Real Madrid vs Liver pool – A thumping win over rivals Barcelona and then a morale boosting win against Granada, has catapulted Real Madrid to an all time high.
A thumping win over rivals Barcelona and then a morale boosting win against Granada, has catapulted Real Madrid to an all time high.
The Los Blancos return to the Champions League with no defeats under their belt and go into the tie against Liverpool as firm favourites.
Cristiano Ronaldo and company are on an incredible run of form with the Portuguese scoring 22 goals in 15 games for Real Madrid, in all competitions. After thrashing the Merseysiders in the previous meeting, Real Madrid could be guaranteed qualification and top spot if they win the tonight’s tie as well.
Liverpool manager touted the current champions as the ‘best in the world’ and with Bernebeu calling for Liverpool, it’s time the EPL side pulled up the socks. “They are probably the best team in the world at the moment and we really look forward to big games.
When you come up against the best opponents, that is the challenge and what makes you perform to your best,” said the Reds boss.
But with CR7 in no mood to forgive, the Portuguese is just two goals away from being the all-time top goal scorer in the Champions League. More attacking options for manager Carlo Ancelotti is that Welsh wizard, Gareth Bale is ready to start. After missing out three games including the ‘El Clasico’, Bale could make a comeback against his former EPL rival.
If Real Madrid are in full flow, then it’s exactly the opposite for Liverpool. Their woeful form in the Premier League is just painstaking for the fans and with Real Madrid against them; more trouble could come their way. Italian striker Mario Balotelli hasn’t clicked yet and news coming from the visitors is that the manager might drop influential skipper Steven Gerrard onto the bench.
Much of the attacking dependency will rely on the former Inter and AC Milan forward plus the likes of Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana should also provide some attacking flair. But if the trio won’t click, it could spell doom for the former champions. The group is dominated by Real Madrid but Liverpool, like Ludogorets and Basel, have just three points so far and cannot be eliminated even with a defeat.
Going by pure form, Real Madrid are favourites to clinch this tie and this could mean yet another gloom for Brendan Rodgers.
