Manchester United have been drawn against Real Madrid in the final 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
Well, what a draw. I guess the fairy tale draw goes to Celtic but
Manchester United versus Real Madrid has to be the quality tie of the
round. I share the enthusiasm about playing at home in the second leg,
but I have this horrible, nagging, night mare type feeling that we could
get thumped in Madrid and it could be game over for Sir Alex Ferguson
and Manchester United before we get them back to Old Trafford.
Ex United player, Sammy McIlroy has given an interview in which he
thinks that Los Blancos are more shaky at the back than than Reds – and
certainly will be by the time that Nemanja Vidic returns. Here is what
he had to say: ”Both sides seem to have the same strengths and
weaknesses at the moment, I was at Old Trafford the last time these
sides met when Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in a high-scoring and close
tie. I can see it being high scoring again and perhaps just as tight
over two legs.
“The Brazilian Ronaldo scored a hat-trick that night in Manchester
and Cristiano Ronaldo will fancy his chances of getting on the
scoresheet but don’t forget Madrid are not a one-man band. I would be
fearful for United’s defence if the tie was next week but they will have
Vidic back to his best by the time the games are played in February.
“At the other end, Madrid will be very wary of Robin van Persie and
Wayne Rooney. If anything, I think they have more of a glass jaw than
United. I think there will be just one goal between them but it’s too
close to call who will progress. Like all United fans, I can’t wait for
the tie to come around.”
The full Champions League draw is as follows:
- Real Madrid vs Manchester United
- Galatasaray vs FC Schalke
- Celtic vs Juventus
- Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
- Shakhtar Donetsk vs Borussia Dortmund
- AC Milan vs FC Barcelona
- Valencia vs PSG
- FC Porto vs Malaga
Both home and away leg of the tie must be played between February 12th and March 13th of 2013.
No comments:
Post a Comment