Jose Mourinho's press conference on Saturday told most Madridistas what they had already known - playmaker Kaka still isn't fully fit following his knee injury during the summer.
The Brazilian has toiled to recapture his best form following surgery after the World Cup, and his Portuguese coach expressed his desire to keep the 28-year-old under wraps until he is able to produce his very best for Los Blancos.
With Cristiano Ronaldo carrying a hamstring problem that will seem him miss the next two league matches, Mourinho has a slight selection dilemma in the centre of the pitch, and given the fact he has so often utilised his preferred starting eleven, the fringe players may finally be given a chance to prove their worth.
The Alternatives
Pedro Leon was simply fantastic for Getafe last season, driving the unfashionable capital club towards European football, prompting Madrid to bid €10 million for his services during the summer.
The transfer has not proved beneficial to either club or player, however, with the 24-year-old on the periphery of the first-team, and limited to substitute cameos. He was a victim of Mourinho's ruthlessness after failing to execute his instructions in the 0-0 defeat to Levante in September, and has toiled to re-establish his status. On his day, Leon can be a fantastic asset to any team, with superb crossing ability and the penchant for spectacular goals, and although he has rarely been able to showcase his ability during his short spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, but now could be his opportunity.
Sergio Canales meanwhile emerged from the wilderness in the midweek rout of Malaga, and he is a player of unquestionable quality. His starring role for a poor Racing team last season cannot be underestimated, and while his dream switch has not materialised in respect of first-team action, he has rarely been given the chance.
The 20-year-old remains one of the sparkling talents to emerge from Spanish football in recent times, and if Mourinho has faith in his ability to produce for the Merengues, now would be the ideal time to allow him to shine, in a supporting striker role, with Mesut Oezil perhaps shifted wide in order to accommodate him.
Mourinho may instead opt for the industry and drive of Esteban Granero, who has also been limited to brief appearances this season in the absence of key players. Granero has never let the side down, neither now nor last season when playing under Manuel Pellegrini.
His most impressive moment of the campaign was his stunning equaliser in Almeria that earned his side a point, and his introduction in that particular match turned the tide in Madrid's favour. He has rarely been able to play in his preferred position behind a striker, and this could well be his chance to shine in the position that he excelled in with Getafe.
Change Of Formation
Mourinho has used a 4-2-3-1 formation for much of the season, with Ronaldo operating from the left flank, but his absence may trigger a possible plan B, where a change in philosophy is considered.
A 4-3-3 has been toyed with earlier in the campaign, with Xabi Alonso, Lassana Diarra, Sami Khedira and Fernando Gago options for the midfield roles, while a player with the inherent finesse of Oezil could easily be effective in a temporary wide-left role.
While such a set-up has been honed to incredible effect by rivals Barcelona, if Madrid were to use such a system, it may however appear more defensive given the mentalities of the midfield quartet at the club's disposal. If a change in tactics is employed, Mourinho may prefer to employ a conventional 4-4-2, meaning...
Striking Duo
The arrival of Emmanuel Adebayor during the January transfer window bolstered the attacking options open to Mourinho, and the Portuguese has opted for an either/or approach to the deployment of the African or Karim Benzema, whose form remains inconsistent.
However, with his options in the final third limited, a dual strike force may be something that he would consider, foregoing the playmaker role by dropping Di Maria and Oezil into right and left midfield respectively.
With Ronaldo missing for at least the matches against Racing on Sunday night and Hercules next weekend, two fixtures they would be expected to win (and simply must win in order to maintain title aspirations), experimenting with both strikers would be a refreshing alternative, and give the team a different attacking dimension.
While Madrid have become accustomed to performing without Kaka under Jose Mourinho, Ronaldo has yet to miss a league game, so his removal from the team against the Verdiblancos at El Sardinero represents a challenge that Los Blancos have not yet faced this season. It will be intriguing to witness the capital giants without their talismanic goalscorer - and what is done to combat the chasm left by his influence.Source : Goal.com
The Brazilian has toiled to recapture his best form following surgery after the World Cup, and his Portuguese coach expressed his desire to keep the 28-year-old under wraps until he is able to produce his very best for Los Blancos.
With Cristiano Ronaldo carrying a hamstring problem that will seem him miss the next two league matches, Mourinho has a slight selection dilemma in the centre of the pitch, and given the fact he has so often utilised his preferred starting eleven, the fringe players may finally be given a chance to prove their worth.
The Alternatives
Pedro Leon was simply fantastic for Getafe last season, driving the unfashionable capital club towards European football, prompting Madrid to bid €10 million for his services during the summer.The transfer has not proved beneficial to either club or player, however, with the 24-year-old on the periphery of the first-team, and limited to substitute cameos. He was a victim of Mourinho's ruthlessness after failing to execute his instructions in the 0-0 defeat to Levante in September, and has toiled to re-establish his status. On his day, Leon can be a fantastic asset to any team, with superb crossing ability and the penchant for spectacular goals, and although he has rarely been able to showcase his ability during his short spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, but now could be his opportunity.
Sergio Canales meanwhile emerged from the wilderness in the midweek rout of Malaga, and he is a player of unquestionable quality. His starring role for a poor Racing team last season cannot be underestimated, and while his dream switch has not materialised in respect of first-team action, he has rarely been given the chance.The 20-year-old remains one of the sparkling talents to emerge from Spanish football in recent times, and if Mourinho has faith in his ability to produce for the Merengues, now would be the ideal time to allow him to shine, in a supporting striker role, with Mesut Oezil perhaps shifted wide in order to accommodate him.
Mourinho may instead opt for the industry and drive of Esteban Granero, who has also been limited to brief appearances this season in the absence of key players. Granero has never let the side down, neither now nor last season when playing under Manuel Pellegrini.His most impressive moment of the campaign was his stunning equaliser in Almeria that earned his side a point, and his introduction in that particular match turned the tide in Madrid's favour. He has rarely been able to play in his preferred position behind a striker, and this could well be his chance to shine in the position that he excelled in with Getafe.
Change Of Formation
Mourinho has used a 4-2-3-1 formation for much of the season, with Ronaldo operating from the left flank, but his absence may trigger a possible plan B, where a change in philosophy is considered.
A 4-3-3 has been toyed with earlier in the campaign, with Xabi Alonso, Lassana Diarra, Sami Khedira and Fernando Gago options for the midfield roles, while a player with the inherent finesse of Oezil could easily be effective in a temporary wide-left role.
While such a set-up has been honed to incredible effect by rivals Barcelona, if Madrid were to use such a system, it may however appear more defensive given the mentalities of the midfield quartet at the club's disposal. If a change in tactics is employed, Mourinho may prefer to employ a conventional 4-4-2, meaning...
Striking Duo
The arrival of Emmanuel Adebayor during the January transfer window bolstered the attacking options open to Mourinho, and the Portuguese has opted for an either/or approach to the deployment of the African or Karim Benzema, whose form remains inconsistent.However, with his options in the final third limited, a dual strike force may be something that he would consider, foregoing the playmaker role by dropping Di Maria and Oezil into right and left midfield respectively.
With Ronaldo missing for at least the matches against Racing on Sunday night and Hercules next weekend, two fixtures they would be expected to win (and simply must win in order to maintain title aspirations), experimenting with both strikers would be a refreshing alternative, and give the team a different attacking dimension.
While Madrid have become accustomed to performing without Kaka under Jose Mourinho, Ronaldo has yet to miss a league game, so his removal from the team against the Verdiblancos at El Sardinero represents a challenge that Los Blancos have not yet faced this season. It will be intriguing to witness the capital giants without their talismanic goalscorer - and what is done to combat the chasm left by his influence.Source : Goal.com
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