The ‘Match of the season’ is only moments away from kicking off and Real Madrid are itching to take on the challenge of ousting Manchester United from the UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid might not face old foes Barcelona until this summer, perhaps, in the Supercopa de Espana. After defeating Barcelona twice on the trot – first in the Copa del Rey at the Camp Nou then in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu – the Spanish giants are left with one big task: to drive Alex Ferguson’s Red Devils away from Europe’s most significant club football competition, the UEFA Champions League.
Assistant coach Aitor Karanka is looking at Tuesday’s titanic Round of 16 clash on Manchester United’s turf with caution. In the aftermath of Saturday’s controversial victory over Barcelona in El Clasico, Jose Mourinho’s colleague reminded that the war is not over yet.
“The last five days and these two games... we've good reason to be pleased. We are very happy at the moment but if we believe we are something special, we might pay the price come Tuesday,” he declared.
“The team has been more confident this season and has approached the matches (against Barça) believing it could win.
“I've been impressed by the dedication of the entire squad, although this is expected of them, but especially in the case of the new additions [like Morata] that don't play regularly.
“The players worked hard as a team, in spite of these changes, and everyone showed their commitment to the club. We have an excellent squad of players who are all ready to do their bit.”
Coach Jose Mourinho rested several key players, including Mesut Özil and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese manager will have a strong squad devoid of injuries come Tuesday. It is in Real Madrid’s hope that the best eleven makes of Manchester United the second best team on the night.
“We are on a winning streak. We have shown that we are a team and that we fight right to the end. We have won two major victories and that’s given us a real boost for the match against Manchester United,” Pepe confidently told the press on Sunday.
“Obviously these wins [against Barcelona] lift the team's spirits because we are facing a difficult Champions League match,” Sergio Ramos added, fresh from scoring the winning goal of Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory in El Clasico. The Spanish defender continued:
“After winning both 'Clásicos' we're going to Manchester convinced we can win, with all due respect to our opponent, which is a great team. It is a very special competition for all Madrid fans.”
Indeed, “Tuesday will be the match of the season to date” as Butragueno claimed. According to the Real Madrid executive, the Spanish capital-based club is “in the best possible spirits in terms of the players understanding they are capable of winning.”
Assistant coach Aitor Karanka is looking at Tuesday’s titanic Round of 16 clash on Manchester United’s turf with caution. In the aftermath of Saturday’s controversial victory over Barcelona in El Clasico, Jose Mourinho’s colleague reminded that the war is not over yet.
“The last five days and these two games... we've good reason to be pleased. We are very happy at the moment but if we believe we are something special, we might pay the price come Tuesday,” he declared.
“The team has been more confident this season and has approached the matches (against Barça) believing it could win.
“I've been impressed by the dedication of the entire squad, although this is expected of them, but especially in the case of the new additions [like Morata] that don't play regularly.
“The players worked hard as a team, in spite of these changes, and everyone showed their commitment to the club. We have an excellent squad of players who are all ready to do their bit.”
Coach Jose Mourinho rested several key players, including Mesut Özil and Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese manager will have a strong squad devoid of injuries come Tuesday. It is in Real Madrid’s hope that the best eleven makes of Manchester United the second best team on the night.
“We are on a winning streak. We have shown that we are a team and that we fight right to the end. We have won two major victories and that’s given us a real boost for the match against Manchester United,” Pepe confidently told the press on Sunday.
“Obviously these wins [against Barcelona] lift the team's spirits because we are facing a difficult Champions League match,” Sergio Ramos added, fresh from scoring the winning goal of Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory in El Clasico. The Spanish defender continued:
“After winning both 'Clásicos' we're going to Manchester convinced we can win, with all due respect to our opponent, which is a great team. It is a very special competition for all Madrid fans.”
Indeed, “Tuesday will be the match of the season to date” as Butragueno claimed. According to the Real Madrid executive, the Spanish capital-based club is “in the best possible spirits in terms of the players understanding they are capable of winning.”
