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Real Madrid to be on attack mode versus Barca

Comment: 0 January 24th, 2012

REAL Madrid are planning to go on the attack against Barcelona when they clash in the second leg of their Copa del Rey quarterfinals clash on Wednesday at Camp Nou.

The strategy to concentrate more on offence than defence was hatched after Madrid blasted Athletic Bilbao 4-1 in the La Liga on Sunday.

Madrid coach Jose Mourinho was jeered at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium for the first time since his arrival in 2010 after that win though as his squad was earlier on beaten by the Catalans 2-1 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey.

The win against Bilbao, however, provided a new perspective for Mourinho when they meet Barca right at their home turf.

Despite being criticised, Mourinho did not apologise and dismissed rumours that there is misunderstanding within the team.

Madrid are still buoyed by the fact that they are ahead of Barca by five points in the La Liga after the halfway mark of the season.

Defender Sergio Ramos echoed Mourinho’s sentiments. “Whoever says the changing room is divided or that some kind of fracture exists is lying,’’ he said.

Ramos aired his side a day after talks swirled that he was involved in some argument with Mourinho. He added Madrid is a great group that is well united.

Madrid face a tough grind against Barca whom they have beaten just once in their last 13 meetings. That was during their Copa del Rey final last April.

On the other hand, Barca are coming off a 4-1 league triumph at Malaga where Lionel Messi posted his 10^th career league hat trick and upped his tally to 36 goals in all competitions this term.

Madrid’s attack could be bolstered on Wednesday if Argentine forward Angel di Maria returns from injury.

In other Copa matches, Valencia travel to Levante on Thursday with a 4-1 edge, while  Bilbao, 2-0 up, take on hosts Mallorca, also on Wednesday.

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