411's UEFA Champions League – Semi Final Roundtable

Posted by Tim O'Sullivan on 04.22.2008

All eyes will be on Ronaldo, Ferdinand, Eto’o, Messi, Torres, Gerrard, Joe Cole and Essien, as the Champions League semi-finals arrive! Staff thoughts, one click away.


Welcome to this, our penultimate roundtable of the season. After the dramatic quarter-finals – well, for one game at least – the final four have been determined and here we are.

The 411'ers contributing here are Ian Wright, Daniel Wilcox and Sean Garmer. Round of applause or mild abuse for them, and we can move on.

You done it?

K.

Good.

Let's go:



The final four are here.

Liverpool v Chelsea

O'Sullivan: It's quite boring to talk about this. I'm genuinely intrigued by the second leg being at Stamford Bridge, but I can't say I've been overly impressed by either team this season.

The tie will be determined on patience and the performances of the match-winners. Liverpool proved against Arsenal that they have two of the best impact players in the world and everyone knows that Chelsea have such a rich squad that even your Dad could get them in the top four. Either way, I really can't call this. Part of me thinks that Liverpool can blitz Chelsea away at Anfield, but another part thinks Chelsea will hold out to The Bridge and sneak through. Either way, have you ever seen Rafa win a game at a big English stadium? No, nor me.

Prediction: Chelsea to win 2-1 on aggregate.

Wright: Liverpool have a belief in themselves in Europe that transcends their limitations (basically these days anyone who doesn't wear 9,8 or 20 for them) and get the job done. They've got the pedigree over Chelsea too and despite the talent they have in their squad the Blues don't really look like a fully functioning 11. Rafa's mob to make it 3 from 3.

Prediction: Liverpool to win 1-0 on aggregate.

Daniel Wilcox: I'm sure I wasn't the only one disappointed with this. Arsenal/Chelsea wouldn't have been great either, but how many times are we going to see this? Law of averages has Chelsea going through here, but Chelsea may struggle with trying to steal the domestic title whereas Liverpool can rest players. And yes, you know there's only going to be a single goal over the entire two legs. God help us all.

Prediction: Liverpool to win 1-0 on aggregate.

Sean Garmer: Liverpool have pretty much secured fourth place and Rafa is a genius when it comes to the Champions League. Chelsea don't necessarily have to worry about the mid-week game because they have so many world class players that they can still play most of the same ones and just rest some of them. It is really up to Avram Grant to make the decision as to which ones he won't play in the first game away at Anfield. What helps Chelsea is they play the second game at Stamford Bridge where they are still tremendous. The problem is, if Mourinho couldn't beat Rafa, nothing I've seen from Avram Grants tactics proves to me that his team could beat him either.

Prediction: Liverpool (Aggregate 2-1)


Barcelona v Man Utd

O'Sullivan: I love football because of games like these. I watch a lot of Spanish football and Barcelona are a really poor football team. Thierry Henry has been sulking, Lionel Messi has been injured, Ronaldinho and Deco have been getting fat and the team are simply not gelling. Man Utd on the other hand are looking better than they have in years. I still think their midfield isn't half as good as people make out and that Rooney can't be the best striker in the Prem until he actually starts scoring goals (!), but when they have a fully fit team at their disposal it's hard to argue with the claim of them being the best in Europe.

In Ronaldo, Ferdinand and Vidic they have three of the finest individuals in world football right now. The only way Barcelona can win this is for their individuals to have special moments. They were awful at Parkhead, but a stunning goal from Henry and two bits of magic from Messi gave them a 3-2 win. Barcelona need to rely on more jaw-dropping solo moments, because as a team they are nowhere near the would-be Prem champs.

Prediction: Man Utd to win 6-2 on aggregate.

Wright: Barca have been doing their best to blow La Liga and it seems that they've succeeded. United on the other hand have of late been playing with a real swagger about them and at this point look strong favourites to win the Premier League. However at this stage of the Champions League still being in the title race is not always a place to be if you're taking a tilt at the CL. Barca have nothing else to play for while on Wednesday United wail have one eye on Saturday's crunch game at Stamford Bridge. But still, you have to go with form unless the returning Messi really turns it on.

Prediction: Man Utd to win 3-2 on aggregate.

Daniel Wilcox: I have to say, I haven't been this excited for a game of football since the 99 Champions League final. I only wish that ALL the big names were fit so that we could get an even bigger spectacle. I think the second leg being at Old Trafford is a huge help to United and it may well be the key. If United get a goal in Spain, I think they'll take the tie and based on the state of Barca's defence at the moment, they have a really, really good chance of doing it. Ronaldo will be key. Will he show up and play or go missing? However I think Rooney is going to be the inspiration that drives United on to victory, much like he was at Old Trafford against Milan last year, although hopefully the team will have learnt from that second leg beating. I don't know if Vidic is fit yet, but if he plays that is a massive boost for United. An all English final may not produce the best game, but I've never wanted a United win more.

Prediction: Man Utd to win 3-2 on aggregate

Sean Garmer: United have the issue of probably needing to rest players for their title-deciding midweek clash against Chelsea. Barcelona are pretty much fighting to maintain their 2nd place and can't win the league thanks to their result this weekend. Lionel Messi and Deco are back, but I don't know that it will be enough to stop a United side that just seem to continue to steam roll. Ronaldo finally didn't score on Saturday, but it didn't stop him from being involved in the game. It just seems a little too late for Barca here, not to mention United have the 2nd leg at the OT. Personally, again I'm fortunate that I will at least get to see one of my favorite teams in the final (regardless who triumphs) but I hope it is United because they deserve just based on the form they've been on for the entire season.

Prediction: Man United (Aggregate 3-1)


Thanks to the fellas.

Enjoy the games.

O'Sullivan

Done.