Uefa Champions League
KNOCKOUT STAGE – PREVIEW After a 3 month absence Champions League action is finally back and what amazing fixtures we have this season. Tickets for all matches are sold out and why wouldn’t they be??!!!
Fixtures: Tuesday, 21st Feb Wednesday 22nd Feb Real Madrid v/s Arsenal Chelsea v/sBarcelona
Benfica v/s Liverpool Ajax v/s Inter Milan PSV Eindhoven v/s Lyon Werder Bremen v/s Juventus Bayern Munich v/s AC Milan Rangers v/s Villarreal
Chelsea v/s Barcelona
A repeat of last season’s fixture as the English champions welcome the Spanish champions. There is immense rivalry between the two sides as they go into this fixture. When the two teams met here last season Chelsea walked away with a controversial 4 – 2 win. This being the first leg of the match and this time it is played at England first. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has had his own worries as the strong Chelsea defence hasn’t quite lived up to its reputation. In 2006 Chelsea have conceded 7 goals in 6 premiership matches, the latest of them being a 3 – 0 humiliation at the hands of Middlesborough. Clearly their build up to this match hasn’t quite been good. But in the last 7 home games Chelsea have only conceded 3 goals. Mourinho will look forward to the lead in the 1st leg as Barcelona are not an easy side to beat at the Nou Camp. On the other Barcelona have made it clear that they would want revenge for last season’s controversial defeat. They also suffered a slight set back as they lost 2 matches in a row but they bounced back with and amazing 5 – 1 victory against Real Betis, a side that has already beaten Chelsea once in the Champions League. The return of play maker Ronaldinho and teenage prodigy Lionel Messi will boost their confidence. Frank Rijkaard’s men were very disappointed with the playing conditions and Chelsea have reacted in their usual fashion. Will the pitch prove to be the decisive factor as these 2 sides meet? Since it is the first leg and it is an away leg Barcelona would definitely have a more defensive mentality than Chelsea and they would look to watch out for Chelsea’s deadly counter – attacks. Team News Chelsea look really strong leading up to the game.Maniche could well be debuting for the Londoners.The only spot of bother for Mourinho would be the left back position. With Gallas not fully fit will he gamble with Del Horno or would he give the nod to Gallas. Del Horno is much slower than Gallas and against the pace and flair of Ronaldinho and Co. one would feel that Mourinho would prefer Gallas. Another interesting position would be that of the 3rd midfielder as Micheal Essien is unavailable thanks to the two – match ban he received. So will Mourinho stick to a more defensive option by playing Maniche or would he give Gudjohnsen a start who is more of an attacking player. With Drogba not at his best Mourinho would most probably go with Crespo upfront. If either Maniche or Gudjohnsen start it would be interesting to see how Chelsea copes with Barcelona’s attacks. Tracking down Lampard would be Barca’s main worry and so the position of Thiago Motta would be extremely important. Looks like Motta will be given the nod ahead of Van Bommel and Guily as Motta is the most defensive of the three. If Edmilson were to control Lampard and Maniche alone then he would have a tough time so Barca would definitely need a defensive midfielder. Belleti and Gio will have a tough time trying to control the runs of Robben and Cole. This dual looks to be one of the highlights of the tie. All – in –this atch is going to be one hell of a contest as both teams go at it hammer and tongs. With the bad pitch conditions and home advantage one would say Chelsea would have the upper hand but Barcelona would be hungry for revenge. Can Barcelona resist the Blue – wave or will it be yet another top caliber performance by Mourinho’s men. How Chelsea can beat Barcelona? - Firstly they will have to play their natural game. Just think it is “just another game” and Chelsea will do fine. - Secondly Chelsea will have to buck up their defence. Conceding away goals could be a decisive in the outcome of this fixture. Chelsea have the attacking flair but they can be a little vulnerable at the back so Mourinho’s men will have to get that straight before the match. - Joe Cole and Arjen Robben will play a vital role as their super jinxing runs down the flank can give Chelsea the goals. It would be interesting to see how Barcelona contain the duo. - Also Chelsea must finish the game before half time. The first 20 minutes of the match would be vital and Chelsea would want an early goal. Once they have a 2 goal cushion they can sit back and defend. - Last time out, long balls where the key as Chelsea beat Barca. The quality of passing from Lampard, Robben and Cole should be top class so that Ronaldinho and Messi can be kept quiet. How Barcelona can beat Chelsea? - The first 20 minutes of the match are very important. Barcelona would be tested immediately and the team that makes the better start will be the better team. - Possession is also very important. Barca must keep the ball and frustrate Chelsea and then try and catch Chelsea off guard with the counter attack. - In last year’s first leg Chelsea troubled Barca with the long ball from the defenders. Puyol and Marquez must be alert at all times. - Samuel Eto’o would the difference between the two teams. His natural ability to score goals could set the tone for Barcelona. - Set – pieces will be vital as Ronaldinho is deadly when it comes to dead ball opportunities. So Barcelona should draw the fouls from Chelsea and play to their strengths.
Chelsea(Predicted 11) --------------------Petr Cech---------------- Ferriera----Carvalho----Terry--------Gallas ------Lampard-----Maniche---Makelele--- Robben-------------------------J. Cole -----------------Drogba-------------------- Barcelona(Predicted 11) -----------------Victor Valdes----------- Belleti----Marquez----Puyol------GVB Motta ---Edmilson---Deco--------Ronaldino ------------------Messi ------------------- -----------------Samuel Eto’o ------------- Players to watch:Chelsea: Terry,Lampard,Robben Barcelona : Motta,Ronaldinho,Messi
Liverpool vs Benfica
Playing against Benfica may seems like an easy tie but may turn out to be a tricky fixture. Benfica are strong at home, and are doing really well at the moment in the Portuguese superliga. They knocked Man Utd out of the UCL and really played well and proved the punters wrong. Liverpool has beaten Benfica 5 times out of 6 tries in this competition, including the finals in 1978. If Liverpool’s not too disrupted by injuries, they will take this game.
Liverpool XI (Possible)
-----------------Reina------------
--Finnan--Hyypia--Carra---Riise--
--Gerrard--Alonso--Sissoko--Kewell--
------Fowler-------Morientes-------
Subs to Choose from : Dudek, Crouch, Garcia, Warnock, Agger
Benfica XI (Possible)
--------------Moretto-------------
--Nelson--Luisao--Anderson--Leo--
--Geovanni--M.Fernandes--Petit--Simao
--------Marcel----Nuno Gomez----
The department that they surpass Liverpool is the Striker department, they both combined goals tally of 22 goals which surpass the Liverpool striker mark. However, with Gerrard in midfield, Liverpool looked to dominate the game and create chances, which the upfront men must convert it to take the 1st leg.
How Liverpool can beat Benfica ?
- Hyypia and Carra should be marking their men, Marcel and Nuno, tightly as they are very prolific goalscorers. Marking them effectively would mean no goals conceded.
- Our strikers should be scoring if not winning at the Estadio da Luz in order to have an advantage at Anfield on away goal.
- Perhaps man marking would be more efficient that zonal. You agree ?
- Their midfielder, Simao, is also known for spot on crosses and a winger specialist and will be playing head to head to Steven Gerrard. If Sissko and Gerrard could compliment each other well, Simao won't have chance.
- Finish off the game early because Liverpool always dominate the early 30 mins or half time but usually manage to kill off the game and were made to pay like the Birmingham game How can Benfica beat Liverpool? - Instead of playing long balls to Gomez and Marcel they should try playing the ball at the attackers feet. Hyypia and Carragher are very good in the air. Hyypia has been deceptive when the ball is played towards the attackers feet. - Simao must take not be daunted by the task of facing Stevie G. He should take him on and go to the byline to try and get in decent crosses. - Most important. Believe that they can beat the former UCL Champs. Players to watch: Benfica: Simao Sebrosa, Nuno Gomez and Geovanni Liverpool : Gerrard, Kewell, Morientes
AC Milan V Bayer Munich Two European giants. 10 European Trophies between them. What more does one need? When these two teams meet tonight, irrespective of what happens we’ll have a winner. FOOTBALL will sure win. Milan are looking for their 7th UCL win, whereas Munich are looking for their 5th title. Milan are going to be looking to make amends for last years heartbreak. Both teams won their last respective cups on penalties. Milan beating Juventus while Munich beat Valencia. Both teams have their worries though. Milan hasn’t really been themselves after losing to Liverpool in Istanbul. Mediocre performances in the seria a and they barely managed to squeeze themselves into the knockout stages of this years competition after qualifying on the last day. But then even Liverpool and Porto won the competition after barely managing to go through to the knockout stages. For Munich, captain Oliver Kahn will be missing. Just as he began to get back into the form he used to be in the injury has seriously dented Munich’s hopes. But then do stats and form mean anything once the game starts? Liverpool showed that last year, beating Juventus , Chelsea and then Milan themselves. Will it be Milan magic, or Bavarian bravado? Whatever it is, this match is going to be 1 real cracker. How can Milan beat Munich? - Firstly, attack them from the start. If Munich are allowed to play their game, they can be devastating. - With a weakened defense, the midfield must be hold out Munich’s attacks. - Gilardinio and Sheva must be at their best if they can get anything out of Lucio and Ismael. - Clever little balls will me more effective than over the top balls as Lucio is a brilliant header of the ball. How can Munich beat Milan? - Expose the absence of Cafu and Maldini. Stam will be playing on the right where he is least effective. - Get Ballack n Demichelis involved. Both are in stunning form and could quite be the difference. - Deisler and Ze Roberto must run at Stam and Serginho who don’t look to confident. Stam particularly doesn’t look to confident at the wingback role and Roberto will look to expose that. - Bastian Schweistiger (the hidden weapon). Bring him on if nothings happen and the young German will make things happen and could give Serginho/Stam a real run around. Milan(Predicted XI) --------------------Dida-------------------- Stam------Nesta------Kaladze----Serginho Gattuso------------Pirlo------------Seedorf ---------------------Kaka-------------------- ---------Sheva----------------Gilardinio---- Munich(Predicted XI) --------------------Rensing----------------- Sagnol-----Lucio-----Ismael-----:Lizarazu Diesler-----Ballack---Demichelis---Ze Roberto --------------Makaay-----------Pizzaro--------- Players to watch: Milan: Nesta,Kaka, Gilardinio Munich : Deisler, Ballack,Lucio n Schweinstiger(maybe from the bench)
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