Open Thread: October 22, 2021

The Open Thread/Daily Merengue is a place where you can discuss anything and everything related to football. Feel free to discuss the topics presented here, or start your very own discussions! The Open thread will be posted every day by one of the mods: Valyrian Steel, Felipejack, YoSnail, Ezek Ix or NeRObutBlanco.

Ancelotti’s comments.

Carlo Ancelotti has made some interesting comments in a interview for Movistar about the team and regarding the next game. He confirmed Hazard and Carvajal will be available for the game. Other comments were:

We will use the 4-3-3 against Barcelona, no new experiments because we play against a team that has a lot of quality. Barça have improved and are doing well, it’s going to be a difficult game, as always.

I think the first part of the season is for experimenting with new things and new formations. In important games like this week we have to go back to using the players where they are used to. I’m not saying we will always use 4-3-3 but right now it’s important not to change too many things.

I like everyone’s commitment. I see the players plugged in and with good concentration. Against Shakhtar it was our best game, we did very well and we must continue in this line.

We have time to prepare El Clásico well, both physically and tactically. We face it with maximum calm and confidence. Defending well is the key. The problem with this team is not scoring goals, but not conceding.

Who will start in the El Clásico?

With these comments, it is very likely that Hazard, that is match fit for the game and completed the training session without problems, won’t start this game. We still don’t yet know how Carlo pretends to use Hazard, after he has decided that 4-3-3 is the best for the team. As Carlo is commited not to change things at this moment, it is very unlikely Hazard starts. In any case, it is in Ancelotti’s hands.

Jovic and Isco, however, continue to be injured and are very likely to be out of the game. They both trained alone in the pitch. Benzema, who suffered a knock in the latest game, trained inside facilities.

Benzema’s trial ends today.

Benzema’s veridct in Valbuena’s case apperantely will be announced today. Benzema’s lawyer has said that what the Presecutor want is absurd.