5 Reasons Real Madrid Can Still Make the Champions League Final

After losing 4-1 in the first leg Real Madrid have it all to do at the Bernabeu, but stranger things have happened and this current Madrid side are hungry for Champions League success. Here are five reasons why Real can turn it around in the second leg:  

1. Alvaro Arbeloa is back

With Arbeloa suspended last match Mourinho had to re-shuffle his back four. He chose to move Sergio Ramos to right-back and brought Pepe into the centre. In my opinion this massively weakened the centre of Madrid’s defence and Lewandowski had a field day against Pepe who has been poor this season. With Ramos back in the centre marshalling proceedings and the experienced Arbeloa taking his regular spot at right-back Madrid’s defence should prove a far tougher nut to crack.

2. Angel Di Maria should start

Di Maria was used off the bench in the first leg as his place was taken by Luca Modric. This change pushed Ozil out to the right where Di Maria would usually play. The German is without doubt a world class player but does not have the blistering pace the Portuguese 25 year-old possesses. For the second leg Di Maria will most likely return which will see Ozil moved to the centre where he is more effective. The return of Di Maria will give Dortmund left-back Schmelzer something different to think about, and should he stray forward, Di Maria has the pace and skill to punish him.

3. Cristiano Ronaldo

Whether you think he is the best player in the world or not there is no doubting that Ronaldo has the ability to win this game by himself. Gone are the days when people would claim he hides in the big matches, he now relishes the big occasion. If the Portuguese winger is at his best who would bet against him firing a few goals and leading his team to Wembley?

4. Dortmund Lack Experience

Dortmund have not reached this stage of the competition since 1998, while Madrid have been to the semi’s in their last two campaigns. Madrid also feature a number of league winners and World Cup winners compared to Dortmund’s relatively young side. This could definitely count in Madrid’s favour if players such as Xabi Alonso and Ramos step up to the plate.  The pressure is all on the German side and if they concede a couple early on things could get very nervy.

5. The Special One

If you could pick any current manager to take charge of your team in Madrid’s position then Jose Mourinho would be high on anyone’s list. He has proven time and time again that he has tactical nous and man management ability to solidify his place as one of the top gaffers in the game. He has won the competition before but never with Madrid. If the rumours are true that he is on his way out at the end of the season, he will be throwing the kitchen sink at this game as he tries to fill the empty space in his Real Madrid trophy cabinet.

Joe Walsh

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