In previous years, the champions league has
tended to get more and more dramatic as it goes along. However, this year, both
the group stage, and the round of 16 have been full of drama with world class
teams Manchester United, Shakhtar Donetsk, Arsenal, last year's winners
Chelsea, to name just a few, already being dumped out. So with this season's
tournament already being full of excitement and tension, these quarter finals
promise to be nothing less than spectacular.
Bayern Munich vs. Juventus
Both these teams are considered "dark
horses" to win the competition by many, but only one will make the
semi-finals as these two European giants clash, with the first leg being held
in Munich. Both teams look set to win their respective domestic leagues, and
won impressively at the weekend. Bayern tore Hamburg apart, winning 9-2, while
Juventus picked up a colossal three points in a 2-1 victory over Inter Milan at
the San Siro. Both these sides are flying, with Juventus having one of the most
organised teams in world football, and Bayern having the most well rounded and
energetic sides. Bayern's attacking trio of Müller, Kroos and Ribery will look
to create chances for the deadly Mario Mandžukic, but if any side can
neutralise the threat posed by these four, it is the expected Juventus defence
of Barzagli, Chiellini and Bonucci, helped by energetic wing backs Lichsteiner
and Asamoah. Bayern's Javi Martinez is suspended for this game, so Bayern will
need to rely on Luis Gustavo to help Bastian Schweinsteiger keep Claudio
Marchisio, Andrea Pirlo and goalscoring midfielder Arturo Vidal quiet. Juventus
tend to keep the ball regardless of the opposition, but against a creative Bayern
side in the expectant Allianz arena, this may be difficult. A genuinely
mouth-watering tie.
PSG vs. Barcelona
Barcelona have fond memories of the French
capital, having won this very trophy in Paris back in 2006, in a 2-1 victory
over Arsenal. However, despite having virtually won La Liga a while back, this
Barca team arrives in Paris with question marks regarding their ability to play
away from home. In the round of 16, Barca were beaten 2-0 against Milan, with
many suspecting they wouldn't be able to overturn that result. Barcelona
managed it however, winning 4-0 in Catalonia, so PSG will need a huge result if
they are to go into the second leg with strong hopes of going through. PSG's
defence that includes Brazilians Thiago Silva, Alex and ex Barca left back
Maxwell, will need to remain fully focused and determined if they are to
silence Messi and co. and knock out the side who many consider tournament
favourites.
Malaga vs. Dortmund
At the start of the tournament, many
considered Malaga a side too weak to make waves in the champions league and
Dortmund a side just too young to compete against Europe's elite. However, both
of these hard working sides are just two games away from a place in the
champions league semis. Malaga's well-oiled machine of a defence has conceded a
mere 6 goals in 8 champions league games this season, while Dortmund possess
one of Europe's most feared attacks, with Reus, Götze, Lewandowski and
Błaszczykowski all hitting form right now. Malaga do possess creative players
themselves though, such as much aligned Isco and Joaquin. Definitely one of the
most tactically unpredictable quarter finals.
Real Madrid vs. Galatasaray
After getting through to the quarter finals
in a highly controversial manner against Manchester United, Jose Mourinho's
quest for an historic third champions runs through Turkish champions
Galatasaray. Although Galatasaray aren't the most feared team left in the
competition, their impressive 3-2 win away to Schalke in the round of 16 second
leg is a prime example why they shouldn't be dismissed, especially with the
champions league's top scorer (along with Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo) Burak
Yilmaz in absolutely unbelievable from, as well as a presumably determined
Wesley Sneijder returning to his old stomping ground of the Bernabeu.
Galatasaray's Hamit Altintop and Felipe Melo will be expected to do a great
deal of running to prevent Mesut Özil and Xabi Alonso from controlling the game
too much, although this may prove a task too much for this tenacious Galatasaray
side.
