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Here We go Again.
By Toyin | March 24, 2009
When the first knockout round draw was made, I tried to make an informed guess (in football we call it analysis or preview) of what is likely to be the outcome of that round. At the end of the day, I got seven right out of the results. I even predicted the outcome of the Porto versus Athletico Madrid game to the extent that it would be decided by away goals! I also tried to not focus on the players but rather on the teams as a whole in making my informed guesses. You can read through the post again here http://www.9jafans.com/index.php/2009/02/24/who-will-go-through/.
Now the hostilities begins again and from April 7-8, 2009, the eight remaining teams will trade tackles to determine who goes to the semi-finals of the most prestigious club competition in the world; the UEFA Champions League. Just like last season, all four English teams made it to the quarterfinals and they are sure to at least have one representative in the semi-finals. The three Italian teams were bundled out ironically by the English representatives in the first knockout round.
Just like I did the last time, I will put my thoughts together on what I think will be the outcomes of these titanic clashes. I would humbly crave your understanding in not really making any lengthy analysis; this is meant to be short, precise and straight to the point. Welcome to the oracle once again. LOL
Villarreal VS Arsenal
It took Arsenal 50 fifty years to appear in its first UEFA Champions league final and the team on whose back it rode is this year’s quarter-finals foe from Spain. It took a lone goal scored at Highbury by Kolo Toure for Arsenal to breeze into the finals for the first time and even a late dubious penalty in the return leg could not deny them that achievement.
In my 14 years of watching Arsenal, especially since the studious Arsene took over the reins, I never saw such a defensive display as the one they put up at the 25,000 capacity Estadio El Madriga. Eventually, the manager quipped that in the past, they had fallen to sucker punches while trying to play their normal attacking football!
Will history repeat itself again? After a stuttering start to their seasons, both teams seem to have shrugged off the lethargic performances of the recent past and slowly playing their ways back into contention.
While Arsenal is brimming with youngsters, Villarreal is packed with experienced heads that are battle hardened and very aggressive both in defense and attack. Ironically, both teams are fourth in their respective leagues! What will give?
Arsenal seems to have rediscovered their form of recent and have been unbeaten in 16 league matches. With the return of their captain Cesc Fabregas set for a week’s time, the resurgence of the rear guard in keeping away soft goals (although they conceded another soft one on Saturday), the pace and guile of the players and the lack of the latter in Villarreal; I’d have to say I have a fair idea who will edge this tie.
My prediction: Arsenal to go through over the two legs by the odd goal.
Manchester United VS Porto
Jose Mourinho’s rise to world stardom really took off in a similar tie some years back when he led Porto (against all odds and expectations) to defeat Manchester United. However, this took place in the first knockout round. They won 3-2 on aggregate. Now, there is no Mourinho but there remains the ‘old man’ of the premiership Sir Alex Ferguson, one of the most successful gaffers of all times in charge at Old Trafford.
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Two weeks ago, this would have been the easiest to predict of all these ties but how things change in football! From eleven consecutive wins in the EPL and an outstanding rear guard display, Manchester United were exposed first by Liverpool and then Fulham.
I am pretty sure that Jesualdo Ferreira would have taken note of that encounter against Liverpool if not that of Fulham! The thought of course would be ‘they can be beaten’. And in this business, no one can begrudge you for that. You must believe you can!
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Despite this stuttering performances, Manchester United still sit atop the league with a point lead and a game in hand. Such was their dominance in the past four months. And don’t worry; they always pick themselves up at the right time.
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Porto on the other hand are four points ahead of the rest of the pack in their league and playing some sensational football at regular intervals. Don’t forget, they claimed a big scalp in the last round and they will think they are good to go again. All said and done, this will be a very entertaining and exciting encounter that will unfortunately throw up no surprise!
My prediction: Manchester United to go through comfortably.
Barcelona VS Bayern Munich
This is one encounter I look forward to! Kai, gongo aso lojo yen! Bayern Munich are now the bookmakers dark horses at this stage of the competition. Dark horses ko, white donkeys ni! The current Bayern Munich side has one of the finest collections of players comparable to any side in Europe and they showed their class by annihilating Sporting Lisbon 12-1 on aggregate in the last round.
Some will ask who is Sporting Lisbon? I dare say they are a top European side that qualified for the first knock round stage of the tournament and are second in their league presently. So they are no whipping boys as many are wont to think. The result obtained by Bayern should be a high sounding warning to Barcelona that this will never be a walk over.
Barcelona; I guess we all know what they are all about! Breathtaking football, unbelievable skills and finishing second to none in Europe. Who can stop them? They understand only one form of football: Attack, attack and more attack! Why not? They have a magical trio that can totally overwhelm and destroy any opposition on their day. I ask again, who can stop them?
Despite all the accolades and the situation surrounding Barcelona, they have one weakness, a major one; their defense, especially the goalkeeper. Will he be able to withstand the fire power of the terrible force that will be unleashed by Bayern? The masquerade will soon be unveiled!
My prediction: Bayern to cause an upset and bundle Barca out of the CL!
Liverpool VS Chelsea
Did I hear you say not again? Exactly my sentiments mate! This is the fourth time in five years that these guys will face up at one level or the other in the CL and ‘am sure they must be sick of each other now!
Arguable the toughest tie of this round, it has always thrown up a lot of talking points in the past. Intrigues, dubious penalties and adrenalin pumping action-This is another one to look forward to.
Liverpool, according to crazy football fans in Nigeria, weakened the Bridge for Arsenal to destroy! Liverpool had beaten Chelsea twice this season and they are currently in the form of their lives having crushed Real Madrid, Manchester United and Aston Villa in a row. No team would want to play Liverpool now!
There is a saving grace for Chelsea however and this is the international break that’s coming up this weekend. Why? Torres is likely to return injured! And that will be one (a major one for that matter) out and Chelsea can heave a sigh of relieve if that really happens.
Secondly, a team that’s really in form like the Reds could be knocked out of its stride with a break like the one coming up and this can only play into the hands of a determined side like Chelsea. There is also the small matter of the travelling man, Guus Hiddink. This guy doesn’t know what failure is; he just keep going and raking up good results wherever he’s been. Don’t let me bore you; this has been quite a long one and you must be tired by now!
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My prediction: Chelsea to nick this and upset the apple cart at Anfield!
If I end up getting all the results right, I think personally, a promotion as the ‘Guru’ of our time won’t be out of place! Shalom.
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Topics: Biz Football, Crazy Fans, Hot Stars, Cold Sands, Success Pills, The Champion, The Gaffer, Who Will Win |
March 24th, 2009 at 9:14 am
You said Chelsea will defeat Liverpool. Well, if that happens, I won’t consider it as an upset.
I also disagree with you COMPLETELY that Barca will be bundled out by the Bavarians, please look into your crystal ball again.
Finally, I know you will not agree with this; if there is going to be any upset, its going to be the yellow submarines sending the gunners back to the Emirates to concentrate on fighting for the fourth position in the EPL.
March 24th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
I disagree with u in many places. What makes u think Torres ‘ll get injured while on nat. assignment? He ‘ll not & Chelsea ll still go thru.
Man U ll ve the epiphany of their shock as Porto bundles them out with little stress.
I wish Arsenal luck but Villareal wont be easy.
Bayern are a good side but Barca is in my books to go thru.
The Semis: Arsenal vs Porto, Chelsea vs Barca.
Final: Arsenal vs Chelsea. Winner: Chelsea.
March 24th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
I will be the happiest person when Chelsea dumps out Liverpool again! It’s about time we put them where they really belong!
March 24th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Tunde, read through my previous take on the CL and give me some dues on my thoughts. I look at football dispasionately and make my previews. Lets wait and see what happens.
March 24th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Being a fan of your blog. I really do not doubt your great analytic skills and your thorough understanding of the game. I however think that you have got it 50% wrong. Arsenal should go through afterall they have the easiest team in the lot without a doubt apart from Porto. Man U will go through. But your predictions of Bayern winning Barca and Chelsea beating Liverpool are far fetched. Bayern beating Sporting L is no basis for that analysis. On the form of the team on the night, they would have been beaten by the Under 20 team Samson Siasia inherited.
March 25th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Good predictions my 9jafans but note these corrections.
I strongly believe some matches will be completely walk-over. Man U V Porto. Man U leanrt their lesson of this session with thier last two matchesin PL. Porto to receive thier misplaced agreesion of lost both home and away.
Arsenal V Villa- The gunners will overcome this stage in a ground style. A possible draw in the 1st leg and a 2- nill win in the Emirate.
The Other Two matches will end in favour of Chelsea and Barca. U want to bet it.
March 25th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Lets keep our fingers crossed April 7 & 8 is just round the corner.
March 25th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Good Prediction mr 9jafans. But note the follwong.
two matches will be completely walk-over. Man U learnt the lesson of their Season in thier last 2 matches and will misplace thier annoyance on porto by winning the 2 legs. The gunners will have a grond style win of their campaign with a possible barren draw in spain and 2-0 win in emirate.
For Chelsea and Barca. Winning is sure but a tough encounter is expected. Do u want to bet it?
March 25th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Good predictions, but NOTE there is always suprises in football (just like in any other games). And I also beleive any team is beatable no matter how strong. Arsenal fans should expect suprise from Villarreal, Man U may have the day as you predicted, Liverpool will humble Chelsea and Barca will pool a suprise. Lets wait till then.
March 25th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Toyin, I like your analysis no doubt but I think you got it wrong this time, especially on Barca/Bayern. Lets just wait and see what happens as you said.
Good blog no doubt. Keep it up!