The first two spots in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals will be decided today, and at least one European giant will be eliminated from the competition as Manchester United and Real Madrid square off at Old Trafford (2:45pm, Fox Soccer Channel).
United and Real Madrid finished the first leg at the Bernabeu tied 1-1, meaning United have a valuable road goal and could advance with a win or scoreless draw. Real Madrid have enjoyed a recent surge in form, led by the red-hot Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be playing at Old Trafford for the first time since leaving Manchester United for Real Madrid three years ago.
The big storyline today is Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to bench Wayne Rooney. Danny Welbeck starts in his place, playing alongside Robin Van Persie.
In the day’s other Round of 16 clash, Borussia Dortmund takes on Shakhtar Donetsk in Germany (2:45pm, MSG Plus/Fox Soccer Plus). The sides finished a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Ukraine, giving Dortmund a sizable advantage in the road goals department. Shakhtar will be buoyed by the fact that key Dortmund defender Mats Hummels will miss the match with the flu.
If you will be watching today’s action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action.