Tuesday, May 3, 2011

UEFA Champions League: Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo Start Tonight's Clash

Not surprisingly, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were included in Barcelona and Real Madrid's starting XI, respectively, as both teams get set to kick off their UEFA Champions League semifinal return leg at the Camp Nou. 

First, the starters: 

Real Madrid: Casillas, Arbeloa, Carvalho, Albiol, Marcelo Diarra, Alonso, Ronaldo, Kaka, Di Maria, Higuain

Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Puyol, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Villa, Messi, Pedro

Fittingly, Pep Guardiola will run out the nearly the exact same XI that successfully defeated Madrid 2-0 in last week's first leg at the Bernab�u. Andres Iniesta steps back into his midfield role after missing the last match due to injury. 

Real Madrid boast a significantly different look for a variety of reasons. Typical starters Sergio Ramos and Pepe will miss the match due to suspension. Roberto Carvalho returns to the pitch after missing the first leg due to suspension. 

Kaka makes a rare start for Los Blancos as the ballyhooed Brazilian has seen his on-pitch time dwindle this season due to injuries and the resulting poor form for the former AC Milan superstar. 

Kaka scored in Madrid's La Liga defeat to Real Zaragoza over the weekend and adds to a very capable attacking quartet of Ronaldo, Kaka, Angel di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain. 

Messi scored both of Barcelona's goals in the first leg. 

Emma Watson Amy Smart Sarah Wynter Jaime Pressly Ashanti

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