AS Roma Vs Manchester United
When the draw was made for this one you could tell the reaction from the officials of each club just by watching their body language. Roma were in a state of disbelief. It wasn’t the fact that they had played the English champions in this season’s group stage and last season’s quarter final, but more the fact that they have been second best every single time. The infamous 7-1 drubbing United inflicted on Roma still resonates. A 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford in the group stage was a matter of pride for the Romans, but when you are happy with just avoiding defeat by a huge margin you are not set up psychologically to win the game.
Roma have also suffered another blow with the news that their talisman Francesco Totti is almost certain to miss the game with a thigh injury picked up against Cagliari. It could well be that Totti recovers in time for the game, although whether he plays or not is unlikely to make Sir Alex Ferguson alter his tactical formation. If Totti doesn’t make the game then he will likely be replaced by Mirko Vučinić, and though he scored in the group stages, he will carry far less of a threat than Totti.
The 4-2-3-1 formation has become prominent in Europeover the past few seasons and these two sides are possibly the best exponents of it. The two holding players allow the 3 attacking midfielders or second strikers to rotate and not hold one particular position. United may prefer to play something more like a 4-4-2 at home with Carlos Tevez coming into the side but in Rome it is likely Wayne Rooney will be deployed as a lone striker.
It is unlikely that Christian Panucci will play after his nightmare at Old Trafford last season and United will find this defensive unit more difficult to break down.
Roma’s two defensive midfielders will also be key, particularly Daniele De Rossi. He will have to help the full backs to handle Cristiano Ronaldo whichever wing he may be on and also track Wayne Rooney when he comes deep to collect the ball. If Roma can keep these 2 quiet they will improve their chances greatly. There has been talk of Gary Neville returning for this tie but with Mancini being in good form this season it would be a big risk to play a full back who’s been out of the first team for a year.
Key Men
Roma: Both sides have stars across the pitch that can change the game in a second. For Roma De Rossi will need to marshal the midfield and without Totti Brazilian Mancini needs to supply invention and do the unexpected.
Manchester United: Cristiano Ronaldo has the power to win the game for United with a dazzling display in either leg, whilst Wayne Rooney will be a handful for the Roma defence.
Schalke Vs Barcelona
Barcelona will rightly start this tie as favourites, but don’t write off the Germans just yet. Schalke are treating this match as their Champions League final with coach Mirko Slomka saying facing the Spanish giants is “a super draw for the club and for the players”. This reaction was really expected from the Germans as Schalke themselves have never travelled this far in Europe’s top competition for five decades. Schalke’s attitude can be seen two ways. Either they will be completely up for the tie and rise to the occasion, or they have already mentally accepted that Barcelona will probably have too much for them. The first 15 minutes of the tie in Germany will show us which it is.
With Barca struggling to assert any form of dominance in La Liga this could be a lot closer than many people think. The Catalan club haven’t been successful on their travels away from the Nou Camp recently having failed to win away since their last Champions League match against Celtic. That victory was followed up by away losses at Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Betis, with a draw against Almeria sandwiched in between.
Barca though will be buoyed by the fact that they have already recorded a win on German soil in this season’s Champions League by beating Stuttgart 2-0.
Schalke’s only real hope of putting Barcelona out must surely lie in recording a victory on home turf. To do that they will need to keep possession and attack the Spaniards with pace and without fear. Crucial to the midfield will be Fabian Ernst and Jermain Jones who have clocked up 660 and 654 Champions League match minutes respectively. Where will Schalke’s goals come from? Well, there have only been 5 so far and 3 of those have come from Kevin Kuranyi, so he’ll need his shooting boots on.
Key Men
Schalke: As said, Kurayni will have to be in top form. But also watch out for Brazilian full back Rafinha. He’s been called the new Dani Alves and is under serious consideration by some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Barcelona: Attack will be key as Barca hope to shoot down Schalke with some away goals. This could be the game Thierry Henry takes by the scruff of the neck and we know he is desperate for a Champions League winners medal. Also watch out for young Bojan Krkic who is making waves already, scoring twice in the win against Valladolid.
Arsenal Vs Liverpool
With the defeat of Everton in the Merseyside derby Liverpool seem to have all but secured 4th place in the Premier League and with it the final Champions League spot. Attention can now turn to salvaging a miserable season with some silverware, and this the biggest silverware of all.
Arsenal by contrast are still in the Premier League title race and though their results have been very poor since they lost to Manchester United 4-0 in the FA Cup, their weekend win at Bolton showed fantastic character. Arsene Wenger still needs to add the Champions League to his collection to be considered a truly great manager and his jubilation with the victory over holders AC Milan was clear for all to see.
The clear challenge for Liverpool is to make sure they are still in the tie when they leave the Emirates Stadium, whilst for Arsenal it is of course to make sure they aren’t. Liverpool’s recent record under Benitez in away games against the Gunners doesn’t inspire confidence. All four games at Arsenal have been lost, by scorelines of 4-2, 3-1, 2-1 and 3-0. Clearly a loss of 2-1 wouldn’t be a terrible result, but you feel that Arsenal will score against Liverpool and probably Liverpool will need to reply, at least once.
The Bolton game will have given Arsenal renewed confidence and especially so with the return to goalscoring form of Robin van Persie.
It remains to be seen whether Liverpool having had a days less rest and a toughly fought game against Everton under the players’ belts will feel the effect of this against Arsenal. The Gunners pace and power could give Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher a torrid time and both are not getting any younger. Liverpool may well have to defend closer to their own goal than they would ordinarily do as Arsenal always seem to score goals against them.
Wenger will no doubt look to kill the tie in the first game and that means attacking Liverpool right from the start. A key battlefield will be the midfield where Fabregas and Flamini will try to engage in possession play to frustrate the Reds. Hleb will tease with his trickery and is another player very comfortable with the ball at his feet. For Liverpool to have any chance of controlling the game Steven Gerrard must be on top form. Javier Mascherano could though hold the key to the entire first game. After his antics at Old Trafford he owes Liverpool a big performance and as the midfield destroyer he must provide one against the Gunners.
The task would have been easier for Benitez men had they faced any other team but an English one. Yet it is worth remembering that Liverpool saw off Chelsea in successive semi-finals. The key here is surely whether the game adopts a European tone or remains one of Premier League pace and power.
Key Men
Arsenal: Arsenal must have Spaniard Cesc Fabregas on his game. The little gem of a midfielder was outstanding against AC Milan and is the very heartbeat of this Gunners side. Adebayor will need to out muscle the Liverpool defence and give Hyypia and Carragher a torrid time.
Liverpool: If Benitez opts for Slovakian Martin Skrtel at centre-back then he will have to turn in a solid competent performance, especially as Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher are both vulnerable to pace filled attacks. Fernando Torres must take any chance he gets at the Emirates as it is essential Liverpool reply to any Arsenal goal.
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Fenerbahce Vs Chelsea
This tie has slipped under the radar somewhat, but it promises to be every bit as intriguing as the other quarter finals. Turks Fenerbahce are emerging as the surprise package of the competition, yet a look at their form and importantly their squad should make many people wonder why they are surprised at all. Brazilian coach Zico only knows one way to play, and that is to attack. Luckily he has exactly the right players to do just that with a coterie of compatriots such as playmaker Alex, rampaging ex-Real Madrid left back Roberto Carlos, midfielder Mehmet Aurelio and young forward Deivid. Zico has instilled in his young side an overriding sense of confidence as evidenced by comments that emanate from the squad. “We are talented, fit and strong, so there is no reason for us to fail” said winger Ugur Boral.
Fenerbahce have had a challenging time in the Turkish Super Lig this season but have hit the top at just the right time. The defeat of rivals Besiktas 2-1 (29/03/08) has gone a long way towards capturing the crown. How much this battle has taken out of them ahead of the duel with Chelsea remains to be seen.
Ever since Fenerbahce comfortably disposed of Anderlecht in the third qualifying round (3-0 on aggregate) they have looked strong in this campaign. Wins against Inter Milan, PSV and CSKA Moscow on home turf ensured comfortable progression to the last 16 where Spanish side Sevilla were duly dispatched on penalties. All signs point to Fenerbahce needing to see off Chelsea in Istanbul to give themselves the very best chance of progressing.
For Chelsea, well, they are still in the Premier League title race, but the Champions League remains the trophy that owner Roman Abramovich really wants. The competition has also been the source of some great Blues displays this season (2-1 away in Valencia, 4-0 away in Rosenborg) and Greek side Olympiacos were easy pickings in the last 16.
Avraam Grant certainly has a wide selection of supremely talented players to choose from and the display against Arsenal recently, where they came from behind to clinch victory shows a real determination in the camp to make sure Mourinho’s exit does not mean the end of trophies at Stamford Bridge. Drogba in particular holds the power to put Fenerbahce out all by himself. Simply put, when the Ivorian striker is on form, he is unplayable.
Key Men
Fenerbahce: Roberto Carlos will be indispensable at the back and his experience is needed when the going gets tough. Forward Semih Şentürk is highly rated by the Fenerbahce supporters and coming from the bench can be a real threat. Perhaps though a Chelsea old boy could have the last word, expect 110% from Mateja Kezman.
Chelsea: Didier Drogba can be too much for the Turkish defence if he is on form, but likewise Joe Cole can spin enough magic to ensure a healthy supply of chances for the front men. Nicholas Anelka can also put out his former club.
