In Other Champions League News...
Thursday, April 06, 2006
What my Gunnerphile friend might forget to mention is that three other teams advanced to the semi-finals of the Champions League this week. While Arsenal was able to dispatch with Juve and its "innovative" route one approach (no doubt Capello's best effort to please the FA bosses for which he will surely now be hired- Crouch could unquestionably fill the meandering, disinterested role of Ibrahimovic to perfection), they will face upstart Villarreal in the next round.
Despite obvious shortcomings on defense (eg three goals allowed to Rangers in the Round of 16) and a relatively e
asy path the quarterfinals, the Yellow Submarines pulled off the upset against Inter by keeping a clean sheet and netting the all-important away goal in Milan on Tuesday night. Could the leaky defense sink them against the Londoners? Perhaps, but the playmaking of Riquelme will provide an even greater challenge to young Cesc than his former captain Vieira did in London two weeks ago, and Villarreal were already able to see off an Inter side that possessed more class. And while the easy road (sorry 'Gers fans) will be pointed to by many, the Submarines were also the Group D winners, the same group that saw Manchester United finish last back in December.
As for the other half of the bracket, everyone will agree that the desired match up has become a reality. Milan have many of the same faces that saw them throw away last year's final and Barcelona continue to impress both in domestic and European play. Barring any severed limbs for either Shevchenko or Ronaldinho, whoever advances to the final will be the favorite. Both these clubs have won the European crown before and look more poised to win this year's cup than either Arsenal or Villarreal.
But who knows? Maybe coming in fifth in the Premiership is the secret to Champions League success....
Despite obvious shortcomings on defense (eg three goals allowed to Rangers in the Round of 16) and a relatively e
asy path the quarterfinals, the Yellow Submarines pulled off the upset against Inter by keeping a clean sheet and netting the all-important away goal in Milan on Tuesday night. Could the leaky defense sink them against the Londoners? Perhaps, but the playmaking of Riquelme will provide an even greater challenge to young Cesc than his former captain Vieira did in London two weeks ago, and Villarreal were already able to see off an Inter side that possessed more class. And while the easy road (sorry 'Gers fans) will be pointed to by many, the Submarines were also the Group D winners, the same group that saw Manchester United finish last back in December.As for the other half of the bracket, everyone will agree that the desired match up has become a reality. Milan have many of the same faces that saw them throw away last year's final and Barcelona continue to impress both in domestic and European play. Barring any severed limbs for either Shevchenko or Ronaldinho, whoever advances to the final will be the favorite. Both these clubs have won the European crown before and look more poised to win this year's cup than either Arsenal or Villarreal.
But who knows? Maybe coming in fifth in the Premiership is the secret to Champions League success....
posted by Brian at 4/06/2006 11:07:00 AM 
3 Comments:
While Barca or Milan might be favorites on paper should they reach the final, Arsenal is playing by far the best defense of the final 4 teams. Should the Gunners make the final, you have to like their chances to keep a clean sheet. No one has scored on Lehmann and company since September in Europe!
That nutjob Lehman is too easily rattled. A wise manager will know to get him upset early, and before you know it, they'll be puttin' a bulge in the old onion bag.
Very nice site! » »
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