Real Madrid vs. CSKA Moscow Preview

Real Madrid may have slipped to a last gasp equaliser in Russia however they will be heavy odds on favourites to send CSKA Moscow packing from the Champions League when the two sides meet in the second leg of their last 16 tie on March 14 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

After taking the lead midway through the first half thanks to yet another strike from Cristiano Ronaldo, Madrid comfortably coasted through to the end of regulation time with a vital 0-1 lead and away goal all but sealed in the bag.

However, master tactician Jose Mourinho’s decision to shut up shop by introducing defensive substitutions backfired as Swede Pontus Wernbloom bundled in from a corner in the third minute of stoppage time to level matters at the Luzhniki Stadium and give CSKA real hope of pulling off the shock of the season going into the second leg in Spain.

Mourinho was visibly devastated to concede such a late goal after almost completing what would have been a thoroughly professional away European performance – however the Portuguese will now have to put any disappointment to the back of his mind and inspire his side to blow CSKA out of the water in Madrid, which will offer the Spaniards far more suitable conditions than those experienced in the frosty Russian capital.

Despite CSKA’s late comeback and dogged display at home, punters may well be searching for reasons or ways as to how the Russians can stay in the fight until the final whistle in the second leg at the Bernabeu. Sadly, there doesn’t appear to be much suggesting anything other than a convincing home victory which would firmly put Real back in the hunt for Champions League glory.

As they demonstrated in the group phase and also in the first leg, CSKA are by no means a push over – however they will be aiming to pull off a result in one of the toughest venues in world football against arguably the best team in Europe at the moment.

And there have been a lot of teams who have failed that particular task miserably so far this season as Real’s sizeable lead at the top of La Liga can emphasise.

There is very little to offer the regular punter in respect of a Madrid success which at best is available at 2/13 with some firms. Real and Mourinho’s approach is likely to be far more positive at the Bernabeu and no doubt everyone associated with Los Merengues will want the job done quickly and the tie put to bed.

Assuming Cristiano Ronaldo is injury free and plays again, the former Manchester United star can inspire Madrid to an easy wide margin success.

To safely cover all potential possibilities in terms of a cruising home win, Real -2 on the handicap looks good value at 13/10 and is likely to pay out for punters well before the action draws to a close in Spain.

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26/02/2012     © Frixo 2024