Real Madrid vs Manchester United

Brightonian said:
But it didn't really work against Spurs, that's my point. Bale was pretty quiet as a result, but we also got outplayed and drew. Whereas Rafael's shown before that he can handle Bale (he's the best RB in the league, so if anyone can do it it's him), and maybe if we'd started someone normal instead of Jones we would have played better in general and won.

I can see the appeal of that approach. I think it was a good tactic against Everton (ok, that was a genuine man-marking job but the principle's the same), because we had to rest some players and not over-exert and because Fellaini really is central to almost all their attacking football against the big teams. But against Real, we need to be able to stay in the game in terms of possession and territory, and Jones will hinder that more, in my opinion, than he'll help us defensively.

Obviously I'll be behind whatever team Fergie puts out, as he's showing once again this season that he always knows best. It's just a point of interest.
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It didn't in the end... but it was about a minute away from working in fairness. I think Fergie will be happy to concede territory and possession, just so long as we don't concede any goals! We'll be very, very tight at the back, and rely on counters/bits of magic from our front 3 when the time comes.

This is by the way, what I think he will do... not what I neccesarily would do. Regardless, I think we'll come out of this game with a draw.
 
Vidic won't start, don't understand why so many have him in the lineup. Fergie said he can't play two games a week, let alone two games in three days. It will be Rio and Evans.
 
It must be weird for Fergie trying to come up with a plan to stop something he helped create in Ronaldo.
 
In Michael Owen's Sky interview he tipped us to get a result referencing SAF's confidence in his team...then he used the two CL finals as a reference for this confidence.

No matter what happens, this is pure footballing Christmas.
 
Felix Brych will referee the 1st leg - you lot had him for the away match to Sporting Braga earlier in the campaign

Felix+Brych+NFRzjrNhFWbm.jpg
 
FCBarca said:
Felix Brych will referee the 1st leg - you lot had him for the away match to Sporting Braga earlier in the campaign

Felix+Brych+NFRzjrNhFWbm.jpg
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Feck. Not good.

He was the one who sent off Vidic against Otelul Galati last campaign. Is known to be a fussy referee and sent off Peter Crouch against Madrid too.

Won't allow us to be too physical.
 
Annihilate Now! said:
With the defensive work Jones was doing yesterday, I can see him playing again on Wednesday... I predict our team will look something like this

De Gea

Rafael ....... Vidic ....... Rio ....... Evra
.... Jones........................................
..........................Carrick..................
.................Cleverley........................
Welbeck.................................Rooney
......................RVP...........................​

I'm basing this soley on the idea that Fergie will have special plans for Ronaldo. I can't see him having a game plan to deal with Fellaini and not have one to deal with the "2nd best player in the world" (tm)
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I reckon the team will be like that as well, with two changes at the moment (another player instead of Welbeck or Evans replacing one of Vidic and Rio but that is unlikely). Evans has done well but can't see him playing, and the alternatives to Welbeck aren't playing great at the moment.
 
Juts saw the highlights of the 4-3 game at Old Traford. For me that was the most exciting CL game I have seen. Goals, Chances, Agony, Drama, Class.

I hope the other Ronaldo does not steal the show this time.
 
Ronaldo's Mum said:
I'd start both Nani and Valencia.
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I don't see Nani starting in this one, Fergie will go for players who either make the midfield stronger or help defensively. Remember this is the away leg, and our focus will be on defending and somehow nicking a goal but not let it get out of hands for the home leg.
 
adexkola said:
Fat Ronaldo's performance in that game was overrated. He was just clinical and took his chances, one of which was a howler by Barthez.
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Agreed, it is a bit overrated. While the shot for the first goal was good, Barthez got beaten on the near post. Second one was a great team goal, Ronaldo got the tap in but the run by Carlos and Zidane's vision got the goal. Third was pure class by the Brazilian.

We also had a defense of Rio, O Shea, Brown and Silvestre, which was a bit shake, to put it mildly.

Rivaldo against Valencia on the last day of the season would be my favourite hat trick.
 
adexkola said:
Fat Ronaldo's performance in that game was overrated. He was just clinical and took his chances, one of which was a howler by Barthez.
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Was it really? I can't remember that game well enough, but there was an article published last year or a couple of years ago addressing that point and saying it was indeed overrated, but if I recall correctly, he got a standing ovation when brought off, which is a huge sign of respect from a crowd. And seeing as the crowd in the stadium is often the best placed to judge a performance, I was surprised by that article. But I'm willing to believe it, as I said I don't remember it well enough, I was just wondering whether it was a bit of history re-writing.
 
I reckon we'll go...

Valencia and Rafael on the right to nullify Ronaldo. Rio and Evans will start centre back I'd imagine. Rooney, Carrick, and either one of Jones, Cleverley, or Anderson to make up a three man midfield. Kagawa coming in from the left and van Persie up top.
 
Cevno said:
Feck. Not good.

He was the one who sent off Vidic against Otelul Galati last campaign. Is known to be a fussy referee and sent off Peter Crouch against Madrid too.

Won't allow us to be too physical.
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Works both ways. Every time I've watched Madrid, they are generally a rough team. Pepe, Ramos and Alonso for example put in some hard tackles - one slip up, and it could turn into a rough foul.

There will be a red card somewhere in the legs.
 
Rowem said:
...................RvP
..Rooney - Cleverley - Welbeck
..........Carrick - Jones
Evra - Vidic - Ferdinand - Rafael
................DDG

It looks to me like Jones will be used to do a job on Ronnie. So I'd want Cleverley and Carrick in midfield otherwise we'd be lacking in there.

I would like to see Nani on the RW but I think it's wishful thinking given how little he has played since his injury. With Rooney on the left Kagawa is not an option as we need some real width and pace on the right. Normally you'd opt for Valencia but he is out of form so I think Welbeck could be given the nod.
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Agreed. I'd definitely have Nani (or worst case Valencia) in there for Welbeck though. It's the type of game where if you get one chance we'll need to take it and if that one chance fell to Welbeck I feel we'd all be head in hands. For that reason I'd definitely go with Nani, you might not have quite as much protection, but with Carrick and Jones I feel we'll be covered.
 
Hernandez - BFA said:
Works both ways. Every time I've watched Madrid, they are generally a rough team. Pepe, Ramos and Alonso for example put in some hard tackles - one slip up, and it could turn into a rough foul.

There will be a red card somewhere in the legs.
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Good point. Also, Alonso and Ramos are already on yellows and they will miss the second leg if they get booked, so having a strict referee might just benefit us.

Who all are the ones on yellows in our side?
 
Marca's Real Madrid XI: Diego López; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Xabi Alonso, Khedira; Di María, Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo; Benzema.

That's the team Marca are predicting. That defense is penetrable, especially with our attack. Once that thug Pepe doesn't smash up any of our players, I reckon Rooney'll enjoy a battle with him.
 
Kid Cunto said:
Marca's Real Madrid XI: Diego López; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Xabi Alonso, Khedira; Di María, Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo; Benzema.

That's the team Marca are predicting. That defense is penetrable, especially with our attack. Once that thug Pepe doesn't smash up any of our players, I reckon Rooney'll enjoy a battle with him.
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So is ours with that front four.:nervous:
 
Kid Cunto said:
Marca's Real Madrid XI: Diego López; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Xabi Alonso, Khedira; Di María, Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo; Benzema.

That's the team Marca are predicting. That defense is penetrable, especially with our attack. Once that thug Pepe doesn't smash up any of our players, I reckon Rooney'll enjoy a battle with him.
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The ref will give Pepe a hard time..
 
Man-United said:
Vidic won't start, don't understand why so many have him in the lineup. Fergie said he can't play two games a week, let alone two games in three days. It will be Rio and Evans.
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RonaldoVII said:
He said that two months back. I wouldn't go ruling it out now.
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Well Rio was rested and Evans was subbed off early - so Rio-Evans seems a logical choice. Its also been the main CB pairing this season (for a number of reasons) and we've been winning games with them in the middle.

At the moment the team is in good form and seems very determined so Im feeling pretty confident we'll put out a good display :devil:
 
Kid Cunto said:
Lets be honest, what are the odds we keep a clean sheet on Wednesday? Not very likely, for me.
Out scoring the mob might be the answer. :devil:
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Indeed, and as many have said before I'd gladly take a scoring draw, which actually is quite likely to happen. I'd rather prefer Mourinho going defensive rather than going all out with that attack though. He should start someone like Modric or Essien to bolster the midfield and make it a bit easier for our defense. In fact if Ozil is played on the right, his influence would be highly reduced. Sounds a bit hopeful but with Mourinho's tactics in big games, like playing Pepe in midfield against Barca, might just make this happen and give us an advantage.
 
Should be a real cracker, this one. Shame the Shakhtar-Dortmund game is on the same time, would have liked to watch that battle of the lightening quick counter attacks.
 
Yeah that's true, could be a good game as well. To be honest, there's a lot of really cracking games (on paper) in the round of 16, more so than previous years I feel.
 
From memory, it's been the best draw I can think of, in terms of each tie being competitive, there's no clear favourite in any of the games.
 
---------------De Gea-----------------

Rafael------Vidic-------Evans-------Evra

-----Cleverley----Carrick---Anderson----
Nani--------------------------------Rooney
---------------Van Persie---------------
 
Kid Cunto said:
Marca's Real Madrid XI: Diego López; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao; Xabi Alonso, Khedira; Di María, Özil, Cristiano Ronaldo; Benzema.

That's the team Marca are predicting. That defense is penetrable, especially with our attack. Once that thug Pepe doesn't smash up any of our players, I reckon Rooney'll enjoy a battle with him.
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Have I missed something? Why Coentrao in place of Marcelo?
 
Widnes said:
---------------De Gea-----------------

Rafael------Vidic-------Evans-------Evra

-----Cleverley----Carrick---Anderson----
Nani--------------------------------Rooney
---------------Van Persie---------------
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At the moment, that's exactly what I'd like to see. It's an opinion that gets stick on the Caf, but I think Evans is Rio's equal these days and is that little bit calmer on the ball in tight spaces, which might be key.

The three man midfield will keep us tight, and all three can effectively shield the defence when we're under attack. But they're also all capable of keeping hold of the ball under pressure, so that Madrid don't end up with 80% of the possession.

Nani over Kagawa gives us width and an outlet. Also, given his promising form, Nani could do serious damage against that not entirely convincing Madrid defence. Rooney can drift central or wide, forward or deep depending on what's needed at any given time.
 
Brightonian said:
At the moment, that's exactly what I'd like to see. It's an opinion that gets stick on the Caf, but I think Evans is Rio's equal these days and is that little bit calmer on the ball in tight spaces, which might be key.

The three man midfield will keep us tight, and all three can effectively shield the defence when we're under attack. But they're also all capable of keeping hold of the ball under pressure, so that Madrid don't end up with 80% of the possession.

Nani over Kagawa gives us width and an outlet. Also, given his promising form, Nani could do serious damage against that not entirely convincing Madrid defence. Rooney can drift central or wide, forward or deep depending on what's needed at any given time.
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To be honest I did want to see Evans & Rio for this game as I think it is time we make Evans first choice and have one of the others playing with him but his partnership with Vidic looked in top form yesterday and think we should let it continue on Wednesday.
 
Brightonian said:
At the moment, that's exactly what I'd like to see. It's an opinion that gets stick on the Caf, but I think Evans is Rio's equal these days and is that little bit calmer on the ball in tight spaces, which might be key.
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Yep completely agree. However Rio getting rested yesterday would suggest he's definitely starting this one.
 
Do yellow cards get wiped off once you reach the knock out stage? Alonso, Arbeloa and Ramos are all on two yellow cards meaning they're one away from missing the second leg.
 
AldoRaine18 said:
I don't see Nani starting in this one, Fergie will go for players who either make the midfield stronger or help defensively. Remember this is the away leg, and our focus will be on defending and somehow nicking a goal but not let it get out of hands for the home leg.
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What is this Caf myth that I keep reading that Nani doesn't track back or work hard defensively. He does. He tracks back and puts in a defensive shift as well.

Rooney in Paris said:
Yeah same here, these are the best games!
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This is the magic and prestige of the Champions League.


But some people here will tell you they'd rather face Aston Villa on a Saturday lunchtime kick off :lol:
 
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