United Real Second Leg Too Close to Call
After last night’s pulsating 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu, thoughts and attention soon switched to the return leg at Old Trafford in three weeks time. With the two teams having played out a match in Madrid that ebbed and flowed throughout the ninety minutes, and in which both teams exhibited their particular strengths and weaknesses quite explicitly, the tie overall looks like a very evenly matched one.
Though a draw must be considered a good result for United, particularly as Real in principle dominated the game with 29 goal attempts to 10, back in 2000 United secured an even better result at the Bernabeu gaining a goalless draw, only to be turned over on their home turf by three goals to two. On the other hand, the United hierarchy may reflect that they were able to carve out some excellent chances against an unsure looking Real defence, and will fancy their chances of doing the same in Manchester.
The bookmakers have indicated how close this tie is to call by making the two teams almost identical odds to progress. If anything, Real remain slight favourites, which is understandable as they showed themselves to be the slicker of the two teams in terms of passing and movement last night. But United are as resolute and tough side to beat as you will come across, and two games for Real against Barca in the week leading up to the second leg will not help their cause.
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