On the 13th of February 2013, the Santiago Bernabéu is poised to host its biggest event of the season, as they welcome Premier League leaders Manchester United.
The tie will put Manchester United’s own prodigal son Cristiano Ronaldo against his former side, who in an interview to UEFA’s official Champions League magazine was quoted saying that Real Madrid has a better team than United.
Is the Castillian side really better than the Red Devils? A position by position analysis will give us a better view
Goalkeeping
An injury to Real Madrid star Iker Casillas, has called upon the services of former Sevilla goalie Diego Lopez. Having made 3 starts for the Castillian side after his January move, Lopez has conceded only 2 goals. Though he has not been at the club for long, the 31 year old has done reasonably well at his former clubs Sevilla and Villareal both in Spanish as well as European competitions.
Manchester United on the other hand are yet to choose a Number 1, with both Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea fighting for the spot. De Gea is most likely to make the cut but has been on a very uninspiring form this season, which had let to rumours of the Spanish youngster’s exit from the club. He has managed to put up a number of decent performances recently, Diego Lopez however still seems to have an edge over his compatriot.
Real Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
Defence
Manchester United have been hit by fresh injury blows, as both Phil Jones and Jonny Evans are doubtful for the clash against Real Madrid, suffering injuries in their tie against Everton on Sunday. Manchester United may be able to do without the services of Phil Jones, but the injury to Jonny Evans who has been their most consistent defender this season, is definitely a worry.
On Wednesday, United might have to field their most experienced defensive duo of Vidic and Ferdinand at Centre Back. There is no denying that both the players are quality defenders, but both the veterans are incapable of dealing with pace and might thus be exploited by the Madrid forwards. Brazilian full back Rafael is most likely to occupy the right back position and will be against the electrifying Cristiano Ronaldo. One can see that there is only one winner here and this is a major concern for the Manchester side.
Real Madrid on the other hand were greeted with good news, as defender Pepe made a return from injury with a substitute appearance against Sevilla. He is likely to partner alongside Sergio Ramos at centre back, with Fabio Coentrao and Arbeloa occupying the full back positions.
The United defence has been quite fragile this season and have leaked a lot of goals.
The Madrid defence line on the other hand has done reasonably well this season, conceding only 22 goals in the league. With most of their first choice defenders fit and raring to go, Madrid seem to have a stronger group of defenders than United.
Real Madrid 2-0 Manchester United
Midfield
Midfield has probably been Manchester United’s biggest concern in recent times, lack of firepower in the middle of the park forced Ferguson to force veteran Paul Scholes out of retirement. It is however unlikely that Ferguson will be willing to field the “Ginger Prince” for the important tie against Madrid. The Manchester United midfield will instead feature one of its most consistent performers so far, Michael Carrick. He is likely to be partnered by Anderson, who was rested in the match against Everton.
Real Madrid will recall Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira back in the squad, after being rested against Sevilla. The duo is one of the most disciplined midfield pair and effectively combines both defensive and attacking duties. With Mesut Ozil most likely to be positioned in front of the two, Real Madrid’s midfield appears to be very threatening.
Even though the Manchester United midfield has been promising this season, it is nowhere in the world class bracket the Madrid midfield is.
Real Madrid 3-0 Manchester United
Forward
Both the team bolster some of the most lethal attacking forces in the world. In Cristiano Ronaldo, Van Persie and Wayne Rooney we have players who can walk into any side in the world. Apart from this, the fact that all three have been in terrific form this season makes this battle even fiercer.
It is very difficult to conclude which forward line is better between the two. Manchester United might have a slight edge over their counterparts in this department. Taking nothing away from Madrid, the United frontline has been in emphatic form and what makes them even more fearsome is how well they gel along. While Van Persie has already been on the form of his life, Wayne Rooney has rediscovered his scoring boots and might cause a lot of panic in the Madrid defence.
Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester United
Though on paper it might seem that Madrid are the slightly stronger side, it by no means is an indicator of their victory on Wednesday. Manchester United will enter the Santiago Bernabéu as the league leaders in England, in a season everything has gone in their favour. Madrid on the other hand have had a troublesome season, sitting 3rd in the league and dressing room disputes which are yet to be resolved. It is difficult to predict who will triumph when the two giants battle, but it surely will be a match to be remembered for years.
Is the Castillian side really better than the Red Devils? A position by position analysis will give us a better view
Goalkeeping
An injury to Real Madrid star Iker Casillas, has called upon the services of former Sevilla goalie Diego Lopez. Having made 3 starts for the Castillian side after his January move, Lopez has conceded only 2 goals. Though he has not been at the club for long, the 31 year old has done reasonably well at his former clubs Sevilla and Villareal both in Spanish as well as European competitions.
Manchester United on the other hand are yet to choose a Number 1, with both Anders Lindegaard and David de Gea fighting for the spot. De Gea is most likely to make the cut but has been on a very uninspiring form this season, which had let to rumours of the Spanish youngster’s exit from the club. He has managed to put up a number of decent performances recently, Diego Lopez however still seems to have an edge over his compatriot.
Real Madrid 1-0 Manchester United
Defence
Manchester United have been hit by fresh injury blows, as both Phil Jones and Jonny Evans are doubtful for the clash against Real Madrid, suffering injuries in their tie against Everton on Sunday. Manchester United may be able to do without the services of Phil Jones, but the injury to Jonny Evans who has been their most consistent defender this season, is definitely a worry.
On Wednesday, United might have to field their most experienced defensive duo of Vidic and Ferdinand at Centre Back. There is no denying that both the players are quality defenders, but both the veterans are incapable of dealing with pace and might thus be exploited by the Madrid forwards. Brazilian full back Rafael is most likely to occupy the right back position and will be against the electrifying Cristiano Ronaldo. One can see that there is only one winner here and this is a major concern for the Manchester side.
Real Madrid on the other hand were greeted with good news, as defender Pepe made a return from injury with a substitute appearance against Sevilla. He is likely to partner alongside Sergio Ramos at centre back, with Fabio Coentrao and Arbeloa occupying the full back positions.
The United defence has been quite fragile this season and have leaked a lot of goals.
The Madrid defence line on the other hand has done reasonably well this season, conceding only 22 goals in the league. With most of their first choice defenders fit and raring to go, Madrid seem to have a stronger group of defenders than United.
Real Madrid 2-0 Manchester United
Midfield
Midfield has probably been Manchester United’s biggest concern in recent times, lack of firepower in the middle of the park forced Ferguson to force veteran Paul Scholes out of retirement. It is however unlikely that Ferguson will be willing to field the “Ginger Prince” for the important tie against Madrid. The Manchester United midfield will instead feature one of its most consistent performers so far, Michael Carrick. He is likely to be partnered by Anderson, who was rested in the match against Everton.
Real Madrid will recall Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira back in the squad, after being rested against Sevilla. The duo is one of the most disciplined midfield pair and effectively combines both defensive and attacking duties. With Mesut Ozil most likely to be positioned in front of the two, Real Madrid’s midfield appears to be very threatening.
Even though the Manchester United midfield has been promising this season, it is nowhere in the world class bracket the Madrid midfield is.
Real Madrid 3-0 Manchester United
Forward
Both the team bolster some of the most lethal attacking forces in the world. In Cristiano Ronaldo, Van Persie and Wayne Rooney we have players who can walk into any side in the world. Apart from this, the fact that all three have been in terrific form this season makes this battle even fiercer.
It is very difficult to conclude which forward line is better between the two. Manchester United might have a slight edge over their counterparts in this department. Taking nothing away from Madrid, the United frontline has been in emphatic form and what makes them even more fearsome is how well they gel along. While Van Persie has already been on the form of his life, Wayne Rooney has rediscovered his scoring boots and might cause a lot of panic in the Madrid defence.
Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester United
Though on paper it might seem that Madrid are the slightly stronger side, it by no means is an indicator of their victory on Wednesday. Manchester United will enter the Santiago Bernabéu as the league leaders in England, in a season everything has gone in their favour. Madrid on the other hand have had a troublesome season, sitting 3rd in the league and dressing room disputes which are yet to be resolved. It is difficult to predict who will triumph when the two giants battle, but it surely will be a match to be remembered for years.
