Madrid draw Barcelona in Champions League Semi-Final

Real Madrid have drawn Barcelona to set up a blockbuster Champions League Semi-final clash. 

Jose Mourinho (right) has taken a lot of stick from the fans, the press and many Real Madrid legends over the style in which his Madrid side plays.

The 'special one'

However I do believe that they are being very harsh. Earlier in the season he watched as his Madrid side were dismantled 5-0 by Barcelona, so to me it is fairly obvious that he is not going to play the same way or even attempt to take them on that their own game. Barcelona are without doubt man for man the best team in the world. However as Mourinho has shown in the last two encounters he is capable of tactically beating them. It isn't pretty but it is attritional. The closing down and breaking up of attacks stops Barcelona playing. This tactic takes an enormous amount of concentration of which he instils into his sides. People say it is boring however it is actually a wonderful watch to see the two styles collide. He knows that Barcelona are the better team however his ability to frustrate them is second to none. He did it with Inter Milan last year and I can see him doing it again this year. It will be a thrilling two legs. Having already played them twice it will be interesting to see if he persists with similar tactics.

Mourinho is known for surprises. The first game showed that. Playing Pepe in front of the back four in which he would break up attacks and then drive forward caught Barcelona by surprise. He, Pepe, was outstanding in the league game. A game in which Madrid had the chances to win. He wasn't so influential in the Copa Del Rey Final however the counter-attacking style did prevail.

The Champions League promises to be fascinating and I do think the winner of that tie will win the tournament at Wembley. You may not like it but you have to appreciate it. It gets results. Would Arsenal fans swap the pretty football for trophies? He is without doubt the best manager in the world at this moment in time.

There is no other manager in the world I would want if my team had to win a one off match.

Harry's Challenge

Big test for Harry's men tonight

Tonight Harry Redknapp's (right) Tottenham side takes on Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid in what will be a pulsating tie. Tottenham have performed very well so far in the tournament and have produced epic performances against both AC and Inter Milan. Granted AC Milan are not as strong as maybe the name gives the illusion of but still the performances were of real class. Tottenham deserve to be in the quarter finals and this is their chance for a memorable tie.

Real Madrid are very tough opponents however have been stuttering in La Liga and are once again in the shadow of their rivals Barcelona. For Real and Jose Mourinho the Champions League is their only real hope. Their weekend defeat possibly shows that they were concentrating on this game. However they are beatable, as Sporting Gijon proved, and Tottenham can do it. Tonight's result is key. At the Bernabeu Jose will be hoping for a 2-0 victory (which is 11-2 with Skybet). This will be a very good result for them. No away goals and nice lead. Whereas Tottenham would take a draw and an away goal that could prove vital.

Tottenham will have to be resilience and tough. I imagine they will play a similar way to the way they played at the San Siro, counterattacking when possible. With Aaron Lennon and Gareth Bale this is a very dangerous outlet and one which Real will be fearful of. Also Rafael Van der Vart going back to his old club will be looking to prove a point. He has had a fantastic season and has proved to be a terrific capture by Redknapp. He is creative and very dangerous around the box. Real will know of his capabilities all too well. Peter Crouch will have his part to play and will do so with his usual style. If Jermaine Defoe is on he must take his chances, he wont get many if any. For me his is too inconsistent and at this level you have to be clinical.

One of Madrid's danger men- Ronaldo is a real threat

Madrid threat will come from Cristiano Ronaldo if he is in fact fit, which I doubt. He is their main man and goalscorer. If Ronaldo is not on top form then I can see Tottenham being able to contain them. Emmanuel Adebayor and Mesut Ozil both top players but can see Tottenham containing them. Real Madrid have many stars however if they will turn on the style tonight we will have to wait and see. If they do then Tottenham will have to be at their best to avoid a drubbing.

I expect a close encounter in which the score will finish 1-1 (8-1 Skybet).

Arsenal Tough Task

Tonight Arsenal without Theo Walcott and huge doubts over both Robin Van Persie and Cesc Fabregas, who even if play will not be fit, face the might of Barcelona at the Nou Camp. Barcelona are one of if not the best team in the world at the moment. Despite Arsenals stunning comeback at the Emirates they have to expect an all out assault tonight from Barcelona. Scoring goals is never a problem for Barcelona and at the Nou Camp they are almost a cert to score. Arsenal will not hold out. 

Last season Mourinho's boring yet masterful game plan of defending and shutting the game out worked. However they did concede and that was with the incredibly rigid and tight organisational unit that was Inter Milan. 

Wenger must be fearful of what could happen

Arsenal are not the same, they do not have the players to do it. They are not strong enough. As a result Arsenal must score goals and with Barcelona missing Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol they must fancy scoring. However I don't think they will as they lack the fire power. A not fully fit RVP and no Walcott means that a real genuine threat seem to be lacking. Having said that players such as Samir Nasri and Andrey Arshavin have the ability and will have to step up to the plate.

I just see Barcelona's midfield as too strong and can see Arsenal chasing shadows for much of the night. The forward line is also frighting and with the Arsenal defence not being dependable I can see many Barcelona chances. If Arsenal don't get going early they could easily find themselves 3/4 down by half time.

This will be a real mental and physical test for Arsenal. They will have to do more work off the ball then usual and shut men down early. If Arsenal go all out attack I do fear for them as that is clearly not the way to play. They don't have the players. To win this one Arsene Wenger (left) will have to go away from his perfect football idea and be prepared to win ugly. Although I have no faith that he will. He needs to forget those principals tonight as it is all about, as Charlie Sheen says, "Winning" the aggregate tie to progress. It is this mindset that separates Jose Mourinho from Wenger. Arsene ideas have won him nothing in recent years whereas Mourinho's cabinet is bursting.

 I am looking for a stirring performance from Arsenal and hope they go through, although my head tells me it is going to be a depressing night for Arsenal fans.