Carlo Ancelotti and Gerardo Martino will be taking charge of their first Clasico matches, but it’s the involvement of big money signings Neymar and Gareth Bale which adds another string to the fixture’s already impressive bow.
And if one of those players is ready to produce the defining moment this weekend, the stage seems best set for Neymar; the Brazilian has enjoyed a successful integration into the Barca team so far, while over in the Spanish capital Bale has struggled with injury problems.
Almost certain to start on the left of Barcelona’s front three, Neymar will, in all likelihood, be facing Alvaro Arbeloa. It naturally prompts memories of Brazil’s success against Spain in the Confederations Cup final in the summer, when Vicente del Bosque withdrew his right-back at the break after he was given a torrid time by Neymar.
Regardless of that, though, Neymar’s start to life in La Liga should be enough to panic Arbeloa anyway. The 21-year-old has been, at times, electric running with the ball; his ability to stop and accelerate again has been instrumental in allowing him to complete 32 out of 56 take-ons in the league this season. Some teams haven’t been able to deal with him – notably Sevilla who fouled him seven times.
He’s not been selfish either, in fact at times he’s bordered on the opposite – 67.7% his passes have been made backwards. Of the 13 chances he’s created in the Primera Division, five have led directly to goals, while he’s also created one goal in the Champions League. Two goals may represent a disappointing return from his eight league appearances so far, but the Clasico wouldn’t be a bad place to add his third from what has been a noticeably unselfish start to life in Catalonia.
If life in Spain has been seamlessly adapted to by Neymar though, the same can’t be said for Bale. The Welshman has made just one start for Madrid, featuring from the bench on four occasions. And, despite his goal against Villarreal, he’s been unable to recreate the form that saw him score 21 goals from 133 shots in the Premier League last season.
Across his appearances in the Champions League and La Liga, Bale is yet to create a chance for his team-mates. His use of the ball has, understandably perhaps, been poor too; he’s completed just 69% of his passes in the league and completed none of four when he came on against Juventus on Wednesday night. He has shown brief glimpses of the blistering pace that saw him complete 59/138 take-ons for Spurs in 2012/13 though, completing 5/13 in the few minutes he has worn the Madrid white.
No comments:
Post a Comment