Ronaldo in Manchester: UCL Preview

Mourinho summed it up: the world will stop for tonight’s epic clash between Manchester United and Real Madrid. The fixture has many qualities: Ronaldo’s ‘homecoming’, Ryan Giggs’ 1000th appearance and Fergie and Mourinho displaying the utmost respect for one another. As usual, Jose is all manners in front of Fergie and the media have obviously brought up the possibility of him being Fergie’s successor.

But that won’t matter tonight. Tonight’s the unclassified ‘final that should have been’ and the victors will definitely hold a firm advantage in the rest of the competition. Poised at 1-1, the fixture could become one of the competition’s grand classics.

United, on form and on top of the English Premier League table, will have home advantage while Madrid are coming off great wins against arch Spanish rivals Barcelona. It’s all set. Ronaldo will look to impress in front of a crowd who miss his United antics on the wing while Rooney, Van Persie and the like will have to find goal as Fergie pushes for an attacking mindset tonight. And why not? There needs to be an adamant ‘gung-ho’ from United. There also needs to be an outright plan A (B,C,D – Z) to stop Ronaldo as a threat. I’m pretty sure he’ll be polishing his shoes for the occasion.

Whether a start or off the bench, Ryan Giggs will be the centre of attention with his 1000th appearance and his form has been electric this season. So often, United fans have questioned his inclusion and Giggs seemed to have proven them wrong with his turn of pace, creativity and eye for goal. And with Rooney and Van Persie likely starts, United won’t have trouble finding attacking options. With Shinji Kagawa’s hat trick against Norwich on the weekend, it will be interesting to see how/if he will be employed tonight. He seems to be a player that is always on the ball and plays delicate touches, providing a lot of ball to the attack line.

 

Same can be said for Ozil who is Madrid’s definite threat in the middle. It will also be interesting to see who’ll start in the middle for United with Carrick an obvious choice with his decent head and maturity this season. With Phil Jones not fit for the fixture, Fergie will have to deploy the likes of Cleverley or Anderson to fill that role. If Jones makes the bench, it would be encouraging – his multifaceted game came in handy in Madrid and his defensive work against Ronaldo was impressive. With Rafael and Ferdinand likely starts at the back, they will have to deal with Ronaldo who often jumps to different sides of the field, poacher Benzema and pacey Coentrao who loves to go forward. With Pepe a likely start after his niggling injury, Mourinho seems to have a full squad despite the absence of Casillas. Fergie has options in Hernandez and Welbeck, too but would most likely push Van Persie high with Rooney just behind and drifting.

Of course, the Alonso and Ozil partnership could secure a lot of possession for Madrid. I predict a lot of counter-attacks from United who will form a heavy wall in any Madrid forward attack. De Gea, who proved to be one of the best players in the first leg, will have to command his line with Madrid set pieces and will have to be on top form again.

It’s a tight game to call. I hope United make use of the Old Trafford fortress and take care of Ronaldo.

2-1 to United. I predict a few heart attacks my side too.

United vs. Real – the “final” that should’ve been

Wednesday evening will see Manchester United coming against Real Madrid and fans will match out different rivalries – Ronaldo vs. Van Persie/Rooney and Mourinho versus Sir Alex. For many, it is the fact that Ronaldo will face his former club – a club that still eyes him as a hero. With both teams in blistering form, the fixture is a tough one to call and with United’s defenders picking up their form after a dismal start to the season, it will be interesting to see how Cristiano will play against the likes of Vidic/Evans, Rafael and Ferdinand. On the counter, both teams can utilise Rafael and Pepe to link with the wingers and with the form of Van Persie and Rooney as well as Ozil and Benzema, the fixture is one that can go either way – it’s one that will primarily be focused on who can keep out who for how long. De Gea’s confidence has grown tremendously after constant criticism and his diving saves against Everton will only give him more of a boost ahead of a formidable Real attack.

There’s no denying that Ronaldo is the main threat. He is second on La Liga’s top scorers table with 24 goals and has the ability to turn anything into a goal. In-form Rafael will have to keep on Ronaldo and watch his swinging runs around the box. The Brazilian is however having a tremendous season and has improved in the air. United will know all too well how Ronaldo can beat defenders so if there is a pack crowding Ronaldo out, Fergie might cross out that threat. Ozil, too, has been an instrumental assist  play maker for Real with 7 assists this season with Benzema often available to give Cristiano the final ball through defensive gaps. Alonso can be the definite man to pull the strings for Real while Carrick, who has been in blistering form this season, can be the middle man alongside a forward-thinking Phil Jones who doubles back in defense quite often (if fit). It will be interesting to see who Fergie puts in the middle with Carrick – Cleverley had a quiet game vs. Everton but holds a creative role in the middle and will often find the tempo of the game, keeping the ball and passes flowing. Both Rooney and Van Persie work well together and the Dutchman’s impressive strike rate is always going to trouble Real defenders. If that plan fails, Fergie will possibly have Hernandez on the bench who has proved his worth for getting important goals.

Never write off United. Never write off a Mourinho class act. This one seems tantalizing enough to have been a Champions League final for the books and no doubt the victors of the fixture will have a truck load of confidence in the next round. Apart from the powerhouses in Barcelona, United and Real are massive contenders for the trophy. It’s a hard one to predict but I’ll have to shove all my bias towards a United win. 3-2 for me.

Ze Germans are favourites…nein?

Last night saw a thriller with Spain and Portugal heading to penalties and Fabregas grabbing the last kicking spot to put the reigning European champions into the final of Euro 2012 against either Germany or Italy who are to play tonight.

I hate calling it but Germany look favourites to win it and I hope they don’t disappoint. I also pray that we don’t see penalties again. My heart hates me for watching the odd, excruciating moments that get exchanged between ball, players and keeper. If I was in the crowd last night, I might have fallen over with anxiety. Penalties are an unlucky, exciting way to win or lose. I know Blatter has spread his naive comments about scrapping penalties but as much as I hate it, I adore it. It’s a part of the game that should never change.

For Germany, their competition has been near perfect, creating chances and scoring goals with class, great play and a winning attitude. Spain have been good. Italy have been winning but mediocre. Germany have been dominating. Can Italy cause an upset tonight? Everyone’s been calling a Spain-Germany final for a while but can the Italians (who have an upper hand against Germany in competitions like this) grab the spot?

De Rossi will be threatening and no one knows which Mario Balotelli will show up on the night. For Germany, Gomez is on fire and creative playmaker Ozil has been sparkling in midfield. Gomez has been the best striker in the tournament and with oldie Klose on call, Germany will have no problem getting shots on goal.Gomez can also grab the tournament’s golden boot if he keeps his scoring form in a high tonight but I expect it to be a tight affair. In goal, Neuer is riding up the rankings as one of the world’s best. Buffon has been up there for years, probably just riding under Casillas as world number one. Pirlo will be looking to control possession of he can but with The Germans holding, it will be difficult for the Italians to create up front.

Right now, Germany’s outfit are untouchable.  For Italy, they’ll push for glory, defending and perhaps relying on their pace up front to grab some goals.

I think Germany will grab it by a goal. Here we go again.