Champions League - Utd showdown with Real NEWS
With the Champions League last 16 tie in the balance Manchester Utd boss Alex Ferguson has stated that he doesn't expect his team to keep a clean sheet against Real Madrid at Old Trafford tonight.
The second leg match is one of the most highly anticipated games of the season with most observers feeling Utd have only a 50/50 chance of progressing to the quarter-finals after the 1-1 first leg result at the Bernebeu.
Utd will have been pleased to leave Madrid with a precious away goal but they know that the chances of stopping Ronaldo and his all-star team mates from finding the net at Old Trafford are slim, and that they will probably have to outscore them to win the match overall.
Whilst Utd's for has been impressive of late, Madrid have enjoyed a memorable last week in which they've twice beaten their great rivals Barcelona, knocking term out of the Copa del Rey and also winning their league meeting in Madrid on Saturday despite manager Jose Mourinho's decision to start the game without several key regulars.
Utd warmed up for Madrid's visit with a comfortable 4-0 win over Norwich although they only scored goals 2,3 and 4 late on even though, perhaps surprisingly, they started the game with Robin van Persie.
It may be that Ryan Giggs doesn't start the game but I wouldn't be surprised to see him take the field in what will be his 100th game for the club, a fitting occasion that will be sure to provide an electric atmosphere.
A day later the Scottish champions and SPL runaway leaders Celtic will try to do the almost impossible and turn around a 3-0 deficit at the Juventus Stadium.
Celtic did quite well in their home leg but nave defending on their part, and resolute, rugged and, at times, illegal, defending from Juventus saw them leak two late goals to make a tough task even more unlikely. The Hoops have performed well beyond expectations away from home in Europe but surely this particular mountain is just too steep to climb?
Tuesday 5 March
Man Utd v Real Madrid - 7.45pm ko at Old Trafford. This game is really on a knife edge after the 1-1 draw at the Bernebeu in the first leg and most pundits seem to agree on two things - that the game could go either way and that there will be goals. Neither team is really set up to stifle opponents which will make for an absorbing, exciting spectacle, at least for the neutral fans. Phil Jones is out injured, which is a blow but Utd should be able to field all of Robin van Persie, Patrice Evra and Danny Wellbeck who picked up slight knocks against Norwich. Rio Ferdinand may also be available after missing Saturday's game whilst he was recovering from flu. Madrid may have Iker Casillas back between the sticks for the game which will be a major bonus for them. Although Madrid are a dangerous team, capable of winning the whole competition, never mind this match, I really fancy Utd to come out on top.
Wednesday 6 March
Juventus v Celtic - 7.45pm ko at the Juventus Stadium. Celtic need an early goal and a probable miracle if they are to make it to the quarter finals after being well beaten 3-0 in the first leg. Celtic manager Neil Lennon may feel that their 2-1 Scottish Cup quarter-final win over St Mirren has set them up nicely for the trip to Juventus, but its hard to see how the two ties can compare. Its true that, having lost 3-0 at home, Celtic really have nothing to lose in Italy which could make them dangerous opponents, but the harsh reality is that, even though the scoreline at Celtic Park flattered Juve, a Celtic win of sufficient weight to see them through to the quarter-finals would represent a result to eclipse even their victory over Barcelona. I hope Celtic give a good account of themselves, because they have been excellent in Europe, but I can't see them progressing.
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