Here we are. Four teams that deserve to own a semi-final berth in Europe's most extreme footballing competition - The UEFA Champions League. We have two Spanish teams, one German and one English team; all making it through thick and thin to get to this crucial stage in not only this competition, but their respective seasonal campaigns as well. It's all or nothing for these teams having gotten so far and it has been a rough season for some, while for others, it's been a formality. And with respect to the latter, we all know that the only team in this world at the moment riding on sheer brilliance, is Barcelona.
But at this stage of the season, it can go either way. Shalke have shown that they are not to be underestimated by the big guns after dispelling current holders Inter Milan emphatically, while Manchester United are grinding out results tactically; not the safest method but presently proving to be the most effective as they kick into form at the right time. Real Madrid have found stability and motivation through Jose Mourinho and have made it past the QF stages for the first time in over five years. Confidence seems to be their twelfth man giving cover to each of his team-mates on the pitch. Barcelona are a class apart and one would have to agree with me when I say that they've been the most consistent team aside from Manchester United in Europe over the last three or four seasons in the UCL. They could play without a defense and still win a game. That's how threatening their midfield and forward line are.
I think that we shouldn't be disappointed with the teams that have made it thus far as they have fully deserved their shot at glory albeit with one more hurdle in their way.
REAL MADRID overcame the eye-catching Tottenham Hotspurs over both legs and anyway, I felt that Spurs had over achieved in their first season amongst Europe's Elite, not that they didn't deserve to reach this far, but they were running with tired legs and not enough of experience to get them any further in this competition. They could have gone the distance but only for a rejuvenated Madrid team that have found rhythm in their passing, a firing forward line with the likes of Benzema and Higuain and I can't believe I'm saying this, but Adebayor as well to stand their way. Mourinho is a tactical genius and he will want to win at any cost. Even if it means playing unattractively and not within the spirit of the game as we saw when Alonso and Ramos got themselves red carded in their final group game away at Auxerre in order to restart with a clean slate going into the knockout stages. Even so, they got the job done against a ten man Spurs team in Spain and we know how that happened after fifteen minutes. Jose can bring the best and worst out of his players. All he wants is to do is win and it doesn't matter how he does it just as long as he does so. He has the experience and a sharp mind, and thats what he used against Spurs. Something tells me that as they gear up to face Barcelona two weeks from now, and having to play them four times within the same time-frame in other national competitions, he'll want to win Barcelona by playing a little physical thus throwing his competitors off their rhythm. Although they do face each other four times in two different competitions, the stakes will be different but the tactics, will in all likelihood, be the same.
SHALKE 04 are the underdogs of this tournament even after dispelling last year's Champions Inter Milan last night, officially. In my last UCL post, I wished for a Shalke attack and boy, was I not left disappointed!!! From being a goal down in the opening 25 seconds, to comfortably winning the game 5-2 at the San Siro, last night was a mere formality. Still, they won the second leg 2-1 to stamp their intent and ambitions in this league. From last year's national Champions, to this year's fight for European dominance is hardly the fairly tale anyone would have ever predicted especially since they are so close to the finishing line. They have been one of the competitions quieter teams, rapidly making progress into the last four. Manager-less for part of the season, the players look united in team spirit and their focus is on the ball. Inter Milan were outdone by German Shepherd who took the game to their opponents and did not back off even once after conceding an early first leg goal wherein the whole world watching it, were quick to end Shalke's hopes of even a sniff at an away goal. Still they made the impossible seem like nothing and although they might not be in pole position in the Bundes Liga, they, unlike Tottenham, are playing with resolve, team spirit and the in-bred German strength to go the distance. They, like their competitors have the means to fight for a final where they lack in rich history to guide them on. It maybe enough to guarantee their shot at the final but they will have to put in a lot more of steel against a resurgent Manchester United in the semi-finals. They have the confidence, the belief, and the momentum going into this tie. The question is whether they can make it count. Or will they tire like Spurs did against Madrid. They attack with intent, shoot on target and never back down. They've got a good shot at making it through to the finals so long as they continue to hold their nerve as they've been doing so far.
BARCELONA are by far the best team in the competition so far. They've got an attack that's worthy of being envied upon by any team out there in the world. That attack might not have the Henry's and the Eto'o's and the Ronaldinho's of yesteryears but they've got plenty of goals in David Villa and Lionel Messi - who has scored a club record 48 goals already this season. For Barcelona, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi are a trio that can wreck any team's defense. Added to this, they have Alves on the right and promising players in Pedro and Pique. They might not have a wealth of attacking options but what they possess at the moment is enough or better still, 5 First Division English teams into one... or many many more. They are firm favourites to overcome Real Madrid in the semi finals. But in previous seasons in the same competition, at the same stage, they've shown a vulnerability to choking at this stage when they've come up against a stubborn opposition, tactically speaking. However, their passing and finishing is second to none. Their fluidity is unmatched anywhere in the world. Their coach? He has a knack of winning every competition they take part in and the most daunting thing of all - Lionel Messi. In my opinion, he's even better than the legendary, Maradona and is currently the closest thing to a somewhat of a footballing God. He cannot be man-marked, cannot be tamed, cannot be subdued and cannot stop scoring. This doesn't go without saying that a team wins on individual brilliance alone; but with the midfield that Messi has to support him, they can be unbeatable. For this team, the best form of defense is offense. It looks like nothing can knock them off their perch. Although, the only person standing in their way, is Jose Mourinho. He did it last year with Inter Milan by playing a defensive game against them. Maybe thats the only way to bring the Catalans down to earth. No team is invincible. But Barcelona are also the closest thing Harry Potter's Cloak of Invisibility. The only difference here, is that everyone can see it in plain sight.
MANCHESTER UNITED have made it to this stage for the third time in four years, twice progressing to the finals to win one of them. This year, they haven't been blessed with an offense that scares easily like Barcelona's, but they've got a good system working for them and stability within the squad which has seen only two big players leave year before last. So there's a a closeness amongst the players combined with a return in form for several key players in Rooney and Carrick. The inclusion of Rio Ferdinand has added a sense of security amongst belief and team effort from every player involved in a game. Their ability to successfully play out their manager's tactics at this stage of the season, is all the more reason to be positive that they can progress too, without having to play attractively and still get a decent result. They've got players who can soak up the pressure and then strike when given the opportunity. That's what we saw against Chelsea in both legs of the quarter-finals. They won the tie playing defensive and putting in a tremendous work rate to balance out the decrease in forward threat. Its not the pretty football that I'd like to see, it's certainly risky, it keeps you on the edge of your seat but so far, so good. They are a team that can punish you when the momentum is going against them and on the counter-attack. They don't look like changing an awful lot of strategy and will play to their current strengths. Ferguson will pray that he can keep the same squad fit and not change any of the players involved in the Chelsea victory. The team are coming into good form and belief and there's little that Fergi will want to change so as to not disturb the dynamics and effectiveness of his current starting line up. That will be the key to their progression from the semi final into the finals.
All four teams have a very different approach to their respective games and if you had to pair any team from this lot, you'd still get a game that would be as exciting to watch. They will play to their strengths. Some will stick to tactics, and others, will not want to change their style that got them to this stage in the first place. I feel Man United and Real Madrid are those teams that will adhere to strict tactics with the opponents they are facing in Shalke and Barcelona respectively. Their opponents will demand whether they play to their strengths or tactics that will mentally overpower their competition in search for Europe's ultimate prize in Wembley come May.
Here are your Semi - Final Fixtures. ( 26/04, 27/04 & 03/05, 04/05 )
Shalke 04 vs Manchester United.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Barcelona vs Real Madrid
Manchester United vs Shalke 04
But at this stage of the season, it can go either way. Shalke have shown that they are not to be underestimated by the big guns after dispelling current holders Inter Milan emphatically, while Manchester United are grinding out results tactically; not the safest method but presently proving to be the most effective as they kick into form at the right time. Real Madrid have found stability and motivation through Jose Mourinho and have made it past the QF stages for the first time in over five years. Confidence seems to be their twelfth man giving cover to each of his team-mates on the pitch. Barcelona are a class apart and one would have to agree with me when I say that they've been the most consistent team aside from Manchester United in Europe over the last three or four seasons in the UCL. They could play without a defense and still win a game. That's how threatening their midfield and forward line are.
I think that we shouldn't be disappointed with the teams that have made it thus far as they have fully deserved their shot at glory albeit with one more hurdle in their way.
REAL MADRID overcame the eye-catching Tottenham Hotspurs over both legs and anyway, I felt that Spurs had over achieved in their first season amongst Europe's Elite, not that they didn't deserve to reach this far, but they were running with tired legs and not enough of experience to get them any further in this competition. They could have gone the distance but only for a rejuvenated Madrid team that have found rhythm in their passing, a firing forward line with the likes of Benzema and Higuain and I can't believe I'm saying this, but Adebayor as well to stand their way. Mourinho is a tactical genius and he will want to win at any cost. Even if it means playing unattractively and not within the spirit of the game as we saw when Alonso and Ramos got themselves red carded in their final group game away at Auxerre in order to restart with a clean slate going into the knockout stages. Even so, they got the job done against a ten man Spurs team in Spain and we know how that happened after fifteen minutes. Jose can bring the best and worst out of his players. All he wants is to do is win and it doesn't matter how he does it just as long as he does so. He has the experience and a sharp mind, and thats what he used against Spurs. Something tells me that as they gear up to face Barcelona two weeks from now, and having to play them four times within the same time-frame in other national competitions, he'll want to win Barcelona by playing a little physical thus throwing his competitors off their rhythm. Although they do face each other four times in two different competitions, the stakes will be different but the tactics, will in all likelihood, be the same.
SHALKE 04 are the underdogs of this tournament even after dispelling last year's Champions Inter Milan last night, officially. In my last UCL post, I wished for a Shalke attack and boy, was I not left disappointed!!! From being a goal down in the opening 25 seconds, to comfortably winning the game 5-2 at the San Siro, last night was a mere formality. Still, they won the second leg 2-1 to stamp their intent and ambitions in this league. From last year's national Champions, to this year's fight for European dominance is hardly the fairly tale anyone would have ever predicted especially since they are so close to the finishing line. They have been one of the competitions quieter teams, rapidly making progress into the last four. Manager-less for part of the season, the players look united in team spirit and their focus is on the ball. Inter Milan were outdone by German Shepherd who took the game to their opponents and did not back off even once after conceding an early first leg goal wherein the whole world watching it, were quick to end Shalke's hopes of even a sniff at an away goal. Still they made the impossible seem like nothing and although they might not be in pole position in the Bundes Liga, they, unlike Tottenham, are playing with resolve, team spirit and the in-bred German strength to go the distance. They, like their competitors have the means to fight for a final where they lack in rich history to guide them on. It maybe enough to guarantee their shot at the final but they will have to put in a lot more of steel against a resurgent Manchester United in the semi-finals. They have the confidence, the belief, and the momentum going into this tie. The question is whether they can make it count. Or will they tire like Spurs did against Madrid. They attack with intent, shoot on target and never back down. They've got a good shot at making it through to the finals so long as they continue to hold their nerve as they've been doing so far.
BARCELONA are by far the best team in the competition so far. They've got an attack that's worthy of being envied upon by any team out there in the world. That attack might not have the Henry's and the Eto'o's and the Ronaldinho's of yesteryears but they've got plenty of goals in David Villa and Lionel Messi - who has scored a club record 48 goals already this season. For Barcelona, Xavi, Iniesta and Messi are a trio that can wreck any team's defense. Added to this, they have Alves on the right and promising players in Pedro and Pique. They might not have a wealth of attacking options but what they possess at the moment is enough or better still, 5 First Division English teams into one... or many many more. They are firm favourites to overcome Real Madrid in the semi finals. But in previous seasons in the same competition, at the same stage, they've shown a vulnerability to choking at this stage when they've come up against a stubborn opposition, tactically speaking. However, their passing and finishing is second to none. Their fluidity is unmatched anywhere in the world. Their coach? He has a knack of winning every competition they take part in and the most daunting thing of all - Lionel Messi. In my opinion, he's even better than the legendary, Maradona and is currently the closest thing to a somewhat of a footballing God. He cannot be man-marked, cannot be tamed, cannot be subdued and cannot stop scoring. This doesn't go without saying that a team wins on individual brilliance alone; but with the midfield that Messi has to support him, they can be unbeatable. For this team, the best form of defense is offense. It looks like nothing can knock them off their perch. Although, the only person standing in their way, is Jose Mourinho. He did it last year with Inter Milan by playing a defensive game against them. Maybe thats the only way to bring the Catalans down to earth. No team is invincible. But Barcelona are also the closest thing Harry Potter's Cloak of Invisibility. The only difference here, is that everyone can see it in plain sight.
MANCHESTER UNITED have made it to this stage for the third time in four years, twice progressing to the finals to win one of them. This year, they haven't been blessed with an offense that scares easily like Barcelona's, but they've got a good system working for them and stability within the squad which has seen only two big players leave year before last. So there's a a closeness amongst the players combined with a return in form for several key players in Rooney and Carrick. The inclusion of Rio Ferdinand has added a sense of security amongst belief and team effort from every player involved in a game. Their ability to successfully play out their manager's tactics at this stage of the season, is all the more reason to be positive that they can progress too, without having to play attractively and still get a decent result. They've got players who can soak up the pressure and then strike when given the opportunity. That's what we saw against Chelsea in both legs of the quarter-finals. They won the tie playing defensive and putting in a tremendous work rate to balance out the decrease in forward threat. Its not the pretty football that I'd like to see, it's certainly risky, it keeps you on the edge of your seat but so far, so good. They are a team that can punish you when the momentum is going against them and on the counter-attack. They don't look like changing an awful lot of strategy and will play to their current strengths. Ferguson will pray that he can keep the same squad fit and not change any of the players involved in the Chelsea victory. The team are coming into good form and belief and there's little that Fergi will want to change so as to not disturb the dynamics and effectiveness of his current starting line up. That will be the key to their progression from the semi final into the finals.
All four teams have a very different approach to their respective games and if you had to pair any team from this lot, you'd still get a game that would be as exciting to watch. They will play to their strengths. Some will stick to tactics, and others, will not want to change their style that got them to this stage in the first place. I feel Man United and Real Madrid are those teams that will adhere to strict tactics with the opponents they are facing in Shalke and Barcelona respectively. Their opponents will demand whether they play to their strengths or tactics that will mentally overpower their competition in search for Europe's ultimate prize in Wembley come May.
Here are your Semi - Final Fixtures. ( 26/04, 27/04 & 03/05, 04/05 )
Shalke 04 vs Manchester United.
Real Madrid vs Barcelona
Barcelona vs Real Madrid
Manchester United vs Shalke 04
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