Showdown at Old Trafford

Manchester United versus Real Madrid. Fergie versus The Special One. Oh, and that Ronaldo fellow. This game has all the potential for being a thrilling night at the Theater of Dreams. Ryan Giggs, who will be playing his 1,000th senior level game, did the opposite of downplaying this tie to United supporters. Jose Mourinho rested seven key players against Barcelona so that they would be fit for the game in Manchester. His side that was rested had handily beat Barcelona 3-1 at Camp Nou. The only notable United omission will be Phil Jones as he does well to shield the United back-line.

This game should be a thrilling end-to-end encounter and it is CR7's triumphant return to Old Trafford. I foresee an ovation from the Stretford End no matter the scoreline. He is in blistering form and Real is riding high off of two consecutive El Clasico victories. While Real Madrid is floundering in third in La Liga, United  is still sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League with no legitimate challenger in sight. United did have a confident 4-0 win against Norwich on Saturday so both teams should be firing on all cylinders.

It will be interesting to see if Fergie chooses to play more defensive wingers against Madrid's Di Maria and Ronaldo. However, if Fergie decides to go with a more attacking line-up, get your popcorn ready. Both of these teams are simply too good and their managers too passionate to let this tie become a snoozefest. If you're not into soccer or don't watch it much, watch this game. This game, even though it's the round of 16, may be one of the most thrilling matches to watch in this year's Champions League.

Final score: Real Madrid 3 Manchester United 2 (R. Madrid 4-3 agg.)

Messi, Ronaldo Dazzle El Clasico

This is written by Travis Lankford:

The biggest rivalry in club football was renewed again this past weekend while America was too busy with some sport they incorrectly call football. El Clasico - Real Madrid would face Barcelona at Camp Nou. Their two play-styles are well known and the game was not very surprising but who can turn down watching the two best players in the world play against each other? The argument over which player is the definitive best in the world will never die and surely not after this past game where they both put in amazing performances.

            

Messi, the mercurial, wizard-like little man from Argentina, versus Cristiano Ronaldo, the pretty boy from Portugal that has the attributes of an overpowered created player in a video game, is always a spectacle that dazzles and always lives up to the hype. In terms of the teams, Real Madrid will be sorry for not picking up the full three points against a defense made of two midfielders and a left back. Ronaldo showed how dangerous he is on the counterattack and his world-class finishing. Messi benefited from a fluff by Pepe but that’s Messi, always in the right place at the right time. His free kick was a thing of beauty and it almost seems like he’s guaranteed to score from that range.

            

Barcelona were very fortunate to not lose this game but their possession and Messi is what tipped the balance…and maybe a little from Real Madrid’s poor finishing. It was still a beauty to see those two players face off against each other in one of the most thrilling games of the season. Which player is the best in the world? Cristiano Ronaldo. That should stir up the hornet’s nest. I can’t wait for the game in Madrid!