Real Madrid vs Manchester United

-----------------DDG------------------
Rafael-------Rio-------Vidic--------Evra
----------Carrick-----Cleverley---------
Valencia---------Rooney--------Welbeck
------------------RVP------------------
 
Brightonian said:
Yep, the relatively low expectations from the competition as a whole means we can relax and enjoy the match a bit, whereas every PL game against the bottom-feeders like QPR is a nail-biting nightmare.
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Interesting sentiment, if we win this tie, there's only one team I'd be worried about, and hopefully they don't get a ref like Ovebro in the semis... :)
 
I want us to beat Madrid so so badly. fecking hate them.

DDG

Evra
Rio
Vidic
Rafael

Kagawa
Cleverley
Carrick
Nani

Rooney


RVP
 
bosnian_red said:
What side do you think would be United's strongest for this tie? As in what would you be most fearful of? Be interested to hear what the opposition thinks is our best combination between a diamond/wingers or Welbeck/Nani/Kagawa/Valencia on the wings.
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Dunno mate, but Nani is the first player that I thought of when I found out about the draw, luckily he hasn't been playing much lately so probably won't start I guess.
 
Cal? said:
Interesting sentiment, if we win this tie, there's only one team I'd be worried about, and hopefully they don't get a ref like Ovebro in the semis... :)
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I'd be worried about Bayern, too. Dortmund and Juve would both be difficult matches, although I admit we would be narrow favourites for both. It's not so much that, aside from Barca, any individual team would definitely knock us out. It's that I don't think we have the consistency of form this season to be at our best for that many rounds in a row. We're bound to drop to our dodgy level in one, and when we do that any of the teams left in it would have a chance of knocking us out.

Plus if we get Barca I just can't see a win under any circumstances. I couldn't in 2011 either. It's not even about relative quality, its about style: we can't play the style of football which beats theirs. Like you say, they might get the Chelsea/Inter type team and hopefully not get ushered through again by the referee. But I can't help but feel like it's bound to happen.
 
Brightonian said:
Yep, the relatively low expectations from the competition as a whole means we can relax and enjoy the match a bit, whereas every PL game against the bottom-feeders like QPR is a nail-biting nightmare.
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Absolutely. The last few PL matches against Liverpool, Southampton, Fulham and now the pre match vs Everton have shredded my nerves so the two cup games coming up now are a nice little breather and I'm quite relaxed about them. Will be back to completely bricking it when we face QPR though.
 
Vato1979 said:
Dunno mate, but Nani is the first player that I thought of when I found out about the draw, luckily he hasn't been playing much lately so probably won't start I guess.
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I wouldn't be too sure. Ferguson does favour Valencia, especially for defensive work against dangerous left wingers (I forget, do you have one of those...?). But Nani's games since returning from injury have all been very promising, and he was especially good in his last. Plus he was rested today. I'd say it seems about 50/50 on that evidence.

You're right to think of him, anyway. If I was a Madrid supporter, I'd be much more worried about Nani in attack than Valencia helping to shut down Ronaldo.
 
Brightonian said:
I'd be worried about Bayern, too. Dortmund and Juve would both be difficult matches, although I admit we would be narrow favourites for both. It's not so much that, aside from Barca, any individual team would definitely knock us out. It's that I don't think we have the consistency of form this season to be at our best for that many rounds in a row. We're bound to drop to our dodgy level in one, and when we do that any of the teams left in it would have a chance of knocking us out.

Plus if we get Barca I just can't see a win under any circumstances. I couldn't in 2011 either. It's not even about relative quality, its about style: we can't play the style of football which beats theirs. Like you say, they might get the Chelsea/Inter type team and hopefully not get ushered through again by the referee. But I can't help but feel like it's bound to happen.
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Aren't you a barrel of sunshine. fecking hell.
 
Vato1979 said:
Dunno mate, but Nani is the first player that I thought of when I found out about the draw, luckily he hasn't been playing much lately so probably won't start I guess.
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I don't know why but I've always got the feeling that if anyone is made for these type of games (i.e. games against the very best, like Barca, Bayern, Madrid) then its Nani. Felt like it was a mistake not to start him in the final against Barca a few years ago as well. He's one of the few players in our team who has the ability and technique to play against any side in the world. Feel like he's much more suited for this type of game then any other of our wingers, but then again you never know with Sir Alex because he doesn't seem to trust him much this season.
 
Brightonian said:
I wouldn't be too sure. Ferguson does favour Valencia, especially for defensive work against dangerous left wingers (I forget, do you have one of those...?). But Nani's games since returning from injury have all been very promising, and he was especially good in his last. Plus he was rested today. I'd say it seems about 50/50 on that evidence.

You're right to think of him, anyway. If I was a Madrid supporter, I'd be much more worried about Nani in attack than Valencia helping to shut down Ronaldo.
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Agreed, and regardless of Valencia's defensive contribution, Ronaldo is so good that it probably won't make too big of a difference if Nani or Valencia plays on the wing. Nani works his socks off always too so it's not like we'd be a man short. I'm just hoping Sir Alex goes for him because of his ability going forward.
 
This talk of Valencia providing defensive cover is a bit of nonsense though isn't it? Sure he did a bit of good work today defensively but he's hardly done any of it all season. If anything Nani has done more work tracking back than him in the few games he's played since his return. I'd pick Nani too because Madrid's defense can be got at and Nani could be key to unlocking it and he'd hardly be more frustrating than Valencia in attack.
 
Sort the OP out!!!!

That's gotta be bad luck
 
I know this has been posted. But this is a great video. I've watched it many times, gives me the chills. So just wanted it in the match thread.
 
Drainy said:
Liverpool at Anfield, but quite a lot of our players have gifted goals there, in fairness.
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Exactly. Giggs had a bigger brainfart at Anfield that lead to their winner some years back and he's still getting games so I don't think Fergie would use that as a reason not to play Nani.
 
I'll say 2-1 to Madrid, but I think I'd take that going back to Old Trafford confident of progressing.
 
Mourinho

"People think we are under pressure because a big team will be out, "But the people are not waiting for any other game."
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On SAF
"I feel privileged about that because he is such an important person in the world of football and, more importantly, he is good person,".

"I have always had a fantastic relationship with him and I am proud of it. We have had so many matches between us which started with Porto. We had some with Chelsea, Inter and now Real. Some I had won, some I have lost, others I have drawn.

"Of course, I want to win and he wants to win, but I believe the loser will have a little bit of space to feel a little bit happy because of the friendship.

"But make no mistake, I want to win."
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At the Bernabeu:

----------------DDG

Rafael----Rio-----Vidic----Evra

-------------Carrick

----Cleverley----Anderson

Nani---------------------Rooney

--------------RvP

*Anderson or Cleverley can drift wide if Rooney wants to play through the centre
 
A feeling of dread is perfectly understandable, but I really do like our chances in this one. We're in form, we have quality everywhere and we have we come home in the second leg.

The only serious open question for the XI is Valencia v Nani. I'd go with Nani but there's no obviously wrong answer. Nani's superior composure in front of the goal shades it for me, but Valencia gives you a more workmanlike performance which may better suit out RvP and Rooney.
 
Vato/Jojojo what is Real's injury status? Is Alonso out?
 
What I want

--------------De Gea
Rafael---Rio----------Vidic---Evra
---------------Carrick
-------Cleverely----Anderson
Welbeck-------------------------Rooney
-------------------RVP
 
paceme said:
Aren't you a barrel of sunshine. fecking hell.
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Oh calm down dear, I'm just explaining to Cal? why I don't think we're one of the strongest bets for the trophy and am therefore going to be able to really enjoy the match in all its glory, rather than being a massive bag of nerves. Try not to take things so out of context.
 
----------de Gea----------
Rafael-Evans--Vidic-Evra
-----Carrick--Cleverley---
Welbeck-Kagawa-Rooney
------------RvP-------------
 
Drainy said:
----------de Gea----------
Rafael-Evans--Vidic-Evra
-----Carrick--Cleverley---
Welbeck-Kagawa-Rooney
------------RvP-------------
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I'd go with this as well. Very fluid front 5. But realistically I don't see Welbeck starting. Valencia would most likely start and play as a defensive wide midfielder to protect Rafael against Ronaldo.
 
Not sure about the obsession with sticking in an out of form (and unsure of best position) Kagawa IMHO
 
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