Are Real Madrid favourites for the Champions League?

The Spanish giants Real Madrid ended last season’s Champions League campaign with a disappointing defeat to Bayern Munich on penalties in the semi-finals. Having won the title in nine occasions (the most recent one was back in 2001), Real Madrid have struggled to find their feet again in this competition.. Different coaches have tried to earn Real their 10th European Cup; the likes of Pelligrini, Fabio Capello and Juande Ramos have all tried and failed to deliver. Jose Mourinho was signed two year ago from Inter Milan and has shown great promise, as he came very close last year.

The beginning of this season was a one to forget for all Real Madrid players, fans and everyone associated to the club as they suffered to find any La Liga form and they now sit 12 points behind the league leaders, Barcelona. But their domestic form is not affecting their European form, as they emerged out of the group of death constituting, the German champions, Borussia Dortmund, the English champions, Manchester City and the Dutch Champions, Ajax. Losing just one game in six and finishing second was not bad, even though much was expected from them.

Manchester United was next for Real Madrid as they qualified for the next round. A lot of questions were asked as to who was going to stop the Dutch striker Robin Van Persie. Interestingly enough, in the build-up, Sir Alex Fergusonbranded Ronaldo the best player in the game. The stage was set.

The last time these two teams met was back in 2003, where real Madrid became victor over the two legs. Jose Mourinho was also reunited with his fellow manager, Sir Alex who he would have known well from his time at Chelsea, as they always had a good contest in the English Premier League

The first led ended in a stalemate as Ronaldo canceled Wellbeck’s strike at the Santiago Bernabeu with Real Madrid dominating the game. They could not capitalize and Manchester united got the advantage as they went back to Old Trafford with an away Goal. In the second leg, United made some good counter attacks, as they looked to defend their precious away goal and got a goal from the foot of Real Madrid’s captain of the night, Sergio Ramos.

Moment later, a controversial decision from the referee saw Nani out of the game and Madrid took advantage of that to get two goals from Modric and the ever-reliable Ronaldo.

Galatasaray were next on the club’s hitlist and Mourinho’s boys saw off the Turkish League leaders with ease and grace.

The question is: can Real Madrid win the Champions League considering the form of the likes of Bayern Munich, Dortmound and bitter rivals Barcelona?

This remains to be seen, but I won’t be betting against them.

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