El Clasico is here

I posted the “gameplan” below before the game. Let’s compare the strategy to the actual stats and see how well each succeeded (have to use my Barca commandments because we don’t know what Pep had).

Posted on 12/9:

Mourinho has come up with his ten commandments to beat Barca, but any list can’t beat the culture of Barca. This game does worry me for Barca, because they just don’t seem to be in the same form of previous years. That is not to say the extra motivation from playing Real Madrid may be the spark to pull them together… let’s hope and pray.

Barcelona’s commandments:

1) play as a team (always!) - Another different lineup after 26 official games. Guardiola still hasn’t repeated the same starting eleven this season. The starting line-up for the Clasico was brand new. TRUST in each other and the manager.

2) keep possession (frustrate Madrid) – Barça had 67.5% ball possession. Once again, Guardiola’s players had the ball much more than their eternal rivals.

3) have fun with the ball (frustrate Madrid) – Of the 14 players who played in the Clasico for Barça, 9 came up through the youth ranks: Valdes, Puyol, Pique, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Cesc, Messi and Pedro. Of the 14 used by Madrid, only one, Casillas. Barca play with joy, RM play with the weight of the world on their shoulders. After the quick Benzema goal in first minute… Mourinho didn’t even smile.

Mourinho’s 10 commandments for defeating Barca:
1. Don’t give up a goal. Or at least not in the first half.  – whoops!

2. Let the fans make the Bernabeu Stadium hell for Barca. – RM fans did a pretty good job, but after the goal they showed the same lack of belief as the players.

3. Don’t worry about the referee. But be careful about picking up cards. – Regeree was good and not a repeat of last year, thank god!

4. Take advantage of Real’s aerial superiority. – they missed here.

5. Don’t lose sight of the ball for an instant. – gotta watch your marks too, don’t get caught ball watching! Alexis and Messi showed them how that can hurt.

6. Shut down the space Barca players have and pass on the marking. – Early on RM did a really good job here. Barca played a lot in their half.

7. Intensity, Pressure, Verticality and lots of rhythm. – difficult to get rhythm when you don’t have the ball.

8. Work hard to tire out Barca. – Can’t tire out Barca, imposible!

9. Concentration and coordination of movements. – just not there yet to overcome the culture of Barca… Barca players don’t have to think because the way they move has become a part of their life… viva La Masia!

10. Believe in yourself. Don’t be anxious. – They became anxious, immediately after the first goal.