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Real braces for United after packing off Barca
Source: Agencies |
February 28, 2013, Thursday
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REAL Madrid's crushing victory away to Barcelona to reach the Copa del Rey final has fired out a warning to Manchester United ahead of their Champions League last 16 return at Old Trafford next week.
United manager Alex Ferguson was watching from the stands at the Nou Camp on Tuesday when Real romped to a 3-1 semifinal second-leg victory, helped by a double from the outstanding Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real reached the May 18 Copa final coming back from a 1-1 home draw, the same result United achieved at the Bernabeu in the first leg, to triumph 4-2 on aggregate with a commanding display against its arch-rival.
Despite an inconsistent league campaign which has left Real third, 16 points adrift of leader Barcelona, the team proved it could rise to the occasion when required and batter a side which has beaten United twice in European Cup finals in recent seasons.
"We hope this will be a pivotal moment for us," Real captain Iker Casillas told reporters, when he surprisingly appeared to speak instead of coach Jose Mourinho.
"We are level at 1-1 (with United) and we have to try and score, and to keep a clean sheet. We need to do what we did here at Old Trafford," added Casillas, who is out of action recovering from hand surgery.
Real let the Catalans dominate possession but denied them the space to work their magic, as AC Milan had done when surprising the visitors 2-0 in their Champions League last 16 first leg last week.
Ronaldo outshone World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, scoring in a record sixth consecutive 'Clasico' away from home, the first goal coming from the penalty spot and the second after a trademark fast counter-attack. Raphael Varane scored the other goal for Real while Jordi Alba pulled one back.
The Portugal forward, a former United player who was applauded by visiting fans at the Bernabeu where he headed Real level two weeks ago, hailed the result for its morale-boosting effect. "We want to continue in the same vein," he told Spanish television. "This game gives us enormous confidence for the trip to Manchester."
Real is seeking a 10th European Cup, and Mourinho a third with different clubs, and he has made it clear the domestic trophy and the Champions League are his priorities with the defense of its league title all but over.
United manager Alex Ferguson was watching from the stands at the Nou Camp on Tuesday when Real romped to a 3-1 semifinal second-leg victory, helped by a double from the outstanding Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real reached the May 18 Copa final coming back from a 1-1 home draw, the same result United achieved at the Bernabeu in the first leg, to triumph 4-2 on aggregate with a commanding display against its arch-rival.
Despite an inconsistent league campaign which has left Real third, 16 points adrift of leader Barcelona, the team proved it could rise to the occasion when required and batter a side which has beaten United twice in European Cup finals in recent seasons.
"We hope this will be a pivotal moment for us," Real captain Iker Casillas told reporters, when he surprisingly appeared to speak instead of coach Jose Mourinho.
"We are level at 1-1 (with United) and we have to try and score, and to keep a clean sheet. We need to do what we did here at Old Trafford," added Casillas, who is out of action recovering from hand surgery.
Real let the Catalans dominate possession but denied them the space to work their magic, as AC Milan had done when surprising the visitors 2-0 in their Champions League last 16 first leg last week.
Ronaldo outshone World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, scoring in a record sixth consecutive 'Clasico' away from home, the first goal coming from the penalty spot and the second after a trademark fast counter-attack. Raphael Varane scored the other goal for Real while Jordi Alba pulled one back.
The Portugal forward, a former United player who was applauded by visiting fans at the Bernabeu where he headed Real level two weeks ago, hailed the result for its morale-boosting effect. "We want to continue in the same vein," he told Spanish television. "This game gives us enormous confidence for the trip to Manchester."
Real is seeking a 10th European Cup, and Mourinho a third with different clubs, and he has made it clear the domestic trophy and the Champions League are his priorities with the defense of its league title all but over.
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