Real Madrid: Biggest Weakness in Champions League Is Themselves

Tomorrow night marks the beginning of the knockout round for the Champions League and Real Madrid—and perhaps the end of the Spanish club's hopes to win the tournament.

Now, why would I say that? Who in their right minds would believe that CSKA Moscow holds a candle to the leaders of the La Liga table and the most successful club in Champions League history?

Not me.

I don't think there's anything CSKA Moscow can do to defeat Real Madrid. But I do believe that there's a lot Real Madrid can do to make sure it gets defeated by CSKA Moscow.

Real Madrid may have won every single one of its group matches, but the Los Blancos are not invincible. One look at its performances against Barcelona can tell you that. One of the team's two league losses came against Barcelona, and it was at Camp Nou that the club was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Copa Del Ray.

So what's Barcelona's secret? How are they constantly getting the upper hand against Cristiano Ronaldo and company?

In a December 10 league match, Real Madrid started with a goal in the first minute. But the team's strength started to wane very early, and by the end of the first half had only collected two shots on target. Things got scrappy—as they usually do against Barcelona—and Real Madrid had picked up four yellow cards before the 70th minute, while simultaneously letting up pressure and allowing Barcelona to score three goals.

A month later, in the first leg of the Copa Del Ray quarterfinals on January 18, Real Madrid again scored first—a brilliant pass by Karim Benzema followed by a beautiful score by Ronaldo in the 11th minute. But again, Real Madrid played sloppy and picked up three yellow cards before the 70th minute.

Then, two weeks later, in the second leg of the Copa Del Ray quarterfinals, Real Madrid was marked by unnecessary fouls and easy bookings, collecting seven yellow cards, four before the 70th minute.

Guess when Barcelona scored the winning goals in both of those Copa Del Ray matches. You guessed it—right after the 70th minute!

Barcelona didn't beat Real Madrid, Real Madrid beat itself. Barcelona let Real Madrid pile up the yellow cards, and then took advantage of a neutered side that couldn't take as many chances physically.

Real Madrid's toughest opponent won't be CSKA Moscow. It will be the temptation to play fast and loose. It will be the lure of its overconfidence saying over and over again, "You don't have to play your best. Relax. This is just CSKA Moscow. You're Real Madrid."

If CSKA Moscow can stick around long enough for Real Madrid to fall on their own sword, they might stand a chance against the Spanish giants.

Tomorrow night marks the beginning of Champions League knockout round for Real Madrid. Does it also signal the end of Madrid's hope to win the tournament?