Anthony Evgenidis

 

 

Manchester United vs. FC Porto

Manchester United have to be considered the biggest beneficiaries of the quarter-final draw. They draw the team that everyone wanted, but they also fell on the “easy” side of the draw, avoiding Barcelona until the final if they advance. The perception of the draw is going to be the most difficult aspect for United to deal with, considering Porto are playing with house money and have absolutely nothing to lose.
 
Manchester United must avoid letting their guard down because Porto have shown the ability to score away goals in this competition, just ask Aletico Madrid. United have the upper hand in seemingly every category and the tie is theirs to lose. To advance they will have to rekindle their defensive form and the  lethal counter attacks that propelled them to a double-digit winning streak in the Premier League not too long ago. If the Red Devils can score, the pressure will be on Porto to respond and Porto are not a scoring machine. The key to this match up will be the first game, if United can keep a clean sheet at home they are likely to advance regardless of whether they score or not.

Porto on the other hand are unfortunate to be playing Man Utd after the international break that will provide their opponents ample time to regroup and more importantly refocus. The Porto defence will be called upon to perform at their very best, if they can hold down the fort that will provide a psychological boost for the rest of the team to battle on. Porto must to counter at every opportunity to keep United on their heels, and if they fall behind it will be interesting to see how they respond in adversity. The Portuguese champions do have the quality to make matters difficult and their pride as a club will be on display.


Players to Watch:

Manchester United – Many players from the Red Devils need to step up, however Nemanja Vidic is the player that has to regain his confidence and form. His resurgence is vital, partly for the Porto match up but more importantly, if Man Utd are to advance in the Champions League he is going to have to pick things up quickly. He is the defensive barometer and how he goes so goes United’s fortune. If Vidic is shaky, then Ferguson’s men will be in trouble and that vulnerability against Liverpool and Fulham will not go unnoticed. 
 
FC Porto – Lucho Gonzalez is the so-called “Midfield General” of Porto and his workrate will determine the open channels for Man Utd to pounce on. Creating a buffer in front of the defence is what Porto have to address because they are not going to win this on sheer ability. The Porto midfield is going to have to be the catalyst if they are to advance, because their defence alone does not guarantee progress in this late stage of the Champions League. Lucho Gonzalez and the midfield’s play will dictate the amount of attacking options, and if opportunities are at a premium then Porto’s chances increase.


Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich

What can you say about two teams that have lifted the European Cup six times combined? These traditional powers will lock horns and the winner gets the reward of playing either Chelsea or Liverpool. Who doesn’t want that for a present? Both clubs are led by former club stars in Guardiola for Barcelona and Klinsmann for Bayern. It’s quite a shame they cannot suit up for the game, which would be quite a sight.
   
Barcelona are far and away the team that no one wanted to be drawn with and Bayern are going to be put to the test. You could argue Barcelona have been playing the best football this season and are just going through the motions at this time of year. Barcelona are going to have to maintain the great attacking potency that has seen them destroy opponents this season. How do you stop the likes of Messi, Henry, and Iniesta and on and on? The defence along with the defensive midfielders for Barcelona are going to have to step up in order to advance. We all know Barcelona can put the ball in the back of the net, what we don’t know is can they keep the ball out of theirs enough to progress? Victor Valdes is not exactly a world class goalkeeper and the backline has to not been the rock that it appears to be on paper.
  
Bayern must be considered the wildcard in the draw because while they have a big time name no one really expects them to win this competition. The German champions have the personnel and pedigree to upset Barcelona, but to do so they are going to have to make them earn every opportunity they get. It’s very simple, if Bayern can make Barcelona very uncomfortable in their gameplay as well as execution and stick to their game plan then they have a chance. Ribery and Toni are the big name players who came to Bayern exactly for these European nights. The pressure is all on Barcelona and so Bayern will have to use that to their advantage. Interestingly enough there will be a mini rematch between Spain and Germany in this tie, including Lahm and Schweinsteiger of note.       
  

Players to Watch:


Barcelona
– Lionel Messi anyone? Surprise, surprise Messi is the one player at Barcelona who takes over a game. How he deals with the midfield road block setup by Bayern will go a long way towards determining how many opportunities he can create. The Argentine wizard will be targeted by Bayern and what he does when he does not have the ball at his feet is going to make a big difference to Barcelona’s ball flow. Iniesta and Xavi will be responsible for the keeping possession and their decision making will impact Messi and the rest of the team. The bottom line is Messi will have a lot to do with Barcelona’s success both with his presence and play.
   
Bayern Munich – Frank Ribery gets a lot of attention and what better way to validate that than by displaying it at the highest level. He will have to be the thorn in Barcelona’s penalty area and his level of involvement will dictate how far Bayern can go. Schweinsteiger will be freed up and be given an opportunity to attack Dani Alves who still has question marks over his true defensive ability. Ribery affects the entire midfield and defence for Barcelona, if he can have his way Bayern are going to be dangerous and it all starts with him.   


Arsenal vs. Villarreal

If you like goals and “pretty football” then this is going to be a real treat. These teams cross paths once again after the 2006 Champions League semi-final where Arsenal advanced. The teams have changed in many ways with players coming and going, namely Thierry Henry and Diego Forlan of note. The managers and their style has not changed and so we can expect a lot of the same in that regard. There will be plenty more opportunities and goals in this tie than in any of the other ones in all likelihood.
  
Arsenal are flying high following a resurgence of sorts in the Premier League and knocking out Roma on penalties. Persevering on such a difficult stage away from home can only help the confidence of Arsenal looking forward, and the Gunners are coming together thanks to players like Eduardo and Walcott coming back at just the right time. Anytime a side can have their first-team players return from injury it provides a major boost psychologically and Arsenals play mirrors that confidence. Arsenal are going to have to maintain possession and attack the Villarreal backline which can be suspect when pressed. 

Villarreal are making the most of their European campaign this season and along with Porto should be the happiest in making the quarter-final. The Spanish side have lethal strikers that can create havoc for defenders, and that will surely have to happen if they are to progress any further. The midfield play of Senna, and protecting that backline of theirs has to be their top priority and calling card. Villarreal have to keep the ball out of their penalty area and if they can do that then that will be a sign of a team advancing.   


Players to Watch:

 
Arsenal – Robin van Persie has the ability to be the difference maker for his side and that magical left foot will be crucial to their success. His ability to poach and position himself in and around “the box” will have Villarreal’s backline on the edge. Arsenal are in need of a leader and van Persie’s presence on the pitch will take Arsenal forward if he can live up to the billing. Nicklas Bendtner should be a major benefactor of van Persie’s movement and this attacking partnership can thrive in this these games.
 
Villarreal – Marco Senna is once again the figure for Villarreal that always comes through as that dependable insurance policy. Villarreal build everything from midfield and Senna is the engine. Senna will have to limit the creative efforts of van Persie and Nasri, forcing the others to carry the weight for their side. The Spanish side’s wingers are very dangerous on the counter attack, and once Senna breaks up Arsenal’s attacking surges he must get Villarreal going quickly.     


 

Liverpool vs. Chelsea

Please raise your hands if you have seen this movie before, Chelsea – Liverpool “The Champions League Version 5” in cinemas this April. The players have changed a bit over the years but the stars remain the same and the outcome always leaves us in suspense. This tie is the ultimate cardiac rollercoaster to hit Europe the last half decade and never disappoints. The managers are master tacticians who have won this prestigious competition and are looking to add to their collection. What can you say about these two teams that hasn’t been said before? Is there any need to delve into the absurd star power both midfields posses, or their proven intestinal fortitude? Is there any possible way to top last year or the previous year’s late dramatics? Both know each other so well that familiarity will neutralize any form coming in to this tie. The first to score two goals surely will advance with the way these two teams defend and clog up the midfield.

Liverpool are on fire literally and figuratively. They have scored 13 goals the last three games against the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United and Aston Villa. Too bad the international break arrived just when ‘Pool were tearing up the opposition. Maintaining that high level of confidence and killer instinct will be vital if they are to sidestep last year’s exit to Chelsea. The team is right back in the title race and as we have seen in the past Rafa Benitez is going to have to perfect the art of the puppet master with his squad. Liverpool are not as deep in squad depth as Chelsea, and injuries will have to be avoided at all cost. Any midfielders are in for a torrid time during these two encounters because the likes of Mascherano and Alonso are going to cover ever inch of open space. 

Chelsea are a team that every year seemingly have more ups and downs than anyone else in Europe. Yet, year in and year out you can pencil them into the quarter-final at the very least and that says something about the mettle of this squad. Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba are the constant faces that drive Chelsea forward in Europe. This year the Blues have once again changed manager half way through the season and they appear as confident as ever despite a recent setback against Tottenham. Guus Hiddink is a coach who relishes the big stage and taking a team far in this sort of competition. It will be interesting to see how differently he will field his team compared to Avram Grant, because, do not forget that Grant is the only manager to lead Chelsea past Liverpool in the Champions League.      


Players to Watch:

Liverpool – His name is Steven Gerrard and we all know what he is capable of doing. No other player is more important to his team than this man and rightfully so. Gerrard’s ability to effectively create havoc in the Chelsea defence operating just behind Fernando Torres will be massive. Any shot bouncing outside the Chelsea box, or free kick is where you can expect Gerrard to put the living fear of God into the opposition.   

Chelsea – Frank Lampard bar none is the key player for Chelsea, free kicks, penalties, corners, you name it he does it. Michael Essien is the wildcard in the deck coming back from injury, but Lampard is the leader who will have to “push the envelope” for Chelsea. If Lampard can impose his will, or at least match Gerrard, Chelsea have an opportunity to advance because of their superior quality in other areas. If you keep hearing during the game “Lampard with the ball, Lampard crosses, Lampard strikes” then you know where the advantage is heading towards.

 

Napoli 86/87 Away 10 Maradona       Seville 2008/09 European Shirt

Napoli 86/87 away Maradona shirt                                Seville 08/09 European shirt