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Place : Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, Spain
Time: Wednesday 19:45 GMT, 20:45 CET, Thursday 01:15 IST (will be telecast on Ten Action Plus in India)
And then the Titans clashed! Ever since the UEFA Champions League knock-out stage draw took place, the footballing world has been waiting with grave anticipation for tonight’s game when the two giants of football go head to head in what promises to be a clash of epic proportions. The game doesn’t only pit two of the best European sides against each other, it also brings forth the battle between two of the most respected and shrewd footballing brains in the form of Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose “the special one” Mourinho.
For Real Madrid, this might be “it” for the season. The los blancos have drawn blanks in La Liga which sees them in third place at the moment (a mighty disappointment, going by the standards they usually set) and they will look at the Champions League as their salvation this season.
For Manchester United, the season might as well just be starting. These are the sort of games and it doesn’t get bigger than facing Real Madrid in the knock-out stages of the Champions League. A 12 point lead at the top of the Premier League should be enough of a cushion for them to turn their full attentions to the challenges that lie in store in Europe’s premier club competition.
Real Madrid: WDWDLW
| 20/01 | Valencia | 0 | - | 5 | Real Madrid | |
| Liga España | ||||||
| 24/01 | Valencia | 1 | - | 1 | Real Madrid | |
| Spanish Copa del Rey · Quarterfinal | ||||||
| 27/01 | Real Madrid | 4 | - | 0 | Getafe | |
| Liga España | ||||||
| 31/01 | Real Madrid | 1 | - | 1 | Barcelona | |
| Spanish Copa del Rey · Semifinal | ||||||
| 03/02 | Granada | 1 | - | 0 | Real Madrid | |
| Liga España | ||||||
| 10/02 | Real Madrid | 4 | - | 1 | Sevilla | |
| Liga España | ||||||
With Barcelona having a 16 point lead in the La Liga standings, Real may as well pull the curtains on any hopes of retaining their Spanish crown. The Copa del Rey might be some consolation but it’s the Champions League that they will looking to now to salvage a season where they see themselves three points behind their cross town neighbours Atletico Madrid.
Their indifferent form has carried on with the loss to Granada standing as a testament.
Manchester United : WDWWWW
| 16/01 | Manchester United | 1 | - | 0 | West Ham United | |
FA Cup Third Round | ||||||
20/01 | Tottenham Hotspur | 1 | - | 1 | Manchester United | |
English Premier League | ||||||
26/01 | Manchester United | 4 | - | 1 | Fulham | |
FA Cup · Fourth Round | ||||||
31/01 | Manchester United | 2 | - | 1 | Southampton | |
English Premier League | ||||||
02/02 | Fulham | 0 | - | 1 | Manchester United | |
English Premier League | ||||||
10/02 | Manchester United | 2 | - | 0 | Everton | |
English Premier League | ||||||
A fine run of form, coupled with the struggles of fellow title challengers Manchester City and Chelsea, sees the Red Devils with a 12 point cushion at the top while also securing a passage into the fifth round of the FA cup. The last defeat for Sir Alex’s men in any meaningful game has to be traced back to December 17, 2012 when they suffered a 0-1 loss at the hands of Norwich City.
Real Madrid
Real will be without the services of their captain and leader Iker Casillas who remains out with a broken hand. Raphael Varane‘s status remains unknown while Xavi Alonso is expected to feature in the game despite a slight injury concern.
Manchester United
Knee issues have ensured Paul Scholes doesn’t travel with the side to Madrid. Darren Fletcher also remains out for the likelihood of the season. Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Anders Lindergaard, all of whom had injury concerns, have accompanied the team to the Spanish capital and are likely to feature in the game.
Real Madrid
This might yet not be the return to the Old Trafford stage for Cristiano Ronaldo but have no doubts that the ex-devil will be out to spoil the party for his former boss. The Portuguese winger/striker is one of the best ever to set feet on the football pitch and on his day can tear away any defence in his way. The spotlight will surely be on the superstar to see how he fares on his first game against Manchester United since he joined Madrid.
Manchester United
Wayne Rooney will serve as the pivot, the man who may ultimately decide their fate in the tie. Rooney will have to come more deep in to the midfield area to help in influencing the game and prevent Carrick and co. from being overburdened.
His role is deemed to be vital but it remains to be seen in which position the Englishman is deployed by Sir Alex. If Sir Alex goes for another centre midfielder like Anderson to help support the double pivot, we may as well see Rooney deployed wide left or just in front of the double pivot and work as the main facilitator if the Scot decides to go with wingers.
