Arsenal

Champions League Predictions

By Oli Dinsmore ⋅ March 31, 2008 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

The quartet of English sides enter the quarter-finals of the Champions League in differing degrees of form and confidence. But whilst some have been disappointing domestically, they will all have reason to believe that they can go further in the competition this year. But which of the four have the right blend to go all the way?

Footballing World runs through the potential path to the final in Moscow.

Roma vs Man Utd

(First leg: Tues 1 March; Second leg: Weds 9 April, 1845 GMT)

This is the fifth time that the teams will have met in the last year. Roma have vastly improved since the 7-1 mauling at Old Trafford last season, as have United. The Red Devils appear to be hitting top form at just the right time – against Villa they were mesmerising – and most teams will find it hard to live with them. Even if Fergie’s men slip up in Rome, they still have 90 minutes to put the Italians to the sword in Manchester. It’s hard to see anything other than United progressing to the semis.

Prediction
First Leg – Roma 1 Man Utd 2
Second Leg – Man Utd 3 Roma 0

Schalke vs Barcelona

(First leg: Tues 1 March; Second leg: Weds 9 April, 1845 GMT)

This may seem as easy to call but it may not prove to be plain sailing for a Barcelona side that looks woefully short of form. Time and time again this season, they have been offered the chance to cut Real’s lead at the top of La Liga, but every time their rivals drop points, Barca do the same. It may be one of the weakest Spanish league title run-ins we have seen in five years, with both of the traditional top two in transition and smaller teams, such as Villarreal starting to push them hard.

Of course, you can never dismiss a side with the class and individual brilliance of Barcelona and even if they do fail in Germany, like United, Rijkaard’s side will have 90 minutes to dismantle their opponents at home in the reverse game. The Germans aren’t exactly turning heads themselves this season, sitting fifth in the Bundesliga, but they will feel that if there is ever a good time to play Barca, it is now. They won’t win the cup this year, unless they improve drastically, but they should squeeze through here.

Prediction
First Leg – Schalke 1  Barca 1
Second Leg – Barca 2  Schalke 0

Arsenal vs Liverpool

(First leg: Weds 2 March; Second leg: Tues 8 April, 1845 GMT)

This is not only the tie of the round, but also the hardest to call of the four, comprising two good teams who play with very different styles.

Arsenal, along with United, are the flag-bearers of sexy football in the Premier League, whilst Liverpool have a more conventional solidity and, like Chelsea, are usually hard to break down. Looking at their recent European form alone, you would have to say that Liverpool look the more likely victors. They have regularly stuttered at home, but in Europe they look a different team. Perhaps their tactics are more suited to the modern European game. But I have a feeling that Arsenal will come through the tie victorious.

When Liverpool are at their best, they are resilient and powerful, but when Arsenal reach top form, they could be classified as a ‘great’ side. They aren’t as good at the back as the Scousers but, in Fabrages, Hleb, Van Persie and Adebayor they possess a devastating forward line.

Ultimately, it will come down to who can most effectively impress their game on the other. Over two legs, I think that Arsenal will come out on top - just.

Prediction
First Leg – Arsenal 2 Liverpool 1
Second Leg – Liverpool 1  Arsenal 1

Fenerbahce vs Chelsea

(First leg: Weds 2 March; Second leg: Tues 8 April, 1845 GMT)

A year ago, with Mourinho at the helm, you would have backed Chelsea to beat anyone, home or away. But Mourinho has left and taken Chelsea’s aura of invincibility with him. They certainly don’t generate fear in the opposition in the way that they used to. But crucially for Chelsea, several of their big hitters have recently returned from injury (and Africa) and should be available for this tie.

The returning backbone of Terry, Lampard and Drogba should see them through this tie, but it won’t be straightforward. Fenerbahce are a technically adept and highly mobile side who know where the goal is. Chelsea will be thankful to leave Turkey with a draw but should get the required result at Stamford Bridge. After that, it would be silly to write them off, but it could be another year of continental pain for the Blues. There is too much continued unrest behind the scenes and Grant lacks the charisma to rouse his increasingly treacherous troops. 

Prediction
First Leg – Fenerbahce 1 Chelsea 1
Second Leg – Chelsea 2 Fenerbahce 0

And then…

Arsenal vs Chelsea

If Arsenal can crack Liverpool, they will find a team of similar style awaiting them in the semi-final. And by this time they will have the confidence to go all the way. They may not have the resources of their London neighbours and will start the tie as underdogs, but if they can stick to their game plan and learn their lessons from the last encounter at Stamford Bridge (when Chelsea successfully resorted to the long ball) they will out-pass Chelsea and gain a priceless aggregate victory.

On the subject of resources, Arsenal’s main worry will be the number of big and bruising encounters that they have between now and then. After three games against Liverpool in a week, they must travel to Old Trafford for a Premier League showdown. For Arsenal to get to the Champions League final, Wenger will have to rotate his squad with a precision and intelligence that typifies the multilingual maestro.

Chelsea regularly prove me wrong but I think they lack overall mobility and have never replaced Duff and Robben on the flanks. Wright-Phillips is destined for a smaller club, Malouda looks lightweight and Joe Cole, for all his talents, doesn’t have the pace to really trouble full-backs, so instead plies his trade more in the centre of the park. Admittedly, Chelsea don’t play with much width anyway, but every top team needs a pacy and penetrative outlet on the wing. The Blues just don’t have one. I’d be surprised if Grant starts next season as Chelsea manager. Arsenal are having psychological problems in the Premier League, but these problems don’t apply to the Champions League (as of yet) and they are still a quite brilliant side at their best.

Man Utd vs Barcelona

Under any normal circumstances, this would be the perfect final. Barcelona, however, are playing their patchiest football in years and are yet to be properly tested in this season’s competition. To be overconfident about playing against a team with Messi, Henry, Ronaldinho and Eto’o would be extremely foolish but, on current form, United must feel it’s a good time to play the Spanish strugglers.

Time and time again, we have seen underperforming giants suddenly awake to devastating effect, but I feel that if United impose their game early, they will simply overwhelm a shell-shocked opposition. Although Fergie will encourage initial conservatism and solidity against the Catalan giants, United could effectively end the tie in the first half hour of the first leg with a couple of early goals. It will be a wonderful showcase with moments of sheer brilliance, but you feel that United’s greater cohesion and form will ultimately prevail and Rijkaard will be receiving his P45 the very next day.

The Final

Man Utd vs Arsenal

So, after nine years of underachievement, United will once again be crowned European champions. So often in the past the Mancs have flattered to deceive, hammering everyone in their wake before falling at one of the final hurdles, due to apparent tactical ineptitude or fatigue. This year will be different.

After scrambling to a Premier League crown last season, they broke Chelsea’s stranglehold on the title, bought four more world class players, and now look head and shoulders above the rest (domestically at least). Every question that has been asked of this team has been resoundingly answered in the affirmative. Would Ronaldo be able to continue his form of last season? And could the Portuguese be as devastating in Europe as at home? Could Tevez and Rooney play together? Would the new recruits settle in quickly enough to make an impact? Yes, yes, yes and yes. United aren’t only the best team in Europe, but they now know they are best. And they will only have themselves to blame if they aren’t lifting the cup in Moscow come May.

Tags: AS Roma, Barcelona, Champions League, Fenerbahce, La Liga, Schalke, Serie A

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