina
- Defenders
- Torres, Marcelo, Heinze, Salgado, Pepe, Metzelder, Ramos
- Midfielders
- Gago, Guti, Snejder, Drenthe, Javi García, Van der Vaart
- Forwards
- Raúl, Saviola, Bueno
- BATE Borisov are not in a better shape than us. They have lost twice in their last five matches. Their last Champions League game was against Zenit at home and they lost it 2-0, and they drew FK Vitebsk in their national league.
- However, playing Real Madrid is always a motivation for other teams. We may seem the favorite side to win, but we need to be careful and deal with them appropriately.
- I still have no clue as to how Schuster will pick his starting lineup. He might be tempted to go for big names over performance. I'm just concerned that he'll use Heinze again. I absolutely have nothing against Gabriel but he has been performing awfully in the last few weeks. He has made many costly mistakes and If I were the coach, I wouldn't tolerate such mistakes.
- So it is gonna be difficult for Schuster to decide. I'd probably give Metz a chance and start him with Pepe in central defense, but I'd again prefer to stick with the defense we had against Huelva. Torres on the right, Ramos and Pepe in the center and Marcelo on the left. I think we need those four folks to play all together at the sametime for three or four matches.
- In midfield, Schuster will have to decide whether to start with Sneijder or Van Der Vaart. I think both deserve to start especially Sneijder who gave a fantastic performance against Recreativo.
- I'm not a big fan of Gago, and I wouldn't start him to be honest, but I know that Schuster will do. I'd instead play Guti close to the defense pretty much like Pirlo in AC Milan, Van Der Vaart on the right, Drenthe on the left and Sneijder just behind the strikers - where he is really effective.
- In attack, we only have three strikers: Rau'l, Saviola and Bueno. Rau'l will definitely start and common sense says that Saviola should be given a chance. I'd say 80% he is gonna start.
- I haven't obviously been following BATE, but I have a feeling that they will not make it easy for us. Although they have a little chance of qualifying, they'll do their best to win.
- We were unconvincing when we defeated them in the first leg and so we shouldn't give a similar performance and hope for a similar result. Hopefully, Bernd will come up with a good lineup. We really need to win this one - it is A MUST-WIN GAME, and If he loses it - he will be given the axe - definitely.
- My prediction is 2-0. Saviola scores both ;)
- What are your thoughts, prediction and lineup? Let me know ;)
- Hala Madrid!
- P.S: Barca drew Getafe 1-1 and so we are only three points behind them in the League- that's good.
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forget to mention the defender will be either Ramos or love him or hate him ....Heinze.
my predictions is 2-1 to madrid
I don't think this is such a must win game...I think that a draw is the most likely outcome...or maybe we'd JUST edge them out...example a 3-2 win.My predicted line up is:
-----------------------Casillas
Ramos-----Pepe----------------------Heinze-----Marcelo
----------------------------Gago
--------------Guti
Van Der Vaar-------------------------------Drenthe
------------Saviola
-----------------------------Raul
(If we're losing Sneijder will come in instead of Guti and if we're winning Bueno will come in instead of Raul)
It's another improtant game and a win here and a loss for Zenit would mean our qualification, which is really important. The advantage we hyave is that Zenit and Juve have pressure on them to succeed as Juve have to keep their spot at the top and a loss for them could mean that we have a chance to got top. I expect Schuster to play Saviola and I have a feeling he's going to play Bueno as well, just to rest Raul. I liked the defense on Saturday and Ramos is better in the centre than on the right. I just hope Schuster doesn't make the mistake of playing Heinze, he should be axed. He has no skills, just an over-hyped idiot who can't even defend.Marcelo is way better. I predict 3-0 thanks to goal from Drenthe, VDV and Saviola. Hala Madrid! 
Oh, Adam, think I've just fell in love with you 
Your not a fan of Gago?
I'm happy! Makes me feel less stupid!! I'm not alone... 
Reply to BIM-56:
Oh, Adam, think I've just fell in love with you
Your not a fan of Gago?
I'm happy! Makes me feel less stupid!! I'm not alone...
Eh year I thought I was alone too thought stupid. I really had big expectations for him, but he disappointed me. For those who claim he needs more time, well, he has been with us for a year and so I guess. Higuain came at the same time and here he is, our top goal scorer. I guess that Gago was over-hyped and he is just an ordinary midfielder, it would be an arrogant thing to do if we compared him to Redondo.
Reply to Adambader:
Reply to BIM-56:Oh, Adam, think I've just fell in love with you
Your not a fan of Gago?
I'm happy! Makes me feel less stupid!! I'm not alone...Eh year I thought I was alone too thought stupid. I really had big expectations for him, but he disappointed me. For those who claim he needs more time, well, he has been with us for a year and so I guess. Higuain came at the same time and here he is, our top goal scorer. I guess that Gago was...
That should have been "Eh yeah" instead of "year" C'mon OleOle, let us edit comments.
Schuster don't ruin a good thing by adding Heinze. We need a win and this past weekend our defense looked the best it has looked in as many weeks. My perdiction is 3-0, Saviola, Van Der Vaart, and Saviola again. Line-up...
----------Casillas-----------
Torres---Ramos--Pepe---Marcelo
------------Gago-------------
VDV---------Guti-------Drenthe
-----Saviola-----Raul--------
P.S it think Gago is a great player. But i think he is one of those rhythem killing players that Boca have churrned out over the years. Diarra is more of a Gatusso type of player in that he hustles the mid field. I would like to see Gago play in a different possition. Maybe he may perform better havng a more open role. Oh well to each his own.
32 Madridistas have commented on "BATE Borisov Vs Real Madrid | Champions League Preview"
Yes, my boys Zenit softened them up for us. I think that this will be a good win for us. If Zenit can beat them, I am sure that we can beat them. Btw, Zenit suck this season!! hahaha I am thinkin that we will win 2-1 or 2-0. I am not sure. Also, I may do the Live Blog for this, but just stay tuned.
first off someone need to fire the trainers over at real. too many freaking players getting injured over there. secondly I predict a draw for this game. It will be 2-2. (A goal by a defender of a corner/set piece and the other by Bueno. I don't think Saviola will start. I know schuster will start Raul alone upfront and stuff the midfield with VDV, sneidjer, gago, drenthe and guti. raul will be replaced by Bueno for the last 3-5 minutes and he will score the equalizer. I think BATE will be motivated against us and will play well infront their fans. Meanwhile Zenit will beat Juventus