Real Madrid vs Liverpool [Match Thread] CL Round 2, Leg 1 Wednesday 25 Feb 19.45

LuckyLloyd · 23-02-2009 12:45pm #1

Estadio Santiago Bernabéu

Two of the most successful clubs in the history of the European Cup go head to head. Real knocked six goals in at the weekend and closed the gap at the top of La Liga by three points in the process. They have been ticking along nicely over the past couple of months under Ramos and have now won 9 games on the bounce.

Bookies take:

Ladbrokes have both teams at 5 / 6 to qualify; but have Wednesday night priced as:

Real to win Evens ; Draw 2 / 1 ; Liverpool 5 / 2

This is going to be a bumpy ride for Liverpool. The optimism evident when the draw was originally announced now appears horribly misplaced. That Liverpool fans and fans of other clubs expect Liverpool to progress from ties like this says a huge amount about how successful Benitez has proved in the European arena since 2004 - following on from the strides Houllier made early in the decade.

But this is another tough ask. Real always have the ability to light it up, and any team is in danger of being cut open over the course of 90 minutes in the Bernabéu. A good first half hour from Liverpool is vital. If they can quell the crowd and slow the pattern of the game to take things back to Anfield then progression is possible. But any complacency will be punished.

The entertainers play the grinders. Should be fun!

Boggles · 23-02-2009 12:48pm

Edit: Nevermind

I'm going for Real 2-1. Liverpool to get the vital away goal scoring first.

Liverpool play the Champions of Spain and the Champions of England within 4 days, Rafa to concentrate on CL IMO.

joe123 · 23-02-2009 1:05pm

Its going to be a tight but I reckon we will get through.

The league is gone now no way will united loose 7 points theres more of a chance we will loose more.

Rafas priority is the CL now...:(

carlop · 23-02-2009 1:11pm

When the draw was made this appeared like it could be relatively comfortable for Liverpool, or at least as comfortable as Real Madrid in the CL will ever be. However, while Real have obviously started to play more like we would expect of them, I feel the deciding factor in this game will be Liverpool's defence. It hasn't been anywhere near its meanest best in recent weeks, and if there is no improvement on Wednesday night they could be in trouble.

Having said that, with Torres beginning to return to form, and if Gerrard plays as I would expect him to, Liverpool should be able to nick an away goal.

This is an extremely hard tie to predict. Both managers are cup specialists with a proven track record in European competition. If I had to choose I would say Liverpool will progress, as the second leg is at Anfield, where the crowd and Gerrard should both be pumped up. As for Wednesday's game, I think 2-1 as predicted above is a good shout.

mike65 · 23-02-2009 1:15pm

Bring it on! Glad this game is now Real will be expecting a rather tougher game than those pussycats at Betis provided and if they are not, could be in for a rude awakening.

Clearly Alonsos return is vital his composure and control will probably be the strongest card Liverpool has regardless of Gerrards playing or not. I also think Riera could be important here, while he's gone off the boil in the PL I suspect the greater protection of refs and broadly slower pace will be to his advantage.

My prefered starting 11

Reina
Arbeloa--Carra-Skrtle--Aurelio

Masch-Alonso
Kuyt

Gerrard

Riera

Torrres

Subs - Cav, Insua, Dossena, Babel, Benny, Ngog, El Zhar.

If Gerrard is not fit then swap him with Benny keeping the 4-2-3-1 formation.

edit Agger injured so not travelling, selections changed.

jesus_thats_gre · 23-02-2009 1:22pm

I can't ****ing wait for this!!

eZe^ · 23-02-2009 1:30pm

Real Madrid since their defeat at Barcelona have a 100% win record, and have only conceded one goal in 10 or 11 games (I think). Their injury woes have disappeared, and the inclusion of Lassy into their midfield has strengthened them no end. I can see every Liverpool fan and Sky Sports pundit will be thinking this will be a walkover because of their form earlier in the year, but this Madrid side is a completely different team to the one before December.

Time to stick the neck out and make a predictions. I really hope Liverpool win this, but I do think that Madrid will knock them out. Robben will run whoever he is up against absolutely ragged, Higuain has been in devastating form domestically and needs to translate that to Europe, also, Raul have been rejuventated after becoming Madrids highest goal scorer of all time. Their defense is no longer shoddy, only conceding one goal in about two months is an excellent return, and Iker is back to his brilliant best. Madrid are a team peaking at just the right time for the CL, whereas Liverpool seem to really be fading the past two months.

I know, write Liverpool off at your peril, but I honestly think that Liverpool will be over reliant on Gerrard, Mascherano and Torres for this tie. They are the only real world class outfield players in the team, and seeing as Torres still needs to find his form after injury, and Gerrard is doubtful, I just think Madrid will have too much quality in Midfield and up front.

Madrids formation;

Casillas

--Ramos

Pepe

Cannavaro

Heinze--

Robben

Lassy

Gago

Marcelo /Sneijder

Higuain

Raul

Liverpool?

Reina

Arbeloa

Skrtel

Carra

Aurelio

Xabi

Mascherano

Kuyt

Gerrard

Reira

Torres

You better hope the fact that Torres is now a Liverpool player means that he won't choke in the Bernabeu, like he did basically every year for Atletico Madrid. Anyway should be an awesome tie and I hope Liverpool go through for the sake of not getting a brain tumor from my Madridista mates.

Also, I'd say A.C Milan would be a more successful European Cup team than Liverpool.

mike65 · 23-02-2009 1:33pm

Two of the most successful clubs in the history of the European Cup

is correct!

whatawaster · 23-02-2009 1:37pm

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

The entertainers play the grinders. Should be fun!

I'd hardly call us entertainers!

Bubs101 · 23-02-2009 1:40pm

Madrid have too much quality for Liverpool and are on stunning form but so were Barca when Liverpool humbled them at home. On paper it's an easy Real win but lord knows that Liverpool's paper projections are rarely right

Headshot · 23-02-2009 1:42pm

this could be the match of the week imo

I taught it was going to a easy win for pool,but R.Madrid have been playing great stuff

im going of a 1-1

liverpool to get a vital away goal

LuckyLloyd · 23-02-2009 1:46pm

whatawaster wrote: »

I'd hardly call us entertainers!

I'd hardly call them grinders!

whatawaster · 23-02-2009 1:48pm

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

I'd hardly call them grinders!

before this weekend there are many who would have. I think they may rely more on Robben for creativity than we do on Gerrard.

LuckyLloyd · 23-02-2009 1:49pm

mike65 wrote: »

My prefered starting 11
Reina
Arbeloa--Skrtle--Agger--Aurelio
Masch-Alonso
Kuyt
Gerrard
Riera
Torrres

Subs - Cav, Insua, Carra, Babel, Benny, Ngog, El Zhar.

If Gerrard is not fit then swap him with Benny keeping the 4-2-3-1 formation.

Could not disagree more. Carragher is a big game performer, and capable of inspiring those around him when the backs are against the wall in Europe.

Sizzler · 23-02-2009 1:54pm

And if Madrid needed anymore encouragement to go and win this game, Mr.Alex has just cranked it up a notch :pac:

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/02/23/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Ferguson.html&TEAMHD=soccer

LuckyLloyd · 23-02-2009 1:55pm

whatawaster wrote: »

before this weekend there are many who would have. I think they may rely more on Robben for creativity than we do on Gerrard.

Meh, 10 goals in the last two games. Quality talent throughout the squad (Ramos, Higuain, Raul, Robben, Sneijder, Marcelo). Sure, relative to Barcelona they ain't anything to write home about in terms of ability going forward. But they are up there in terms of European football as a whole...

mike65 · 23-02-2009 1:55pm

re Carra

Fair enough, I'm convinced ball players not hoofers are the way forwards.

It won't happen anyway.

eZe^ · 23-02-2009 1:55pm

Bubs101 wrote: »

Madrid have too much quality for Liverpool and are on stunning form but so were Barca when Liverpool humbled them at home. On paper it's an easy Real win but lord knows that Liverpool's paper projections are rarely right

Don't even go near to making the comparison between the Barca vs Madrid tie. That Barca team was disjointed, Ronaldinho was unmotivated and only scoring from set pieces/ penalties, a shadow of his old self, Eto'o was injured (just coming back from a 6 month injury), likewise for Messi. Eto'o was causing upheaval in the dressing room and announcing his displeasure for Ronaldinho to the press, and Deco didn't care anymore. Barca were nowhere near in stunning form, they BARELY made the knockout stages, people just seemed to still look at them as the glamorous side they were the two years before.

This Madrid side is united, they have won 10 games in a row, conceding only 1. They have a near full strength squad (bar Nistelrooy and Guti), Robben has been devastating, Raul look 23 again and in Higuain they've got one of the best young strikers in world football. Their midfield - Gago and Diarra- are a perfect blend of defense and attack, Casillas has gone back to being the best goal keeper in world football.

Sure, nobody can write off Liverpool, well cos they're Liverpool, but this game is nothing like the Barca vs Liverpool tie two years ago. In this game Liverpool will be playing as favourites, considering how bad Madrid were in earlier CL matches and at the start of the La Liga campaign.

I just wonder how Liverpool will react to being favourites, and if Torres can finally step up to the plate at the Bernabeu and against his old bogey team. Torres thrives on defenders giving him space, he'll rip you up, he has trouble against the really tight intelligent defenses (with the Inter tie last year being the exception). It's gonna be really interesting to see if Cannavaro's intelligent approach, or Pepe's athletic approach will work against him. Madrid do play a tight defense, and Torres will either struggle like he did against Man United last year, or he'll be rampant. I'm hoping for the latter, but I do think it'll be tough.

Highsider · 23-02-2009 1:55pm

joe123 wrote: »

Its going to be a tight but I reckon we will get through.

The league is gone now no way will united loose 7 points theres more of a chance we will loose more.

Rafas priority is the CL now...:(

Rubbish. It aint over till it's over. People are going on like utd are unbeatable for god's sake. Blackburn Rovers played them off the park at times this weekend. Still in with a shout imo.

Bubs101 · 23-02-2009 1:59pm

eZe^ wrote: »

Don't even go near to making the comparison between the Barca vs Madrid tie. That Barca team was disjointed, Ronaldinho was unmotivated and only scoring from set pieces/ penalties, a shadow of his old self, Eto'o was injured (just coming back from a 6 month injury), likewise for Messi. Eto'o was causing upheaval in the dressing room and announcing his displeasure for Ronaldinho to the press, and Deco didn't care anymore. Barca were nowhere near in stunning form, they BARELY made the knockout stages, people just seemed to still look at them as the glamorous side they were the two years before.

I'm well aware that Barca weren't at tip top shape but Liverpool were in alot worse shape than they are in now as well. Sure Bellamy had just nailed someone with a golf club and they had no Torres. The difference in quality in form is comparable when you consider both teams in the respective ties and I was just using the Barca match as an example that Liverpool will pull anything out of the bag at any time in Europe so form is often irrelevant

eZe^ · 23-02-2009 2:02pm

whatawaster wrote: »

before this weekend there are many who would have. I think they may rely more on Robben for creativity than we do on Gerrard.

Ah jesus, you're not serious are you?? Fair enough, they relied on Robben for creativity a few weeks ago, that was when the team rampant with injuries, now they are back to full strength. They have players like Sneijder, Van der Vaart, Raul, Higuain, and Sergio Ramos who can all change the game with one moment of brilliance. Sure Madrid haven't been playing free flowing beautiful football this season, but they have been clinical as fcuk (bar the Villareal and Valencia games) this year. They are devastating on the counter attack and can punish even the smallest mistake. They've scored 55 goals in 24 games, Liverpool have scored 43 in 26, an this has been Liverpools most successful start to a campaign in how many decades?

Bubs101 wrote: »

I'm well aware that Barca weren't at tip top shape but Liverpool were in alot worse shape than they are in now as well. Sure Bellamy had just nailed someone with a golf club and they had no Torres. The difference in quality in form is comparable when you consider both teams in the respective ties and I was just using the Barca match as an example that Liverpool will pull anything out of the bag at any time in Europe so form is often irrelevant

Fair enough point I suppose, but the key difference is, most people are expecting to see Liverpool go through this one, and that's why I think Madrid have an advantage as they are the underdogs.

citytillidie · 23-02-2009 2:05pm

Sizzler wrote: »

And if Madrid needed anymore encouragement to go and win this game, Mr.Alex has just cranked it up a notch :pac:

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/02/23/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Ferguson.html&TEAMHD=soccer

Rafa just has to pin what Van Der Vaart said up on the dressing room wall.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11669_4913767,00.html

Bubs101 · 23-02-2009 2:06pm

eZe^ wrote: »

Fair enough point I suppose, but the key difference is, most people are expecting to see Liverpool go through this one, and that's why I think Madrid have an advantage as they are the underdogs.

How they are considered favourites I just don't know

ibh · 23-02-2009 2:20pm

I think that on paper Real have a slightly better team although i would still take our MF of Mascher & Xabi ahead of Gago and Diarra any day of the week. I'd have Torres ahead of Higuain as well.
I think Arbeloa will prob try and man mark Robben if he plays left. I would prefer him to be marking him than Aurelio and I would be happiest if Dossens stays in Merseyside just to ensure that he plays no part.
Arbeloa is a decent man marker and can stick to a winger like a limpet. I have seen Robben a few times this year and he's been very impressive but i don't think L'pool players would be quaking in their boots over facing him.

I might be wrong but i don't think Raul is going to get any change out of this pool defence although early yellow cards could be a problem.
I would like to see Agger play but again it's so hard to choose 2 from the 3 CB's at the club and so far Agger is the one who gets benched.

Cannot wait for this game and i'm raging that i'm not going to it.

LuckyLloyd · 23-02-2009 2:32pm

Bubs101 wrote: »

How they are considered favourites I just don't know

They are not considered favorites. However, the tie is not considered to be 'a walk in the park for Real on paper' like you posted above. I put up a bookie's pricing of the tie - they reckon it's a dead heat as far as who will qualify. To get to such an assessment, you probably combine Real's recent form with Liverpool's recent European pedigree.

coco06 · 23-02-2009 2:37pm

I think it maybe an entertaining 0-0 draw. Central midfield will be key and i think we slightly have the better players there.

Would Agger be too slow for left back? Carra did allright when he filled in at rb.

There are plenty of people in the liverpool camp that will be looking to impress against Real including Rafa who may be tie up a job there.

I dont know how happy id be to go back to anfield at 0-0. 1-1 i think would be a terrific result.

Highsider · 23-02-2009 2:49pm

Sizzler wrote: »

And if Madrid needed anymore encouragement to go and win this game, Mr.Alex has just cranked it up a notch :pac:

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/02/23/SOCCER_Man_Utd_Ferguson.html&TEAMHD=soccer

Yawn.

PiE · 23-02-2009 3:18pm

1-2 first leg followed by a terrifying 0-1 second leg.

Dave! · 23-02-2009 4:05pm

Real 6-1 Pool

rossie1977 · 23-02-2009 4:19pm

saw real play at the bernabeu against racing about 2 weeks ago, first half they were impressive but second half went off the boil completely and really racing should have got a draw.

everything and i mean everything went through robben in the first half and its was no surprise that real lost all shape going forward when he went off, it was like watching liverpool mid 1990s with mcmanaman pulling the strings. if liverpool let robben dictate we will lose

23-02-2009 4:22pm

eZe^ wrote: »

Liverpool will be over reliant on Gerrard, Mascherano and Torres for this tie. They are the only real world class outfield players in the team

Also, I'd say A.C Milan would be a more successful European Cup team than Liverpool.

Alonso,no??? hes our best player this season.

Yeah, they have one more than us and we have 2 more than united;)

mike65 · 23-02-2009 4:30pm

2 more.

kinaldo · 23-02-2009 4:48pm

rossie1977 wrote: »

saw real play at the bernabeu against racing about 2 weeks ago, first half they were impressive but second half went off the boil completely and really racing should have got a draw.

everything and i mean everything went through robben in the first half and its was no surprise that real lost all shape going forward when he went off, it was like watching liverpool mid 1990s with mcmanaman pulling the strings. if liverpool let robben dictate we will lose

They won 4-0 away from home last week without Robben, so...

Also, they have Sneijder back now who I think was their player of the season last year.

eZe^ · 23-02-2009 4:57pm

Why Winning Is Losing For Juande Ramos
Posted 23/02/09

Tim Stannard
"Interesting. Very interesting," chin-stroked the more thoughtful Madridistas at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night, midway through the second half of their side's dramatic debagging of Betis.

"Hay Liga! Hay frackin' Liga!" screamed the other 75,000 seat-bouncing, birdseed stuffing souls who simply couldn't believe what was happening in a supposedly platonic affair ahead of the infinitely sexier visit of Spanish Liverpool.

"The league is on," agreed battered Betis manager, Paco Chaparro.

Not only had Madrid managed to go 6-1 up by half-time against awful opponents that were 'a disaster' - a description used by dazed and confused central defender, Juan Melli - but they had also enjoyed the realtime audio experience of hearing Barcelona going down 2-1 to Espanyol in the Camp Nou, six hundred or so kilometres away.

And the news of the sensational strikes for the Pericos in the dragon's den brought even bigger cheers from the stands than the ones to celebrate their own team's goals, clearly confusing some of the more simple-minded members of the home side who were left wondering why a crossfield pass was worthy of such a rapturous reception.

A second league defeat of the season for Pep Guardiola's title pretenders had allowed Real Madrid to close the gap on the Catalan club to seven points.

In theory, it's still a hefty divide that Madrid has to jump, but the fact that the difference was a positively chasm-like twelve points just eight days previously, raises a number of questions in la Liga.

Are Barcelona about to embark on the mother of all bottles, something they have a bit of a reputation for?

Are Real Madrid about to embark on the mother of all comebacks, something they also have a bit of a reputation for?

Are Liverpool going to receive a right roasting on Wednesday night?

And has life just gotten considerably harder for Juande Ramos?

The answer to the first two Primera posers is a fence-sitting 'maybe', whilst the third is a firmer 'quite possibly'. However, the fourth response is a vigourous 'definitely'.

When the former Sevilla manager was wheeled into the Bernabeu ejector seat back in December, he had just two main missions to complete. Try to bring some semblance of respectability to the club in la Liga. And win the Champions League.

However, a fortnight after his rapid replacement of the increasingly barmy Bernd Schuster and it looked as if Ramos was going to be let off the hook on both sets of goals.

A defeat at the Camp Nou for Madrid had given an almost unbeatable Barcelona a twelve point lead over the lacklustre league leaders and UEFA had handed Madrid a somewhat testing last sixteen tie over Liverpool - a club with a scary reputation in Spain, both on and off the field.

But then something remarkable started to happen at the start of 2009. Madrid started to win. A lot.

From a truly terrible team that spent Schuster's dying days being gutted by Getafe and stuffed by Sevilla - conceding seven goals along the way - Juande Ramos had, in just a few days, produced a side that did not have the saucy swagger of Barcelona but shared their knack of winning games. Normally 1-0.

'An invincible boredom,' sighed Marca after a one particularly painful victory over Deportivo.

Despite a spell in Spurs that left the English press sniggering at his Spanish ways, Juande Ramos was proving once again, that he is a very fine manager indeed. And extremely flexible too.

He made Sevilla one of the most pant-dampeningly exciting teams ever seen and caused no end of problems for poor old Harry Redknapp by actually winning something during his somewhat shortened spell in North London.

But it has been a very different approach for Ramos at Madrid, a team where there simply wasn't the time to fanny around with fancy football.

Instead, he has built much of the squad's current success on the firm foundations of the meanest, nastiest and undoubtedly dirtiest defences in the game today.

At the centre of this ankle-kicking cabal, a back-on-form Fabio Cannavaro forms a handy sweeping-up partnership with the powerful Pepe whilst Gabriel Heinze and Sergio Ramos continue to hurl themselves around the pitch - and at opposition attackers - with gay abandon.

In Real Madrid's current nine-match winning streak, this brutal back four have conceded just two goals - the second of those being Ricardo Oliveira's cracking strike for Betis on Saturday night.

Should the defence's tough-tackling ways happen to fail, then Iker Casillas is a very handy last line of defence.

After an incredibly iffy first half of the season, the Spain captain has rediscovered his mojo, just in time for the business end of the Champions League and Liverpool.

Juande Ramos' return to la Liga also coincided with the latest resurrection of Raúl, a player who scored a brace against Betis to make him the club's top league scorer of all time. He has also benefited from a (relatively) injury-free Arjen Robben.

As with Messi at Barcelona, there had been a fair few sniggers in Ramos' direction that his side were all hat and no cattle without his Dutch winger, however ten goals in the game and a half against Sporting and Betis that Robben has not been on the field suggests that the side can still function reasonably well without him.

And this is especially so when Madrid have top scorer Gonzalo Higuaí, in their ranks, an Argentine forward who is still little known outside Spain, but not for much longer.

Perhaps the real success story on the pitch for Ramos and Madrid has been the outstanding start for Julien Faubert on the wing.

Just kidding. The real hero of the hour has been Lassana Diarra in the centre of midfield.

The near perfect performances put in by the French international since his arrival from Portsmouth has had Primera pundits scratching their heads as to what kind of insanity allowed him to slip through the clutches of both Arsenal and Chelsea.

So important has 'Lass' been to the Madrid cause that he was given the club's Champions League spot ahead of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, after an administrative balls-up at the Bernabeu meant that only one could play in this season's competition because of UEFA Cup activity with their previous clubs.

Just eight weeks ago, such was the sorry state of Real Madrid that Juande Ramos had to achieve nothing more than try to keep Barcelona's lead at the top of the table to single figures and give Liverpool a bit of a game in the Champions League.

But an unfortunate run of nine straight wins, a wobble from Barcelona and the sensation that Liverpool may not be a scary as previously thought means that the bar of expectation for what Juande Ramos has to achieve is now considerably higher.

Presidential elections set to take place over the summer in the Spanish capital, means that Ramos' stay at the Bernabeu may still be a short one, but in the space of just two months, this quiet, diplomatic but extremely canny man from la Mancha has already seen his reputation as a marvellous manager rightfully restored

.

redout · 23-02-2009 5:00pm

Fergie: Real too slow to rule Europe
Mon 23 Feb, 12:15 PM

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has all-but written off Real Madrid's chances of winning this season's Champions League.Ferguson believes Barcelona and the three other English teams involved in the competition are the biggest threats to his side's hopes of retaining the trophy.

Madrid, according to the Red Devils manager, do not have enough pace in their team to worry the rest of Europe's heavyweight sides.

When asked by French paper Le Journal du Dimanche earlier this month whether Madrid were among the favourites for the Champions League, Ferguson said: "No chance.

"Their game lacks pace. They have great players like (Gabriel) Heinze, (Fabio) Cannavaro, (Fernando) Gago, but they aren't quick. There is (Arjen) Robben, the only one who can give them some rhythm, but he isn't very brave.

"The three English teams - Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal - or Barcelona (are the favourites, along with United). The level of the Premier League is so elevated that it prepares you for games at the highest level.

"And Barcelona can count on a fantastic player - (Lionel) Messi."

The interview was given on February 4 but, since then, Madrid - who take on Liverpool in the last 16 - have won three Primera Liga games in a row, scoring 11 goals in the process.

Indeed, they are on a nine-match winning run in the Spanish top flight and have drawn to within seven points of leaders Barca at the top of the table.

There is no love lost between United and Madrid, especially since their high-profile bust-up regarding the future of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Another player they may compete over in the next few years is Lyon's star striker Karim Benzema.

The France international is one of the continent's hottest prospects and he could leave the French champions this summer.

All of Europe's big guns will have been monitoring the progress of Benzema, and Ferguson is an admirer of the 21-year-old.

"He is an excellent footballer. He makes me think of Zinedine Zidane, the way he positions his body," Ferguson said in the same interview.

"He has big shoulders and excellent control of the ball. The ball is stuck to his feet and defenders can't get a tackle in. But it doesn't mean I want to buy him."

When asked if Benzema could play for United one day, Ferguson added: "You always have to keep an eye on all the best players and how they are developing.

"But Lyon's president (Jean-Michel Aulas) is a sharp man. He sold (Michael) Essien for 38million euros, (Mahamadou) Diarra for 26million euros, (Florent) Malouda for 19million euros, (Eric) Abidal for 16million euros. And I congratulate him for that.

"When we played Lyon last season, at the end of the match, he said, 'Chelsea are making me an offer of 50million euros for Benzema'. I replied to him, 'At that price, I'll leave him to them'!"

Ferguson also revealed he is a big fan of another young France star, Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery.

"He is fantastic," the United boss said. "Always moving and incredible energy.

"He is always going forward but defends a lot too. He would have no problem playing in England."

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/23022009/1/fergie-real-slow-rule-europe.html

dfx- · 23-02-2009 5:22pm

eZe^ wrote: »

You better hope the fact that Torres is now a Liverpool player means that he won't choke in the Bernabeu, like he did basically every year for Atletico Madrid.

If there's one team he's not to score against...that record is unbelievable home and away. Even simple chances he put in in his sleep he misses against them. I think he only scored once in a friendly and maybe in the last game at the Calderon?

whatawaster · 23-02-2009 5:29pm

dfx- wrote: »

If there's one team he's not to score against...that record is unbelievable home and away. Even simple chances he put in in his sleep he misses against them. I think he only scored once in a friendly and maybe in the last game at the Calderon?

Different player now though.

Jazzy · 23-02-2009 6:26pm

get yer mits off my ribery fergie!!!

and rafa - buy him please. sell a goon or 2 to get the money

whatawaster · 23-02-2009 6:49pm

Jazzy wrote: »

get yer mits off my ribery fergie!!!

and rafa - buy him please. sell a goon or 2 to get the money

my god what a difference Ribery would make to Liverpool.

dfx- · 23-02-2009 7:18pm

whatawaster wrote: »

my god what a difference Ribery would make to Liverpool.

Lucas would still be there lurking the darkest corners. The ghost of Traores past is still there too..

200motels · 23-02-2009 7:34pm

I hate to say it but I think the leg could be over after Wednesday 3 0 to Madrid, hope I'm wrong but with the way we're playing which is poor and the way they are playing which is brilliant it could be curtains.

Dave! · 23-02-2009 7:36pm

ahh but Rafa's a genius in Europe remember?

200motels · 23-02-2009 7:41pm

Dave! wrote: »

ahh but Rafa's a genius in Europe remember?

Wouldn't say genius but he has the knack in Europe fair to say, don't think we're good enough to win it anyway.

That_Guy · 23-02-2009 7:58pm

I don't think Liverpool have much of a chance in this at all. Real are a quality side. I watched their game at the weekend and they are just sensational. Liverpool won't get a sniff of goal.

Smegball · 23-02-2009 8:01pm

Liverpool to smother Reals attacks with complete defensive football and to grab one on the break with Torres's pace.

ibh · 23-02-2009 9:19pm

That_Guy wrote: »

I don't think Liverpool have much of a chance in this at all. Real are a quality side. I watched their game at the weekend and they are just sensational. Liverpool won't get a sniff of goal.

Well that's it i'm sure. If you've seen them play well once then they are obviously going to kick our ass. Like, they are second in their league and just 7 points behind the leader with about a dozen games to go... Oh hang on, that sounds familiar...

I think to say Liverpool won't get a sniff of a goal is a bit much. Real have a great keeper and a couple of good defenders. But for me they are still a team that can concede goals.

Unearthly · 23-02-2009 9:50pm

Can't believe people are writing Liverpool off in the champions league under Benitez.

I learned that lesson a few years ago.

Highsider · 23-02-2009 11:33pm

That_Guy wrote: »

I don't think Liverpool have much of a chance in this at all. Real are a quality side. I watched their game at the weekend and they are just sensational. Liverpool won't get a sniff of goal.

Liverpool are a quailty side also and i believe both Real and Liverpool will get a sniff at goal.

Tusky · 24-02-2009 12:05am

Unearthly wrote: »

Can't believe people are writing Liverpool off in the champions league under Benitez.

I learned that lesson a few years ago.

People never learn! Real have a better squad and are in better form. However, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal & Juventus know all too well that you cant write Liverpool off in Europe though.

redout · 24-02-2009 12:21am

I have no major doubts about Liverpool advancing here. Real Madrid have won nine on the bounce since been beaten by Barcelona in december but six of those nine have been against sides in the bottom half of the table while the other three were Valencia 1-0 not convincing, Villarreal 1-0 not convincing, Deportivo 1-0 not convincing. They have scored 22 goals in them nine games yet only one a piece against the three sides they played from the top half of the table so the other 19 came against the six sides in the bottom half which is hardly a shock and not really something to worry Liverpool. Real Madrid have 55 for and 28 against in 24 games GD+27 to Liverpools 46 for and 18 against in 26 games GD+25. So while Liverpool have scored 9 less than Real in two more games they have also conceded 10 less than Real in two more games so its pretty evened out in my opinion. Real's attack looks sharper I suppose but remember that 10 of those goals only arrived in the past week and if not for them then they would have a similar amount to Liverpool so I dont really think this is technically right to say but one thing for sure is that Liverpools defence is much tighter and that cant be argued. I say a score draw in Madrid followed by a Pool win in front of the Kop.

eZe^ · 24-02-2009 12:27am

Real's defensive record under Juande has been formidable Redout, since the Barcelona game they have only conceded 2 goals in 10 games.

Real Madrid vs Liverpool [Match Thread] CL Round 2, Leg 1 Wednesday 25 Feb 19.45

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