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MADRID (Reuters) - Five battlegrounds which could prove decisive in the outcome of the Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The third and fourth meetings between the sides in 18 days take place at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, with the second leg at the Nou Camp on May 3.
Pepe v Messi
Jose Mourinho's switching of Pepe from centre-back to midfield enforcer in a three-man holding role has been one of the major tactical changes which has allowed Real Madrid to neutralise Barcelona's trademark passing and possession game.
The abrasive Portugal international has rarely let Barca's World Player of the Year Lionel Messi out of his sights, and the battle between the two has come to symbolise the difference in approach between the teams in the first two 'clasicos.'
Real have been happy to let Barca control the ball but have worked tirelessly to close down the spaces, harrying and hustling to the very limits of the law.
It has been effective in the first halves of both matches, but they have not been able to keep it up and Barca have tended to finish stronger.
The close attentions of the snarling and snapping Pepe got Messi so riled in the first encounter the normally phlegmatic Argentine blasted a ball into the crowd in frustration, leading to a confrontation between the two players.
Barca have yet to find an adequate response, other than exaggerating the severity of tackles to try and influence the referee. Expect more of the same on Wednesday.
Barcelona's patched up defence v Real's counter-attacks
Injuries to Adriano Correia, Eric Abidal, Gabriel Milito and Maxwell mean Barcelona will be fielding a patched-up defence at the Bernabeu, which could lead to Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano dropping in alongside Gerard Pique at centre back.
Carles Puyol has been carefully nursing a leg muscle injury since making a surprise return after three months out in the first 'clasico' and although he missed the Cup final as a precautionary measure will probably return to the side, possibly at left back.
Barca's defensive system relies heavily on them keeping possession and controlling the pace of the game.
If it becomes strung out in any way the pace of Pique and Dani Alves and company will be put to the test by the rapier quick counter-attacks from the likes of Angel Di Maria, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil.
Specialist set-pieces v quick freekicks
Ronaldo's long-range canon needs little introduction and a freekick against the post in the Cup final reminded everyone of the former Manchester United player's abilities with the dead ball.
Mourinho has said it is impossible to try and play Barca at their own game, so other than swift counter-attacks when their rivals relinquish the ball, set pieces will be of great importance to Madrid.
They have height and strength aplenty in their side for corners and freekicks which has often been considered one of Barcelona's few weaknesses, and a majestic header from Ronaldo in open play settled the Cup final.
Messi and Xavi can strike great freekicks, but Barca prefer to avoid too many long balls into the area, and often take set pieces short and quickly. Expect to see Real trying to prevent Barca from taking them quickly.
Who will score the goals?
Barcelona have been heavily reliant on Messi to score their goals recently, the World Player of the Year has notched 50 in all competitions this season, and need to get their other two leading forwards firing on all cylinders again quickly.
Spain striker David Villa ended an 11-match goal drought on Saturday with the opener in the 2-0 win over Osasuna and Pep Guardiola will be hoping that will give the side's second highest scorer a lift for the last month of the campaign.
Spain forward Pedro, however, has not scored in 12 matches.
While Real Madrid were heavily reliant on Ronaldo for goals (42 in all competitions) earlier in the campaign, Mourinho now has the kind of headache most managers can only dream of.
Karim Benzema seemed to respond to the arrival of Emmanuel Adebayor on loan in January by getting his act together and has now scored 21 goals in all competitions.
Kaka and Gonzalo Higuain showed they are back to full fitness after long-term injuries with five of Real's six goals against Valencia on Saturday.
The Dugout
Mourinho is pursuing a third Champions League title with the a third club after successes with Porto and Inter Milan and has unrivalled experience in managing his way through high-tension two-legged matches.
His tactical acumen combined with far greater resources on the bench would appear to give him an edge.
In Saturday's league victory over Valencia, he fielded a front three -- Kaka, Benzema and Higuain -- that had not played a minute in the Cup and which cost the club just over 100 million euros.
Guardiola approaches his third semi-final in three years with a tried a tested formula and team, but rarely makes many changes to his side.
Injuries and a limited squad mean Guardiola has few options off the bench to change the course of the match if things are not going well.
(Writing by Mark Elkington, editing by Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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The third and fourth meetings between the sides in 18 days take place at the Bernabeu on Wednesday, with the second leg at the Nou Camp on May 3.
Pepe v Messi
Jose Mourinho's switching of Pepe from centre-back to midfield enforcer in a three-man holding role has been one of the major tactical changes which has allowed Real Madrid to neutralise Barcelona's trademark passing and possession game.
The abrasive Portugal international has rarely let Barca's World Player of the Year Lionel Messi out of his sights, and the battle between the two has come to symbolise the difference in approach between the teams in the first two 'clasicos.'
Real have been happy to let Barca control the ball but have worked tirelessly to close down the spaces, harrying and hustling to the very limits of the law.
It has been effective in the first halves of both matches, but they have not been able to keep it up and Barca have tended to finish stronger.
The close attentions of the snarling and snapping Pepe got Messi so riled in the first encounter the normally phlegmatic Argentine blasted a ball into the crowd in frustration, leading to a confrontation between the two players.
Barca have yet to find an adequate response, other than exaggerating the severity of tackles to try and influence the referee. Expect more of the same on Wednesday.
Barcelona's patched up defence v Real's counter-attacks
Injuries to Adriano Correia, Eric Abidal, Gabriel Milito and Maxwell mean Barcelona will be fielding a patched-up defence at the Bernabeu, which could lead to Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano dropping in alongside Gerard Pique at centre back.
Carles Puyol has been carefully nursing a leg muscle injury since making a surprise return after three months out in the first 'clasico' and although he missed the Cup final as a precautionary measure will probably return to the side, possibly at left back.
Barca's defensive system relies heavily on them keeping possession and controlling the pace of the game.
If it becomes strung out in any way the pace of Pique and Dani Alves and company will be put to the test by the rapier quick counter-attacks from the likes of Angel Di Maria, Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil.
Specialist set-pieces v quick freekicks
Ronaldo's long-range canon needs little introduction and a freekick against the post in the Cup final reminded everyone of the former Manchester United player's abilities with the dead ball.
Mourinho has said it is impossible to try and play Barca at their own game, so other than swift counter-attacks when their rivals relinquish the ball, set pieces will be of great importance to Madrid.
They have height and strength aplenty in their side for corners and freekicks which has often been considered one of Barcelona's few weaknesses, and a majestic header from Ronaldo in open play settled the Cup final.
Messi and Xavi can strike great freekicks, but Barca prefer to avoid too many long balls into the area, and often take set pieces short and quickly. Expect to see Real trying to prevent Barca from taking them quickly.
Who will score the goals?
Barcelona have been heavily reliant on Messi to score their goals recently, the World Player of the Year has notched 50 in all competitions this season, and need to get their other two leading forwards firing on all cylinders again quickly.
Spain striker David Villa ended an 11-match goal drought on Saturday with the opener in the 2-0 win over Osasuna and Pep Guardiola will be hoping that will give the side's second highest scorer a lift for the last month of the campaign.
Spain forward Pedro, however, has not scored in 12 matches.
While Real Madrid were heavily reliant on Ronaldo for goals (42 in all competitions) earlier in the campaign, Mourinho now has the kind of headache most managers can only dream of.
Karim Benzema seemed to respond to the arrival of Emmanuel Adebayor on loan in January by getting his act together and has now scored 21 goals in all competitions.
Kaka and Gonzalo Higuain showed they are back to full fitness after long-term injuries with five of Real's six goals against Valencia on Saturday.
The Dugout
Mourinho is pursuing a third Champions League title with the a third club after successes with Porto and Inter Milan and has unrivalled experience in managing his way through high-tension two-legged matches.
His tactical acumen combined with far greater resources on the bench would appear to give him an edge.
In Saturday's league victory over Valencia, he fielded a front three -- Kaka, Benzema and Higuain -- that had not played a minute in the Cup and which cost the club just over 100 million euros.
Guardiola approaches his third semi-final in three years with a tried a tested formula and team, but rarely makes many changes to his side.
Injuries and a limited squad mean Guardiola has few options off the bench to change the course of the match if things are not going well.
(Writing by Mark Elkington, editing by Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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