Manchester United vs Real Madrid

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gooDevil said:
The nice thing about the 4231 is that it looks very much like that when we're on offense, and turns into a 451 when we don't have the ball.

From what I can tell, 4231 can become 451, 442, 433 or 4411 at need, which is why I'm a big fan.
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I also think one of our major strengths is that we possess players who are completely happy to put in a dog-like shift if it means we win in the end. We might have what looks like super attacking players in the lineup on paper, but they'd more than willingly put in a defensive shift if they need to.. Rooney exemplifies this and I think Nani and Welbeck are capable of this too - hence I don't believe we need to negate our own threat by putting in Valencia.

Nightingale said:
Extremely anxious for the match to begin already. Read on ESPN that Jones is out, but also



I love Giggs, but lets be honest here. In what scenario would he make a positive impact tomorrow against Real Madrid? He would be a liability either through the center or out wide.
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I think Giggs has a massive role to play if the game is tight and one of the wingers is ineffective. He's looking very fresh right now.. and looks upto it in this moment in time. I wouldn't start him mind you, especially not in a midfield role.
 
Pexbo said:
If we need a goal with 30 minutes to go, he's the first I'd throw on.
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Wow, that's interesting. Over Hernandez, Welbeck or Nani (assuming the latter two don't start)? Of course there will be a lot of variables in the equation in terms of how the game is being played etc and I would love to see Giggs rewind the clock, but I just think we have a wealth of attacking options currently more dynamic than Giggs.
 
Raees said:
I also think one of our major strengths is that we possess players who are completely happy to put in a dog-like shift if it means we win in the end. We might have what looks like super attacking players in the lineup on paper, but they'd more than willingly put in a defensive shift if they need to.. Rooney exemplifies this and I think Nani and Welbeck are capable of this too - hence I don't believe we need to negate our own threat by putting in Valencia.
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I agree completely, Raees.
 
Nightingale said:
Wow, that's interesting. Over Hernandez, Welbeck or Nani (assuming the latter two don't start)? Of course there will be a lot of variables in the equation in terms of how the game is being played etc and I would love to see Giggs rewind the clock, but I just think we have a wealth of attacking options currently more dynamic than Giggs.
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Dynamism is important over a 90 minute period, but the eye for a killer pass, quality decision making, composure to finish.. Giggs still possesses that and in a 30 minute period, if he is very fresh.. he'd be on par with them if not superior in some respects.
 
The relationship between United and Madrid seems to have improved since Mourinho took over them. Fergie couldn't stand them before.
 
Raees said:
Dynamism is important over a 90 minute period, but the eye for a killer pass, quality decision making, composure to finish.. Giggs still possesses that and in a 30 minute period, if he is very fresh.. he'd be on par with them if not superior in some respects.
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Agreed that Giggs does possess all the qualities mentioned and has by far the most intelligent footballing brain. I guess I may be underestimating his current fitness level as I initially pictured him being left for dead by nearly any of the RM wingers/fullbacks.
 
Just heard Tim Rich on the radio saying there's a lot of speculation Rooney won't be starting tomorrow...
 
Can't see that happening, he's the perfect player for this match.
 
In before wr8 tells us he'd rather see United play Stoke at home than watch a semi-final between the two biggest clubs in the world.
 
sullydnl said:
Just heard Tim Rich on the radio saying there's a lot of speculation Rooney won't be starting tomorrow...
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I think there's a 1% chance of that happening.

Ronaldo's Mum said:
In before wr8 tells us he'd rather see United play Stoke at home than watch a semi-final between the two biggest clubs in the world.
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I'd obviously rather watch the CL match but I'd be more nervy about a PL match. I'm always quite relaxed about the cup games.
 
I feel much more nervous for this one than the first leg.

Before the first leg I think I'd accepted that we would get beaten (defence mechanism in overdrive perhaps) but now I obviously feel we have a chance which makes the prospect of not progressing hard to face.

I think we'll be sitting deep and looking to frustrate Real and then breaking with long balls down the flank for our wide players to chase. Real's defence don't look comfortable at all when having to deal with long balls that turn them back against their own goal.
 
We are the favourites for this one, I think it's a joke most pundits have Real as favourites. Old Trafford is the difference tomorrow and this team won't lose it. Problem is it could be 2-2 or 3-3.
 
Man-United said:
We are the favourites for this one, I think it's a joke most pundits have Real as favourites. Old Trafford is the difference tomorrow and this team won't lose it. Problem is it could be 2-2 or 3-3.
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Nah, I'd have Madrid as the narrow favourites as well, they have the better team and they're coming into form at the right time. Don't think Old Trafford will make that big a difference, though I might be wrong. If we're gonna come through we need to defend well, for De Gea to be as good as he was in Madrid, to get things spot on tactically and for our big players to step up in a massive way.
 
Real Madrid's recent wins against Barcelona are the reason why folk are getting anxious now. I know that's common sense, but Barcelona were putrid in both games and are nowhere near the beast that comfortably beat us in two Champions League finals. I don't think we're as defensively naive as Barcelona currently are, and thus, I can't see Madrid being as dangerous as they looked in their last two games. I think they'll score, but certainly not three goals like they did at the Nou Camp.
 
Man-United said:
We are the favourites for this one, I think it's a joke most pundits have Real as favourites. Old Trafford is the difference tomorrow and this team won't lose it. Problem is it could be 2-2 or 3-3.
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...
 
Does anybody have a video of the reception Giggs received at Bernabeu? I saw the game but didn't notice it.
 
nahealai said:
Real Madrid's recent wins against Barcelona are the reason why folk are getting anxious now. I know that's common sense, but Barcelona were putrid in both games and are nowhere near the beast that comfortably beat us in two Champions League finals. I don't think we're as defensively naive as Barcelona currently are, and thus, I can't see Madrid being as dangerous as they looked in their last two games. I think they'll score, but certainly not three goals like they did at the Nou Camp.
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I'd agree that we shouldn't read to much into the games against Barcelona, but I've always thought Madrid would be favourites for these two games as they simply have the better team. Pleased as I was with the result and performance in Madrid I still didn't see anything to convince me that Madrid shouldn't still be regarded as favourites to go through.
 
I've had couple of texts from the club asking to be in our seats at least 10 mins before kick off because there will cards on the seats to be held up to create a mosaic and a "surfer flag" will travel across the stand. Looks like they're recognising the scale of this fixture across the world. Should add to atmosphere and sense of occasion. SAF/North stand.
 
I think Madrid are favorites because not many teams can actually stop them from scoring. And Im pretty sure they will get an away goal tomorrow night. So us scoring FIRST is going to be the most important thing. If they score us, then its advantage them and they might hit us on the break when we are looking for a goal.
 
I think before Kagawa's hat trick at the weekend, Giggs was nailed on to start but its given SAF something to think about and Hansen actually made a good point on MOTD for once in saying he could bring Giggs off the bench for his 1000th game and instantly get a massive boost from the crowd.

--Carrick - Cleverley
Nani - Kagawa - Rooney
--------RVP

Every chance with that lineup, perhaps gives Ronaldo a bit more freedom than you would like but if it comes down to one team outscoring another, I fancy us big time.
 
RDCR07 said:
I think Madrid are favorites because not many teams can actually stop them from scoring. And Im pretty sure they will get an away goal tomorrow night. So us scoring FIRST is going to be the most important thing. If they score us, then its advantage them and they might hit us on the break when we are looking for a goal.
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Quite a few teams have stopped Madrid from scoring in La Liga this season. Quite mediocre teams too. All of them away from home I think.

As for us, we've only failed to score twice in the league this season.
 
acrebo said:
I feel much more nervous for this one than the first leg.

Before the first leg I think I'd accepted that we would get beaten (defence mechanism in overdrive perhaps) but now I obviously feel we have a chance which makes the prospect of not progressing hard to face.
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This is happening for me too, big time. It's a fecked up world when being more confident makes you more anxious.

As with most matches, what worries me the most is the idea that we'll underperform. If we play well and Madrid play better and beat us, then fair enough. But I hate thinking after a loss that if we'd played to our ability, we'd have won.
 
If you knock us out tomorrow, I'll be rooting for you guys to win the whole thing. I'm more confident than in the first leg though, which is strange. Whatever the outcome, let's put on a show.
 
I am just so excited for this one. I am more excited for this game than I was for the Champions League final against Barca.
 
Vato1979 said:
If you knock us out tomorrow, I'll be rooting for you guys to win the whole thing. I'm more confident than in the first leg though, which is strange. Whatever the outcome, let's put on a show.
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The Pitchforks have been prepared Vato. Nothing you say now can change it!
 
wr8_utd said:
I'd obviously rather watch the CL match but I'd be more nervy about a PL match. I'm always quite relaxed about the cup games.
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Where do you live if you don't mind me asking? I don't understand how the CL can not be enormous wherever you are in the world. It's pure magic.

EverReddy said:
I've had couple of texts from the club asking to be in our seats at least 10 mins before kick off because there will cards on the seats to be held up to create a mosaic and a "surfer flag" will travel across the stand. Looks like they're recognising the scale of this fixture across the world. Should add to atmosphere and sense of occasion. SAF/North stand.
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Man, you are the luckiest guy I know. I would do a lot of things to be at the match tomorrow. I consider myself blessed to even watch it, nevermind what I'd consider myself if I was actually at the game....
 
I'm not sure Welbeck should start this one. It's going to be a game where every single chance in the final third is crucial, and where we need to be clinical. Welbeck does alot of good work in the buildup, but always screws up when it matters (the finishing). I'd rather see Nani or Kagawa.

----------RVP----------
Nani/Kagawa-----Rooney--
---------Giggs-------
----Carrick---Cleveley--
 
I think I would start Nani and Kagawa on the wings and then bring on Giggs and Welbeck after the hour mark to replace Kagawa and Cleverley.
 
Vato1979 said:
If you knock us out tomorrow, I'll be rooting for you guys to win the whole thing. I'm more confident than in the first leg though, which is strange. Whatever the outcome, let's put on a show.
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If we win, we are happy. If we lose, you get banned. Win- win!

:devil::lol:
 
feck all you cnuts. I'm going to be sitting at work - there isn't even a fecking pub or bar near me showing this.
 
Jose giving interviews to MUTV and Paddy Crerand. Interesting....
 
NM said:
feck all you cnuts. I'm going to be sitting at work - there isn't even a fecking pub or bar near me showing this.
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Yeah my jobs the same. Good job I think in advance and book games off. :-D
 
Hilarious! My daughter, who knows nothing about the caf, just stated that she has "a bad feeling" about the game tomorrow (it's still tomorrow for us on the west coast of North America).

I remain confident, even defiant, in face of all that conspires against us.
 
AARRONB06 said:
Yeah my jobs the same. Good job I think in advance and book games off. :-D
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I did.. But then a co-worker wanted a last minute vacation so I felt bad putting my manager in a spot. So said I'd work. I'm a fecking IDIOT.

Doubt I'm going to sleep tonight..

Listening to the 09 Opening ceremony to get me even more pumped. Did the same before the first leg.

Won't post it here unless somebody wants me to - we lost then.
 
Missing chunk of first half due to a test. Ideally, if I could finish the test in 15 or so minutes I will still have to catch the bus and miss at least 10 minutes. FML
 
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