The semi final draw can't get anymore mouthwatering than this!The current powerhouse ivy leagues of Europe are once again present! Barcelona & Real from Spain, Chelsea from England & Bayern from Germany! Italy have once again missed out although AC Milan's protests regarding two soft penalties for Barcelona have some merit. (Milan lost 3-1 in Barcelona with Messi scoring 2 goals from the penalty spot, in both cases the referee could have decided either way)
Mourinho & his Real Madrid team have overall been the best team this season. They have dominated LaLiga in Spain & are almost certain of finally winning the title back from Pep Guiardiola & his magnificent Barcelona side led by irreplaceable trio of Messi, Xavi & Inesta.
Barcelona are on the other hand the best club team in the world & (to Mourinho's extreme annoyance) the one everyone once to copy and catch.
Chelsea have found their old self under the caretaker Di Matteo, and Bayern, back in top form continue to be compared with Barcelona, and dream on appearing in the final on May 19th in their own Allianz Arena in Munich.
And most commentators have already penned a Barcelona vs Real Madrid final!
But, those of us who have followed Mourinho's dirty tactics against Barcelona, from his days in Chelsea, to his semi final win in 2010 with Inter Milan & to his less than successful Clasico & Cup encounters in Spain since he took over at Real Madrid should wish otherwise. (he uses dirty boring defensive tactics)
Chelsea & Bayern may not be favourites but they are not overwhelming underdogs either. Chelsea have defied all predictions since their heroic victory against Napoli at Stamford Bridge & beat a very good Benfica team home & away. On top of the newly founded fighting spirit, they seem to also have Torres finally finding his goal scoring touch. On the other hand, Barcelona have shown some defensive frailties of the late & are a team that can let goals in if their style is meddled with & disrupted. (best example was how Mourinho's Inter Milan side got passed them in the semi finals of the 2010 Championship)
Bayern have also got a team which after a wobbly start post Christmas, has found form again & is aiming for a triple again. With Robben & Ribbery in top form, Gomez scoring regularly & Schweinstager finally injury free, Bayern are capable of causing Real Madrid major grief, as long as they manage to neutralise the expected Ronaldo/Ozil/Kaka midfield assault on Bayern's central defence (their Achilles tendon). The key to potential success for Bayern is to make sure Real leave the first leg in Munich without any away goals! (easier said than done!)
All in all, no matter which two teams get to Munich, we are in for 5 nail bitingly thrilling matches to come & the final will be a thriller as long as it is not Barcelona vs Real Madrid.
My tip for the final: Barcelona vs Bayern Munich........Gooooooooo Bayern...all the way!
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