Roar Guru
Real Madrid host Manchester United in a blockbuster UEFA Champions League tie featuring two of the most famous and successful clubs in world football. Join us for live scores and commentary from 6.30am AEDT
United’s reward for topping their UEFA Champions League group is an extremely difficult round of sixteen tie with nine-time champions Madrid.
Although many would deem it an advantage to play away from home first up, United will be in for a torrid time at the Santiago Bernabeu as Madrid look to blow the Premier League giants away, much like AC Milan did last season when they hosted Arsenal.
Milan beat the Gunners 4-0 at the San Siro last year and Madrid certainly possess the players necessary to inflict a similar scoreline on Sir Alex Ferguson’s men if they are not careful.
Having given up all hope on the La Liga title, Madrid really only have the Champions League and Copa del Rey to play for this season so expect Jose Mourinho’s men to really come out firing against the Red Devils.
Prediction
If United hope to secure a priceless score draw or win, their first half performance will have to be exceptional against a Madrid side that will be eager to start quickly.
United should take a leaf out of Borussia Dortmund’s book and play on the counter attack, given the German team’s success at the Bernabeu earlier in the year.
With Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie and Antonio Valencia in fine form, United can certainly hurt Madrid on the counter, and if they can score an early goal against the run of play, Madrid have the potential to really open up.
Although Madrid defenders Pepe, Sergio Ramos and Arbeloa are solid, they are not known for their speed and United’s preceding trio should have their measure if they are given space to roam.
Of course many viewers will be interested to see how Cristiano Ronaldo performs against his former club.
Despite admitting that his time at United was the most enjoyable of his career, Ronaldo will relish the opportunity to put the red devils to the sword, so expect the Portuguese superstar to really feature prominently tonight.
Its no secret that Madrid have had an indifferent season to say the least, but they certainly possess the superior players on paper and one just fancies them to really hit their stride tonight against United.
Real Madrid to win 3-1.