Champions League: Two Finals Before the FINAL

Yesterday in Nyon, the remaining 8 gladiators were brought together and opponents were choosen for the final rounds of battle. Everyone now has an idea of how to get to Wembley so there's no need for some GPS. Time to start servicing the engines, checking the tires and making sure the vehicles are in good enough shape for the trip, 'cause shortcuts won't work this time..... enough with the car talk, seems like I was getting carried away :-), now on to the main thing. Here's a brief look at the teams that will be doing battle, allthough we still have a few weeks to the games (meaning changes can take place , but hopefully for good and not bad like injuries blah blah), I'll go ahead and tell it as i see it.

We start with the first draw:

Real Madrid vs Totenham Hotspur: The British media has been quick to tag Spurs as the surprise package of the Champions League, makes me wonder what the likes of Schalke and Shaktar Donestk (I doubt they spent as much as Spurs did) are to be tagged? Spurs are having a fairytale run in their first ever appearance on the biggest stage in Europe. They have also achieved some impressive results against teams such as Werder Bremen, Inter and AC Milan, but one thing that strikes me is that when Spurs played all these teams, their opponents were not at their best or had some crises going on. Look at Inter. How many Injuries did they have and also including the Benitez factor. Werder are having one of their worst seasons ever in modern era of the Bundesliga. Milan had many players who couldn't play against Spurs due to being cup tied. While its no fault of Spurs or Redknapp that such coincidences were happening. Madrid brings to the table a team with a bigger squad and a squad that's more in form than any that Spurs have faced. Yes Bale and Van de Vaart are the hopes that Spurs have, they are world class,but Madrid has world class players in every position and even on the bench. Madrid has the experience, hunger and right now Madrid is in a jinx breaking mood. They had a fantastic record against English teams until Arsenal and Liverpool dented it. Madrid has taken care of Lyon and now they are hungry to take care of the EPL jinx. They also have players such as CR7, Alonso, Arbeloa, Carvalho, Adebayor who have all tasted victory against Spurs and in Di Maria and Ozil, Benzema, Casillas, Pepe they have more than enough to match Spurs' threat of Bale, Van der Vaart, and Luka Modroc. If a Milan fielding a spent Seedorf could put Spurs on the back foot in London. Well imagine what a Mourinho coached team can do? Kaka might even have a say in this tie (it may help in him deciding if he wants to play in England). Madrid will go through and Spurs will give a decent fight, but am afraid this is where their fairytale comes to an end.

Do not be surprised to see Gonzalo Higuain on the bench by the 2nd leg. There's a slight possibility of that happening.

Chelsea vs Manchester United: is the all English affair I was expecting; I just had the feeling that two English teams would clash. A lot of Chelsea fans have been singing the downfall of Manchester United, but they might want to listen to their chief executive who admitted that they do have a rivalry in the Premiership, but in Europe it's a different ball game. United are having such a nightmare with injuries that reminds me of Real Madrid's case about two seasons ago, but in Sir Alex Ferguson they have one of the shrewdest and best man-managers. How many teams have fielded 7 defenders and have actually played better than their opponent (who happened to be a top rival). When Chelsea had an injury crisis we all saw how they mightily collapsed, but Ancellotti is also a top dog in the European game. He seems to be struggling to find a way to fit in his 50 million euro boy and that may be his downfall. He had a neat plan with his first team, now he is trying to make adjustments so Torres can fit in and be comfortable at the expense of most likely Drogba. Will he be successful? If United can have the likes of Fletcher, Anderson, Vidic (he is very important with Rio Ferdinand out) fit, I personally believe they will be able to SQUEEZE through in what will be a very tight set of games. Right now the slight advantage is with Chelsea but Ferguson is the man for such moments. Haven't made up my mind if these games will be a bit boring, but I know it won't be the most exciting to watch.

Internazionale vs Schalke is a game between two very blue teams (well they have the color Blue as one of their main colors) This will be a very interesting game: two teams that went through coach changes. One did it the right way and the other well kinda more like hitting a self destruct button. At the beginning of the UCL season, I doubt anyone gave Schalke the chance of getting this far. Felix Magath seems to have a way of working for teams where he is never appreciated; take Bayern as an example. He is a miracle worker and to me ranks as a top coach. With him gone and Ragnick, who has a good record in Bundesliga in his place, I do not know how much of a change he can bring to this team. He may choose to focus on Bundesliga and save whatever is left of a terrible season, so Europe may just be a distraction he can do without. I am not saying Schalke won't put up a fight. Trust me they'll battle to the end. For Inter,
Leonardo has brought a belief that Benitez failed to translate to the Inter players. Maicon looks reborn. Sneijder is refreshed and the Black Panther or Simba as my friend calls him, Samuel Eto is hungrier than ever. With a very leaky Schalke defense against them I can bet on Eto'o at least having one goal. The problem Inter would face is how many times would Neuer be beaten? Dude is clearly the hottest goalie in the game. I think he is number one right now based on the number of saves he comes up with every week and funny enough while Nuere's rating has been going up his opposite number have been having a torrid time giving away goals that make good bloopers video. Julio Ceasar is still world class but I expect him to be beaten at least once by the almighty Raul. Overall Inter has way too much confidence, momentum, players and a better defense (although leaky) to grab this one. Inter goes through.

Finally Barcelona vs Shaktar Donestk; Shaktar to me this truly is the surprise team of the competition. Their style of play and results were not what anyone expected. They topped their group that had a team called Arsenal, convincingly dispatched AS Roma home and away, and they have the confidence and since no one seems to give them a chance, they have nothing to lose and are having the BEST time of their lives. Spurs have even been tipped or projected to reach the final with miraculous wins over Madrid and possibly Barcelona, yet not one Website has given Shaktar such a chance. All I'll say is remember a team called Dynamo Kiev in 98 (might be 99).

Everything has been said of this Barcelona side, they have even gone as far as calling them the greatest team ever; I do not recall the Madrid or the Milan sides that dominated the Champions League getting such accolades. To me they (the blaugrana) are the Best Playing side in the game right now and that's where it stops. They are said to be practically unstoppable and I say that's a lie; it depends on who they are playing and what their opponents have in mind. The last round of games despite facing a team that didn't have a shot on goal, it took the referee's controversial decisions for Barsa to effectively win the game, and up till the last minute all Arsenal needed was one chance which Pretty Boy Bendter blew at the very end. Without Puyol and Unfortunately Abidal (wishing him a speedy recovery) Barcelona defense seems very porous. Yes they are not conceding like Spurs or Schalke, but if you truly know the Barcelona team you'll know what I'm talking about. If Puyol is not back and fully fit to face Shaktar, set pieces would be a BIG problem for this Barcelona side to defend, They have more than enough in attack to comfortably go through, but this is the Knockout stage. You can park the BUS and get one shot at goal. Even Barca has had a game with only one shot and went through against Chelsea two seasons ago. Would Shaktar be able to take their chances? Believe me they'll have at least 3 good chances in Nou Camp. Barcelona wins but not hands down as all media houses expect and don't be surprised if ex-Barcelona defender Chrgynsky will grab a goal.