The first leg of the Champions League quarter finals will get on the way next week. This year I only managed to correctly predict 6 of the 8 quarter finalists (my record for the past 4 years since I started blogging stands as 8, 8 , 7 & now only 6!)The fairytale team of the competition, Apoel Nicosia surprised everyone, including me by scraping past Lyon on penalties after each team won their home leg 1-0.
Whilst that was a unexpected, I was disappointed my tip Napoli did not manage to protect their 3-1 home leg win at Stamford Bridge & secummed to a gallant & rejuvenated Chelsea side 4-1 in London. I thought Napoli were one of the brightest new comers to the CL in a long time & am sorry they did not progress further. Nevertheless, they left with their reputation enhanced whilst Chelsea saved themselves and English football blushes by making sure the EPL at least has one participant in the QF stage.
I tipped Barcelona at the beginning of the season to become the first ever team to defend their Champions League title. However, I am now leaning towards a possible Real Madrid vs Barcelona final & an ultimate win by the much disliked Mourinho.
Here are my quarter final tips: (my tips in bold)
Bayern vs Marseille: Bayern got their mojo back with the magnificent 7-0 thrashing of the up to now impressive FC Basel. With both Ribery & Robben in top form, Gomez scoring & hopefully Schweinsteiger back to full fitness, Bayern can beat any team on their day. This is even though their central defence remains suspect & would most probably concede against the likes of Madrid & Barcelona.
Marseille on the other hand, were very lucky to eliminate an otherwise woeful Inter Milan with a last minute strike at San Siro. Not only they have had a torrid time in the French league, they will also be missing their charismatic goal keeper for the first leg. Bayern will go through with relative ease.
Real Madrid vs Apoel: Unfortunately, all fairy tales come to an end, and this is where the story finishes for Apoel. Not only Real are now the clear favourites for the title, Apoel have only scored 7 goals in 8 matches in the competition & that statistic by itself would indicate further progress is unlikely for them. (Although Spain won the 2010 WC with only a slightly better goal average!)
Benfica vs Chelsea: EPL fans would disagree but this Chelsea side, whilst undergoing a mini resurrection after the sacking of AVB (coach), is simply not capable of carrying the English flag any further in this year's competition. Benfica on the other hand have a solid team with plenty of reliable & technically gifted players & are my surprise tip for the semi finals.
Barcelona vs AC Milan: Barcelona fans should stop pondering why their luck drew them against a tricky Milan side whilst Real drew Apoel! With Messi surpassing the all time scoring records at Barcelona, everything is possible. The two sides met in the group stage, drew 2-2 in Barcelona & Milan lost 2-3 in San Siro.
In order for Barca to go all the way & defend their title, they need to learn to stop conceding goals! Mourinho is brilliant as that, as boring as his tactics are compared to the excitement of Guardiola's strategies!
All up, my heart wants my beloved Bayern to be crowned champions of Europe in their home ground in Munich in May, my head tells me a Real vs Barcelona final is the most likely outcome, and sadly Mourinho will get his hand on the trophy by breaking all coaching records.
