UCL Semi Finals: Battle of European Titans

The Champions League semi finals are a battle of true European heavyweights. Besides the notable absence of any EPL Clubs, all of which failed to even reach the quarter finals, the final 4 are true European Titans.

Between them, the final four have won no fewer than 21 European Cup/UCL titles & have been involved in an amazing 37 finals! Barcelona, Real Madrid & Bayern have been ever present semi finalists in the last few years & Juventus, following a few rough years is back amongst the European elite.

Predicting the results of the two semi finals this year is harder than ever before, despite the fact that Barcelona & Real Madrid will start their respective ties as slight favourites.
There are however some distinct factual observations that can be made about the final four:

Barcelona are undoubtedly currently the most in form team in Europe,
Real have wobbled vs Schalke & Atletico Madrid,
Bayern have deep injury worries to key players, and
Juventus's defence looks rock solid & very hard to breach

Here's the team's overall results so far in this year's competition

1. Barcelona 9W 0D 1L, goals 23-7, 27 points
2. Real Madrid 8W 1D 1L, goals 22-6, 25 points
3. Bayern, 7W 1D 2L, goals 30-8, 22 points
4. Juventus, 6W 2D 2L, goals 13-5, 20 points

Based on how Real Madrid accounted for Atletico Madrid, Real will most probably get the better of Juventus over two legs, and with a more comfortable margin than a mere 1-0

The Barcelona vs Bayern is much harder to predict & very much depends on how fit key Bayern players will be in time for the two encounters. Without Ribery & Robben on the wings & Alaba & Benatia in defense Bayern simply do not have the quality to counter Suarez, Messi, Neymar & co. A fully fit Bayern side on the other hand is more than even chance.

My prediction (assuming Bayern players are fit in time) is Bayern vs Real Madrid

Intrigue in UCL Quarter finals

The quarter finals of this season's UCL will get on the way next week....and the intrigue this year is, whilst Barcelona, Real, Bayern & Juventus are odds on favourites on paper, PSG, Atletico, Porto & Monaco are all capable of causing upsets on their day.

The much hyped, money rich EPL has not managed a SINGLE team in either UCL or Europa League quarter finals this year.
It is quiet clear that the mega TV money which continues to make the EPL the richest football league in the world, is also contributing to the mediocrity of the EPL teams in European competitions. Whilst many of the world's best talents are attracted to the money lure & glamour of the EPL, the clubs are also paying inflated prices for over hyped but otherwise average players who clearly are not tactically as proficient as many cheaper but more astute players playing for mainland European clubs. Porto, Monaco, Atletico Madrid & even to a lesser extent PSG & Juventus all demonstrate my point.

Now back to the draw:

PSG's disposal of Mourinho & his over hyped Chelsea side in the round of 16th was a master class in tactical football & a lesson for Mourinho's usual "park the bus" tactics. PSG also beat Barcelona at home in Paris in the Group stage.
Barcelona on the other hand have finally got Messi fully fit, Suarez settled into their system & Iniesta back to his near best whilst their at times suspect defence has also been repaired. PSG can only get the better of Barca if their players are fully fit & they manage to perform 2 more perfect performances as they did vs Chelsea. Barcelona are however currently the clear favourites to win the UCL this year.

If there's a coach and a team that can get the better of Real Madrid, it is their city rivals Atletico Madrid. Atletico were very unlucky not to win last year's final 1-0 in normal time & they will be motivated to take advantage of a misfiring Real side.

Normally, Guardiola & Bayern Munchen would be clear favourites vs the entertaining & skillful Porto. However, Bayern are currently in an injury crisis & will travel to Porto next week without key players such as Robben, Schweinsteiger, Alaba, Benatia & (possibly) Ribery & Badstuber, plus the long term injured Martinez.

Bayern are simply not the free flowing goal machine their fans have got used to without the services of Robben & Ribery on the flanks (They have now scored 1 goals in their last 3 matches with those two injured). But there should be no excuses for Guardiola & Bayern with their talented squad.

Juventus have finally returned to their rightful position amongst the European elite this season & a gallant Monaco side who disposed of Arsenal are probably the least likely team amongst the 8 to make it to the semi finals.

I got 7 out of 8 quarter finals right with PSG's elimination of Chelsea the only exception. The semi finals will be contested by Barcelona, Bayern, Atletico Madrid & Juventus.