Madrid : In the second installment of the Champions League Semi-final encounter between arch rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona, the Spanish giants cross paths again on May 3 to get past each other and move into the finals. Barcelona's victory in the first match of the two-leg semi-final clash gives them a huge advantage over Real Madrid.
It can be recalled that the Catalans conjured up a 2-0 victory in the first-leg match.
When the two sides clash on Tuesday, more than the skill set of the players, it will be their ability to handle pressure that will decide the eventual winner. A clear illustration of that can be drawn up from the last encounter when Lionel Messi pulled out two magnificent goals towards the fag end of the game. The fact that he was the only one in the field who had an aura of calmness about him and also went on to become the difference between the two sides is testimony to the essence of that sombre virtue.
Once again, the clash will be billed as a Ronaldo vs Messi affair, but there is certainly more to it than the tussle between the two finest footballers of the current generation. It all depends on the manager's now to instill in their wards a sense of calmness and guide them to play without much temper.
At the moment, though Barca are well-placed due to their last victory, if given the number of players they have on their injured list, it appears a bit tough for them to come out clear winners. But if they manage to hold Real to a draw, then their task is done.
But then as most football lovers would like to say, it will all eventually boil down to how Ronaldo and Messi plays for their respective sides.