Messi: “We have to be at our best against Real Madrid"

The Barça number 10 has revealed: “The dynamic of competitive football doesn’t allow us to enjoy what this team is achieving, but maybe in the future it will be given the credit it deserves” 

As far as the match against Real Madrid on Tuesday is concerned, Messi told us: “We have to be at our best against Real Madrid because otherwise we won’t get through the tie”

Leo Messi featured in the Barça TV programme ‘El Marcador’ after the game against Sevilla, where he spoke about the defeat away to AC Milan and Tuesday’s Copa del Rey return leg against Real Madrid in the Camp Nou. He insisted that the best way to prepare for the busy schedule of key matches coming up is not to hold himself back: “For years now I’ve been used to playing a lot of matches. My body feels better if it doesn’t rest”. The Argentine forward is the Spanish league’s top scorer with 38 goals, but he emphasised: “The most important thing is to win matches. If I can help with goals, then that’s always better”.

El Clássico an early final

Tuesday’s Cup game is one of the most important matches of the season so far and the 1-1 draw from the first leg leaves the tie – and a place in the final - wide open: “We have to be at our best against Real Madrid because otherwise we won’t get through the tie”. He’s determined to forget about any controversy hanging over from the first leg in the Bernabeu. “The only thing I’m thinking about right now is for myself and the team to put in a good performance and reach the final. What other people say doesn’t affect me in the least”. He confirmed that Barça will be .looking for a win on Tuesday night: “In front of our own fans we don’t have any other option than to go for a win against Real el Madrid; we can’t start thinking that a goalless draw would see us through”.

The setback in Milan

Messi summed up the mood ahead of Tuesday’s game: “We mustn’t drive ourselves crazy about the result in Milan or the first half against Sevilla. We have to pull ourselves together because there are some decisive games coming up”. And he pointed to Barça’s record over the last few years. “The dynamic of competitive football doesn’t allow us to enjoy what this team is achieving, but maybe in the future it will be given the credit it deserves”.

Check out the video on You Tube 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9MVipSA3IC4

adidas brings Orlando Pirates Football Club to Fons Luminis Secondary School to coach youth

 

Soweto, Thursday 31 January 2013 – Today fifty learners from Fons Luminis Secondary School had a world class training session with the Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions, Orlando Pirates at the school’s sports grounds in Soweto.

This comes after the Diepkloof-based school received the most number of votes in a competition run by adidas as part of its advertising campaign to promote the Soweto Derby and its partnership with Orlando Pirates among young people in Soweto.

“We printed A1 posters which were distributed to 220 schools in Soweto which our partner – School Media – hand-picked as the right target market for the campaign. Learners were invited to enter the competition where they voted by SMS or MXit for their school to be chosen for a coaching clinic,” says Zobuzwe Ngobese, Public Relations Manager at adidas South Africa.

In addition to the Orlando Pirates coaching clinic, five learners also stood a chance to win a VIP experience during the Soweto Derby – which took place late last year. Fons Luminis beat two other contenders for the coaching clinic, Itekeng Primary School (2nd place) and Itsaneng Primary School (3rd place).

“We are delighted to take some time off our busy schedule and share some very important football lessons with young people. Although Orlando Pirates Football Club is a club of international stature, we always welcome the opportunity to do coaching development in our own communities as this falls under our CSI campaigns which involves the entire team and must take place once every season ,” says Mickey Modisane, the Public Relations Officer at Orlando Pirates Football Club.

adidas South Africa, proud supporter and technical sponsor of the Orlando Pirates Football Club,  believes strongly in shaping future, local football heroes from an early age. “It is with such competitions that adidas as a brand can reach out and give back to the communities that ardently support local football – staying true to both the adidas and Orlando Pirates Football Club ethos of uplifting the communities they serve,” adds Ngobese.

As part of the private training session, Fons Luminis Secondary School first team football squad also received adidas sponsored football kits, soccer balls and bibs. “We are grateful to both adidas and Orlando Pirates for honouring their commitment to our school. They have left a positive legacy and have put our school on the map – their visit will motivate our kids to believe in their dreams,” says Mrs Sekgale, the Principal at Fons Luminis Secondary School.

For further information please contact:

Zobuzwe Ngobese

PR Manager at adidas South Africa

Email: zobuzwe.ngobese@adidas.com

Tel: 021 442 6352

 adidas presents The Official Match Ball for the UEFA Champions League Final 2013

- Wembley’s seventh final provides the inspiration behind the design -

- Ball to be used on-pitch for ‘The Road to Wembley’ -

Herzogenaurach / London, 30^th January 2013 – Yesterday adidas unveiled the official match ball to commemorate the UEFA Champions League Final 2013 taking place at Wembley Stadium on 25^th May. The adidas Finale Wembley was revealed to the public yesterday as it was announced that the ball will be used on-pitch for the remainder of the season.

The ball has been designed to celebrate the UEFA Champions League Finals that have taken place at the ‘home of football’ over the last 50 years. The road to Wembley really gets underway during the knockout stages of the competition during which the ball will be introduced on-pitch. Wembley has seen some of the greatest teams in history compete for the top trophy in European football. From the AC Milan team in ’63, Manchester United in ’78, Ajax in ’71 to Liverpool’s ’78 side and Barcelona’s all-conquering teams in ’92 and again in 2011, Wembley has born witness to some fantastic sides lifting the UEFA Champions League trophy.

The aesthetic of the ball reflects these events, incorporating the years in which the finals took place into the well-known star panel design - an iconic feature of adidas’ official match balls for the competition. The technical graphics and the expressive colour scheme come together to reflect the grandeur of the occasion where this year’s winners will be crowned in front of the near 90,000-strong crowd.

The Vice President of Global Sports Marketing Football for adidas, Claus Peter-Mayer talked about the development of the ball, “adidas has created a ball to celebrate the finals staged at Wembley which, in turn, is a fitting tribute to this season’s eventual finalists and a wonderful compliment to what is surely going to be a great occasion.”

Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA Events SA Marketing Director stated “The ball is bold, iconic and almost regal in appearance which, for us, brilliantly reflects the UEFA Champions League values and the fact that this year’s final will be held in London. This season will see the ball used on-pitch for all knockout stage matches along the road to Wembley where the Kings of Europe will be crowned on what promises to be another historic night of European club football.”

adidas has a rich history in developing match balls having been the official supplier for all major UEFA and FIFA tournaments since 1970. This year’s ball will be the twentieth Official Match Balladidas has produced for the UEFA Champions League competition.

The adidas Finale Wembley will be used on field during UEFA Champions League matches from February 12th and is available for purchase in adidas retail stores and associated stockists as of 1^st February. For further information on adidas products and services please visit: www.facebook.com/adidasfootball or www.adidasnewsstream.com.

Technology:  The ball features an outer coating texture designed to provide optimal grip at the point of impact. The thermally bonded star panel design on the match ball, based on the design of the UEFA Champions League logo, provides a seamless surface and, as such, a truer flight.

Notes to Editors:

adidas Production of Official Match Balls since 1970

adidas’ experience in football production is unparalleled. adidas has been making footballs since 1963 and is now the world’s leading manufacturer, always at the cutting edge of technology. adidas has supplied the Official Match Balls to all major UEFA and FIFA tournaments since 1970, and since 2006 is also the Official Supplier of the match ball for all UEFA Champions League games. The adidas Finale ball has been used for the UEFA Champions League Final since the 2000/2001 season. Since 2008, adidas is also the Official Supplier of the match ball for the Africa Cup of Nations organized by the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF).

For further information please contact:

Zobuzwe Ngobese

PR Manager at adidas South Africa

Email: zobuzwe.ngobese@adidas.com

Tel: 021 442 6352

The Chance Global vs. The Nike Academy

After travelling the world, playing and training at some the most recognized clubs in the world The Chance World tour will lock horns with The Nike Academy this Saturday.

For many of the young talented footballers it has been an incredible experience, one of South Africa's very own Charlie 'Computer' Tsotetsi will most certainly agree. Tsotetsi has progressed through the ranks right from the The Chance regional trials in South Africa to be a star in the Global team, the performances put in will give him a great chance of playing football in Europe. Places in The Nike Academy set up will be up for grabs and Tsotetsi will be hoping to grab it.



Earlier in the week The Cross Trainer Global Team caught up with South Africa's Michael Koopowitz, a young player signed up to The Nike Academy last year. During his time at the academy Koopowitz has developed his overall game and learnt a lot about the English game, he has goals of signing a professional contract soon as well as one day putting on the green and yellow of Bafana Bafana.


The Cross Trainer Q&A With Michael Koopowitz

Xtrainer : As a South African at The Nike Academy are you looking forward to the possibility of having a fellow country-man join you?

Koop : Yeah, I am really looking forward to meeting up with Charlie, will be cool to play against him and hopefully with him in the future.

Xtrainer : A lot of South Africans dream of being in your position, playing in a great academy in England...what advice would you give to them?

Koop : Keep working hard at whatever you do, work on every aspect of your game. Even the little things, take extra time after training hours to fix unwanted habits in your game (or outside the game) whether it be working on nutrition, conditioning or technique. Everything counts in football, the more you do the better you'll be. 

Xtrainer : Do you feel more South Africans can make it in England/Europe?

Koop : Honestly I don't think so at the moment because our development structure is no-where near good enough and the standards some of our country's academies and clubs live up to are not that standards demanded of you in the European game. Having said that don't get me wrong I feel that there are definitely players in South Africa who are talented enough to be great players anywhere in the world, but we need to improve the development in our country. I feel the players need to be guided correctly in coaching from a young age and given a chance.

We certainly enjoyed catching up with Michael Koopowitz and we are looking forward to watching the boys battle it out this Saturday.


If you looking to follow the boys on Twitter you can  hit the follow here :
Charlie Tsotetsi     https://twitter.com/Computer_Tso
Michael Koopowitz     https://twitter.com/MichaelKoop7

Make sure to pass on your best wishes to the boys as they fly the South African flag high, also make to cheer on Charlie Tsotetsi as we are confident he will join Koopowitz in The Nike Academy. From the Xtrainer crew we all wish you guys the best of luck this weekend.

Here is a short film of The Chance story - Enjoy!

AC Milan vs. Barcelona, 2013 UEFA Champions League: Preview

Barcelona have been upset many times by some combination of teams with excellent players and managers who come up with an excellent tactical plan. AC Milan, at present, do not have either of those things.

Between the weekend's match against Parma and this week's early training sessions, Milan have lost a few key players through injury. They're also without Mario Balotelli, who is cup-tied. Their dynamic forwards and midfielders will either be limited or not dressed at all when they face Barcelona at the San Siro, and it's fair to wonder whether or not this match is worthy of any serious analysis.

Of course, Massimiliano Allegri and Jordi Roura both disagree. Allegri doesn't want his team to give up before the match starts, while Roura doesn't want his to be complacent. There's no denying the huge gap in quality between the two sides in their current state, though, and there's no question that Barcelona is a heavy favorite to win, even in Milan. It's going to take a colossal series of errors from Barcelona and a terrific performance by the Rossoneri for this tie to remain interesting into the second leg.

Team News

Xavi has returned from an injury for Barcelona and is nearly certain to dress, but it's possible that he won't start. Adriano and David Villa did not make the trip to Milan. Over the weekend, Adriano picked up a hamstring injury that will keep him out of Wednesday's game. Villa has been in a hospital for over a week with a kidney ailment.

Milan found out on Tuesday that they will be missing Antonio Nocerino and Mathieu Flamini, a couple of solid two-way midfielders who would have been massive assets for Milan. Mario Balotelli is cup-tied, Giampaolo Pazzini is out injured, and Stephen El Shaarawy will have to pass a late fitness test to play.

Projected lineups (left to right)

AC Milan (4-3-3): Christian Abbiati; Kévin Constant, Philippe Mexès, Cristián Zapata,Ignazio Abate; Massimo Ambrosini, Sulley Muntari, Riccardo Montolivo; Kevin-Prince Boateng, Bojan Krkić, M'Baye Niang

FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Victor Valdes; Jordi Alba, Gerard Piquè, Carles Puyol, Dani Alves;Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fàbregas; Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Pedro Rodriguez

Key Matchups

Whoever starts in midfield for Milan vs. everyone on Barcelona: Oh dear. That is not an encouraging midfield. Ambrosini's best days passed him by at least five years ago and Sulley Muntari has been dire this year. Riccardo Montolivo has the occasional brilliant match, but without either of Nocerino or Flamini to do some running for him, things could get rough in the center for the Rossoneri. All of Barcelona's players will end up deep in the center on the attack at some point, so there's not even one or two particular players to account for.

Victor Valdes vs. the derp monster: Milan's best chance of getting a goal (or two) is probably a Victor Valdes error (or two). He's generally an excellent keeper, but occasionally makes horrible errors that leave viewers wondering how in the world he became Barcelona's No. 1 and stayed there for so long. Tito Vilanova won't be too broken up if Valdes walks on a free and he gets, say, Marć-Andre ter Stegen to replace him.

Lionel Messi vs. Philippe Mexes and Cristian Zapata: Okay, so these guys can't stop Messi if he's at his best. We can't even pretend this is a legitimate "matchup", but they have to be careful about when they close down. Messi can't be given unlimited time and space, but Barcelona's goals are generally aided by a defender stepping out on Messi too quickly. Messi drops deep to get the ball, a defender chases, that space is opened up and the Blaugrana spot it. It's the typical Barcelona goal recipe. Mexes and Zapata need to avoid giving away those gifts.

Prediction

Poor Milan. They've done well to get back into a Champions League place in Serie A, but their injuries and the absence of Mario Balotelli is going to make it nearly impossible for them to steal a result. Barcelona win, 2-0.

By Kevin McCauley on Feb 19, 6:18p

 

Be Mercurial (Training)

Continuing with the Mercurial Vapor IX launch, a number of training clips have been put out for you to see.
If you want to be the best you have to train like the best, Nike Football have given you the opportunity to understand how you can become Mercurial.

The biggest asset you can have as a footballer is speed, but you need to know how to control that speed and use it effectively on the football field.

Here are 4 top tips!

• Take Your Speed & Endurance To The Next Level (Fast Feet)
• Skin The Back-Line With Lightning-Fast Moves (Quick Cuts)
• Every Second Counts, Make Sure You Get Off To The Best Possible Start (Start Strong)
• Stay Balanced At All Times (Boost Your Balance)

The Nike Mercurial Vapor IX

Nike football are continuing to revolutionize the landscape, with the launch of their new Mercurial Vapor IX boot.

Yesterday Team Cross Trainer Global was able to learn more about the new speed freak boot, in the famous Nike Mercurial range. Cross Trainer hosted the wonderful event known as the Nike Football players lounge and last night we were able to watch certain clips and hear in-depth information behind the change in the already successful boot.

No boot delivers explosive speed and style quite like the Nike Mercurial Vapor. They are football's longest serving speed boot, built for high-powered acceleration and delivered in dynamic, bold fashion. Now nine generations strong, the Vapor is back to stake its claim as football's most electrifying boot. 

The Mercurial Vapor boot range has always been known not only for the boots' performance, but the bold and unique color designs Nike use. The Mercurial Vapor IX is no different, the bright pink and purple combo as well as the orange and yellow mash up are unique and outstanding. To be a Mercurial footballer you not only have to possess the speed and power but bravery to be seen wearing such boots. As some of the coaches I've been coached by used to say, if you going to wear boots that everyone can see you wearing from a mile away...you better perform. 

As we were told last night the Mercurial Vapor IX is engineered with a completely new upper to deliver a level of support and touch for players to deliver a deadly combination of speed and skill when it matters most. Nike’s new Speed Control texture on the upper gives players the confidence to perform at speed with enhanced friction that combines with a snug and responsive fit a hallmark of Mercurial boots. As well as the new added Nike ACC (All Conditions Control) element Nike added to the previously launched Nike CTR 360 Maestri III, the Speed Control texture of the MV IX wraps around the foot, giving the boot friction when necessary without compromising on the soft touch the player requires. The upper also locks down the foot and prevents unnecessary movement within the boot, while a minimal and soft heel area maximizes comfort and therefore the performance of those wearing them. 

Traction is everything for the player who relies on explosive speed. Twin studs at the back allow for a quick release from the turf, and the asymmetric design of the stud configuration delivers an explosive start. Highly responsive blades also allow for game-altering changes in direction at speed. On the basis on the great reviews given from the professional that wear the famous boot, it shows that Nike have been able to improve the boot through the generations. 

If you are a player that plays in a wide or striking position and you feel you have the skill, speed and confidence to wear a boot worn by the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar...simply pop by your nearest Cross Trainer store and BE MERCURIAL! 

In a very powerful interview with some of South Africa's local Soccer Icons at The Cross Trainer Eastgate last night  Itumeleng Khune, Lerato Chabangu and Nicholas Mynhardt  spoke heart to heart with the young, aspiring athletes selected from the Nike Football Academy Speed Trials.

Nike Mercurial - Be Fast Be Mercurial is NOW AVAILABLE at Selected Cross Trainer stores nationwide!

PUMA INTRODUCES NEW EVOSPEED BOOT COLOURWAY

New Green and Blue Boot Will Be Worn by PUMA’s Top Speed Assets

Cape Town, South Africa, 28 November 2012 – PUMA^® today introduces the latest colourway of the evoSPEED 1 FG, the most recent performance football boot from the highly successful SPEED silo. Still one of the lightest football boots in the market, the new green and blue colourway of the evoSPEED 1 FG will be worn from now on by PUMA’s top football SPEED players. 

The new green and blue evoSPEED 1 FG is designed to help players achieve top speed and enhance their manoeuvrability, and together with Manchester City’s players Sergio Agüero and Gaël Clichy, Atletico Madrid’s top star Radamel Falcao and Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, many top footballers around the world will wear the new colourway from the 20^th November.

Equipped with speedCELL™, the boot’s mono-layer microfiber upper reduces weight and increases flexibility while the EverFit cage provides an especially snug midfoot fit. The Pebax outsole combines bladed and conical studs for heel stability as well as total freedom during forefoot rotation. For an improved ball grip in wet conditions, the upper features a super thin 3D film.

Falcao, one of the hottest and most talked about players in the world, commented, “I really like all the different colour variations that PUMA offer me, because I really enjoy difference and like when boots stick out on the pitch. I have been playing in the evoSPEED since May this year and I feel extremely confident wearing them. The boot is perfectly suitable to go up to speed quickly, which I really appreciate. And the combination with some different colours makes the boot stand out from others in the market”.

Behind this new evoSPEED 1 FG stands a full green and blue coloured collection that answers every athlete’s need for speed by taking performance technologies and innovations and incorporating them in footwear, apparel and accessories. The full collection includes more footwear for indoor and outdoor, shirts, shorts, jackets, goalkeeper gloves, balls and many other products.

The new evoSPEED products in the green and blue colourway will be on pitch in South Africa and available in-store from 1 January 2013. 

PUMA EVO SPEED now available in Select Stores Nationwide

Check out these EVO SPEED BOOTS from PUMA 

Now available at Selected Cross Trainer Stores Nationwide

MERCURIAL VAPOR IX SPEED TRIALS

Being fast is not enough anymore. You have to #BeMercurial.

NIKE Football welcomed some of the top footballers from within the Soweto LFA to test their mettle and prove their speed in the Mercurial Vapor IX trials. Over 60 of the quickest young athletes pushed themselves to the limit, participating in the Cristiano Ronaldo Challenge: a drill designed by CR7 himself to test speed, ball control and agility (http://bit.ly/914f6I). The fastest 6 would earn themselves a speeding ticket to the Mercurial Vapor IX Players Lounge at the Cross Trainer Store in Eastgate, featuring some of the nations most Mercurial athletes, including Itumeleng Khune and Lerato Chabangu.

Using their very own innovative performance tracking technology called SPARQ, NIKE Football found the fastest young men in Soweto with a ball at their feet. Xolisile Hele clocked in at 16.40 seconds on the Cristiano Ronaldo Challenge, setting the pace and earning himself the right to keep his brand new speed weapons in the process.

Tune in to Nike Football ZA and Cross Trainer for the Players Lounge on Thursday 14^th February. Catch the action live with @nikefootballza and @CrosstrainerSA on Twitter.

Real Madrid v Manchester United: The match the world wants to see

By Ben SmithBBC Sport

Fashions and fortunes may fluctuate, but whenever these football clubs meet the world stops to watch.

Real Madrid versus Manchester United; Jose Mourinho versus Sir Alex Ferguson; Cristiano Ronaldo versus Wayne Rooney: it is a Champions League encounter that has captured the imagination in every corner of the planet. "This is the match the world wants to see," Mourinho said recently. "The only shame is that it is not the final."

A myriad subplots threaten to obscure the bigger picture but it must not be forgotten that these are two clubs longing to lift another European Cup, battling to emerge from the shadow in which the brilliance of Barcelona has placed them in recent times.

Mourinho v Ferguson

• At Porto (2004): one win, one draw in Champions League last 16 in 2004
• At Chelsea (2004-07): five wins, four draws and one defeat
• At Inter Milan (2009): one draw, one defeat in Champions League last 16

Source: Opta stats

Ferguson has long said that United's return of three European Cup trophies is below the expectations of a club of their size. And while Real remain the benchmark with nine - three of which were won during a five-year period between 1998 and 2002 - it has been a decade since Los Merengues lifted the trophy they once considered their own.

This meeting of two of the grandest institutions in sport will be an epic encounter that may struggle to live up to the hype, but they have said that before.

Form

Manchester United have the edge. Sunday's 2-0 win over Everton extended their gap at the top of the Premier League to 12 points with as many games remaining and took their unbeaten league run to 13 games, the longest current unbeaten streak across Europe's top five domestic leagues.

In contrast, Real have problems. Mourinho led Real to the La Liga title last season, but Barcelona have swept all before them this time around, moving 16 points clear of their great rivals. The question now is whether Mourinho can rouse Real out of their malaise before it is too late.Advantage United .

Depth

United's success this season has been built around the goal threat of Rooney and Robin van Persie and the enduring spirit for which Ferguson's teams are renowned. But despite their domestic dominance, they have shown defensive vulnerability and there is sense that perhaps they are not as strong as they were in reaching the Champions League finals of 2008, 2009 and 2011. Goakeeper Edwin van der Sar has retired and the axis of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic are perhaps diminished by age and injury.

For all their problems, Real have a formidable squad. The additions of Ronaldo, Xabi Alonso, Karim Benzema and Mesut Ozil took the club from a team which could not get beyond the last 16 in the Champions League to a team which has reached the semi-finals in the past two campaigns under Mourinho. Advantage Real .

Tactics

Mourinho's default formation has been a 4-2-3-1, but there is a certain degree of flexibility within that to allow Real either to seize the initiative or to sit back and hit their opponents on the counter attack. Benzema is likely to start as the lone striker, with Ozil in behind as a number 10 and Ronaldo coming off the flanks to wreak havoc. Xabi Alonso is Real's midfield metronome - he will set the tempo and pull the strings.

Ferguson has always struggled to get the better of Mourinho tactically. In the first leg at the Bernabeu, the Scot must weigh up the need to score an away goal with defensive caution. Van Persie may be deployed as a lone striker with Rooney in behind or coming in from out wide. Michael Carrick will be the key player in midfield. Advantage Real .

The Special One

• Mourinho has lost only twice in 14 matches against Man Utd
• On the two occasions Mourinho won the Champions League, his side knocked out English opposition in the last 16. Porto memorably ousted United in 2003-04, while three years ago, Inter saw off Chelsea.
• Mourinho has never won a Champions League game at Old Trafford. Porto drew 1-1 there while Inter lost 2-0 in 2008-09.

Key battles

Madrid are about more than just Ronaldo, but having scored six goals in the Champions League already this season he remains their most potent attacking threat. This is his first meeting with United since his controversial £80m departure from Old Trafford in 2009.

With the Portuguese likely to start on the left flank, Rafael will be tasked with stopping him but his habit of cutting inside, and erupting through the centre of a defence means the United defence and midfield will need to accept collective responsibility, an area they have struggled with this season.

United have relied heavily on the goals of Van Persie but his influence in the Bernabeu may depend on Carrick's battle with Alonso in midfield. The Englishman has been one of United's outstanding performers this season, but Alonso remains a tremendous performer and a fierce competitor. All square.

Managers

There is a surprising warmth between the men, with Mourinho having always shown deference to Ferguson. But in head-to-head meetings the Portuguese leads the way, having lost to United only twice in 14 encounters.

Play media

Alonso on why Mourinho is 'special'

The men will share a joke, a text or two and, of course, a glass of fine wine but for all the bonhomie, Real are a club for which Ferguson has frequently expressed disdain. "Do you think I would get into a contract with that mob?" and "I wouldn't sell them a virus" to name but two of his quotes on the subject.

Mourinho's record against United must give Real the edge. Advantage Real .

Brand

Recent market research  suggests these are also the two best supported football clubs on Earth. Their sheer stature reaches far beyond Madrid and Manchester, to Manila, Mumbai, Melbourne and Miami with Barcelona the only genuine threat to their global hegemony, splitting them in the rankings of the world's richest clubs.

Real topped Deloitte's latest football money league and became the first sports club to surpass the €500m (£423m) revenue threshold in a single year.

Deloitte Football Money League

• 1. Real Madrid: 513m euros (£434m)
• 2. Barcelona: 483m euros
• 3. Man Utd: 396m euros
• 4. Bayern Munich: 368m euros
• 5. Chelsea: 323m euros
• 6. Arsenal: 290m euros
• 7. Manchester City: 286m euros
• 8. AC Milan: 257m euros
• 9. Liverpool: 233m euros
• 10. Juventus: 195m euros

Source: Deloitte, 2011-12

"Real have led the way in the phenomenal rate of revenue growth," Dan Jones, partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, said. "United continue to successfully leverage their global brand. The new world-record seven-year shirt sponsorship deal with General Motors will double the revenues the club receives from its shirt partner in the first season of the new deal in 2014-15 and help them push the two Spanish clubs above them for a top-two ranking."

In another 2012 study, Forbes magazine ranked United as the most valuable club in any sport , with a value of £1.43bn. Real Madrid were second with a £1.19bn valuation. The New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys were joint third. Make no mistake - this is the clash of the titans. All square

Conclusion

Real Madrid edge this comparison but United are out to prove a point, with English clubs facing the possibility of not being involved in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1995-96.

Ferguson will not underestimate the task at hand but knows that if Van Persie is fit, he will always have a chance. Advantage Real . Just.