Real Madrid: A Look Ahead to What Could Be a Tricky Night in Moscow

Real Madrid establishing a 10-point gap at the top of the La Liga table may be all she wrote for this season. Naturally, most neutrals would like to hope otherwise, but there's very little running away from the fact that Real Madrid may have finally re-taken the title in Spain.

Catalan-based newspapers were running headlines suggesting the focus should now be on Europe, while Pep Guardiola's words on the weekend following Barcelona's loss against Osasuna indicate that the game is up.

But as their rivals prepare for a difficult trip to Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid have another week to prepare for what could be a tricky tie away to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

Real Madrid have one of the most impressive sides in this year's Champions League—unbeaten in the group stage and winning by significant margins. But the unfamiliar territory of Russia could be something that plays against Jose Mourinho's side.

It would be wise to suggest that Real Madrid's quality will overcome the challenge of CSKA, who finished second in their group despite a number disappointing results.

It's worth pointing out as well that Moscow have done well in recent history against the bigger sides of Europe, picking up a surprise win away to Inter Milan. The Milan side are not without problems this season, of course, but Moscow's victory in the San Siro will give them added belief that they can pull off the unlikely against Madrid.

Moscow are not without their threats in front of goal: Seydou Doumbia has five goals in the competition and is sure to be a threat on the night, while Alan Dzagoev pulls the creative strings from midfield—the Russian youngster has already scored a stunning free-kick earlier in the competition.

Meanwhile, Keisuke Honda is also looking to feature following long-term absence through injury. The Japanese free-kick specialist will only add increased firepower to Moscow's attack should he feature, but the midfielder has spoken recently of his race against time to be fit for the visit of Madrid.

For Madrid, however, Jose Callejon and Karim Benzema have been in excellent scoring form in the Champions League thus far, and we're likely to see Cristiano Ronaldo continue his stunning performance from this past weekend against Levante on a ground where he won the Champions League with Manchester United.

It's likely that Jose Mourinho will go into this match looking to end the tie early. Of course, with the second leg being a home game, Madrid have the comfort of knowing that a couple of goals in Russia should all but kill off the tie. Still, it will be interesting to see how Mourinho rotates his options at the back.

With significant daylight between themselves and Barcelona, there is a chance to give a lot of focus to the Champions League, while at the same time never taking their foot off the pedal to remain at the top of the domestic table.

Ronaldo has been praised in recent times for his work ethic during matches, as well as managing to turn around the dip he was in mentally following the league Clasico a few months ago. Once again, we're seeing a free-scoring Ronaldo, but one who is enjoying the game at the moment and isn't carrying a weight on his shoulders.

The form of the other strikers in the team has played a big part in that, because despite scoring on average a goal every 70 minutes, he knows that there are others to pick up the goals if he is misfiring.

The conditions in Russia have always been a talking point during Champions League matches. The Luzhniki Stadium has had to replace its artificial surface with grass for the 2008 final, and the artificial turf has been problematic for players this season as well.

Will this significantly favour CSKA's bid for a good result? Unlikely, as Madrid have shown no signs that their scoring or away form has been patchy this season—certainly not as much as Barcelona's. The pitch will, of course, cause some discomfort and frustrations in the way it performs, but even with the cold temperatures playing a hand in proceedings, I don't expect Madrid to be shaken.

What should be said, though, is that Jose Mourinho should receive enormous credit for the way Madrid have responded this year to conceding goals and going a goal down early in games.

Moscow have goals in them, there's no doubt about that, but this Madrid side respond so well to opposition like this that it's almost impossible to see this side losing.

They've created an illusion that they cannot be beaten, no matter how easy it may seem to get goals against them, as Levante have shown on the weekend—and other than Barcelona and the away trip to Levante earlier in the season, we've seen Madrid fulfil that image of an unbeatable side.

As one of the favourites to win the competition, this may even be one more favourable ties in the round for the Spanish giants, and one which gives them safe passage into the quarterfinal.