BARCELONA-ATLETICO MADRID PREVIEW

During my Manchester United-Bayern Munich preview, I tired my very best not to mention David Moyes and I think I succeeded in that regard. It will be impossible to do a preview of this magnitude without mentioning two great Argentine slugging it out for the right to be called Champions of La Liga. The football scripts must be written by Heavenly bodies. If not, how best can you describe the almost perfect scripts that have played out in years gone by? It is more than a coincidence that Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are meeting in the quarter-final of the Champions League.

If everything goes well, this season might be much better than the 'ANTIC 96' which the current manager, Diego Simeone was a big part of. 'EL CHOLO' has brought a new lease of life to the Madrid club since he came on board. The boss demands the very best from each player, irrespective of the position. He sold Falcao and built Diego Costa. Now the Brazilian cum Spaniard is one of the best strikers in the World and is posting incredible numbers in front of goal.


                                                       



Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has not yet defeated Diego Simeone in any competition since he was appointed to replace Tito Vilanova at the beginning of the season. Although the Catalans won the SuperCoppa Espanna at the expense of Simeone's men, it was only on away goals rule. No outright victory has been recorded by the 4-time European Champions. Tata will hope to register his first win over los Rojiblancos tonight at the intimidating Camp Nou. Victories over Real, Celta Vigo and Espanyol in the past weeks have lifted the mood. A resounding one tonight will remove the roof definitely.

Atletico Madrid have proved in no small measure that they are a hard nut to crack this term. The La Liga leaders rose to the occasion at the new San Mames on Saturday. That match showed their test of character and ability to thrive under difficult conditions as they came out victors and maintained their one point lead at the top of La liga. Diego Costa pulled out of yesterday's training and is a doubt for tonight's fixture. Simeone will be hoping he shrugs off whatever ails him and declares himself ready to shoot down down the Catalans.


PROBABLE LINEUPS

BARCELONA

Pinto, Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Busquets, Fabregas, Xavi, Iniesta Neymar, Messi

ATLETICO MADRID

Courtois, Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Luis, Gabi, Koke, Mario Suarez, Garcia, Costa, Turan


Victor Valdes has been operated upon and will be out for seven months after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in a crucial League game v Celta Vigo. The serial Zamora winner will miss the World Cup in Brazil and of course tonight's encounter. Barca have an able replacement in Pinto who has delivered everytime he has been called upon to deputise for the almost irreplaceable VV. The defence is as you were and the midfield is predictable every game. It is in attack that Alexis and Pedro are finding it difficult to play week in, week out because of the presence of Neymar who hasn't let himself down recently.He won the penalty that set Barcelona on the path of victory at the Bernabeu, scored two goals in the next match v Celta and had a hand in the penalty converted by Messi at Espanyol. Tata has a lot of faith in Cesc Fabregas and cannot bench Iniesta who has been on form for the past few weeks now. Alexis has scored 17 League goals but is not guaranteed a starting slot in the team. That goes to show the stiff competition.

Atletico Madrid possess some of the best players in the World in every position on the field of play. Their goaltender is certainly one of the best in the World and the Miranda led rearguard is as shored up as any other in World Football. Koke is a full Spanish international now and Arda Turan can force his way into almost every team in the World. Raul Garcia is the dependable ally of Costa in European games and he is set to be picked ahead of David Villa again. Diego Costa will lead the line and his industry will be very much required to take a good result back to the Calderon in three weeks. Captain Gabi is the enforcer, the fighter, the leader, the conductor and the orchestrator of the Colchoneros. He has paid his dues. He has a big job tonight v the revered Barcelona midfield. He always delivers.

The absence of Victor Valdes is a big blow to Barcelona, Spain and the football World in general. He will be sorely missed and I hope he recovers well from this regrettable layoff. He will come back stronger because he is a fighter, a winner and a champion. ANIMSVALDES!


Ohireime P Eboreime
@ohiskaka1990

MANCHESTER UNITED-BAYERN MUNICH PREVIEW

                                            

They may be having a woeful season but Manchester United welcome Bayern Munich tonight in a clash of European heavyweights. Bayern still hold a grudge against the red army. That inexplicable, unexpected comeback in injury time fifteen years ago is still fresh in the memories of those in Bavaria. The Camp Nou miracle was a big blow to Bayern Munich and although they have paid the red devils back a couple of times, nothing will stop them from ensuring that UNITED don't go through them to win another Champions League title.

Bayern Munich were the best team in the World last season and this term, they have gotten even better. Pep Guardiola came in and raised the bar. They have the Buli wrapped up after practically walking it since it began in August. The Bavarians are chasing another treble and yet another peice of history. Victory in this tie will take them closer to their aim of becoming the first club to win the Champions League back to back. On paper, they should start preparing for the semi-final.

Manchester United bounced back from the disappointment of derby disaster to record a less than convincing win v Aston Villa in the early afternoon Saturday kick-off at Old Trafford. Some delusional and plastic fans flew a stupid banner half mast during the game to voice their displeasure at the recent bad results, especially the 3-0 losses to two of our biggest enemies-Liverpool and Manchester City. The 4-1 result on Saturday flattered the defending champions. A much better performance is needed tonight if the red army are to avoid a monumental embarrassment.


PROBABLE LINEUPS-

MANCHESTER UNITED:

DDG, Jones, Vidic, Evans, Buttner, Carrick, Fellaini, Giggs, Kagawa,Valencia, Rooney

BAYERN MUNICH:

Neuer, Rafinha, Boateng, Martinez, Alaba, Schweini, Lahm, Kroos, Robben, Ribery, Mandzukic


As if United don't have enough to worry about, Rafael is a doubt for tonight's match after skipping training due to a thigh strain suffered in the Aston Villa game. That coupled with the fact that RVP is out and Patrice Evra is suspended. Alex Buttner is set to play at left back which means the unenviable task of keeping Arjen Robben quiet is his to accomplish. Whoever plays at right back has to face the third best player in the World-Franck Ribery. The midfield has to include the bionic Giggs who put in one of those unbelievable shifts in the Olympiakos must win game. The Veteran welsh wizard has amassed ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY appearances in the Champions League.That alone deserves a Champions League winners medal. United know they have to double up on Toni Kroos tonight, henceI think Moyes will go with the Carrick-Fellaini partnership. The front line will consist of Kagawa-Rooney and Valencia if he passes a late fitness test.

Bayern Munich will have to do without Messrs Dnate (suspended) and Thiago (injured). Both have been pivotal this season and will be missed but the squad is so big and filled with World Class players that no one will notice their absence tonight. Bastian Schweinsteiger and Toni Kroos are more than capable of running the show. The 'ROBBERY' duo are a phenomenal pair. On both wings, it is almost impossible to stop them. United are set to deploy makeshift fullbacks tonight to compound the miserable season. FC Hollywood can afford to rest the likes of Shaqiri, Muller, Gotze and still put out a team capable of tearing any side apart.

Tonight, Wayne Rooney has a very important role to play. Rewind back to four years ago. He couldn't stamp his authority in the quarter-final 2nd leg at Old Trafford because he was injured. He can pour all the venom on them tonight after such a long wait. The Englishman is fresh from scoring a double at the weekend and entering the top four of the EPL's highest goal scorers of all time. Without RVP, the mantle of leading the team to victory falls on him. Juan Mata can play no part because he is cup-tied but Shinji Kagawa can light up the mood around Old Trafford and help his cause if he produces one of those great performances he is known for. Bayern Munich are well aware of his abilities as he has put them to the sword in the past. However, those days seem to be over now as he is getting back to that sparkling form that won him so many admirers. If he rekindles the love he has for the game, Bayern will have more problems than they envisaged.

Bayern need no elaboration. The German red devils come into this match as clear favourites to go through despite the best efforts of Ryan Giggs to dispel such assertion.  It is crystal clear that they are the best team in the World and anything other than a victory tonight at the Theatre of dreams will be seen as a huge shock. Despite being held by a determined Hoffenheim at the weekend, they will go all out for a comfortable victory. The ROBBERY gang will be determined to go back home with something gargantuan after the one hour thirty minutes long operation.


Ohireime P EBoreime
@ohiskaka1990