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El Clasico has taught us one thing - United are in trouble
Joseph Sexton
Be afraid United - be very afraid
It’s been no secret that Real Madrid have thrown in the towel where the league is concerned, so this tie was always going to offer the best indicator of their health leading into their two meetings with Manchester United. In both the home first legs they conceded sloppily and ended up drawing 1-1. Away goals are not all they’re cracked up to be ahead of home second legs, and the devastating speed with which Real sliced through Barcelona will leave Ferguson wondering whether to stick or twist at Old Trafford. Any lapse in concentration could prove fatal.
Cristiano Ronaldo: the ultimate big game player?
If ever a myth needed blowing out of the water for good, it was the lazy one about Cristiano Ronaldo not doing it in the big games. The Portuguese capped off a wonderful display with the night’s two crucial goals, marking the 6th consecutive game where he’s scored at the Camp Nou. Earlier this season, he broke the record for consecutive goals in clashes between these heavyweights. Add to that league clinching goals (one on this very ground last April), winners in Champions League quarter-finals, goals in the semis and final of that competition, English FA Cup and League Cup Finals, and that Copa Del Rey winner in 2011 and it’s clear this is a man at the peak of his powers, who revels on the highest stages.
Captain Caveman may not be long for this game
For two years now, Carles Puyol has been engaged in a running battle. The opponent has been arguably the toughest he’s faced in his career: his own creaking body. It used to be that Barcelona would work on keeping him fit for the very biggest games, and for a time that measured approach seemed to be working. It’s only been 15 months since he expertly shut down Cristiano Ronaldo in their 3-1 win at Bernabéu. But here he was a sorry sight, and if it’s true that he was left too exposed at times, it’s the last ditch stuff that has always been his forte. Not here though, and having missed out on options like Thiago Silva and Javi Martínez last summer, Barcelona will have to prioritise recruiting a new centre half in the summer.
Joseph Sexton
Be afraid United - be very afraid
It’s been no secret that Real Madrid have thrown in the towel where the league is concerned, so this tie was always going to offer the best indicator of their health leading into their two meetings with Manchester United. In both the home first legs they conceded sloppily and ended up drawing 1-1. Away goals are not all they’re cracked up to be ahead of home second legs, and the devastating speed with which Real sliced through Barcelona will leave Ferguson wondering whether to stick or twist at Old Trafford. Any lapse in concentration could prove fatal.
Cristiano Ronaldo: the ultimate big game player?
If ever a myth needed blowing out of the water for good, it was the lazy one about Cristiano Ronaldo not doing it in the big games. The Portuguese capped off a wonderful display with the night’s two crucial goals, marking the 6th consecutive game where he’s scored at the Camp Nou. Earlier this season, he broke the record for consecutive goals in clashes between these heavyweights. Add to that league clinching goals (one on this very ground last April), winners in Champions League quarter-finals, goals in the semis and final of that competition, English FA Cup and League Cup Finals, and that Copa Del Rey winner in 2011 and it’s clear this is a man at the peak of his powers, who revels on the highest stages.
Captain Caveman may not be long for this game
For two years now, Carles Puyol has been engaged in a running battle. The opponent has been arguably the toughest he’s faced in his career: his own creaking body. It used to be that Barcelona would work on keeping him fit for the very biggest games, and for a time that measured approach seemed to be working. It’s only been 15 months since he expertly shut down Cristiano Ronaldo in their 3-1 win at Bernabéu. But here he was a sorry sight, and if it’s true that he was left too exposed at times, it’s the last ditch stuff that has always been his forte. Not here though, and having missed out on options like Thiago Silva and Javi Martínez last summer, Barcelona will have to prioritise recruiting a new centre half in the summer.