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.
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.
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
Kick Off: 20:45 SAST
My Predictions: Bayern Munich 2-1 FC
Barcelona
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