PSG v BARCELONA
How PSG wins: The multitude of talent that PSG
owners brought in this summer, which has failed to gel at times, comes together
as a team and plays with concerted discipline. Ibrahimovic backs up his billing
as a top-five striker in the world and the Parisians counter-attack Barca
relentlessly. The other attacking pieces help expose a weak Barca defense and
create an advantage to hold for the second leg in Spain.
How BARCELONA wins: They play their game. Barca have
proven nearly impossible to stop when they can piece their passing play
together, and the story is no different here. They are effective in breaking
down a tight PSG defense and produce a strong result in France, while finishing
off the French side at the Nou Camp.
Key players: CB Thiago
Silva (PSG); CM Xavi (Barcelona)
The holding midfield
and defense are always critical against Barcelona, and as one of the top
central defenders in the world, Thiago Silva will be the main man in charge of
shutting down Barca’s tiki-taka attacking game. Silva has both the pace and
tactical know-how to hold their very potent offense at bay. Xavi will be
pulling the strings for the Spaniards, and he will continue to be their most
important player. Even with his increasing age, Xavi is the heart of this team
and he will need to play well against a very talented PSG defensive front.
Who will advance: Barcelona. PSG have loads of
talent and could be contenders in the future – for the time being it is likely
too soon. Barca have loads more experience in this competition and this would
still be early for them to go out. To beat the Catalans, it takes not only
talent but discipline, something PSG have not exhibited this year. I do believe
in Ancelotti as a coach, but it may be another year or two before we can put
PSG with the elite teams in Europe. After last round’s scare against Milan,
expect Barca to come out firing and avoid the drama of having to come back in
their home leg. This should be a tight tie and if PSG’s defense can hold, they
certainly have the attacking prowess to trouble Barca. However, they may not
see enough of the ball to take control in this tie and provide a consistent
threat in the attacking third. Expect Barcelona to make it through a tough test
from the Parisians.
Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 PSG
REAL MADRID v GALATASARAY
How REAL MADRID wins: Real have superior talent and
coaching so they are big favorites to go through. They do not fall behind and
build pressure on themselves, and their large array of attacking options are
too much for Gala to handle.
How GALATASARAY wins: The least recognizable name
left in the competition, Gala play with nothing to lose. While the club may not
be well-known in Europe, their star players prove the quality of their
reputation and take the game to Real. They use the same counter-attacking game
Dortmund used to beat the Spaniards and smash-and-grab a series of results to
sneak through.
Key players: FW Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid); CM Wesley
Sneijder (Galatasaray)
Ronaldo is always the focus when he’s on the field,
and his impeccable form will be nearly impossible for Gala’s defense to handle.
Even if Gala focus their attention on him, Ronaldo is a good enough player to
feed his teammates, who have been shaky at times in front of goal. It’s up to
him to put it on a plate if he is unable to score himself. Sneijder will be in
charge of the Gala midfield and his form has returned since his move to Turkey.
Expect him to create plenty of opportunities for Drogba and Yilmaz against his
former employers.
Who will advance: Real Madrid. This tie is
interesting because Gala pack a bigger punch than many would think – Yilmaz is
joint leading scorer, Drogba helped Chelsea to a Champions League crown last
year, and Sneijder has returned after a bad ending to his spell at Inter. This
team is not to be underestimated, and their road form has been good in Europe.
If they can take the game to Real in Madrid, they will face a difficult task in
front of the raucous fans in Turkey. Mourinho and Real have plenty of
experience at this stage and will be well-prepared. I don’t expect this to be a
non-contest but Real should make it to the semi-finals while avoiding the drama
of their tie with Manchester United.
Prediction: Real Madrid 4-2 Galatasaray
MALAGA v BORUSSIA DORTMUND
How MALAGA wins: Malaga continue their stellar
defensive play in Europe and stifle Dortmund’s attacking triangle. They will
need to play cautiously but they have proven their quality in winning their group
and eliminating Porto. They take a lead in Spain and hold off a German
onslaught in Dortmund to continue their magical run in their first Champions
League appearance.
How BORUSSIA DORTMUND wins: Dortmund have been able
to break down every team they have played in Europe, and although Malaga boast
one of the continent’s best defensive records, Dortmund’s force of Lewandowski,
Gotze, and Reus offer versatility that few defenses can stop. Dortmund take a
patient approach and assure the tie can be won at home, limiting Malaga’s counter-attacking
opportunities to rare long balls down the wings.
Key players: FW Isco (Malaga); FW Robert Lewandowski
(Borussia Dortmund)
Isco has been fantastic for Malaga, and although he
may leave for greener pastures in the summer, he cares for the club and its
fans. He will be a threat, especially in Spain, and will be the player for the
Spaniards to keep an eye on. Lewandowski is charged with leading his team’s
line against the Malaga back line, and he will need to be on top of his game.
Chances will not be often, and chances that he squandered against Shakhtar
cannot be afforded in this tie.
Who will advance: Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund are
the better team and this is the stage where you rarely see the “cinderellas”
move on. With the Bundesliga long gone, Dortmund are fully focused on their
European football and are fully healthy, which is especially important during
this time of the year. Malaga’s run has been hugely helpful for the club financially,
and they will not back down easily. I think the red card to Porto in last round’s
second leg played a large role in Malaga’s advancement, and while I believe
they belong in the same conversation as the other clubs still alive, they are
just a shade lacking in the attacking third. Dortmund should be able to create
enough chances, especially at home, to battle their way through to the
semi-finals.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Malaga
BAYERN MUNICH v JUVENTUS
How BAYERN MUNICH wins: Bayern shake off their scare
against Arsenal and bring the game that brought them a 9-2 victory over Hamburg
at the weekend. They continue to be motivated by last year’s disappointment and
methodically break down a stellar Juventus defense. They use their home
advantage to build a lead to bring to Turin, where they hold off Juve in a
classic encounter.
How JUVENTUS wins: Juve continue their excellent
defensive play and their offense continues to be a threat. They play cautiously
in Munich but find a way to score away from home, then use their away goal to
pile all of the pressure on Bayern. Superior midfield play and finishing take
Juve through narrowly to the semis.
Key players: LW Frank Ribery (Bayern Munich); CM Claudio
Marchisio (Juventus)
All of Bayern’s attacking players will be in the
spotlight but Ribery will be especially important. His pace is tough for any
defense to handle and he can both unlock the wings to create scoring chances
for himself while sending balls into the box for Gomez and Madzukic to get a
head on. Marchisio has been one of the strongest links of Juve’s midfield, and
he will be in charge of helping Pirlo control the middle third of the field. In
a matchup with very little give, Marchisio must help Juve take advantage of
their strength all season – possession in central midfield.
Who will advance: Juventus. Juventus look massively
underrated by the odds in this tie (Bayern are 1/2 to go through) and have not
conceded in five straight Champions League ties. After Bayern’s last
performance in the Champions League, I am hardly confident in their abilities against
a much tougher opponent. I must allow some slack for complacency due to the
large lead, but I would have expected Bayern to handle an Arsenal squad that
has lacked much conviction during this season away from the Emirates. I don't think this is much of an upset - Juventus are champions of Italy and have not lost a game in Europe this season (5 W, 3 D). This should be the tightest tie of the round, and both sides to be evenly prepared for it. I think Juve will just barely take it with their advantage of the second-leg being at home.
Prediction: Juventus 2-1 Bayern Munich
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