Manchester United vs Real Madrid Preview II: Let the Battle Commence

Over 2000 years ago, as the Romans conquered much of the globe, their entertainment came in the form of gladiatorial battles. Fights to the death as two skilled warriors battled it out in search of glory and honour in front of a crowd of thousands. Today these gladiatorial battles no longer take place within the walls of the Colosseum, but on immaculately maintained pitches in glittering stadiums scattered across Europe. On Tuesday night, Old Trafford becomes a Colosseum fit to host a battle of epic proportions, as the gladiators of Manchester take on the Titans of Madrid.

While the first encounter provided us with an intriguing prelude to the second leg, the 1-1 score line has left the tie precariously balanced. The match was characterised by two players on opposing teams. For Real Madrid, unsurprisingly it was Ronaldo who stole the show in typical fashion. The £80 million man constantly threatened all over the pitch and justified his the match build up. His leap for the Madrid goal inducing an almost comical array of superlatives, he looked to haunt his former employees with every masterful pass and bewildering step over. Yet Manchester United had their own talisman. Despite a season which can only be characterised by a phrase embedded in the Trequartistas archives- ‘more dips than a Doritos factory’, David De Gea produced an astounding exhibition of world class goalkeeping, stifling the powerful Madrid front line and keeping Man United in the tie. Neither side inflicted the killer blow, however Tuesday nights encounter will see only one team prevail.

Manchester United’s preparation for the game has been relatively low key. Wins over QPR and Norwich barely testing the league leaders, and providing little evidence of how Ferguson will set up his team. The likely loss of the influential Phil Jones- the embodiment of the modern day gladiator- is a cause for concern for United, as his replacement- most likely Cleverley- will struggle to shackle Ronaldo’s majestic talents. Johnny Evans looks set to line up alongside Ferdinand in a partnership which, on paper, will have the likes of Karim Benzema, Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain licking their lips in anticipation. Both players can hold their own against the likes of Reading and Villa, but too often this season the creaking legs of Rio and the wayward positioning of Evans have gifted the opposition needless goals. Against this Madrid side, needless goals are tantamount to suicide. Van Persie, while looking menacing at times in the Bernabeu, failed to truly stamp his authority on the game. His skill however, is beyond question and more than anyone he will be looking to showcase his talent on this worldwide stage.

Real Madrid’s preparation in contrast, has been played out in the spotlight of the ‘El Classico’. Back to back wins over the once insurmountable Barcelona have sent the Spanish media into a frenzy, and seen an intriguing change in the relationship between ‘The Special One’ and his players. High profile fall-outs between Jose and his star players Casillas and Ramos have threatened to derail Madrid’s season, and may have indeed cost them the league title as they sit 11 points behind the league leaders. Yet recent results have suggested a unity amongst the players that has been missing all season, and the recall of Iker Casillas into Madrid’s 23 man squad bodes ominously for Manchester United. Mourinho’s decision to rest the likes of Ronaldo, Ozil, Khedera and Di Maria at the weekend could be crucial, and decimates the argument many opponents of Madrid level at them being a ‘one man team’ (http://thetrequartistas.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/the-lone-rangers.html). Madrid’s season will largely be defined at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, the league seemingly out of their grasp, and there is little doubt that Manchester United face a challenge of epic proportions.

The European pedigree of both sides will once again attract the gaze and attention of the football world. In Mourinho and Ferguson, United and Real are managed by two of the most influential managers ever to have lived, and both will be looking to write another chapter in their distinguished history. Mourinho, returning to his pantomime best in the last few weeks as he titillated the Spanish media, will be looking to make a serious statement in the British press as he faces the possibility of a departure from Madrid in the summer. The Trequartistas, time after time has sought to present clear water between itself and the non-committal, insipid approach to analyse often offered by the likes of Mark Lawrenson, and this article is no different. From the depths of the Old Trafford amphitheatre, it will be Madrid who emerge victorious. In Mourinho they have a coach made for occasions such as this, and in Ronaldo they have a gladiator relishing the battle to come.