Combined Real Madrid/Chelsea XI

[DYC. 7,542]

You really can't deny an in form Marcelo. Looked like his usual self today and he was amazing.

Modric is brilliant. Such class and intelligence on the ball combined with such a huge engine. Made Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets look like some fat dudes on mobility scooters.

[iseah100 5,612]

Oscar can, but James is the politcally correct choice, since this board would tell me how if oscar starts as cam, than hazard should start in the combined 11 instead because he is "better."

If you're making an XI of the best, Hazard makes it. If the goal is to find an XI that would play together in a system, Oscar or James.

[Nike 373]

You really can't deny an in form Marcelo. Looked like his usual self today and he was amazing.

Modric is brilliant. Such class and intelligence on the ball combined with such a huge engine. Made Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets look like some fat dudes on mobility scooters.

exactly.. Luis would not start over an inform marcelo. Marcelo inform is the best lb in the world, attacking wise at least.

Nor would cesc start over Modric...Cesc improved chelsea tremendously, but Modric would of made chelsea even better.

[DYC. 7,542]

Oscar can't do what James does?

Modric was fantastic.

James has the stronger offensive contribution though. Oscar is not there yet.

exactly.. Luis would not start over an inform marcelo. Marcelo inform is the best lb in the world, attacking wise at least.

Nor would cesc start over Modric...Cesc improved chelsea tremendously, but Modric would of made chelsea even better.

I think the team needed Cesc more than they would need Modric though. With Oscar at #10 (Willian/Schurrle on the wing), a chance creator like Cesc was really needed in the team. And his long-range passing is very important as well.

R. Madrid is a different case (different playing style, different players).

[Nike 373]

James has the stronger offensive contribution though. Oscar is not there yet.

I think the team needed Cesc more than they would need Modric though. With Oscar at #10 (Willian/Schurrle on the wing), a chance creator like Cesc was really needed in the team. And his long-range passing is very important as well.

R. Madrid is a different case (different playing style, different players).

true. However, Modric is no slouch with chances created and his longshot ability is world class...

He would also do set pieces...

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

You really can't deny an in form Marcelo. Looked like his usual self today and he was amazing.

Modric is brilliant. Such class and intelligence on the ball combined with such a huge engine. Made Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets look like some fat dudes on mobility scooters.

It's just one game and he was up against a tactically disorganised Barcelona side. No one tracked back to help Dani Alves, (a player on decline).

Marcelo for all his brilliance going forward is still a very poor man to man defender. I won't get excited over one game against a tactically poor defense.

[DYC. 7,542]

It's just one game and he was up against a tactically disorganised Barcelona side. No one tracked back to help Dani Alves, (a player on decline).

Marcelo for all his brilliance going forward is still a very poor man to man defender. I won't get excited over one game against a tactically poor defense.

It's not just this game though. Marcelo was strong under Mourinho, bar the first year, and the same last season. Though he struggled a bit with injuries. Remember his performance when he came in against Atletico in the CL final? He was fantastic. He was poor at the World Cup though.

Marcelo will never be the strongest defender but in his usual form, he's more than decent. Couple that with his offensive abilities and you have a great fullback. Of course, if you're looking for a strong defender, you're not going with Marcelo. But for an attacking team, a player like Marcelo is an huge asset.

Besides, Marcelo doesn't have it easy either. For years, Cristiano was in front of him and he hardly tracks back.

[didierforever 7,349]

Courtois

Iva varane Jt coentrao

Cesc matic modric

Bale costa CR

The most balanced formation would be 4-3-3 and hence hazard won't make the cut (sadly).

[didierforever 7,349]

Someone just hates CR7.

messi is nowhere near to CR7 right now.

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

It's not just this game though. Marcelo was strong under Mourinho, bar the first year, and the same last season. Though he struggled a bit with injuries. Remember his performance when he came in against Atletico in the CL final? He was fantastic. He was poor at the World Cup though.

Marcelo will never be the strongest defender but in his usual form, he's more than decent. Couple that with his offensive abilities and you have a great fullback. Of course, if you're looking for a strong defender, you're not going with Marcelo. But for an attacking team, a player like Marcelo is an huge asset.

Besides, Marcelo doesn't have it easy either. For years, Cristiano was in front of him and he hardly tracks back.

Marcelo is a very good defender because he plays in a league and for a team where his defensive ability or lack thereof doesn't get called to question a lot. In most of the big games, Mourinho always played Coentrao ahead of Marcelo because he knew he was a better defender. Just look at Marcelo's performance vs Germany in the World Cup, a complete farce.

I'm not saying Marcelo is a mediocre player, because he isn't, he's a very good player, brilliant in attack, poor in defense. He's not just a good defender. A bit like David Luiz. Ultimately and relevant to the thread, no way he's a better defender than Filipe Luis.

[DYC. 7,542]

Benzema was brilliant btw. He always gets a lot stick whenever he doesn't play well, but little praise when he's great

[Atlas Lion 1,223]

An ageing Xavi, an out of form Iniesta, and Busquets who just came back from injury after missing 5 games.

Calm down, yes Modric was brilliant, but it wasn't as if he was going up against top of the line opposition at full throttle

This was the first time i have seen Madrid control the midfield during a Classico, and the reasoning behind that is blatant..

Carvajal was man of the match for me.