Can Tired Real Madrid Survive a December Night in Cluj?

In my day a European night in Romania was a test of nerve before a ball was kicked, and this one has the old smell about it. Real Madrid travel to CFR Cluj on 11 December for a Champions League night that matters to both, and they go with three men missing: Sergio Barroso, Scott Crichton and Joel, the last of them a bruised shin that robs them of the winger who has been their liveliest threat.

Cluj are unbeaten in 15 league games. That is the run at stake, and the men carrying it are Dionysis Margaris, who has made four clear-cut chances in his last four games and averaged 8.22 across them, and Juan Carlos, whose twelve shots in five matches show a midfielder who does not wait for an invitation. Florin Chirilă at right-back has been quietly excellent.

But look at the legs. Jorge Ramos, Wilson, Dariusz Michalik and Romeo Matei are all jaded; Jefferson José, Rafael and Juan Carlos are tired. Real Madrid are no fresher: Chancel Beya at 66 per cent, Pele at 65, Rıdvan Baran at 71, and Ronaldinho, Cazaux, Nicholas-French, Andújar and Joel all short of full steam. Joel, of course, is injured anyway.

The battles out wide decide these nights. Cosmin Lupu, averaging 7.37, against Eliot Nicholas-French, 6.83, is one; Ronaldinho, 7.04, against the weary Ramos is the other, and Ronaldinho's dribbling against Ramos's tackling leans one way. Éverton will not outjump Cazaux in the air.

The last three meetings all went Madrid's way, 3-1, 2-0 and 3-1, but none of them were in Cluj. Cluj have won five and drawn one of six against this shape. Madrid need the points; Cluj need the night. I have seen stranger things in the provinces.