Liga BBVA | Real Madrid
Mou designs a side ready to go all out for the Champions League
Madrid go into the decisive Champions League ties and the final of the Copa del Rey in good shape. A large part of the 24 players used by Mou give certain guarantees.
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Arbeloa. Effective and consistent. A player Mourinho can trust because of his consistency, discipline and the way he gets the job done. A full-back that isn't afraid to get stuck in (he commits the most fouls but is also fouled the most), with experience and strength. A big-game player.
Casillas. Working hard to return. His injury in the Mestalla ruled him out for three months (this now looks to be considerably less). He's working three times a day and could be back in the middle of April, just in time for Madrid's business end of the season.
Diego López. From part-time to full-time. He was brought in swiftly to cover for the injured Casillas and has played five league games, two cup games and two in the Champions League: a total of 810 minutes. After pushing Adán out of contention, he is now a first team regular as he waits for Casillas' return. At Old Trafford he earned his right to start in the next Champions League tie in April.
Adán. The waiting game. After being given hope by Mourinho as the temporary replacement for Casillas, Diego López's form has pushed him onto the bench. He will now have to wait for an opportunity, although inevitably he will be Real Madrid's No 3 when Casillas returns. That said, if called upon, he is more than capable of protecting the Madrid goal.
Pepe. Spirit and experience. Although Varane is edging it at the moment, Pepe remains one of Mourinho's most trusted players. The minutes he's played and the fact he lies third in the number of balls recovered are further proof. His experience and competitive spirit make the Portuguese a very useful player. He may currently be on the bench, but Pepe is more than capable of playing on any European stage.
Benzema. More goals still to come. Benzema has only played 57 minutes in the last five matches. Although his form has been patchy, he has still managed to find the back of the net on 13 occasions this season. In the Champions League he is up to the task because of his talent and quality. Mou will surely give him more opportunities, though at the moment he looks to be leaning towards Higuaín. The team needs his goalscoring prowess.
Marcelo. Affected by injury. After breaking a toe Marcelo has struggled to regain his form. For sure, he's the only player that needs to work more to reach the same level as his team-mates; he returned with an extra two kilos and looked lost and a different proposition. Madrid need him... but fit.
Khedira. The virtue of balance. Khedira will be a key player for Mourinho in the forthcoming Champions League clashes. His reading of the game, physical presence, composure in difficult moments (Old Trafford) and an understanding with Xabi and Özil are what he brings. He is among the ten most used by Mourinho.
Carvalho. Ready when called upon. Carvalho is having a difficult season, but when he puts on the Madrid jersey his professionalism shines through. The experience he brings is invaluable, he maintains his fitness level and doesn't disappoint when faced with extreme situations, for instance in the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.
Coentrao. Ahead in the pecking order. Marcelo's injury gave him the chance to prove himself, and that's exactly what he's done as he has managed to find consistency in the last twelve games. He unleashes Cristiano, gets the ball in the box and is the fifth best at regaining possession. He also makes the wing his own. Useful in the Champions League because of his experience.
Ramos. Regaining possession par excellence. Ramos recovers almost ten balls per game (9.17) and is Madrid's best in this respect. The centre-back is also extremely fit at the moment, and besides his boundless energy he also provides a goal threat. A key player in the later rounds of the Champions League.
Di María. Excitable but useful. Despite being ruled out for two weeks through injury, Di María oozes class. Mou always relies on his pace on the wing, and he is the second best finisher in the league, behind Cristiano.
Albiol. Versatile and reliable. Although he is not always used by Mourinho, when he is on the pitch he knows his role. Not only does he play by the book, but he is also tough and can cover the full-back position if required. A good squad player.
Xabi Alonso. The heartbeat. The stats tell the story: Xabi starts the most moves in La Liga (one every 1.5 minutes) and he has the highest number of passes completed. In this year's Champions League he only missed the second group game against Ajax (Madrid had already qualified). A leader, he's one of the first names on the team sheet and the axis Madrid spins around.
Özil. Creater and attacking outlet. Özil is the spine of Real Madrid. His 'top' performances, the highest number of assists in La Liga (65) and third in the highest number of passes completed make him a keep component in crunch games - Champions League and cup finals. Özil is also a firm favourite among the Madrid fans.
Essien. A wall. Players like Essien give the team depth. Full-back, midfielder, holding midfielder... He's not a star player but certainly a useful resource, and despite getting off to a bad start and after picking up a slight injury, he is now ready to contribute in the final third of the season. A 'wall of guarantees'.
Kaká. Hungrier than ever. Since February there has been a new Kaká. A Kaká with hunger and desire that is regaining form at the right time to play in the Champions League in April and the finals in May. Kaká needs to jog in La Liga and run in the Champions League. He oozes class and his experience once again provides hope.
Cristiano. The difference. Quite possibly he is at the top of his game and Mou has got the best out of him.
Goalscorer (40), quick, focused, involved, he is at the top of most of the team's stats. He's the player that should bring CL Number 10 and the Copa del Rey back to Madrid.
Callejón. The power of the ranks. Callejón has been magnificent since joining the first-team squad. He has been a regular in three competitions and is always alert, able to play in attack or on the wing, hard-working and positive. Mourinho believes in what he can bring and always has him ready, either as substitute or starter.
Modric. Stunning at Old Trafford. Although he had been given numerous chances by Mourinho, he had never really shone. That changed at Old Trafford with a cracking goal and 32 decisive minutes. Finding form just at the right time.
Morata. There when needed. The youth team player never hides when required. He did a great job in what was a tough game against Barça, and proved he can face the best in the Champions League.
Nacho. Disciplined. Nacho has only featured in five games this season. Mou has utilised his defensive strengths and he is a player that is always responsive to instructions and is increasingly more focused on his position. Although he has barely played, he is still a player with a lot to give.
Varane displacing Pepe
Still a teenager, Rafael Varane is curently all the talk at Real Madrid. His progression in recent games has given substance to the talk; the games against Barça, including his fine header, and the cool head he showed in Manchester set him in good stead for the rest of the Champions League. Varane's performances have been so impressive that he has even pushed Pepe out of the side and joins Ramos in the centre of defence. Varane looks to have it all.
Higuaín. 'El Pipa' preferred over Benzema
Higuaín started the season on a par with Benzema, but his progress was slowed by injury. Neverthelss, 'El Pipa' started in key clashes against Barça and Manchester United and is likely to feature heavily in the quarter finals of the Champions League.
