Prediction of the Champions League quarterfinal
The Champions League quarterfinal draw took place on Friday in Nyon, Switzerland and in its wake it left 4 matches worthy of the final. The…
The Champions League quarterfinal draw took place on Friday in Nyon, Switzerland and in its wake it left 4 matches worthy of the final.
The first leg of quarterfinals will take place on April 1 and 2 and the second leg ail take place on April 8 and 9.
FC Barcelona vs. Atletico Madrid
Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, left, from Argentina kicks the ball during a penalty during a Spain Super Cup soccer match against Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Atletico Madrid has a one point advantage in La Liga over FC Barcelona, and in their 3 meeting thus far this season has failed to see a winner.
“Atleti” has been on a meteoric rise since last season and has them battling for the La Liga crown this season, however, Barcelona is used to be playing this far into the Champions League season.
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The experience factor will come into play at this point in the tournament.
Prediction: In a tight affair, Barcelona will get past Atletico Madrid and book a spot in the Champions League semifinals.
Real Madrid – Borussia Dortmund
Real’s Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his side’s third goal during the Champions League round of the last 16 first leg soccer match between Schalke 04 and Real Madrid in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Wednesday, Feb.26,2014. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
In a rematch of last year’s Champions League semifinal Real Madrid will take on Borussia Dortmund for a spot in the next round of the competition.
Dortmund pulled off one of the biggest shocks in the soccer world last year with a convincing win over the 9 times European champions, but this year both teams are very different.
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The loss of Mario Gotze has proven to be huge for Dortmund, while the arrival Carlo Ancelotti as coach and Gareth Bale give both teams a different look from last year.
Prediction: A dominant Real Madrid gets past a scrappy Borussia Dortmund with relative ease for a spot in the Champions League semifinal.
PSG – Chelsea
Chelsea’s Eden Hazard celebrates after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur during their English Premier League soccer match, at the Stamford Bridge Stadium in London, Saturday March 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Bogdan Maran)
League leader versus league leader in the most attractive game of the Champions League semifinals. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and company will have their most difficult test of the season when they take on the Premier League leading Chelsea.
Mourinho’s Chelsea is a side stacked in talent with a great mix of experience and youth. Hazard, Oscar and company will have to carry the “blues” if they are to defeat the Parisians. “Mou” will have a good game plan to counteract the PSG front line of Zlatan and Cavani.
On the other side of the pitch you will find Ligue 1 leaders PSG, led by insanely talented Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who will have to use make use of its deadly attack if they plan on getting past Chelsea.
Prediction: In a tight matchup Chelsea squeezes past PSG in a pair of matches truly worthy of a Champions League final.
Manchester United – Bayern Munich
Munich’s Toni Kroos, front celebrates his side’s opening goal with David Alaba, Javier Martinez and Dante, from left, during a Champions League, round of 16, first leg soccer match between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at the Emirates stadium in London, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014 .(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Manchester United drew the one team no one else wanted to face, Bayern Munich.
The English giants have had a disappointing first season under new coach David Moyes and have had trouble maintaining good form.
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Bayern, the defending Champions League title holders, have pretty much wrapped up another Bundesliga title and look the part of a dominating juggernaut.
Prediction: Bayern Munich breeze past Manchester United and book a place in the Champions League semifinal.
