Those pesky Germans hey? Always ruining it for others. Both Schalke 04 and Bayern Munich screwed me in the round of 16. Out of my eight predictions, six were proved correct but Schalke (by being too good) and Bayern (by being so poor) ruined a perfect sweep. Nevertheless, I shall continue undaunted and confidently make wild assertions about the Champions League Quarter-Finals.
Real Madrid vs. Tottenham Hotspur – Whatever happens against Madrid, this season has been truly incredible for Spurs. Redknapp and his boys have been the most exciting team to watch in the entire tournament. However, the outlook doesn’t look promising for their next European adventure.
Against AC Milan the Londoners were able to set a tempo that the Italians couldn’t match at times, particularly in the first leg. Yet the Rossoneri still managed to boss much of the tie and the Italian press claimed that Allegri’s team were very unlucky to exit. Both sides had serious injury concerns which influenced the result but with Gareth Bale ready to resume action alongside Modric, van der Vaart and Lennon Spurs certainly possess the pace and technique to trouble Madrid more than Lyon did.
However the forces of Mourinho looked rather tasty in the last round and the attacking quartet of Ronaldo, Ozil, Di Maria and Benzema or Higuain will almost certainly be too much for Gallas et al to deal with. If Spurs can return from Spain with something to fight for then they will stand a chance. The danger is likely to be getting spanked in the Santiago Bernabeu and rendering the second leg irrelevant.
Prediction: Real to establish a dominant lead in the first leg and finish the job at White Hart Lane
Chelsea vs. Manchester United – A repeat of the 2008 final. Prepare to hear that factoid again and again and again over the next few weeks. Neither side has really hit top form yet but United are still top of the league and that remarkable ability to grind out results might just decide the tie. With the second leg at Old Trafford Ferguson will feel happy enough to rely on United’s phenomenal home form to see them through.
Chelsea still haven’t quite adapted to playing with Fernando Torres but there is time before they take on United to tinker and try and square the circle to accommodate him. A lot will depend on the tactical approach Ancelotti takes. Anything other than a win at home will make progress very difficult indeed. However Chelsea have a big Indian sign over United at Stamford Bridge and will feel confident about getting a result to defend.
United for their part will be fretting over a serious defensive crisis with Rio Ferdinand, Rafael da Silva, Jonny Evans, Nemanja Vidic and John O’Shea all struggling for fitness. At the other end of the pitch the prospects look brighter though. The return of Antonio Valencia provides a cutting edge and directness that has been missing while Rooney is finally returning to top form and forming a very dangerous partnership with Javier Hernandez.
Prediction: A very tight affair, but United should just about squeak it. The most difficult tie to call
Barcelona vs. Shakhtar Donetsk – The Ukrainian side are very much dark horses in this tournament and the only Eastern European side left. But the strength of this Barcelona side is just unreal. Like a lead weight on a rubber sheet Guardiola’s side distort the entire competition as nobody else can approach their brilliance.
There is very little else that can be written about how excellent Barcelona are but Shakhtar should not be underestimated. This has been a very impressive season for the Miners so far and other sides will be relieved not to have drawn them. The trip to Ukraine is long and difficult. The Catalan fancy-dans will want to establish a strong lead in the first leg because the possibility of a surprise in the Donbass Arena should not be ruled out.
Prediction: Real shame to see the back of this Shakhtar side but this Barcelona side are freaks of nature and will set up a tie against mortal rivals Madrid. In the words of the immortal James Richardson: “Woof!”
Inter Milan vs. Schalke 04 – The final tie sees the champions taking on the now managerless German side. Leonardo is hardly known as a tactical genius but this Inter side are simply better than the Royal Blues. Furthermore the players look like they are really enjoying their football under the Brazilian.
Still, the way that Bayern cut them to ribbons at times in the last round doesn’t bode well for later rounds. Under Mourinho Inter would never have displayed the tactical naivety to give away three goals and a host more chances. Inter should beat Schalke fairly comfortably but going against either Chelsea or United will probably be a step too far for them.
Prediction: Inter will get to the semi-finals but Champions League retention will remain elusive as they crash out in the semi’s. Those pesky Germans hey? Always ruining it for others. Both Schalke 04 and Bayern Munich screwed me in the round of 16. Out of my eight predictions, six were proved correct but Schalke (by being too good) and Bayern (by being so poor) ruined a perfect sweep. Nevertheless, I shall continue undaunted and confidently make wild assertions about the Champions League Quarter-Finals.
Real Madrid vs. Tottenham Hotspur – Whatever happens against Madrid, this season has been truly incredible for Spurs. Redknapp and his boys have been the most exciting team to watch in the entire tournament. However, the outlook doesn’t look promising for their next European adventure.
Against AC Milan the Londoners were able to set a tempo that the Italians couldn’t match at times, particularly in the first leg. Yet the Rossoneri still managed to boss much of the tie and the Italian press claimed that Allegri’s team were very unlucky to exit. Both sides had serious injury concerns which influenced the result but with Gareth Bale ready to resume action alongside Modric, van der Vaart and Lennon Spurs certainly possess the pace and technique to trouble Madrid more than Lyon did.
However the forces of Mourinho looked rather tasty in the last round and the attacking quartet of Ronaldo, Ozil, Di Maria and Benzema or Higuain will almost certainly be too much for Gallas et al to deal with. If Spurs can return from Spain with something to fight for then they will stand a chance. The danger is likely to be getting spanked in the Santiago Bernabeu and rendering the second leg irrelevant.
Prediction: Real to establish a dominant lead in the first leg and finish the job at White Hart Lane
Chelsea vs. Manchester United – A repeat of the 2008 final. Prepare to hear that factoid again and again and again over the next few weeks. Neither side has really hit top form yet but United are still top of the league and that remarkable ability to grind out results might just decide the tie. With the second leg at Old Trafford Ferguson will feel happy enough to rely on United’s phenomenal home form to see them through.
Chelsea still haven’t quite adapted to playing with Fernando Torres but there is time before they take on United to tinker and try and square the circle to accommodate him. A lot will depend on the tactical approach Ancelotti takes. Anything other than a win at home will make progress very difficult indeed. However Chelsea have a big Indian sign over United at Stamford Bridge and will feel confident about getting a result to defend.
United for their part will be fretting over a serious defensive crisis with Rio Ferdinand, Rafael da Silva, Jonny Evans, Nemanja Vidic and John O’Shea all struggling for fitness. At the other end of the pitch the prospects look brighter though. The return of Antonio Valencia provides a cutting edge and directness that has been missing while Rooney is finally returning to top form and forming a very dangerous partnership with Javier Hernandez.
Prediction: A very tight affair, but United should just about squeak it. The most difficult tie to call
Barcelona vs. Shakhtar Donetsk – The Ukrainian side are very much dark horses in this tournament and the only Eastern European side left. But the strength of this Barcelona side is just unreal. Like a lead weight on a rubber sheet Guardiola’s side distort the entire competition as nobody else can approach their brilliance.
There is very little else that can be written about how excellent Barcelona are but Shakhtar should not be underestimated. This has been a very impressive season for the Miners so far and other sides will be relieved not to have drawn them. The trip to Ukraine is long and difficult. The Catalan fancy-dans will want to establish a strong lead in the first leg because the possibility of a surprise in the Donbass Arena should not be ruled out.
Prediction: Real shame to see the back of this Shakhtar side but this Barcelona side are freaks of nature and will set up a tie against mortal rivals Madrid. In the words of the immortal James Richardson: “Woof!”
Inter Milan vs. Schalke 04 – The final tie sees the champions taking on the now managerless German side. Leonardo is hardly known as a tactical genius but this Inter side are simply better than the Royal Blues. Furthermore the players look like they are really enjoying their football under the Brazilian.
Still, the way that Bayern cut them to ribbons at times in the last round doesn’t bode well for later rounds. Under Mourinho Inter would never have displayed the tactical naivety to give away three goals and a host more chances. Inter should beat Schalke fairly comfortably but going against either Chelsea or United will probably be a step too far for them.
Prediction: Inter will get to the semi-finals but Champions League retention will remain elusive as they crash out in the semi’s.
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