A “Real” Tough Week: How Will Madrid Fare?

Christiano Ronaldo (left), Jose Mourinho (right), and Madrid face a tough 7-day stretch

Today is the start of what looks to be a crucial seven days for Jose Mourinho’s side.

First, they play rivals Barcelona in the second leg of their semi-final on the road in the Copa del Rey (the first leg in Madrid resulted in a 1-1 draw).

Then on Saturday, the same two sides meet again, a league match at the Bernabeu (home to Madrid). Barcelona are currently 12 points clear of second-place Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga, with Real Madrid 16 points back in 3rd place.

Finally, on the following Tuesday, they get to travel to Old Trafford to face English Premier League leaders Manchester United in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 stage (the first leg is also tied at 1-1).

That is perhaps the toughest seven-day stretch that I have ever seen a one club!

How will they make out?

Obviously, I think Mourinho will use the Saturday match to rest his star players and field a weaker side than normal. What choice does he have? Even if Madrid were to defeat Barcelona at home, they’d still be 13 points behind! Against a side of the quality of a Barcelona that is a near insurmountable deficit.

So I don’t expect them to do well on Saturday.

I expect them to put more emphasis on the two mid-week matches, as the Copa del Rey and the Champions League represent the only two chances of winning a trophy in 2013.

I don’t see them going to Barcelona and winning today. However I can see them going to the Nou Camp and getting a 2-2 result, which will be enough to see them through on away goals scored. Still, I’m going to lean towards a Barcelona victory here.

If anything, their best chance of winning might actually come against Manchester United next Tuesday. Even though they will be on the road, I fancy Real to score some goals at Old Trafford. I believe that they are the more talented side. I actually believe that United are fortunate that the first leg finished 1-1 since Madrid dominated most of that match and actually had more chances to score. So I am going to go with Madrid to squeeze out a victory and advance to the quarterfinals of the Champions League as they continue their quest for a tenth European title.

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