After months of hype and anticipation the
continent's premier club competition is back with a bang as Manchester
United and Real Madrid prepare to take top billing
After months of exciting build-up and plenty of talk, the
Champions League is back with a bang as
Real Madrid host
Manchester United in the standout last-16 tie.
The clash sees Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo face the Red Devils
for the first time since jetting off to the Bernabeu in a world record
£80 million transfer in 2009, and almost 10 years since the last meeting
between these two sides when a stunning hat-trick from former Brazil
international striker Ronaldo saw
los Blancos through to the semi-final stage that season.
It is also a reunion for Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson. The
‘Special One’ has been linked with replacing the legendary Scot when he
eventually steps down from the Old Trafford hot-seat, but will be
desperate to win
‘la Decima’ for the Spanish side this term,
and his third Champions League title in the process, with defending the
Liga crown looking impossible for Madrid.
Despite Ronaldo leaving United, many have predicted that he will be afforded a warm reception from the English fans.
Defender Rio Ferdinand claimed: "The fans appreciated him when he was
here and since he's been gone they sing his name. He came here a young
boy and left a world-class player. He showed a lot of respect when he
left and still does."
| THIS WEEK'S FIXTURES |
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Valencia
Celtic
Real Madrid
Shakhtar
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TUESDAY
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vWEDNESDAY
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PSG
Juventus
Man Utd
Dortmund |
Mourinho himself was in typically box-office form ahead of the match
after scouting United in their comfortable 2-0 win over Everton on
Sunday afternoon.
He told
MUTV: "The world is not
waiting for other matches in the Champions League, so I hope we can give
the world what they are waiting for."
Before the Red Devils
take to the field against the Spanish champions, the Serie A title
holders will be on British shores when Juventus are hosted by Celtic.
The Hoops have previous noteworthy triumphs in this season’s
competition, having already stunned Lionel Messi & Co. when
Barcelona travelled to Parkhead earlier this term and will be hoping for
another stirring Glasgow atmosphere when the
Bianconeri come to town.
Kenyan star Victor Wanyama scored in Celtic’s win over the Liga leaders
and is hoping to repeat the heroics against the Italian table-toppers.
He exclusively told
Goal.com:
"The journey is still on. We are not looking at just Juventus, but are
looking at going all the way and maybe lifting the big prize.
"What is at stake is the big prize and that is why playing Juventus will
be an amazing match. We were rated the underdogs and went on to shock
Barcelona.
"On paper, I still believe that we are underdogs
going into Tuesday’s match against Juventus but this status will
definitely keep us motivated.
"We have to seize this opportunity and put up a winning performance."
Conquerors of Manchester City and Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and
Shakhtar Donestk, meet in one of the round’s more fascinating ties.
Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has been linked with moves to Europe’s leading lights, but told
Goal.com that he does not intend on leaving the Signul Iduna Park just yet.
He said: "Not at this moment but I don't think about anything else but Borussia Dortmund at this moment.”
David Beckham, however, will not be making a return to Champions League
action this weekend as he is yet to regain enough fitness for Paris
Saint-Germain as they face Valencia at the Mestalla.
Los Che
have secured 1-1 draws at home to Real Madrid and Barcelona since the
turn of the year, although they have also been on the wrong end of a 5-0
hiding from Mourinho's side, while Carlo Ancelotti's charges have
tightened their grip at the top of Ligue 1 recently, extending their
lead to six points.
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