Tonight at night 7.45 (UK) we will see Manchester United v Real Madrid at Old Trafford and whole world will stop to watch the most glamorous tie in any season.
“The Perfect Match” is what every football fan will say.
There are battles on and of the field starting with Jose Mourinho v Sir Alex Ferguson. “The battle of the best” the two best managers come head to head again in a mouth watering prospect. Sir Alex Ferguson has described this match in his press conference ahead of tonight’s match as “One of the biggest in football and does not expect anyone to be disappointed”.
Sir Alex also mentions “both teams are in form with real having two fantastic performances against Barcelona in the Copa Del rey where they are now in the final against Athletico Madrid and in the league”. The manager continued: “our form has been very consistent for quite a while which we will need on Tuesday”. “I don’t think it gets any bigger than this for a European night its set up to be a potentially marvelous game-I don’t think we’ll be disappointed” is what the Manchester United boss had to say ahead of tomorrow’s game. With Sir Alex saying Ryan Giggs will be involved in his 1000th game for the Red devils tomorrow.
I haven’t heard anything from Jose Mourinho as he has avoided recent press conferences with the Spanish press and has only spoken to them once during their last five fixtures which were before the Copa Del Rey semi final tie with Barcelona.
There have been three players to speak to the press ahead of tonight’s match, out of those three Sergio Ramos and Pepe have warned Manchester United to expect Real Madrid side to be in red hot form when they go head to head in the all important 2nd tie.
Since the 1-1 draw between these two historic teams in their first leg clash at the Santiago Benabeu, Jose Mourinho’s side have completed the El Clasico double over their great rivals Barcelona. And both players believe that Los Blanco’s are perfectly prepared for the trip to Old Trafford.
Can Ronaldo do his magic infront of the United fans?The other player to come out and speak to the press is the former Manchester United player Cristiano Ronaldo who says it would be “Spectacular” to score at his former ground Old Trafford as he returns to his former ground for the first time since his big money move to Real Madrid in 2009. Cristiano was on Target last time they met at the Santiago Benabeu in a 1-1 draw and he is hoping he can score again and help Real Madrid reach the next round in a bid to claim Real Madrid’s 10th European tittle.
Starting with Manchester United I believe they will use similar tactics to what they used in Madrid and I’m expecting Sir Alex to choose his Best Counter attacking team with a lot of pace and energy in the team with Phil Jones ruled out. And Danny Welbeck will be the danger man again and providing a threat behind Real Madrid’s Back four.
It is a known fact that Real Madrid and Jose Mourinho love to play counter attacking football but having drawn their first leg match 1-1, the Spaniards need to be careful when they go forward as United have men who can do the same kind of damage on the counters as well. Manchester United have the the all important away goal and if they maintain a clean sheet against Ronaldo and co it will be enough to see them through to the next round.
Possible line-ups:
United: De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Carrick, Giggs; Welbeck, Kagawa, Rooney; Van Persie
Madrid: Lopez; Ramos, Pepe, Varane, Coentrao; Khedira, Alonso; Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo; Benzema
I think Casillas will play because if he was not fit enough they would have not called him up into the squad and I also think young Morata will start to create problems and can chip in with a goal. In my opinion, Real Madrid will win this game 1-3 and on aggregate 2-4 to Real Madrid I am sure it will be an amazing game to watch.
Here are some of the match facts you din’t know:
- Real Madrid are one of two Spanish teams to have beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Champions League (Deportivo La Coruña won 3-2, 19 April 2000).
- The Red Devils have only lost once in their last 14 Champions League home games (nine wins, four draws), the last one against CFR Cluj during the group stage this season.
- The two Champions League encounters between Manchester Utd and Real Madrid at Old Trafford have produced 12 goals.
- Lyon were the last team to knock Real Madrid out at the last 16 stage in the Champions League, back in 2009/10 (0-1, 1-1).
- Manchester United have conceded three goals in each of their two home games against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
- Real Madrid have only won once in their last five away games in England in the Champions League (two draws, two defeats), against Tottenham at White Hart Lane in April 2011.
- Angel Di Maria’s four assists in CL 2012/13 have all been delivered against Manchester teams (3 against City, 1 against United).
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored seven goals in 23 Champions League games at Old Trafford. He has 16 goals in 18 games at the Bernabeu.