The decisive moment in the Champions League has arrived. For the first time this season Real Madrid’s continuity comes down to one match. To secure their place in the quarterfinals the Whites have to defeat Manchester United at Old Trafford or draw with more than one goal after a 1-1 first leg result that leaves the playoff wide open. Statistics are in favour of Real, who has proved they can handle these types of matches like no one else. The squad has played five knockout rounds and has won them all, turning around a negative first leg result in three occasions to pick up a title and a spot in the Copa final. The side’s last six days, during which the team led by coach Mourinho has won two straight Clásicos, are the biggest reason to be optimistic.For SAF he is keeping his fingers crossed.
Manchester United FC manager Sir Alex Ferguson is predicting goals when Real Madrid CF come to town for a contest that counterpart José Mourinho expects the world to enjoy.
"It doesn't get any bigger than this," were the rousing words of Manchester United FC manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who is certain his team's UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg against Real Madrid CF will live up to its heavyweight billing.
The English side returned from the Santiago Bernabéu three weeks ago with a 1-1 draw and the scorer of Madrid's equaliser dominated Monday's press conferences: the stage is set for Cristiano Ronaldo's long-awaited Old Trafford return. Sir Alex insisted "we can't fear what Ronaldo can do to us" and counterpart José Mourinho, too, stressed that this fixture stands alone. He expects the world to sit up and take notice of a contest fit to grace this season's Wembley showpiece.
Sir Alex Ferguson
Real have just played two fantastic games against Barcelona and they're hitting form at just the right time, while we've been playing consistently well for quite a while now.
It doesn't get any bigger than this game: two big clubs, two great histories, it's set up to be a marvellous gameand I don't think it'll disappoint.
Real are one of best counterattacking teams in Europe. They proved that last week at the Camp Nou, when they were stunning on the break. We've got to find a way of stopping that while offering a threat ourselves. Ryan [Giggs] will be involved, whether starting or coming off the bench, and of course his experience of big-game occasions will be vital.
Whenever you prepare for an important game you have to respect the strengths of the other team, we do that with every team we play – how they set up, tactics, key players. The same applies here. We're very experienced and we know our own strengths, so we need to focus on those.
I think there will be goals, that both teams will score, so you have to think we're going to need more than one goal to go through. My biggest concern is him [Ronaldo] turning up! He'll cause us problems throughout the night, which we'll just have to limit, to curtail, the best way we can.
Rafael's experience against him in the first half in Madrid will hopefully help, as he'll have to go through it again. But we can't fear what Ronaldo can do to us, as we'll start to forget what we can do for ourselves.
Danny Welbeck admits it would be a privilege to be involved in the Champions League second leg against Real Madrid at Old Trafford.
The young forward scored in the Bernabeu to help earn United a 1-1 draw but, such is the intense competition for places, he is obviously not assured of a start on Tuesday night.
One of the most striking aspects of his play in the Spanish capital was the fearless approach he adopted on the big stage and it's clear that the 22-year-old is remaining in a positive frame of mind.
"It was a good team performance that night and I think it was a good result to take back to Old Trafford," recalled Welbeck to ManUtd.com. "It’s obviously half-time now but just to play in the second leg would be a privilege.
"I think, being Manchester United, we’re one of the biggest clubs in the world so teams are fearing us as well. I think we go out there and just want to play our normal game. We’re not going to see it any differently as the manager expressed to us beforehand in Madrid to play the game not the occasion. I think we did that on the night. Obviously, they have some star players and it is always going to be difficult against the calibre of players that they have got."
Weekend result
Saturday: United 4-0 Norwich City FC (Kagawa 45+1 76 87, Rooney 90)
De Gea; Smalling, Evans, Vidić, Evra; Valencia, Anderson (Cleverley 74), Carrick, Kagawa; Rooney, Van Persie (Welbeck 66).
Shinji Kagawa became the first player from Asia to score a Premier League hat-trick as United stretched their unbeaten run to 18 games unbeaten in all competitions since December's 1-0 loss to CFR 1907 Cluj. Sir Alex's team's haul of 71 points from 28 matches has been bettered only once in the Premier League era – Chelsea FC had 72 at the same stage in 2005/06.
Team news
Ryan Giggs is set for his 1,000th competitive fixture. Phil Jones is not yet ready to return and Paul Scholes is also absent with a knee problem.
José Mourinho, coach
I expect United to be very defensive when we have the ball, and to attack strongly when they have it. Even though we're behind in the tie and have to attack, we'll also have to defend stoutly. We come here after two important wins, but even coming here after two defeats would make no difference. It's good to have players happy, with morale high after beating their rivals [FC Barcelona] twice.
I can imagine [still being a manager at 71] as I imagine the older you are, the better you are. Sir Alex is unique and he deserves respect from everybody. My teams have played at Old Trafford so many times, so I don't care about records. I know football well enough to say anything could happen.
United are on a fantastic run, through to FA Cup quarter-finals, and have virtually sewn up the Premier League title, but we're also in good form. That's why the world will stop to watch this game, a game that's more like a final. Whichever teams reach Wembley, I can't imagine the expectation being bigger than for tomorrow. If I lose tomorrow I won't cry, if I win tomorrow I won't run 100 metres to celebrate, but the feelings will still be the same.
He [Ronaldo] seems fine as far as I'm aware. It's nice that [Sir Alex] speaks honestly about Ronaldo, as any accolades he gets from him and the crowd are more than deserved. I was here [at Chelsea] during his best years in the Premier League, so I'm aware how well he did at United and the impact he had.
Weekend result
Saturday: Madrid 2-1 FC Barcelona (Benzema 6, Ramos 82; Messi 18)
Diego López; Essien, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Coentrão (Arbeloa 69); Pepe; Modrić, Callejón, Kaká (Khedira 58); Morata, Benzema (Benzema 58).
Madrid made it four wins out of four since the first leg with their second victory over the Azulgrana in four days. Álvaro Morata, making only his third start for the Merengues, set up Karim Benzema's opener before Lionel Messi restored parity. The second-half introduction of the initially rested Ronaldo provided fresh impetus and Sergio Ramos secured the points, heading in Luka Modrić's corner.
Team news
Iker Casillas is still unavailable with a broken left thumb while midfielder Xabi Alonso – who did not feature at the weekend – may well start despite carrying a long-term groin problem.
Match fact
United lost 3-2 at home to Athletic Club in last term's UEFA Europa League round of 16 and have won just one of their last five Old Trafford fixtures against Liga visitors – the 1-0 UEFA Champions League semi-final success over Barcelona in 2008, courtesy of a Scholes goal. Their overall home record against Spanish opponents is W8 D9 L3.
Manchester United
UEFA Champions League statistics
• United's next draw will be their 50th in the UEFA Champions League, group stage to final.
• United's 3-2 victory over SC Braga on matchday three was the second time they have come from two down to win a UEFA Champions League game. The first was a 3-2 win against Juventus in the 1998/99 semi-finals.
• Ryan Giggs has scored in a record 16 UEFA Champions League seasons, though not yet this one. He is also the competition's oldest scorer, at 37 years and 289 days. The Welshman has found the net in all 21 Premier League seasons.
• Rafael and Robin van Persie are a booking away from a ban.
• Shinji Kagawa became the first player from Asia to score a Premier League hat-trick on Saturday as United beat Norwich City FC 4-0.
• Giggs, who on Friday signed a deal that keeps him at Old Trafford next season, has made 999 competitive appearances since making his debut on 2 March 1991 in a 2-0 loss to Everton FC. He is set to become only the third British outfield player to reach the 1,000-game mark, after Tony Ford and Graeme Alexander.
• United are 18 games unbeaten in all competitions since rounding off the group stage with a 1-0 loss to CFR 1907 Cluj, winning 14. During that time they have stretched their lead at the Premier League summit from three points into double figures and booked a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals, where they will host Chelsea FC on 10 March.
• Sir Alex's team have trailed in 18 of their 40 matches this term, but lost only six.
• Only one team in Premier League history have gained more points from their opening 28 games than United's 71 this season – Chelsea had 72 in 2005/06.
• United have failed to convert five of their nine penalties this season, from Nani, Van Persie, Javier Hernández and Wayne Rooney (2).
Real Madrid
UEFA Champions League statistics
• Sir Alex Ferguson and José Mourinho are two of only four coaches to reach a century of UEFA Champions League games, along with Arsène Wenger and Carlo Ancelotti.
• Cristiano Ronaldo is the joint top scorer after seven matches with seven goals, level with Burak Yılmaz. The Portuguese international has found the net 16 times in his last 14 UEFA Champions League appearances.
• Ronaldo, who has played every minute of Madrid's campaign, has had 31 attempts on target and 15 wide, both more than any other player. Madrid have had more shots on goal (88) and wide (60) than any other team.
• Ángel Di María has provided five assists, the joint highest total along with Zlatan Ibrahimović.
• At 17 years and 353 days, José Rodríguez surpassed Raúl González as Madrid's youngest ever European Cup player on matchday six.
• Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos are within a booking of a ban.
• Madrid have won four out of four since the first leg, having managed just six victories in their previous 14 games, the United draw included.
• Álvaro Morata, making only his third start for Madrid, set up Karim Benzema's sixth-minute opener in Saturday's 2-1 victory over FC Barcelona.
• Madrid have scored 103 goals in 43 games this season, including the Spanish Super Cup. They managed 174 in 58 outings last term.
• Initially rested on Saturday, Ronaldo scored twice as Madrid beat Barcelona 3-1 at the Camp Nou last Tuesday, a 4-2 aggregate win sending them through to May's Copa del Rey final, where they will meet Club Atlético de Madrid. It will be the fifth Madrid derby final and first since Atlético prevailed 2-0 in 1992.
• Madrid have claimed three wins in six meetings with Barcelona this season, with two draws and one loss.
• Ramos marked his 250th Liga appearance against Rayo Vallecano de Madrid on 17 February with a goal (12 minutes) and a red card (18). With 16 dismissals, he has been sent off more than any other player in Madrid's history.
• Gonzalo Higuaín netted his 100th Liga goal in what was his 179th top-flight appearance for Madrid in the 2-1 win at RC Deportivo La Coruña on 23 February.
• Madrid are 36 games unbeaten in all competitions at the Bernabéu, since a 2-1 cup defeat by Barcelona on 18 January 2012.
• Iker Casillas has been out since breaking his left thumb on 23 January; Diego López was signed as cover.
| PREVIOUS REAL MADRID AND MANCHESTER UNITED CLASHES | |||
| Season | Round | Result | |
| 1956/57 | Semifinals (first leg) | Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester | |
| Semifinals (second leg) | Manchester 2-2 Real Madrid | ||
| 1967/68 | Semifinals (first leg) | Manchester 1-0 Real Madrid | |
| Semifinals (second leg) | Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester | ||
| 1999/00 | Quarterfinals (first leg) | Real Madrid 0-0 Manchester | |
| Quarterfinals (second leg) | Manchester 2-3 Real Madrid | ||
| 2002/03 | Quarterfinals (first leg) | Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester | |
| Quarterfinals (second leg) | Manchester 4-3 Real Madrid | ||
| 2012/13 | Round of 16 (first leg) | Real Madrid 1-1 Manchester | |
This is the second time the Whites play in Manchester this season. The last match was a Champions League clash against City on 21 November, but it’s Cristiano Ronaldo who has the real comeback story. The Real Madrid striker, in exceptional form, will return to Old Trafford for the first time since leaving the English side. In the words of Alex Ferguson, United boss, “he’ll get a special ovation”.
| Venue name | Old Trafford | ||||
| Referee | Cüneyt Cakir from Turkey | ||||
| Round | 1/8 | ||||
| Manchester United formation | 4-2-3-1 | ||||
| Real Madrid formation | 4-2-3-1 | ||||
| »Likely Lineups | |||||
| Goalkeeper: David De Gea Defence: Nemanja Vidic Defence: Rio Ferdinand Defence: Rafael da Silva Defence: Patrice Evra Midfield: Shinji Kagawa Midfield: Wayne Rooney Midfield: Anderson Midfield: Michael Carrick Midfield: Danny Welbeck Forward: Robin van Persie Coach: Sir Alex Ferguson | Goalkeeper: Diego Lopez Defence: Raphael Varane Defence: Alvaro Arbeloa Defence: Fabio Coentrao Defence: Sergio Ramos Midfield: Mesut Özil Midfield: Cristiano Ronaldo Midfield: Sami Khedira Midfield: Xabi Alonso Midfield: Angel Di Maria Forward: Gonzalo Higuain Coach: Jose Mourinho | ||||
Expert Edge; I am being put on the hotseat by fans to predict the final outcome tonight.It is a cracker expected to attract lots of fireworks at the theatre of dreams.I am on the neutral end tonight.
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