Rejoice, the moment is finally here!
Chelsea – Inter
Before the first leg, Chelsea was in a low form, with Terry’s and Cole’s scandals and stagnating results, whereas Inter felt strong and kept hope. This time around the roles are somewhat inverted: Chelsea, although loosing the lead of the EPL, have gone back to ravaging defences, Drogba on the frontline, and Inter have been submerged in a crisis that involves consecutive draws, a hard time finding the back of the net, Balotelli and of course Mourinho. Regardless of their advantageous situation (a 2-1 win at home), the task now seems very hard for the Nerazzuri. Ancelotti’s teams are renowned for stepping up a gear as soon as Spring is around the corner. The Italian coach got to rest Carvalho on the weekend and saw Malouda come back to his excellent Lyon standards. Once again, an English team that seems focused and in a favourable situation. On the Italian side, with Muntari as comical figure (read below), Inter registered a 3-1 loss at Catania, Mourinho in the stands. The straw that broke the Camel’s back: Moratti is anticipating yet another Champlion’s League elimination, Mourinho is now officially hated by the Italian press, the heavily requested Balotelli isn’t even on the squad for the game at Stamford Bridge and Inter remains Italy’s sole European hope (yet align no Italian players, irony hits once again).
But all of this is eclipsed by the Portuguese’s big comeback home. Talks about “professionalism” for the Special One. The place that made him a big shot where he won nothing but everyone. With his usual tactfulness and mastery of words, Jose has diverted the argument to his players and the game only to make the projector that singles him out already, bigger and stonger. But really, for an Inter supporter, all this seems like a masquerade for a pending elimination. Many (great) coaches have also gone back to their symbolic origins without much talking, maybe it is because Italian teams are not used to foreign and “career” coaches? In any case, if Chelsea do qualify, Mourinho will probably be tempted by different air (like Real Madrid), but if Inter do go through he will be acclaimed. Irony of fate. In terms of the game itself (I still hold dear talking about it yes), we will probably see a very dominant Chelsea side with wings on fire, a muscular midfield and an over the top attack (impersonated by Drogba himself). Inter will strongly rely on their counter attacks, with the help of Eto’o’s speed, Milito’s finishing and Snejder’s delicious passes. As for goalies, Julio Cesar will have to be a strong link on the Italian side whereas Chelsea’s 10 th replacement goalie might be Inter’s source of hope.
Before the first leg, Chelsea was in a low form, with Terry’s and Cole’s scandals and stagnating results, whereas Inter felt strong and kept hope. This time around the roles are somewhat inverted: Chelsea, although loosing the lead of the EPL, have gone back to ravaging defences, Drogba on the frontline, and Inter have been submerged in a crisis that involves consecutive draws, a hard time finding the back of the net, Balotelli and of course Mourinho. Regardless of their advantageous situation (a 2-1 win at home), the task now seems very hard for the Nerazzuri. Ancelotti’s teams are renowned for stepping up a gear as soon as Spring is around the corner. The Italian coach got to rest Carvalho on the weekend and saw Malouda come back to his excellent Lyon standards. Once again, an English team that seems focused and in a favourable situation. On the Italian side, with Muntari as comical figure (read below), Inter registered a 3-1 loss at Catania, Mourinho in the stands. The straw that broke the Camel’s back: Moratti is anticipating yet another Champlion’s League elimination, Mourinho is now officially hated by the Italian press, the heavily requested Balotelli isn’t even on the squad for the game at Stamford Bridge and Inter remains Italy’s sole European hope (yet align no Italian players, irony hits once again).
But all of this is eclipsed by the Portuguese’s big comeback home. Talks about “professionalism” for the Special One. The place that made him a big shot where he won nothing but everyone. With his usual tactfulness and mastery of words, Jose has diverted the argument to his players and the game only to make the projector that singles him out already, bigger and stonger. But really, for an Inter supporter, all this seems like a masquerade for a pending elimination. Many (great) coaches have also gone back to their symbolic origins without much talking, maybe it is because Italian teams are not used to foreign and “career” coaches? In any case, if Chelsea do qualify, Mourinho will probably be tempted by different air (like Real Madrid), but if Inter do go through he will be acclaimed. Irony of fate. In terms of the game itself (I still hold dear talking about it yes), we will probably see a very dominant Chelsea side with wings on fire, a muscular midfield and an over the top attack (impersonated by Drogba himself). Inter will strongly rely on their counter attacks, with the help of Eto’o’s speed, Milito’s finishing and Snejder’s delicious passes. As for goalies, Julio Cesar will have to be a strong link on the Italian side whereas Chelsea’s 10 th replacement goalie might be Inter’s source of hope.
Fourth Official Prediction: Chelsea 0-2 Inter (two counter attacks on-the-go please?) Probable result: Chelsea 1-0 Inter (score one, become a fort and wait for the game to end)
Sevilla – CSKA Moscow
In the same way that Inter-Chelsea aligns two teams of the same calibre early on in the competition, so does Sevilla-Moscow. Let’s go back in time shall we? It’s not that far: 2005. Then, Platini and his friends at the UEFA start to instate new measures: renewal of the UCL model (which we see today), renaming of the UEFA Cup, recalibration of direct UCL places in each domestic League and a more democratic football in Europe. Amen. Sign of the times, CSKA Moscow wins the agonizing UEFA cup that same year, and Sevilla the two years after that. The first Russian club to claim a European title is Abramovich’s pre-Chelsea playground, a small reunion of emerging stars under a strong head coach with Russia’s national pride Akinfeev as colour bearer. Sevilla is the local Spanish alternative, standing up to the likes of Real and Barca, breeding their own heroes and offering an ultra seductive style of play. Yet, four years after an announced tsunami, none of the clubs have taken Europe over. CSKA has been subject to the usual pillage that Europeans Bigs allow themselves; Sevilla is overshadowed by the omnipotent Barcelona and Real’s superstars.
You might think this little paragraph was useless, in the grander scheme of things yes, but in this Underdog year, both teams can allow themselves to dream in the same way Porto did in 2004 and could be become a daring bet. The game is still open with a 1-1 draw in Moscow four weeks ago. Sevilla of course look slightly favourite, playing at home in a boiling atmosphere and handing over the game plan to their terrific winger Jesus Navas (who has resisted many calling from Madrid and co.) and Luis Fabiano. The Sevillans have gone through a recent rough patch in the Primera Division (crazy loss against Real Madrid and draw at Coruna) but expect a lot from the UCL where they have yet to prove their European worth. CSKA will rely on a diligent organisation and a physical presence worthy of Chelsea (who else?) as well as finally being in shape, the Russian championship started last week in fact. An utmost balanced duel between two teams in need of approval, in other words: a cracker.
In the same way that Inter-Chelsea aligns two teams of the same calibre early on in the competition, so does Sevilla-Moscow. Let’s go back in time shall we? It’s not that far: 2005. Then, Platini and his friends at the UEFA start to instate new measures: renewal of the UCL model (which we see today), renaming of the UEFA Cup, recalibration of direct UCL places in each domestic League and a more democratic football in Europe. Amen. Sign of the times, CSKA Moscow wins the agonizing UEFA cup that same year, and Sevilla the two years after that. The first Russian club to claim a European title is Abramovich’s pre-Chelsea playground, a small reunion of emerging stars under a strong head coach with Russia’s national pride Akinfeev as colour bearer. Sevilla is the local Spanish alternative, standing up to the likes of Real and Barca, breeding their own heroes and offering an ultra seductive style of play. Yet, four years after an announced tsunami, none of the clubs have taken Europe over. CSKA has been subject to the usual pillage that Europeans Bigs allow themselves; Sevilla is overshadowed by the omnipotent Barcelona and Real’s superstars.
You might think this little paragraph was useless, in the grander scheme of things yes, but in this Underdog year, both teams can allow themselves to dream in the same way Porto did in 2004 and could be become a daring bet. The game is still open with a 1-1 draw in Moscow four weeks ago. Sevilla of course look slightly favourite, playing at home in a boiling atmosphere and handing over the game plan to their terrific winger Jesus Navas (who has resisted many calling from Madrid and co.) and Luis Fabiano. The Sevillans have gone through a recent rough patch in the Primera Division (crazy loss against Real Madrid and draw at Coruna) but expect a lot from the UCL where they have yet to prove their European worth. CSKA will rely on a diligent organisation and a physical presence worthy of Chelsea (who else?) as well as finally being in shape, the Russian championship started last week in fact. An utmost balanced duel between two teams in need of approval, in other words: a cracker.
Fourth Official Predictions: Sevilla 3-1 CSKA Moscow Probable Resulte: Sevilla 3-1 Moscow
TFO
2 comments:
3-1?? Remember what happened the last time a Russian team played in Spain?barca- Kazan? I think it will be closer than that as eastern European teams are highly unpredictable. And as you said this is the year of the underdog. Cska- olympiacos final!
Haha yeah Olympiacos champions! And Sevilla were favourites against Fenerbahce last time they were in the eighth of finals, which they lost on the return game. 1-1 until the 75th then CSKA loose concentration and Sevilla push through the home crowd. At least I think, we all know what happened when I predicted a 5-0 win for Real Madrid against Lyon...
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