United - Real Madrid Pregame

[Unorthodox Yank]

real madrid tied in the weekend

Man U had another great result against blackburn.

neville is out
scholes is out.
manU with home field.

somehow, it all evens out.


discuss.

[Mac_Howard]

Alex also said O'Shea was out. Hope that was just word games. The defence starts to look makeshift if both Neville and O'Shea are missing.

[Ferris]

IF O'Shea is out then they will definitely have to drop Keane to the back four and play Silvestre and Brown at left and right back respectively. If Veron doesn't make it I think we'll have a rough go of it. Giggs will have to be more of a presence than the last game.

[Motterman]

If Veron isn't fit, we got problems. Where's the attacking center midfield creativity going to come from? Fortune? Giggs is a waste if he's played away from his left wing position. Becks is in there for crosses. This isn't the time for makeshift lineups and patchwork. I say, let Keano loose! Hope he can rise and be the giant he was 4 years ago in Turin.

[Motterman]

Originally posted by Motterman
If Veron isn't fit, we got problems.

From RedNews.co.uk:

Hopefully Seba is going to be all right," said Fergie. "The report we have got from Italy says he is much better. He is back on course and feels he will be fit for Wednesday, which is good news."

[USsupport]

we need Veron back. we'll miss Scholes in particular but I think that if they're properly fired up they can advance. remains to be seen which Real team and which Utd team turn up on the night. If Utd play up to their potential and Real play down then we could hammer them. so, with that in mind I'm hopeful of a great result.

[White Shark]

Paul Scholes missing is really a negative point to Man Und (Glad) And we still we don´t know how is Raúl.

Ooops!
http://www.realmadrid.com/web_realmadrid/mmedia/000/000/031/609.jpg

[Soccerholic]

Collina to ref game (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=264772&cc=5901)

I'm happy we got the guy who is widely considered the best ref in the world. I wish Collina had reffed the first game; I doubt he would have given Scholes a yellow card for running into Salgado.

[Motterman]

Fabien Barthez is expected to shake off a dead leg in time for Manchester United's Champions League showdown with Real Madrid.
Barthez was replaced at half-time during Saturday's 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers.

The French World Cup winner limped off after picking up a dead leg when he collided with Garry Flitcroft as Blackburn scored their early equaliser.

Barthez is said to be responding well to treatment with United confident he will be able to face the Spanish giants.

[gildarkevin]

I just got a copy of an article from a friend (Real Supporter) which says that Raul will be out tomorrow -- due to appendicitis.

I haven't seen this anywhere else though, so I'm not putting too much stock in it yet.

[Motterman]

Originally posted by gildarkevin
I just got a copy of an article from a friend (Real Supporter) which says that Raul will be out tomorrow --

Wednesday. ;)

Raul looked all out of sorts on Saturday though. Clearly he's not fit, but with the firepower on Real's bench: Guti, Portillo, etc. they won't lack the goal threat we've come to expect.

[kerpow]

Raul will definately miss the game with an emergency appendix operation.

http://www.marca.com/edicion/noticia/0,2458,289514,00.html

[gildarkevin]

Yup, that's the article he sent to me.

And I know the game is Wed -- just can't wait for it to begin!

Mentally, this is a huge boost for United, given that Raul has been the hit man each of the past two times the teams have faced one another. Neither Guti nor Portillo can replicate that mental edge that he provides against United.

[Motterman]

More on Raul:

http://msn.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,1-1088193,00.html

[cachundo]

Maybe I'm biased here ;) , but United-Real is the best match-up on the planet. Apparently, ESPN2 agrees.

Manchester United v. Real Madrid
LIVE on ESPN2, Wednesday, 1430 EDT.


This is it folks. It's win 2-0 or better. Also time to start thinking of ducking out of work/school/girl.

[gento]

Originally posted by Soccerholic
Collina to ref game (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=264772&cc=5901)

I'm happy we got the guy who is widely considered the best ref in the world. I wish Collina had reffed the first game; I doubt he would have given Scholes a yellow card for running into Salgado.
I wish it too.Collina would have called the penalti on Ronaldo and woud have sent off Barthezz for ballhandling the ball off the box.

[Motterman]

Originally posted by gento
I wish it too.Collina would have called the penalti on Ronaldo and woud have sent off Barthezz for ballhandling the ball off the box. Here you go: http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/boozer.gif

[Father Ted]

Originally posted by kerpow
Raul will definately miss the game with an emergency appendix operation.

http://www.marca.com/edicion/noticia/0,2458,289514,00.html


I'm hearing voices....of Real fans making excuses...

[kerpow]

Originally posted by Motterman
Here you go: http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/boozer.gif

I like that site. This one's my favourite, for Real fans:

http://www.stopstart.freeserve.co.uk/smilie/boohoo.gif

[sch2383]

Raul is out, I'm crying in my beer.