Champions League Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid

[Maldeika]

Very exciting this one. I think the thing that may decide it for Bayern is Lahm vs Ronaldo. Lahm has got the better of him every time they met. Meanwhile you could imagine Bayern's wingers tearing the Madrid fullbacks a new one. Arbeloa and Marcelo/Coentrao vs Robben and Ribery? Only one winner there. Obviously Alaba or whoever plays left back for Bayern may struggle against Di Maria, but Bayern will have greater possession and so Di Maria may be penned back defending against Ribery. Midfield is fairly even, but if Schweinsteiger plays Bayern will control possession, Madrid just don't have anyone who can stop him.

Then it comes down to Benzema/Ozil against Badstuber/Boateng and Muller/Gomez against Pepe/Ramos. I would say advantage Madrid there, but not by much and Gomez is good enough to beat those Madrid defenders.

Too close to call imo, but can't wait.

I'm fairly sure Ronaldo plays LW and Di Maria RW.

So Ronaldo v Alaba...no contest.
Di Maria v Lahm....interesting.

If Ronaldo plays left he confronts Lahm as Lahm is back to the right side - that is one of the changes that were made recently to get Bayern back in track. And Alaba has to deal with di Maria - and do not underestimate that young one - he is a peach that has speed and Ribery will do everything to help him. And if you have seen how that kid stands his man like a tower in the central midfield in all of the matches of the austrian national team - and there is no question why he got Austrian's player of the year - he is one that really grows in big matches.

I do not know why Alaba is not in the most of this young talents list - he should be the number one in most of this.

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We are not so sure that Heynckes makes the tactics - somehow it seems that some players around Robben and Müller (after a couple of his interviews about tactics the whole season, the obvious changes after Basel and if you read between the lines in some interviews) do them and Heynckes right now is smart enough to have an open ear to their suggestions... - his job is to keep the moods up...

But even in 1998 Seedorf told that they did not win because of Heynckes but despite of him.

 

[Jumanji]

Lahm plays right back and Alaba plays left back.

So the wings will be Arbeloa/Ronaldo vs Robben/Lahm, and Coentrao/Di Maria vs Ribery/Alaba. I'm assuming Marcelo probably won't play.

To me it looks like advantage Bayern on the wings.

Robben plays on the right, so he would be against Madrid's left side. Marcelo will play over Coentrao if fit.

It would be:

Ronaldo vs. Lahm // Robben vs. Marcelo
Di Maria vs. Alaba // Ribery vs. Arbeloa

Arberloa is usually very consistant and you can be sure he will play well. Don't think I've ever seen him play badly...granted, I don't watch Madrid all the time, just as much as I can.

Marcelo is okay defensively, but just okay. He is fantastic going forward and I could see him causing Bayern some problems with Ronaldo to link up with.

I think Ozil will be up for this match against German opposition.

 

[GHoddle]

Lahm plays right back and Alaba plays left back.

So the wings will be Arbeloa/Ronaldo vs Robben/Lahm, and Coentrao/Di Maria vs Ribery/Alaba. I'm assuming Marcelo probably won't play.

To me it looks like advantage Bayern on the wings.

Robben plays on the right, so he would be against Madrid's left side. Marcelo will play over Coentrao if fit.

It would be:

Ronaldo vs. Lahm // Robben vs. Marcelo
Di Maria vs. Alaba // Ribery vs. Arbeloa

Arberloa is usually very consistant and you can be sure he will play well. Don't think I've ever seen him play badly...granted, I don't watch Madrid all the time, just as much as I can.

Marcelo is okay defensively, but just okay. He is fantastic going forward and I could see him causing Bayern some problems with Ronaldo to link up with.

I think Ozil will be up for this match against German opposition.

Yes that's correct. Idk if Marcelo will play, he doesn't have the defensive quality to stop Robben imo. I would think Jose will choose Coentrao instead.

Still think Bayern has the advantage in the wide areas.

 

[Jumanji]

I don't think Coentrao is any better defensively than Marcelo. If he is, it is marginal imo.

Marcelo provides much more for Madrid and has a better understanding with his team mates, hence why he is favoured by Mourinho.

 

[Jumanji]

Going to be a cracking match!

 

[TCIB]

Gonna be a belter.

Will Ronaldo get fustrated and throw his toys ? or will he get that vital away goal ?
Will Robben do the biz and show Ronaldo who is boss or vice versa ?

Lots of interesting angles in this game.

 

[conormcfc]

Marcelo will play over Coentrao if fit.

I disagree. Mourinho usually plays Coentrao against the top attacking units, he's a better defender.

Still not understanding why so many on here are rating Bayern so highly. Is it because they beat us in the group? We're probably the only top quality team they've beaten all season.

I still expect Real to beat them comfortably over the 2 legs, wouldn't be surprised if they won by 2 or 3 today.

 

[alky313]

This thing will end 4-1 over two legs.

 

[GHoddle]

This thing will end 4-1 over two legs.

Can't see that. Bayern need a result tomorrow, what will play to their advantage in the second leg is that Madrid have the Classico on the weekend, and Bayern have already lost the Bundesliga basically so they can rest key players at the weekend.

 

[Pam]

Bayern V RM

Do you hope RM tear Bayern a new one?