Tuesday, April 23, 2013

The Champions Clash 

Uefa Champions League Semi Final 1st Leg 


                           

It’s officially the business end of the season. The time to etch your name in football folklore, or be forgotten. On one side we have Bayern Munich, German champions with a 20 point advantage over their nearest opponents in the Bundesliga. On the other hand we have FC Barcelona, 13 points ahead of their nearest opponents, with La Liga all but wrapped up. Surprisingly though the Catalan Giants don’t head into this tie as favourites (even if they’re the first team to qualify for 6 Champions Semi Finals in a row).
      
Bayern come into tonight’s match in stratospheric form. Having been able to rest many of their star players since clinching the title, they’ve still amassed 3 wins and scored 21 goals in the process including two consecutive 6-1 victories in the league. Many of their fringe players have definitely given the coach a welcomed headache heading into the match tonight.  For Barcelona things haven’t been as easy. Although continuing their winning ways, they needed a late Cesc winner to clinch victory against Levante this past weekend.

The biggest news heading into tonight’s match is of course a certain Lionel Messi. The question on everyone’s lips is whether or not he’s fit tonight, and if so: “How fit is he?”According to the Barca Director Zubizaretta:  Messi has been cleared by the medical staff, with the decision being left to Tito on how to best utilise their little talisman. Bayern fans will be happy to know that Bastian Schweinstieger has shrugged of his ankle knock and will lead the Bavarians from the centre of their midfield. The omission of Mandzukic due to suspension will give way to Mario Gomez, who although hasn’t started many games this season comes into tonight’s tie on the back of a hatrick this past weekend.


 
 Bayern come into this match with a lot to prove. After losing to Chelsea in last seasons’ final at the Allianz Arena, they’ll definitely have the added motivation to rid themselves of the “chokers” tag given to them in recent seasons.


                                                               
A subplot to the seminal is the Spain vs. Germany rivalry. With both clubs providing the core of their respective national teams, the Germans will be looking to get one over their Spanish counterparts, who have leapfrogged them in recent years in the battle of International supremacy.
As favourites tonight Bayern will be going for an all out victory. Bayern coach Heynckes will remind his players just how important a clean sheet is, that’ll put them in a commanding position heading into the 2nd leg. Barcelona will be looking to contain the Bavarians, looking to get an away goal in the process that will give them motivation heading back to the Camp Nou with their 80000+ “12th” man to get them through to Wembley.

As kick off looms, I suggest you prepare yourself for a football masterclass.
Possible Line Ups
FC Barca: Valdez; Alves, Pique, Bartra, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Sanchez, Messi, Tello
Bayern:  Neuer; Lahm, Buyten, Dante, Alaba; Martinez, Schweinstieger; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Gomez
Players walking the Yellow card tight rope
FC Barca: Pique, Alba, Song
Bayern: Lahm, Dante, Luiz Gustavo

Kick Off: 20:45 SAST

My Predictions: Bayern Munich 2-1 FC Barcelona

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