Madrid's two victories over Barcelona this week have shocked the world and certainly altered the perception of many regarding Jose Mourinho's squad. Prior to this week, Madrid was only second best to Blaugrana. However, the two victories have altered the perception of the team and its state heading into Tuesday big match with Manchester United in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16.
The team's two victories showcased tremendous organization (an element often lacking in the disappointing season) and offensive drive, confidence, and poise. These performances have started to make Madrid a clear-cut front-runner against Manchester on Tuesday. Heading into 2013, many felt that Madrid's locker room drama and poor record would lead to the team's implosion during crucial matches in the Champions League and Copa Del Rey; now it seems that the squad's confidence is being praised. "Psychologically the team has strengthened after the Clasicos but we will go to Manchester convinced we can go through. We know we can go through," said defender Sergio Ramos, the goal scorer of the winning tally in the Saturday match with Barcelona.
"Many said our season could end this week but it didn't affect us. We come out of those two matches a lot more motivated and with much bigger desire," added Madrid's assistant coach Aitor Karanka about the team peaking at the right time. "It's clear that these five days with these two games are the best we have felt all season."
Even Manchester United's manager Sir Alex Ferguson is shocked by Madrid's turnaround. "I was shocked [about Madrid defeating Barcelona]. Madrid were magnificent, absolutely brilliant, they won well," said the veteran manager. He added, "I said when we first got the draw that they are one of the best counter-attacking teams in Europe...That's what we are up against and we need to make sure that the counter-attack doesn't kill us."
Ferguson does believe that his team, like Madrid, has made improvements this season and will be ready to go. "Our awareness of the game has improved," said the Manchester manager. "In the early part of the season we were giving all these early goals away and that may have been a combination of the fact that we had defenders out...That had its impact but in the last few weeks there has been a definite change in terms of concentration and the awareness that these games are important."
The teams face off on Tuesday in the Old Trafford for the decisive meeting. Manchester can afford a 0-0 draw while Madrid will look to score two away goals to counter Manchester's single tally in Spain.
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