Real Madrid eliminates Manchester United from Champions League Play

Real Madrid came into Old Trafford, and walked out with a 2-1 victory courtesy of a astonishing goal by Luka Modric, and a routine winning goal from United’s former hitman, Cristiano Ronaldo, to advance to the Champions League’s quarterfinals stage  though Manchester opened the scoring via an own goal by Real’s Sergio Ramos. 

 

This was a game that won’t be remembered for spectacular goals and intriguing tactics by both managers, it will be remembered for a call made by Turkish referee Cuynet Cakir, who sent off Manchester’s Nani early in the second half for a charge, studs high, into the midsection of Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa.

Both managers expressed regret that the game did not play out with both teams full complement of players. With Madrid manager Jose Mourinho saying, “[United] were playing very well, they were aggressive and they were compact, I am not speaking about the decision as I am not sure of it. I do think the best team lost.”

The fact is that the decision distracted from what was a riveting match, filled with some awe-inspiring play. Luka Modric’s goal, a brilliant shot off the post, past a sprawling David de Gea. While United’s goal came after a blistering spell of pressure that forced two stops from a frazzled Madrid keeper Diego Lopez.

Some recognition, however, should go to Modric. Coming on in the second half replacing Arbeloa immediately turned Real into a threat combined with Kaka replacing the injured Angel di Maria. Gonzalo Higuain was used to fine effect to pry United’s back line apart with Mesut Ozil, working off Modric, proved to be too slick for United to handle.

Real Madrid Beat Barca for Second Time in a Week

Real Madrid beat Barcelona for the second time in five days with a 2-1 win in La Liga play, this victory should boost Jose Mourinho’s team for its Champions League trip to Manchester United.  Madrid even managed without Ronaldo for much of the match, as Mourinho rested the Portuguese winger until the final half hour with the game against United on Tuesday in mind.

While Madrid remains 13 points behind Barcelona in the league, this result could allow second-place Atletico Madrid to cut the deficit to nine points on Sunday at Malaga. Lionel Messi extended his Spanish league scoring record to 16 straight games when he equalized in the 18th minute to cancel out Karim Benzema’s sixth-minute opener. Sergio Ramos netted the winner in the 82nd minute when he headed in Luka Modric’s corner to give Madrid its first home league victory over Barcelona since 2008.

Midfielders Xabi Alonso and Mesut Oezil were also given a rest, along with forward Angel Di Maria.  Even with several reserved players on the pitch, Madrid picked up where it left off at Camp Nou when a ball intercepted in midfield led to a swift goal in two passes, as Barcelona’s defense conceded a goal for the 13th game in a row. However, Messi made sure Barcelona hit back when he beat Madrid’s offside trap to reach Dani Alves’ thru ball, cut back and fired with a sharp left-footed effort.  Mourinho sent on Ronaldo in the 57th and he was able to hit the woodwork with a free kick, in limited playing time. 

Copa de Rey El Classico at the Camp Nou

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid overcame its fierce rival Barcelona 3-1 at the Camp Nou and 4-2 on aggregate to secure their place in the Copa del Rey final. Lionel Messi was inches away from opening the scoring with only 90 seconds on the clock as his instant control and shot on the turn from Pedro's cross flashed across Diego Lopez's goal and narrowly wide.

 

But it was Real who took the lead in the 13th minute when Ronaldo was sent down the wing by Gonzalo Higuain's, and with the Portugal ace drawing a foul from Gerard Pique in the box. While both Pique and Barcelona were infuriated with the call referee Undiano Mallenco's decision was absolutely correct. Ronaldo drilled the ball into the bottom corner and sent goaltender Jose Pinto the wrong way for his sixth successive Classico goal at Camp Nou.

 

Supports at the Camp Nou thought Barcelona had equalized approaching half-time as Messi rippled the outside of the net with a low free-kick. Real made it 2-0 on another counter-attack as a long ball out of defense was chased down by Angel Di Maria, who turned Carles Puyol inside and out and took a shot that was saved by the feet of Pinto, but the ball rebounded to the waiting Ronaldo to control and convert in the 57th minute for his 2nd of the match.Any hopes Barcelona had of mounting an improbable comeback were outdone when Raphael Varane, produced a towering header from a corner.

Real Madrid: 5 Players in Line to Be the Next Galactico

Neymar, the Brazilian forward who has been dubbed "the new Pele" has a lot of hype to live up to.  Known for his amazing dribbling ability, Neymar is more an individual than a team player. Comparing him to the top two in the world is a bit premature, but he's more in the style of Cristiano Ronaldo rather than Lionel Messi.

Leading the next generation of pint-sized Spanish midfield geniuses is Francisco Roman Alarcon Suarez, or "Isco" as he is known in most parts of Spain. His work ethic and vision in the midfield make him a valuable asset, and his burst of pace, albeit not so great over a long distance, allows him to create space in the playmaker role.

David De Gea has shown many points of promise during his time with the Red Devils. Even despite his occasional gaffe, De Gea is going to be a top goalkeeper, there's no questioning that and with Iker Casillas' future at Real Madrid far from certain, De Gea could be tempted with a return to Madrid if the pressure gets the better of him at Old Trafford.

Real Madrid will always be wondering what could have been when it comes to Sergio Aguero.  56 Premier League games have seen Aguero assembly an impressive return of 32 goals.  Only the Real Madrid hierarchies know how close Aguero was to joining Los Merengues prior to his sale to Manchester City. 

It could be time for Edinson Cavani to leave Napoli as his record for Napoli has unsurprisingly seen their stock rise incredibly.  He has not even reached 100 games yet for Walter Mazzari's side, and he's already scored 67 goals.