UEFA Champions League/Europa League 5/6/7 March *** Spoilers ***

Cosimo

Cosimo

Cosimo

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Champions League Round of 16, Leg 2

Tuesday 5 ​

Man Utd v Real Madrid, (1-1), 19:45, ITV and Radio 5 live
Borussia Dortmund v Shakhtar Donetsk, (2-2), 19:45, Sky Sports 2​

Wednesday 6 ​

Juventus v Celtic, (3-0), 19:45, Sky Sports 2 and Radio 5 live
Paris SG v Valencia, (2-1), 19:45, Sky Sports 4​


Europa League Round of 16, Leg 1

Thursday 7​

Anzhi Makhachkala v Newcastle, 17:00, ITV 4
Steaua Buch't v Chelsea, 18:00, ESPN
Tottenham v Inter Milan, 20:05, ITV and Radio 5 live

The Rest

Plzen v Fenerbahce, 18:00
VfB Stuttgart v Lazio, 18:00
Benfica v Bordeaux, 20:05, ESPN
FC Basel v Zenit St P'sbg, 20:05
Levante v Rubin Kazan, 20:05​
 
Still have no idea which way our tie is going to go, the away goal we've got could quite conceivably be wiped out within minutes of the game on Tuesday. There's no doubt about it we're playing Real at the worst possible time, 2 wins over Barca is going to have them brimming with confidence so I hardly see them being concerned about coming to OT :(

As for team selection like the first leg I dont know who I want to see Fergie play, no Nani and Cleverley only appearing for 10 minutes or so on Saturday would suggest they'll maybe be involved but then there was no Giggs against Norwich either and that makes me slightly nervous about what Fergie might be thinking (as does him getting carried away with Kagawa's hat trick). For me I'd like to see this;

--------------De Gea--------------
Rafael--Ferdinand--Vidic--Evra
Nani---Cleverley---Carrick---Welbeck
---------------Rooney
----------------RVP

Subs: Lindegaard, Evans, Giggs, Kagawa, Valencia, Hernandez, ???

If Jones is passed fit though then after his performance in the first leg I dont have a problem sacrificing a bit of attacking intent in Cleverley to bring him in to do a defensive job.
 
It seems unlikely that Vidic would feature, based on recent recent games after he's played. As much as Evans has improved I would feel far better if Vidic started this one...
The team I suspect we might see is:

--------------De Gea--------------
Rafael--Ferdinand--Evans--Evra
Welbeck---Giggs---Carrick---Kagawa*
---------------Rooney*
----------------RVP

*or the other way around
But it's impossible to predict really, there's almost no telling which 11 from perhaps 20 players will start.
 
johnyccc said:
--------------De Gea--------------
Rafael--Ferdinand--Evans--Evra
Nani /AV---Cleverley---Carrick---Kagawa
---------------Rooney
----------------RVP

.
Click to expand...

Thats what I suspect although that could also be 4-3-3 as well

I cant see Vidic playing either tbh (and I just hope Rio really didnt have the flu otherwise that would really scupper our chances, as Evans /Smalling rarely convince in a pairing)

As for Real beating Barca twice in the last week, is that their form coming to the good or Barca not having a plan B due to their manager being ill? Players still had to win, and they did very well indeed but its not like Real's form is exceptional this season (far from it really). Barca arent the all-conquering side they used to be so its hard to read

Tuesday night isnt going to be easy who-ever turns up on either side.
 
Saw in the papers this morning:

Ryan Giggs has been made to wait for his 1,000th career appearance, but the Old Trafford veteran could not have asked for a grander occasion to celebrate reaching the personal milestone. Although Giggs was left out of United's squad for the win over Norwich, manager Sir Alex Ferguson promised that the 39-year-old will feature against Real Madrid tomorrow. 'He'll be involved on Tuesday,' confirmed Ferguson. 'We couldn't miss that moment for the lad. He deserves it.'
Click to expand...

Well that's encouraging :/
 
It could go our way tomorrow night, it could go quite badly wrong.

If Ronaldo is ridiculously fired up you just can't stop him, we have to pray that he misses. :(
 
It was said directly after the Norwich game when asked.

It's not surprising that he's saved his 1,000th appearance for a CL game at home to Madrid, considering the occasion. If he's in from the start it will get the crowd going too and if he comes off the bench the crowd will go mad and lift the team too.

I'm not saying I want him to start, by the way. Because I don't. But he can do a job for the last 20 minutes or more, if not played central mid.
 
Bucket said:
I'm not saying I want him to start, by the way. Because I don't. But he can do a job for the last 20 minutes or more, if not played central mid.
Click to expand...

+1

He deserves it, and the crowd lift with 20 or so minutes to go should be immense (especially if Utd still have something to play for at that point.....)
 
FrankJH said:
I cant see Vidic playing either tbh (and I just hope Rio really didnt have the flu otherwise that would really scupper our chances, as Evans /Smalling rarely convince in a pairing)

As for Real beating Barca twice in the last week, is that their form coming to the good or Barca not having a plan B due to their manager being ill? Players still had to win, and they did very well indeed but its not like Real's form is exceptional this season (far from it really). Barca arent the all-conquering side they used to be so its hard to read
Click to expand...

Two things with this;

1- do you care the list these games where Smalling and Evans have rarely convinced as a pairing? I like to think I have a fairly good memory and the only time I think they've ever played together was the recent FA Cup tie against Reading and they did fine. It's a moot topic anyway as its not going to come down to only having those two available for selection anyway.

2- in terms of Madrids form why do you give an opinion on it yourself? It's obviously an indirect reply to what I said about their form so instead of your usual sit on the fence rhetorical questions why don't you actually give an opinion? In answer to your question though whether Madrid were brilliant or Barca were poor beating them twice in whatever circumstances is going to give confidence a boost and they're in far better shape now because of those games than when we played them the first time
 
The way Real have been playing lately, battering Barca twice in less than a week...i wouldnt at all be surprised if they tear Utd a new one.

Hopefully Real will do the job at OT tommorrow night...should be a cracker either way. Just a shame its on ITV :/.

Also looking forward to the Dortmund game as that is another evenly poised fixture.
 
Tom84 said:
Two things with this;

1- do you care the list these games where Smalling and Evans have rarely convinced as a pairing? I like to think I have a fairly good memory and the only time I think they've ever played together was the recent FA Cup tie against Reading and they did fine. It's a moot topic anyway as its not going to come down to only having those two available for selection anyway.

2- in terms of Madrids form why do you give an opinion on it yourself? It's obviously an indirect reply to what I said about their form so instead of your usual sit on the fence rhetorical questions why don't you actually give an opinion? In answer to your question though whether Madrid were brilliant or Barca were poor beating them twice in whatever circumstances is going to give confidence a boost and they're in far better shape now because of those games than when we played them the first time
Click to expand...

1.

Against an attack like Madrid a pair of central defenders NEED to have played together a great deal to get through the game without conceeding heavily, the fact Smalling and Evans havent played together recently proves that it wouldnt be an ideal pairing.

I never stated I knew exact games (and to compare Reading to Real Madrid is laughable in the extreme), if they had done "ok" against City or Chelsea (or Barca) then that might be worth mentioning along with RM. I believe they have played a few games together since Smalling's transfer in those positions together (ie not with Smalling at RB) whether its recently or not is irrelevant - although not regularly enough to make Madrid attacking them anything other than a scary proposition. Whether Im thinking of some sub appearances one way or another maybe why Ive got this feeling, and maybe thats unfair but I stand by what I said. Now Rio has been confirmed as playing (as he was "ill" over the weekend) it looks like he will now play, but this hadnt been confirmed when I posted originally , and with the pitch in the state its in I doubt Vidic will play again so soon.

2. "Far from it really" is a pretty accurate reflection on my opinion of RM's form in general has been this season. They have (even previous to the last week) had some very good games along with losses that are nothing short of bizarre. So yes I did state my opinion. The Barca wins are morale boosting for sure, but not as astounding as if the same wins were to have happened a season or two ago.
 
United will need to take their chances tomorrow but I still think Real Madrid are being overestimated (like they were in the first leg which United could have won), so they beat Barcelona twice this past week but Celtic very nearly did the same a few months ago, Real Madrid are the same team they were last season it's Barcelona who are just dire at the moment.

Whatever happens it promises to be a great match. :cool:
 
FrankJH said:
I never stated I knew exact games (and to compare Reading to Real Madrid is laughable in the extreme), if they had done "ok" against City or Chelsea (or Barca) then that might be worth mentioning along with RM.
Click to expand...

I never said Reading were comparable with Madrid, you said Evans and Smalling rarely convince as a pairing meaning they have a history of not playing well as a pair (a claim you then cant back up). I simply mentioned the Reading game as it was the most recent example of them playing together and looking anything other than unconvincing.

FrankJH said:
The Barca wins are morale boosting for sure, but not as astounding as if the same wins were to have happened a season or two ago.
Click to expand...

You make it sound like Barcelona are suddenly on the decline and 2 wins against them (both home and away) was a piece of ****. They're still walking away with their domestic league title as are we so I guess by your logic when we beat City at Eastlands that meant sod all as well?
 
I'm really looking forward to the games this week, but can't help but think Real Madrid will advance over Manchester United. Real have been exceptional last couple of games and counter attacking play will suit them very well at Old Trafford.
 
Tom84 said:
I never said Reading were comparable with Madrid, you said Evans and Smalling rarely convince as a pairing meaning they have a history of not playing well as a pair (a claim you then cant back up). I simply mentioned the Reading game as it was the most recent example of them playing together and looking anything other than unconvincing.
Click to expand...

No point mentioning that pairing did "ok" vs Reading then.

Just because I dont carry around stats in my head about what players play in which games doesnt make me any less of a fan.

Not that I expect you to admit you were wrong , and yes its from Jan last year but even so as Smalling and Evans dont play regularly as a pair it would be the wrong choice against Madrid for that fact alone

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/jan/23/manchester-united-arsenal-football-tactics

Yes its only one opionion that they havent worked well in a few games in the past but it does mention a number of games where that pairing havent shone.

Tom84 said:
You make it sound like Barcelona are suddenly on the decline and 2 wins against them (both home and away) was a piece of ****. They're still walking away with their domestic league title as are we so I guess by your logic when we beat City at Eastlands that meant sod all as well?
Click to expand...

The AC game which Barca lost recently as well (without even scoring). Yes it was away, but even so it would be interesting to see if Barca have ever lost 3 such high profile games in the last 3 - 4 seasons in such close proximity to each other (did they even have a n other game between the AC defeat and the 1st defeat vs Real).

Of course players like Xavi, Messi etc arent **** , and I never said they were but they are showing a much weaker side to their play recently compared to when Pep was around......as long as the opposiing team can exploit it.

Given how un-competitive the Spanish league is (and Barca and Real get 90% of the tv money) its not that surprising that they are running away with the national league.

Utd's win against City in the league doesnt mean much on the scale of things , no. Great morale boost (esp after last season), and always handy to win the "6-pointers" but it is still only 1 game out of 38. Utd's form in the other games is far more crucial than a single game (a few years ago I seem to recall Utd winning the league even though they lost 5 out of the 6 "six-pointers" that season)

Its a great help to Utd that City lost that game, but its their form against the lower sides which has nearly given Utd the title (as much as Utd's own form in the other matches)
 
After the first leg I was really looking forwards to tonight.

But after Real's last few games. I'm really not any more! :(
 
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