The most anticipated matchup in the upcoming Champions League is the battle between Real Madrid and Manchester United. A number of major stories have surrounded the two clubs over the last few weeks and some speculate that the teams may swap goalkeepers prior to the heavyweight tilt. With less than one month before the big match, which team has the advantage?
A recent feature by ESPN's Graham Hunter asserts that with three weeks to go before the matchup, Madrid is starting to approach its most "devastating" form. Since the start of the New Year, the team has looked invincible offensively and defensively in all but one match: a 0-0 draw with Osasuna. However, that match aside Jose Mourinho's crew has struck on all cylinders. Questions lingered about Iker Casillas' form after the keeper was left out of the 3-2 loss to Malaga in late December. He came in to relieve Antonio Adan against Real Sociedad and despite conceding three goals, Casillas look good. It must also be taken into account that Madrid played the entire match a man down and still managed a 4-3 win. Since that game Casillas has not allowed a single goal however and has made key saves whenever necessary.
In 2013, Madrid has scored 15 goals in five matches. The catalyst for the tremendous offensive outburst has been superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Since the 2012 Ballon d'Or awards show on Jan. 7, Ronaldo has scored five goals. He has a total of seven in the new calendar year. He scored a brace against Real Sociedad and then added a hat trick just two days after losing the Ballon d'Or. This past weekend, he scored another two goals and added an assist in Madrid's 5-0 thumping of Valencia. However, the offensive prowess does not end with Ronaldo. Angel Di Maria found his scoring touch with a brace against Valencia. Sami Khedira has scored two goals in 2013 after only scoring one goal to start the 2012-13 season. Karim Benzema has also scored a pair of goals in 2013 and has looked dangerous in the last few games.
After ending 2012 on a tear, Manchester United has toned down its play a bit. The offense has not looked as potent and the defense, while still shaky, has tightened up a bit. Since the turn of the New Year, Manchester has won three and drawn twice. In five matches, the team has scored 10 goals and only conceded four. Manchester's offense likely will not be a problem against Madrid as the team has the reliable trio of Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, and Javier Hernandez to provide ample goals.
However, the defense continues to be a question mark. The team has tightened up in that department, but as evidenced in their last match against Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United is prone to surprising defensive breakdowns.
The biggest issue for Manchester is in goal. David De Gea maybe under Manchester's list to be traded and backup Anders Lindegaard may also be under the same list. With the offensive prowess of Madrid, the lack of a quality keeper in the first of the two matches could prove to be a major issue for United. With Casillas at his best in Madrid's net, this battle could easily sway in Madrid's direction.
Match Days:
Feb. 13 at Madrid
March 5 at Manchester
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