UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals: Part Deux

Real Madrid-Bayern Munich (1-2 agg.)


    On to part two of the Champions League semi-finals.  In this match-up we get the pleasure of a purely competitive European slugfest.  Bayern Munich hails from the Bundesliga League in Germany, and travels to Madrid to face the most popular and most supported team around the world, Real Madrid.  In a back and forth match-up last week, Munich edged out a 2-1 victory off of goals from Franck Ribery and a late 90' notch from leading scorer Mario Gomez.  Madrid answered in between these goals with a Mesut Ozil knock.  This game is even harder than the Barca-Chelsea game to pick for me, in terms of the absurdity of depth both teams possess.  Bayern Munich needs to have at least one goal in this, in order to tie the away goal rule in order of a tie-breaker.  Madrid plays out of their minds at home, as the Bernabeu stadium has been called home over the many rich year of their history to numerous famous names like Beckham, Raul, both Ronaldo's, Zinedine Zidane (headbutter), and Kaka.  Madrid also are valued as a top 3 club in terms of wealth, which translates into much success and top-form players.  Bayern Munich on the other hand has proven themselves to be a top prestigious team not only in Germany, but also on the European stage.  They boast top players like Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribery, Mario Gomez, Toni Kroos, and Luis Gustavo, to only name a few.

Keys to the Game:
Real Madrid:
Madrid has to continue defending against the Munich frontline of attackers.  Cristiano Ronaldo stated that by taking away Munich's front-most weapons, (Ribery, Robben, Gomez, Muller) Madrid has a great opportunity to be victorious.  While Madrid comes home, they still have to realize that they are playing with their backs against the wall and can not let an overly offensive attack be easily reverted into a Munich counter-attack.  Munich like to run a fast paced offense, and can slow down and fatigue Madrid's defenders if they are not wary of their defensive assignments.  The key to Real's victory will be their ability to utilize their immense depth in every positioning level.  Madrid's attack will be obviously based off of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema's abilities to make plays all over the scoring area.  That tandem will be assisted on the wings by a large supporting cast including Mesut Ozil, Angel di Maria, and Gonzalo Higuain.  The center attack will be cornerstoned by the talents of Xabi Alonso and Kaka, one of the world's greatest players.  Madrid can overcome their deficit by sticking to their offensive game-plan and coach Jose Morinho's fantastic mindset for the game allows their substitution tactics to influence outcomes of their games.

CR7 leads Madrid into battle

Bayern Munich:

Mario Gomez takes his prolific scoring resume into Madrid in hopes of advancing

Munich will again call upon their talented offensive powerhouse, Mario Gomez to continue their success from the last game.  As stated before, Gomez will be assisted by the tremendous Dutch-international Arjen Robben, who knows the Madrid system well, as he formerly played for Madrid.  The midfield play of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Guztavo open up opportunities for Gomez and Robben, and allow them to run free all over the scoring area.  The amount of European and international experience is on Munich's side here.  Most of their starting lineup plays for the German national team, and gel together very well.  The key to Munich's success will be frustrating CR7.  When Ronaldo is slowed down and visually shaken, Madrid can follow suit easily and slip into making costly mistakes.  Mario Gomez has stated that Madrid's allure has been shattered by their game last week, and now it is up to the Munich team to build off of this huge momentum swing.

Prediction:

Too tough to call right now. I predict another low scoring match either ending 1-1 or 2-1 Madrid.  Just have to see at this point.

KINGS DETHRONED

AFTERMATH IN BARCELONA, SPAIN 4/24/12

    Well underdog fans, it happened.  Chelsea pulled off a stunning upset of Barcelona at FCB's own field.  A 2-2 final score, however a 3-2 aggregate combined scoring total.  Any soccer fan can include this match up there with the all-time heart wrenching defeats for such a highly praised and touted club like Barcelona.  So I may have called the outcome incorrectly, but was correct or close on a few things.  The main factor in Chelsea's success today was the amazing effort and skill put forward by their defensive core.  Their back line lost some early momentum, as Captain John Terry was sent off for in inexcusable red card maneuver on Alexis Sanchez.  As Chelsea's leader angrily stormed off the field, momentum started to swing Barcelona's way as Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta both capped goals in the 35' and 43' respectively.  Just when Barcelona started to settle in to close out the half, Frank Lampard sent a grounded through ball ahead to the Brazilian midfielder Ramires, scoring in the 45'+1 minute.  A stunned Barcelona squad slowly headed off of the field into the tunnel.  At halftime the possession scale was heavily tipped in Barca's favor, controlling the ball 79% to Chelsea's 21%.  Barcelona finished the half with 10 total shots, 3 of them considered on goal.  Chelsea finished with 4 shots, 1 on goal.

    Barcelona then opened the second half buzzing around the field like they normally do, ultimately setting up a Cesc Fabregas chance on goal, however was brought down in the box, forcing a penalty kick.  In the 48' minute here, Lionel Messi drilled the PK off of the top crossbar, allowing for Chelsea to regain control.  The story of Barca's second half was plagued by good opportunities turning into either turnovers or missed opportunities, along with improved defensive play by Chelsea.  Petr Cech turned even the best of strikes into acrobatic saves, frustrating the attacking Barcelona side even more.  As I had mentioned before, the turning point and key to victory would be putting in the struggling Fernando Torres.  Through all of his scoring drought I have still continued to have faith for the talented striker, and in the 79' minute came on for the flopping Didier Drogba.  Drogba was pestered by fans today every time he hit the ground because of last week's dramatic flops.  Between minutes 80' and 90', Chelsea played more of a hockey style defense in the sense of clearing pucks out of the zone on a penalty kill.  Chelsea continued to turn away Messi strikes, including one off of the post.  The referee announced 3 minutes of added time, and in the 91' minute Fernando Torres broke free of defenders and raced down the field, all alone, and beat goalie Victor Valdes to claim an aggregate victory for Chelsea.

    The game ended in a 2-2 tie today, and a 3-2 aggregate.  The final stats for the game included Barcelona dominating possession again like usual, increasing its number to 83% to Chelsea's 18%.  Barca finished its European title chase with 23 total shots and 6 on goal.  Chelsea only needed 7 total shots, of which 3 were on net to secure its position in the Champions League Final in May at Allianz Arena in Germany.

UEFA Semi-Finals

FC Barcelona-Chelsea FC (0-1 agg.)

    Chelsea enters the Nou Camp in Barcelona to meet the perennial UEFA Champions League favorites, FC Barcelona, leading an aggregate score of 1-0.  Aside from diehard Chelsea supporters, the majority of the football world clearly expects Barcelona to roll over opponents without much of a contest, especially in the case of an inconsistent Chelsea team ridden with controversy which started earlier in the season, with the removal of former boss Andre Villas-Boas and the institution of Roberto Di Matteo.  With further controversy surrounding John Terry's racial abuse scandal and Fernando Torres being questioned his worth, Chelsea found a way to expose Barcelona at Chelsea's home venue, striking right before halftime by a streaking Didier Drogba.  Chelsea continued to employ their stout defense for the remainder of the game last week, stoving away 24 scoring chances.  On the other hand, defending champion Barcelona now faces much doubt and criticism if they are not able to return from a miniscule deficit at their home arena today, and can potentially be eliminated from the prestigious European competition.

Keys to the Game:
Barcelona:
The play of midfielders Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta open up scoring chances at will when firing on all cylinders.  Last week they seemed nonexistent.  For Barca to win here at home today, the play of Xavi, Iniesta, and Cesc Fabregas will need to kick it up a notch in order for superstar Lionel Messi to be able to thrive.  Lionel Messi, who leads all scorers in the Champions League competition, has been excellent as of late, with the exception of last week's game. When Barcelona controls possession like they normally do, their strikers are usually able to make runs at the net and produce.

Fernando Torres finding his confidence

Chelsea:

Personally, if Chelsea decides to use Fernando Torres in the second half of the game, Chelsea is able to open up their attack and spread out Barcelona's sometimes lackadaisical defense by adding his crossing abilities and natural speed. Obviously Drogba, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Raul Meireles, and Juan Mata will also be flying around the field making plays and impressive counter-attacks.  John Terry anchors an impressive defense who puzzled Barca's strikers last week.  Chelsea comes in the underdog yet again, and their success depends on level-headed attitudes by their defense, along with the support of the heavily talented goal keep, Petr Cech.

Prediction: Barcelona wins today 3-1 and advances over the aggregate ruling, 3-2 at their home field.

Although a Chelsea victory does not seem far off considering last week's performance.