Jose Mourinho has faced very hard times vs German teams in his Career. Although his 2nd European Success was against Bayern Munich when he was Inter boss, he has not fared well against German opposition. The Portuguese has never won a Champions League game in Germany and that streak continued last week when the Schwarzgelben of German Football destroyed his beloved Real Madrid by four LEWANDOWSKI goals to CR7's one. It was a triumph worthy of praise from all and sundry involved in the beautiful game of soccer. Jurgen Klopp's tactics worked wonders and his team were almost perfect on that historic night in Ruhr. Today is a different scenario. Dortmund come to the Santiago Bernabeu in a bid to complete the demolition job. REAL MADRID are prepared to ensure that is not the case.
The merengues warmed up for this very important tie with a 2-1 win over capital rivals, Atletico at the Vicente Calderon to stretch their unbeaten run against the Rojiblancos to 14 years and 25 games. The win also ensured that Jose Mourinho's 100% record in Capital derbies remains intact. The Great coach has won all matches against Atletico since he assumed office. Latest dad, Angel Di Maria gave his daughter and wife a perfect gift by scoring a sweet winner on Saturday. Mou rested a host of regulars and CR7 didn't feature at all. The Champions League top scorer is battling to be fit for tonight's hugely crucial encounter and even though his manager has declared him ready to play, he might not be completely fit. Mesut Ozil, Sergio Ramos and Fabio Coentrao were all rested.
Borussia Dortmund also rested a few of their stellar names for this fixture. Last week's hero, Lewandowski only made it from the bench in the second half, but could not extend his scoring sequence to 13 Bundesliga games. Sahin's belter and Kuba's neat finish were all that Klopp needed to come away with a 2-1 victory at Fortuna and be all guns blazing for this game. Al the big boys will be expected to start this evening when they come face to face with a team they have got the better of 2 out of 3 times already this season.
Jose Mourinho is aware of how daunting the task is tonight. He echoed Director and Madrid Legend, Butragueno's sentiments that this is the most important match of the last 10 years for the whites and only qualification will be deemed appropriate at the end of proceedings. The great orator that Jose is, attempted to reduce the pressure on him by saying when the team succeeds, the glory belongs to everyone, but when they lose, it is the manager's fault. This isn't new and he as an experienced campaigner should know that it is the duty of the tactician to ensure victory at any cost and when he falls short of expectation , he must talk the blame. Simple. He added that some of the greatest managers in World football have not yet won the Champions League or didn't win at all (He must have been referring to Arsene Wenger). He has won two and thanks God for it and will go all out to win a third. Failure is not an option tonight as the Madrid hierarchy will not be kind enough to let him exceed this season. Three straight semi final appearances is equal to success in any other place, except THE BERNABEU. The dream of LA DECIMA has long been conceived and they want it to be turned into reality. Another German team stands in their way and this time, the task is very difficult to accomplish. Not after that insipid show of disgrace last Wednesday. A match Jose called a 'friendly' from his team's perspective. Some unnecessary stuff cropped out of nowhere to overshadow this much anticipated duel. The German media dropped a rather stupid headline that Mourinho told Klopp he is heading to Chelsea in the summer. Klopp denied bitterly that this was ever the case and Mourinho dismissed it affirmatively. He however refused to say whether he will remain at the helm next season and when asked about the Ancelotti to Real rumour, he was bemused. 'Whatever be the case, I am not in the right position to answer this....the question should be directed at Madrid'...he said.
All that aside, REAL MADRID have it all to do this night. A great performance can go a long way to bury the demons that resurrected at the Signa Iduna last week. If they overcome this deficit and reach Wembley, it will be hailed as possibly the greatest comeback in Sporting history. As for Klopp, he knows that only a 'MIRACLE' can deny his team that Wembley appointment. He is well groomed for this kind of occasion. Watch as events unfold.
PROBABLE LINEUPS-
REAL MADRID-\
Diego Lopez, Essien, Ramos, Varane, Coentrao, Khedira, Alonso, Ozil, Di Maria, Higuain, CR7
The big dogs are bark and should bark loudly later today. Essien had a torrid time in the group stage match v Dortmund in Germany, but Mourinho trust shim to do a job on either ROLLS REUS or Bayern bound Gotze. Pepe was utter garbage in Germany. I don;t expect him to be played again in defence. Varane and Ramos have been great as a pair and should continue. It is Lewandowski they are attempting to keep quiet. Something that is now an almost impossible job nowadays. CR7 once again leads the hunt for the goals needed to earn Real a final berth. Pipita and Angel will assist in that regard. Alonso has to boss that midfield. Gundogan and Bender made him look like an amateur the last time. Mesut Ozil in his more favoured position as an AMF (Attacking Midfielder) will have a better game. he rarely under-performs in two straight outings. Diego Lopez will yet again be picked ahead of Iker Casillas and Luka Modric most certainly will be on the bench.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND-
Weidenfeller, Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer, Gundogan, Bender, Gotze, REUS, Kuba, LEWANDOWSKI
The Polish predator is in Town. The fear of Robert is the beginning of respect. His four goals against Real Madrid is in my opinion, the best individual showing in European Club Football in many years. Not even a moron will bet against him not finding the net yet again tonight. The deadly duo of Reus and Gotze have all the talent necessary to devour Real. Gundogan and Bender must replicate the greatness they showed in Germany to foil the Khedira-Modric-Alonso unit. Now Ozil enters the equation and Modric drops out.
Cristiano Ronaldo has not scored a penalty in this competition yet...He is the top marksman with 12 goals...Robert Lewandowski is next with 10...Messi on 8, Muller on 7.
Tomorrow night at the Nou Camp. Barcelona will require a performance much better than the Milan one to have any chance of making it to Wembley for the 2nd time in 3 seasons. That might be a tall order for even the greatest European club of the last 5 years. A 4-0 deficit to any club is mammoth. Against a great club like Bayern Munich and versus possibly the greatest Bayern side ever assembled (will be unarguable if they win the treble), it is simple gargantuan. 'Osram' Heynckes has built a great side filled with some of the most technically gifted footballers of this generation and a well oiled machine. The 4-0 clobbering of Barcelona last week sent many stern messages and statements of intent to those who harbour any ambition of upstaging the Roten anytime soon. From defence to midfield to attack, they were dominant. Despite Barcelona's superior possession which is always the case, the Bavarians were bullish and ruthless at the same time, destroying the Catalans at every given opportunity. Tomorrow will be a totally different story..at least that's what Barca hope for.
On a personal level. I do not see how the Blaugrana can score five without reply. Unthinkable that Bayern with their attacking excellence, will be shut out by a makeshift Barcelona rearguard. It remains to be seen. Bayern defeated Freiburg by a Shaqiri goal at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, while Barcelona earned a point at San Mames vs a hard working Bilbao side full of energy and industry. It took the introduction of Leo Messi yet again to give the Spanish champions-elect the needed spark. He scored a fabulous solo goal and assisted another as Barca went from 1-0 down to 2-1 up, until Ander Herrera met a Fernando Lloremte knock down to score what would would be the game's last goal. That sort of heroics and the ones against Arsenal (scored four goals), Bayer Leverkusen (scored five), and A.C Milan (scored two) will be much needed if they are to have even the slightest sniff against Bayern Munich when the whistle blows tomorrow night. The likes of Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets were reduced to mere spectators at the Inflatable boat. But we all know they are a different proposition at the Nou Camp. An early goal will help their cause....Nevertheless, the big QUESTION is- Can they stop Bayern from scoring? That is left for us to find out.
PROBABLE LINEUPS-
BARCELONA-
Valdes, Alves, Pique, Abidal, Adriano, Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta, Alexis, Pedro, Messi
Fabregas is never called up for the big games and his case has been made even worse because he is now a false nine-a position MESSI currently occupies. Who in the World can displace EL PULGA? no one I know or have possibly known. David Villa was left bewildered in Germany. A place on the bench is the likeliest occurrence. Abidal comes into the defence hopefully and Adriano deputises for the suspended Alba who will be very happy he is not going to face ARJEN ROBBEN again after what happened the last time. Leo Messi is fit again and that should be worrying for Bayern. At the Nou Camp, he is virtually unplayable, devastating and heavenly. He scores goals for fun and assists effortlessly in Catalonia.
BAYERN MUNICH-
Neuer, Lahm, Van Buyten, Dante, Alaba, Martinez, SCWEINSTEIGER, Muller, Robben, Ribery, Mandzukic
The ROBBERY (Robben and Ribery) gang of Bavaria will be in town tomorrow. Aided by Bastian, Martinez, Mario Mandzukic, (who returns from a one game ban) and the indefatigable Thomas Muller, the aim is to reach Wembley where one foot already lies. To finish the job, they need to better their all round display of last week. The Croatian Mario returns to displace the German one, Javi Martinez, Schweini, Dante and Philipp Lahm are one yellow away from missing the Wembley showpiece if they get there. Gomez and Guatavo who will be on the bench are also at risk. The FORMER missed last year's final and wouldn't want a repeat. Heynckes has stated that he will play all of them irrespective of the risks involved. The main objective is to reach WEMBLEY. Any way it is achieved is of little consequence. But then again, arriving at London's biggest stadium without your key men might put paid to your chances of righting the wrongs of last season. Let's be seated yeah!
Ohireime P Eboreime
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