Champions League Draw: Quarter-Finals

The Champions League draw was held today on UEFA.com and the stage is set for next month's ties.

Real Madrid CF v Tottenham Hotspur FC: an interesting set of matches, but still seems to me an advantage to Real Madrid. Spurs are a much-improved side and are very talented going forward, but can be had if you are patient and tactically sound. Real Madrid under Mourinho are definitely that.

Chelsea FC v Manchester United FC: a repeat of the 2008 final, we are assured one thing, and that's that barring a miracle in the Real Madrid match, England will advance to the semis with just one club representing them and that's always a good thing.

FC Barcelona v FC Shakhtar Donetsk: could this be a surprise for the blaugrana? Traveling into Eastern Europe is a difficult measure for any club, but Barcelona should go through unless Shakhtar's vice-captain and former Barca defender and castoff Dmytro Chygrynsky has anything to say abut it.

FC Internazionale Milano v FC Schalke 04: I know it was fashionable for Real Madrid fans to want to see eternal captain Raul come back to the Bernabeu, but this is better. Inter should go through, they have the experience after having done it last year, and Shalke is coming off a very difficult week as Felix Magath was let-go under cloudy circumstances.

After that? Here are the proposed semifinals:

Semi-final 1: FC Internazionale Milano/FC Schalke 04 v Chelsea FC/Manchester United FC.

Semi-final 2: Real Madrid CF/Tottenham Hotspur FC v FC Barcelona/FC Shakhtar Donetsk.

At first glance it looks like an English club will be playing a Spanish club at Wembley for all the marbles. A triumphant return to England for Jose? He wins La Decima, the coveted tenth European title for Real Madrid, and then runs into the opposing locker room and takes over there? Doubtful, but it will be interesting. I'll have my predictions some time next month when the squads are finalized.

Share This

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Subscribe Here