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| Where is it heading this year? |
This mornings Champions League draw has presented the opportunity for the two spanish giants of Real Madrid and Barcelona to be lining up against each other at the Alliantz Area in Munich on the 19th May. Obviously this is not a certainty and Bayern Munich who home ground is the Alliantz Area will be eager to be there and after their demolition of FC Basel they are certainly a contender.
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| Can anyone stop Messi? |
Barcelona have drawn AC Milan in the quarters in the stand out tie of the draw. They met in the group stage and played out two very entertaining matches, with Barcelona winning 3-2 at the San Siro and it being a 2-2 draw at the Camp Nou. I expect these two matches to be similar after the way that both sides play. Milan will need all their big players to be at their best in this one. The likes of Robinho, Kevin Prince-Boateng, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexandre Pato will need to cause Barcelona trouble if they are to progress. However personally I cannot see Barcelona struggling in this one. Milan second leg performance against Arsenal was poor and I know they had a four goal lead however they were dismal. They will be found out by Barcelona and can see them being on the end of a classic Barcelona hammering. For many Barcelona are the best team in the world and after seeing this draw I cannot see them not making the final. The irrepressible Lionel Messi (above right) will have a field day if Milan are as open as they were against Arsenal. With 12 goals already in this competition Milan must be afraid of this man who is quite simply the best in the world. Beating Milan will lead them to either Chelsea or Benfica. Neither of which will worry them in the slightest.
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| Can Di Matteo save Chelsea's season? |
Chelsea the only English representative left and have been drawn against Benfica. This is definitely a winnable fixture and one that I am sure they will feel confident going into. Their performance against Napoli was one that Chelsea fans have rarely seen this season. However I am still not convinced by them and will be interested to see their next two games in the FA cup and then a massive premier league battle against Manchester City next wednesday. Roberto Di Matteo (left) I think will have trouble with the egos of the dressing room. The image of John Terry shouting orders from the touchline on wednesday night was perfect image of how Chelsea works. The player power is enormous. You would never see any Manchester United or any player from any team doing that no matter how passionate/experienced that player may be. Despite what they say the players did get Andre Villas Boas the sack it was clear to see. In fact it made for rather disgusting viewing. I have never been a John Terry fan and have previously expressed my views of the person he is, and for me is a major problem for Chelsea along with the others. Chelsea remind me of Real Madrid a few years ago when they won nothing and managers were constantly sacked due to player power, notably from Raul. However on the pitch Chelsea have progressed and I expect an interesting tie against Benfica. As with many Portuguese sides the away leg is key. At home I think Chelsea must and will win. If they can come back from Benfica with either a 0-0, 1-1 or even 2-1 down I would still have faith that they will win and progress to the semis. However I have no confidence in them going any further then that.
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| The 'special one' eyes more success |
The other side of the draw sees two, for me, straight forward ties. Although it sets up a fantastic semi-final. Bayern Munich are the only team who can trouble either of the Spanish duo. Neither Apoel or Marseille will trouble these two European giants of Munich and Madrid. This Bayern team play with real style and have plenty of class through the likes of Robben and Muller. They are on scintillating goalscoring form recording seven goals in their last two home wins over Hoffenheim and FC Basel in the past week. However they will need to be even better to beat a well drilled and organised Madrid side coach by the 'special one' Mourinho (left). Madrid are currently 10 points clear in La Liga and looking certain to win the title for the first time since 2008. Their squad is superb and in Ronaldo have one of the World's best. It is set to be a magnificent two games.
Quarter Final Draw: (ties to be played on 27/28 March and 3/4 April)
Apoel Nicosia v Real Madrid
Marseille v Bayern Munich
AC Milan v Barcelona
Benfica v Chelsea
Semi-Final Draw: (ties to be played on 17/18 April and 24/25 May)
Marseille/Bayern Munich vs Apoel Nicosia/Real Madrid
Benfica/Chelsea vs AC Milan/Barcelona
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