Post-match: Real Madrid vs. Manchester United - CL Round of 16 - First Leg [02/13/13, 2:45 PM EST] [R]

My guess is he will start alongside Khedira and Alonso in the midfield. Oezil on the left and Benzema in the striker position. Dominating the midfield will be crucial, plus Khedira will have more freedom to roam upfront.

Dibs on Khedira scoring!

 

Blondie just needs to stay cool, sometimes he gets extra amped for these big games and that's when we see him pick up stupid yellow cards (like for those damned handballs he's so fond of) and lose focus.

Just stay cool man....

 

Valencia won't play on the left, I'd be amazed if he does. His cross is better than his shot, and he is extremely right-footed. His whole game is based on whipping in a cross after getting a yard off the fullback. Young is not in form and I'm not sure if he will play or not. Nani isn't as effective on the left, but I guess he could play there if Ferguson went with two wingers.

But Ferguson hasn't played wingers on both wings much this season, I think they use a diamond 4 in midfield, so we will probably have a tucked-in midfielder like Cleverley or Anderson there, neither of whom are known for their pace.

 

If he's in midfield with Sami and Xabi, Ozil should be on the right. One striker, Ronaldo in the left wing position, play a tight game and try and get a 1-0 but hope for a 2-0.

If it's 2-0 after the first leg, the tie will be over imo. They'd have to score three without conceding to win the tie.

 

I don't think we will have a clean sheet at the end of the day
I'd say a 2-2 draw and in the 90+1 minute Benz, making it 3-2

btw I played on FIFA11 the match and won it with 1-0 (Carvalho), so no worry guys, we will win this match

 

Yes ofc, my bad I meant on the left

Just win by 2 and we're good.

 

Arbeloa Ramos varane and Fabio worked on ball movement and speed in a group made up of others sure to start tomorrow. I think that will be our back line.

 

lol

 

Essien should start at RB, or instead of Khedira or Alonso. Not alongside. He's been very good tbh, but Mou should man up and not go with 3 pivot.

 

I was wondering if Mou might play Essien at RB instead of Arbeloa for his increased athleticism and experience playing against MUFC. I don't think the trivote is appropriate for this match unless Mou thinks Ferguson is going to play a 3-man midfield.

 

can someone shed some light on kagawa?

 

I'm quite sure Essien will play in midfield with Xabi and Khedira. I think this is a mistake. Evra can nullify Mesut on the wing, unlike Di Maria who can give Evra serious problems. I realize that Mou probably wants to overrun their midfield with the extra man, but this can also backfire on our attackers (crowding out Cristiano and marking Mesut); giving them the chance to score from a set piece or whatever.

I would have honestly gone with our 'once de gala' for this game.

 

That's nice to hear. I've been hearing the opposite so I just give em' the

 

He likes this


+

 

Is it just me, or is winning the midfield battle really not that important to this team the way it's constructed (as a pacy counter-attacking side with talented wingers and a forward-thinking AM)?

That's why I don't see Mou playing the trivote. But I could be wrong, and he might be trying to get out of this match with a 0-0.

 

A Manchester United fan suggested that Phil Jones should start in midfield and man mark Ronaldo out the game, thus their defense can concentrate on Benzema, Ozil, and Di Maria.

 

Good let's hope so.

Phil Jones got turned by Fellaini a few times over the weekend by simple movement, he will wet himself if he was marking Ronaldo.

 

No need for any kind of concentration on these two.

 

If (and only if) Mou is playing a 3-man midfield, I would play something like a 4-3-1-2, with Ozil playing behind a Ronaldo and Benzema strike pair. He needs to be in the middle of the pitch IMHO. I really can't see the trivote here - Ozil's energy is wasted on the right wing tracking back to help Arbs.

Hasn't Mou done this trick before, where a player accompanies him to the presser that doesn't end up playing? Didn't this happen with Granero at some point last year?

 

^ Pretty sure Granero ended up playing that one. Anyway, if we don't play with wingers, I think Valencia-Rafael and Evra-Young can torch us. Seriously, I don't see why we would play anything but our tried and tested formation.

 

^^Meringues packing our midfield and playing with a trivote won't help against Manchester United as they don't play possession football.

I have not watched United a lot, but if we can nullify Rooney and RVP, while using our speed to get past their defense the result will be a favorable one.

 

Evra still searches Mesut in Stade de France.