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Who Goes Through?
By Toyin | February 24, 2009
Starting from tonight, the pictures of the clubs that would be declared quarter finalist will begin to get clearer as the first leg of the first knockout round of the UEFA champions league is played in several cities across Europe. The heat is on and only the brave and determined will survive.
Four English, four Spanish, three Italian, two Portuguese and one representatives each from Germany, France and Greece will trade tackles to determine who goes to the next round. This is the premier club competition in the world; this is the UEFA champions’ league!
Top players, I mean topmost ones use the platform of this competition to show what stuff they are made of. In truth, it doesn’t come tougher than this competition. And from this night, we will be served a sumptuous meal of football that would be so exciting that one’s mind will be forever stimulated!
I hardly, as a rule make predictions; I sincerely believe football is too unpredictable to be making predictions even if such borders on current form and past trends. However, to satisfy my numerous reader who believe that ‘am a kind of a ‘genius’, I’ve decided to stick out my neck and make some statements and here we go LOL! Please note that I won’t go into profiling players, I would just talk about the teams and move on, accepted? Ok then!
Arsenal VS Roma
Over the years, the Gunners have done relatively well against Italian oppositions. Recent big scalps taken include that of the two Milan teams and right at the San Siro. Thiery Henry mesmerized Italian fans when he scored two goals to help Arsenal overhaul Roma at the Stadio Olympico in Rome seven years ago. By and large, Italian oppositions have not fared too well against Arsenal.
On current form, both teams have struggled to assert themselves this season. Injuries to top players have not helped matters. While Roma managed a hard fought victory at the weekend, Arsenal settled for their third consecutive draw.
My prediction: Arsenal to go through over the two legs by the odd goal.
Inter VS Manchester United
This is a clash of titans! Manchester United are leading the PL with seven points while Inter are top of Serie A with nine. Two teams with quality players that are tactically sound and committed. I strongly believe that Manchester United have the edge in this tie, they simply have too many dangerous players on the field for most teams to cope with and that includes Inter Milan!
Tactical acumen will go a long way in determining the outcome of this encounter and the two gaffers are as good as any in the business. SAF and JM are no strangers to each other and I feel the honeymoon is over for the latter.
My Prediction: Manchester United to go through in two tight matches.
Real Madrid VS Liverpool
For obvious reasons, this may turn out to be the most exciting of all the ties in this round. Just before the arrival of Juande Ramos to RM, it would have been a forgone conclusion that the reds will triumph. How things have changed! Madrid is buzzing again and they are scoring goals in torrents! Liverpool on the other side seriously undermined their title credentials by allowing the boys from the blue side of Manchester take a point on Sunday. Will this affect their morale?
If they fire on all cylinders, Real Madrid might just find out that Liverpool is not Betis! This is very hard to predict as I think Juande Ramos and Rafael Benitez are among the top ten coaches in the world.
My prediction: Liverpool to go through on penalties.
Olympic Lyon VS Barcelona
Up to two weeks ago, Barcelona was seemingly invincible! Two poor results brought them back to the harsh reality that football has never and will never be a ‘forgone conclusion’.
Despite the above, they have the most devastating attack in Europe that can shred any team to pieces on their day. Will Lyon be able to contain the avalanche of waves upon waves of attacks that is certain to pour down on them? I don’t think so!
My prediction: Barcelona to go through.
Chelsea VS Juventus
The return of Claudio Ranieri to the Bridge where he was the helmsman for three and half years is the stuff dreams are made of. However, there is the small matter of the travelling old tactician from Holland, Gus Hiddink!
A very tricky match to predict. Chelsea as a team has done well in this competition over the past four years culminating in the heartbreaking loss to Manchester United in Moscow last May. The truth of the matter is that having secured the services of another top coach, their horizon was brightened with the win (a laboured one) over high ridding Aston Villa. Similarly, Juventus returned to winning ways by topping Parlemo with a wonder goal from ‘Momo’ Sissoko and another opportunistic one from David Treszeguet.
There is going to be a massive battle in the midfield and whoever wins this battle will carry the day.
My prediction: Juventus to win and go through on the aggregate.
Athletico Madrid VS FC Porto
The encounter between two neighbours! It reminds me of the tie between FC Porto and Deportivo La Coruna in 2004.
A sharp contrast of a season for the teams! While Porto, despite losing key players kept abreast of the table, AM has not been up to par with it’s pairs. After a blistering start to the season, they seem to have been extinguished by the heavy defeat to Barcelona early on in the season.
My prediction: Porto to go through by away goals rule!
Villarreal VS Panathanaikos
The Greeks are the surprise package of the whole set up. Getting here in the first place from their group is a job well done. The yellow submarines have not really stepped up as expected this season. Be that as it may, they are till a very strong side and it will take something magical to deny them an appearance in the next round.
My prediction: Villarreal to go through.
Sporting Lisbon VS Bayern Munich
The Bavarians missed UEFA champions league for a season but they are back with vengeance! They have the player and the experience required to navigate this tie through. Although, the results have not been too positive since the beginning of the year, you can bet on Bayern to produce when it matters most.
Sporting play a very open and attack minded formation that was ably exploited by Barcelona in the final group game last year. If they deploy that against the Bavarians, they will be plucked like ripe mangoes!
My prediction: Bayern to go through comfortably.
Now that’s it ladies and gentlemen! If all I said come to pass, then Nostradamus should be stripped of that famous title and of course I should be in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the most accurate football analyst in the world! Cheers and stay blessed!
Topics: Biz Football, Success Pills, The Champion, The Gaffer, Who Will Win |
February 24th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
i’m of the opinion that some of ur predictions are simply based on sentiments. jose mourinho has been prevailing against old fergie since when he was in porto. i sincerely tremble for man utd tonite. this is not a premiership match where there are separate rules for man utd, this is the champions match.
its inter 2, man utd 0.
February 25th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
Your post is almost a master piece except for your take on Juventus VS chelsea; we will beat Juventus both home and awasy for real!
February 26th, 2009 at 12:09 am
Your predictions from the first leg results so far is 80% correct! Kudos for your efforts
March 11th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Told you Chelsea will sail through, albeit not as perfectly predicted earlier (Feb. 25). Bottomline, Chelsea carried the day and now inching closer to the cup….WATCH OUT for the BLUES!!!
March 13th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
juve were playing better though
March 24th, 2009 at 12:33 am
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