Champions League: Manchester United Vs Real Madrid preview

12 February, 2013

When the draw for the Champions League round of 16 took place, it was Real Madrid vs. Manchester United fixture, which grabbed eye balls of football fans world over. The quality of the competition cannot get any better than this with Manchester United closing in to win the English Premier League and Real Madrid lying third in the La Liga standings table. The first leg is going to be played at Bernabeu on February 13 2013.

Manchester United may be on top of the table, but they need to come up with their best game to compete against Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo is going to be an important player for Real Madrid, as he has been in rich goal scoring form. Other players such as Benzema, Ozil, Di Maria are going to play an important role in the offensive scheme of things. If Ronaldo gets going, he is going to make things difficult for Manchester United, his former team.

But, Manchester United has plenty of experience to tackle Madrid players. Rio Ferdinand and Vidic, United's central defenders might be kept busy by Madrid, but these defenders have played alongside Ronaldo so they know his moves well enough. Hence, Ronaldo needs to surprise his former team mates by picking up some new skills from his bag of tricks.

Real Madrid is also aware of the threat that Manchester United poses at Bernabeu. They have two of the best strikers of world football- Wayne Rooney and Van Persie. Persie has been playing to the best of his capabilities in the recent years. Madrid needs to put a strong check on him. Ramos, Madrid's central defender will have his work cut out while defending Persie.

Persie is not the only threat for Real Madrid, as Wayne Rooney also has a strong knack for scoring goals. He is one of the key players for Manchester United. He primarily controls the tempo of the game as well. Welbeck, another youngster, relatively unknown to Madrid but there has been several instances when he has brought laurels for Manchester United with his inspiring performances. He is quick, agile and good on the ball, which all augers well for Manchester United.

Both teams are going to go full throttle during the game, for they would not want to be under pressure when they play the return leg at Old Trafford, Real Madrid's home ground. Hence, the game should be an entertaining one for fans of both the teams as well as neutrals across the globe.