Champions League
Right. Here I am sitting at CR 1024. Nothing much to do for the moment. Something's making me a lil edgy and restless today..... AAh, now I know what it is. It's the coming mouth-watering clashes of football giants for tomorrow and the day after. It's time, to get back to 'business.'
Manchester United vs AC Milan ( First leg, Old Trafford)
It's almost like a dream final. Manchester United take on the mighty AC Milan. With both sides boasting star players of world class quality, it surely promises to be an interesting and dynamic match. Just imagine in the Bible, where maybe Goliath take on Samson, yeah, something like that.
MU is playing one of the best forms of the moment. If not for the revolutions of Jose Mourinho, this season's EPL trophy would probably be on the way to Old Trafford trophy room. Alex Ferguson could be counting his lucky stars too as Man Utd storms into the quarterfinals with a full strength squad, with only Darren Fletcher out of action. Firepower is also added with the return of the legendary marksman Ruud van Nistelrooy and fiery Alan Smith.
Deadly Poacher
And with the form twin terror Ronaldo and Rooney, statiscally MU have the capability of invading China, so to speak. Probably the return of Mikael Silvestre too will add more stability and defence in the place of the ever-careless Wes Brown.
On the other hand, one should never under-estimate the depth and strength of the mighty Italians. Having caught up on same points in Seria A to Juventus just recently, AC Milan have experienced and tasted the glory of Champions League more than MU. Their defence marshalled by Italian legend Paolo Maldini , Jaap Stam and Cafu, and with their midfield by Gattusso, Pirlo and Rui Costa, it is no wonder this club has taken the Serie A by storm. An interesting observation will be the power of midfield.
Ex Man Utd player Paolo Maldini
One 'comforting' fact to MU supporters out there will be the lost of current European Player of the Year Andriy Shevchenko due to facial injury. Though crippled, AC Milan still possess the capabilities to attack which can be fatal, and it comes through on-form and on-loan Hernan Crespo and Brazillian Kaka.
This match promises world-class football and brilliant tactics. The interesting point about first legs and 2nd legs twists that can happen like a snake in a hat. For first legs, the home team would of course try to win by as many goals as possible, while the visiting team usually stresses on defence, and if a bonus comes by, to score some away goals. 2nd legs turns out to be hotter and tougher. Tactics will depend totally on the outcome of the 1st legs. Italians are famous for strategy and defensive football. That's why it is crucial for MU to score if they were to fancy their chances of landing a shot in the final. No wonder Alex Ferguson said " Very few teams have come to Italy and come up victors. It is almost impossible to beat them at home."
We shall see.
Barcelona vs Chelsea ( First Leg, Nou Camp)
Many premiership bosses like Wenger and Ferguson once said about Chelsea, " They are riding high at the moment. But we shall see when they start to lose, and some of their key players get injured. " Well, the moment has finally arrived. With their recent loss in the FA cup to Newcastle, and also with Wayne Bridge, Damien Duff, Arjen Robben and Didier Drogba out due to injury, it would be amusing to see people who are waiting for Chelsea to slip up rubbing their hands gleefully seeing the fate that awaits them.
But one shouldn't so quickly judge Barcelona as run-away winners. Jose Mourinho did not win four trophys in one season before for nothing. The ex-teacher has succeeded in moulding one of the best defence the EPL has ever witnessed. With him bringing from 'home' Paolo Ferreira and Carlvaho, and with ever-improving captain John Terry cementing the defence, one would think that it would be strike force as strong as Barca to invade it, and lo and behold, you have what everyone dreamt of. And if ever will the ball were to slip past those defenders, then they will have to face Petr Cech, the safe hands of Chelsea.
Cap'n Terry The future of Chelsea and England
Chelsea is severed badly in the attacking department. During those times when they were winning by large margins, it was the deadly trio combination of Robben, Duff and Drogba. With at least 2 of them most certain to miss tomorrow's game, Jose would have to look elsewhere to provide the goals. And it leaves Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Gudjohnssen to shoulder to burden.
Missed dearly
Jose Mourinho :"I have to win back what's mine."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barcelona. Who can deny the might of this highly decorated club? Home club to great footballers of all time, including Ronaldo, Luis Figo, etc, this club has given football another dimension. Dazzling skills, cheeky passes, amazing runs, fantastic goals, superb passing, you name it, this club has it all, and most of the things mentioned above could happened because of one man, and his name is Ronaldinho.
Defender's nightmare
But setting aside the FIFA 2004 world player of the year, Barca's squad has arguably the deadliest strike force in the world. With the formation of 4-2-3-1, it shows that manager Frank Rjikaard has beautifully maximised the his attacking players together. They are Ronaldinho, Guily, Deco and African World Player of the Year 2004 Sameul E'to. Just looking at their standings in La Liga will reveal to anyone what terrors and disasters will happen to those who oppose them, defenders spefically here. Barca also posses a good defend system, and also a superb goalkeeper in Vitor Valdes.
Manager
What happens when the world's strongest shield collide with the world's strongest sword?
We shall find out.
Manchester United vs AC Milan ( First leg, Old Trafford)
It's almost like a dream final. Manchester United take on the mighty AC Milan. With both sides boasting star players of world class quality, it surely promises to be an interesting and dynamic match. Just imagine in the Bible, where maybe Goliath take on Samson, yeah, something like that.
MU is playing one of the best forms of the moment. If not for the revolutions of Jose Mourinho, this season's EPL trophy would probably be on the way to Old Trafford trophy room. Alex Ferguson could be counting his lucky stars too as Man Utd storms into the quarterfinals with a full strength squad, with only Darren Fletcher out of action. Firepower is also added with the return of the legendary marksman Ruud van Nistelrooy and fiery Alan Smith.
Deadly Poacher
And with the form twin terror Ronaldo and Rooney, statiscally MU have the capability of invading China, so to speak. Probably the return of Mikael Silvestre too will add more stability and defence in the place of the ever-careless Wes Brown.
On the other hand, one should never under-estimate the depth and strength of the mighty Italians. Having caught up on same points in Seria A to Juventus just recently, AC Milan have experienced and tasted the glory of Champions League more than MU. Their defence marshalled by Italian legend Paolo Maldini , Jaap Stam and Cafu, and with their midfield by Gattusso, Pirlo and Rui Costa, it is no wonder this club has taken the Serie A by storm. An interesting observation will be the power of midfield.
Ex Man Utd player Paolo Maldini
European Player of the Year 2004
One 'comforting' fact to MU supporters out there will be the lost of current European Player of the Year Andriy Shevchenko due to facial injury. Though crippled, AC Milan still possess the capabilities to attack which can be fatal, and it comes through on-form and on-loan Hernan Crespo and Brazillian Kaka.
This match promises world-class football and brilliant tactics. The interesting point about first legs and 2nd legs twists that can happen like a snake in a hat. For first legs, the home team would of course try to win by as many goals as possible, while the visiting team usually stresses on defence, and if a bonus comes by, to score some away goals. 2nd legs turns out to be hotter and tougher. Tactics will depend totally on the outcome of the 1st legs. Italians are famous for strategy and defensive football. That's why it is crucial for MU to score if they were to fancy their chances of landing a shot in the final. No wonder Alex Ferguson said " Very few teams have come to Italy and come up victors. It is almost impossible to beat them at home."
We shall see.
Barcelona vs Chelsea ( First Leg, Nou Camp)
Many premiership bosses like Wenger and Ferguson once said about Chelsea, " They are riding high at the moment. But we shall see when they start to lose, and some of their key players get injured. " Well, the moment has finally arrived. With their recent loss in the FA cup to Newcastle, and also with Wayne Bridge, Damien Duff, Arjen Robben and Didier Drogba out due to injury, it would be amusing to see people who are waiting for Chelsea to slip up rubbing their hands gleefully seeing the fate that awaits them.
But one shouldn't so quickly judge Barcelona as run-away winners. Jose Mourinho did not win four trophys in one season before for nothing. The ex-teacher has succeeded in moulding one of the best defence the EPL has ever witnessed. With him bringing from 'home' Paolo Ferreira and Carlvaho, and with ever-improving captain John Terry cementing the defence, one would think that it would be strike force as strong as Barca to invade it, and lo and behold, you have what everyone dreamt of. And if ever will the ball were to slip past those defenders, then they will have to face Petr Cech, the safe hands of Chelsea.
Cap'n Terry The future of Chelsea and England
Chelsea is severed badly in the attacking department. During those times when they were winning by large margins, it was the deadly trio combination of Robben, Duff and Drogba. With at least 2 of them most certain to miss tomorrow's game, Jose would have to look elsewhere to provide the goals. And it leaves Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Gudjohnssen to shoulder to burden.
Missed dearly
Jose Mourinho :"I have to win back what's mine."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barcelona. Who can deny the might of this highly decorated club? Home club to great footballers of all time, including Ronaldo, Luis Figo, etc, this club has given football another dimension. Dazzling skills, cheeky passes, amazing runs, fantastic goals, superb passing, you name it, this club has it all, and most of the things mentioned above could happened because of one man, and his name is Ronaldinho.
Defender's nightmare
But setting aside the FIFA 2004 world player of the year, Barca's squad has arguably the deadliest strike force in the world. With the formation of 4-2-3-1, it shows that manager Frank Rjikaard has beautifully maximised the his attacking players together. They are Ronaldinho, Guily, Deco and African World Player of the Year 2004 Sameul E'to. Just looking at their standings in La Liga will reveal to anyone what terrors and disasters will happen to those who oppose them, defenders spefically here. Barca also posses a good defend system, and also a superb goalkeeper in Vitor Valdes.
Manager
What happens when the world's strongest shield collide with the world's strongest sword?
We shall find out.
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