Whether we like it or not, El Clasico is just around the corner and I believe we’ve got to play more as a team (keeping into account the last few matches), if we are to retain our trophy this year. Without further ado, let’s delve into what’s needed and what’s not, for the first leg of the Clasico.

Formation

This match, more than the others, will be all about tactics – naturally, with the away goals playing an important role. The first match being at the Bernabeu, we might see a little conservative line up, and I would be happy to see something on the lines of this:

The Positions

With this formation, it’s clear that we’re packing the midfield. Between Lass, Pepe and Albiol – I’ve switched them from their normal positions and there are chances we could see the more usual formation with Pepe at CB and Lass as DM. Pepe had clearly given their midfield some problems when he played in the centre last season and I would love it if he would retain that role. The thing with Barcelona is that it involves a lot of horizontal plays and Pepe can do well in breaking their play in the centre, and forcing them down the wings. Which bring us to the flanks. Coentrao was quite decent when called upon in the previous match, and he should retain that position.

The Ronaldo Marcelo combination hasn’t been working in the same way we’ve seen it in the past and it would be interesting how they would do on either flanks. Naturally, if Di Maria is fit, he slots straight into the starting XI cause we definitely need him a lot for this game. Believe it or not, Marcelo is more than a decent winger and I’m sure he has the potential to make more runs and cut through the opposition. Also he helps out with the defence so we’ve got double reinforcements out there. As a reminder, home game – no away goals would keep the tie in our favour. In this position the only weakness is the CB position and looking at Albiol’s form, I have my doubts if he’s up for the task.

Though Callejon scored the winner in the last match he was extremely subdued throughout the whole game and I feel that Mou would rather bring him on as an impact sub. Kaka as well, might play a role later in the game, but I don’t see him as a starter for tonight’s game.

Where’s the pace?

The thing is we do tend to get a little naive in our play, with pathetic long balls or misplaced hospital passes. It’s a 180 minute game and I feel we should be patient, compact and pass around the ball more often, than look for the direct and shortest path to goal. Because if our direct move fails, or is intercepted, Barca start their slow, 5-10 minute long possession play with stupid and silly back passes, and the ball staying in their half of the field. This gives them a major psychological advantage, because for the spectators it’s more of Madrid not having the ball, rather than Barca not doing anything with the ball. Not only the spectators, it’s frustrating for the players as well. So if Mou wants this game to be something more tactical than the previous ones, we need to be patient, string a few passes together and slowly but surely put our authority on the game. Because then we're not just passing for the sake of it, we're actually making it useful. Patience rather than pace will eventually decide the winner of the tie.

Tonight is another chance for Mou and the players to get it right.

If you liked this analysis by Karan, then make sure to have a listen to the Copa's Clásico pregame show as he was on it! He also shared his views about yet another Clásico here. And if you want to read more, then see Muna and @footballstrat's written answers to the topics we discussed in the podcast,  Aaron's selection of hot and not hot players, Ankit's Dr Jekill & Mr Hyde approach to this Real Madrid-Barça, ZeusZidane's insights regarding our RB problem and Apakshit's preview.