Madrid don't compare to class of '02 by Steve McManaman , 25 February 2009

Madrid don't compare to class of '02

by Steve McManaman , 25 February 2009

Make no mistake, Wednesday's clash with Real Madrid will be a really tough game for Liverpool – much tougher than many people would have anticipated a couple of months ago.

When the draw was made I think you had to make Liverpool favourites, they were flying high at the top of the league while Madrid were struggling behind Barcelona.

That’s all changed in the last two months though. Now Liverpool are scrapping for form, whereas Madrid have won their last nine games and are playing with a huge amount of confidence – scoring a lot goals.

Juande Ramos is doing a great job, all their injury problems have cleared up, they’ve added Lassana Diarra and Klaas Huntelaar (although only Diarra can play), and the likes of Arjen Robben are really turning it on.

The problem Liverpool may have is that usually they are the club with the great tradition – the greater expectation to win. This time they face Madrid, who have an even greater tradition in European football, and the fans will be up for this one.

The Bernabeu on Champions League knock-out night is a special place to be. At Madrid, the Champions League means everything to the fans, it’s very special to them and tonight you’ll see all the banners and the chanting – it’ll be a special night and a tough one for Liverpool.

Saying that (and I might be biased), I don’t think this Madrid side is anywhere near as good as the one I used to play in.

You have to remember, until recently, the fans have not been happy with how the side has been playing. They had been scraping 1-0s or drawing, and it was Barca at the top playing all the beautiful football.

Granted they’ve banged in the goals recently, scoring four at Sporting Gijon and then six against Betis, but they’re still not playing the flowing football that Barcelona play.

Until they win the league, and win the Champions League, whilst playing with style, the fans won’t be as happy as they were during the time I spent at the club, when we had fantastic individuals like Zidane and so on. That was a real golden period for the club and the fans still harp on about it now.

I’ve actually been to watch Madrid a couple of times this season and they haven’t been good, and the fans tell you how they miss old times when we were there.

It remains to be seen if things are about to change, they’re closing that gap on Barca, but Wednesday’s match with Liverpool is a big game.