Overview of Champions League Semi Final Match-Ups

SF1: Real Madrid vs Barcelona:

The semi finals of this season’s Champions League has delivered one of the most anticipated match ups in world football. El Clasico. Just saying it makes me get excited. Two of the best teams in world football, and most certainly in the Spanish league, have been paired against each other. These teams have delivered countless epic encounters throughout their long history of tradition and rivalry. It also matches up the world’s current top 2 players, Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo, against each other. Between the two of them, they have scored over 80 goals this season alone, with each surpassing 40 goals individually in all competitions this season. Then there are the suave, successful masterminds behind their respective teams, in that of Jose Mourhinho & Pep Guardiola. These two managers have been extremely successful throughout their coaching careers. We know what Mourinho did with Porto, Chelsea & Inter Milan and then there is Guardiola, the coach of possibly the best football team of my generation.

These games will have so much to offer and trying to predict a result in these games is nearly impossible because even though Barcelona are the team to beat, Mourinho in the UCL has a history of devising massive upsets and achieving the impossible. Trying to construct a best combined starting 11 between these two teams would also be one hell of a challenge! We now have four El Classico’s to look forward to over an 18 day period, starting this weekend, as they meet in the league, UCL & their domestic Cup competition - now that’s a privilege!

SF2: Schalke 04 vs Manchester United

I honestly do not know much about this German team. However, I do know that one should never, ever, underestimate any German team and United do not have a particularly impressive record against German teams at the knock out stages in the past. They will defend like Trojans with experienced German international Christoph Metzelder leading their line of defence. They should press high up the pitch and they also have a pretty lethal striker in the legendary Spanish master, Raul. Hats off to his type of player, having scored in both legs his team’s quarter final match against Inter Milan, and even though Raul may not have the pace of times gone by (although his game was never based on speed), he can still put the ball in the back of the net. Raul, Van Nistelrooy, Inzaghi - these are veteran strikers of the game, all predators inside the box with the ability to stick it away when an opportunity comes their way.

At this moment in time, United have the momentum and confidence to take on just about anyone. The Manchester Derby is coming up on the weekend which will represent a massive challenge to progress to the FA Cup Final and to deny City the chance of silverware for yet another year. However, I believe no matter the outcome, self-belief will remain high, with the hopes of securing both the EPL and UCL lying in our own hands. The return of big players from injury, the rediscovered form of Rooney and the rock solid defensive partnership of Rio & Vidic have placed massive assurance and poise into the team, with the squad depth coming to the forefront of our trophy challenge.

I do believe United will have too much for Schalke in midfield, and this is where the opportunity lies to dominate the game. If we can control the game as we did against Chelsea I see us progressing, with Carrick and Giggs forming a potent partnership in the middle of the park (excuse the pun). The German teams obvious lack of experience in Europe could also be a telling difference, with their best effort over the last few years being a quarter final against Barcelona which they lost in 2008. Also, their domestic form has not been great of late, with them currently sitting in 9th place. 


This tie is obviously pairs United with the “easiest” team of the possible 3 teams, however after disposing of the reigning champions, Inter Milan; Schalke will believe they can continue with the upsets and progress to the final. They present tough opposition but I’m sure Fergie knows that, as will the players, and I’m confident that we can book our place in Wembley against one of the other Spanish giants.

Fixtures:

• First Legs:

Schalke 04 vs Manchester United (Tues, 26 April)

Real Madrid vs Barcelona (Wed, 27 April)

• Second Legs:

Barcelona vs Real Madrid (Tues, 3 May)

Manchester United vs Schalke 04 (Wed, 4 May)