The biggest matchup of the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League is the battle between Real Madrid and Manchester United. The two titans have met four times with Madrid winning three of the meetings. The latest battle is set to showcase a number of interesting matchups and stories.
One of those interesting battles will feature the two goal keepers representing each squad. Let us take a look at which of the keepers gives his team the edge.
David De Gea (Manchester United)
The Spanish goal keeper was the main subject of transfer rumors throughout January. His inability to adapt to the physical nature of English soccer and some poor play in the air had many pundits claiming that Manchester boss Sir Alex Ferguson was ready to part ways with the youngster. However, the transfer window has closed and Ferguson has allowed De Gea to take over the reigns as the number one keeper for United. In the premier league De Gea has pitched four clean sheets in 17 starts and has made a total of 66 saves this season. De Gea also started five of the six UCL matches this season and won four of those. In the UCL he has allowed five goals in five games and pitched one clean sheet against Galatasaray.
De Gea has played Real Madrid six times in his career. Four of those matches were Spanish league bouts while two were Copa Del Rey encounters; he has allowed 14 goals in those six matches. He played all of those matches while a member of Atletico Madrid.
Diego Lopez (Real Madrid)
After his performances against Barcelona and Granada, it is safe to say that January acquisition Diego Lopez is the new number one at the Santiago Bernabeau. Against Barcelona, Lopez made a number of game savers including a late parry of a Jordi Alba shot from the left side. While a member of Villarreal, Lopez faced off against Manchester United in the 2008-09 version of the UCL; the two sides drew 0-0 in both of the matches in the group stage.
Edge: Lopez is far more experienced than De Gea, but he has played fewer matches with his team mates than the Manchester keeper has with his. Additionally, De Gea has been playing in the UCL this season while Lopez has not played in the competition since 2011. Both goal keepers will be under attack consistently but Lopez has a more reliable set of defenders in front of him. However, De Gea's tremendous reflexes should not be overlooked. This is even with a slight edge in favor of Lopez.