Champions League: Five things we learned
The Champions League quarter-finals are halfway to completion, yet three of the final four already look certain, with Manchester United also heavy favourites for that final spot. Here’s five things we learned from midweek:
- Schalke could make it to Wembley
- Spurs finally drifted out of their depth
- Guardiola can bluff with the best of them
- One semi-final will be era-defining
Wednesday night offered yet another chance for Carlo Ancelotti’s side to prove that his side are back to their best. It was an opportunity missed. Chelsea were unfortunate not to be given a late penalty, and Patrice Evra, perpetrator of that foul, deserves credit for a smart goal-line clearance at the end of the first half. United had less possession and far less shots on goal, but won through a wonderfully incisive passage of football. Chelsea used to win like that every week. Now, they seem sluggish, struggling in a formation that isn’t working, to accommodate a striker that is out of form. Within three days, before which they looked serious title contenders, they look odds-on to finish the season potless.
United fans meanwhile are talking up their treble chances. After all, they look likely to dodge Inter Milan in the semi finals, facing a two-leg contest against underwhelming German side Schalke, seen as the weakest of all eight quarter-finalists. That is, until they went to one of Europe’s most intimidating venues and won 5-2, from 1-0 and 2-1 down. Yes, Inter had a man sent off, and even fully staffed are an inconsistent, transitional side this season, but it was a hugely impressive result and performance from the mid-table Bundesliga side. Put it this way – had Spurs beaten Inter at this stage, would we be writing them off? Up against a United side that still seem far from invincible, they have more than a puncher’s chance of being the most unlikely finalists since Monaco, way back in 2003.
It was fun while it lasted. Spurs'European run, featuring a superb performance at home to Inter, the emergence of Gareth Bale on the world stage, and a gritty 1-0 aggregate win against Milan that enhanced ‘Arry’s hitherto underwhelming tactical reputation, is over. They have one more game, and what a game it could have been – Real Madrid at the Lane. Sadly, barring an incredible turn of events, it’s now an exhibition game. Spurs were thrashed 4-0 and were a distant second in this two-horse race. They were of course at a huge disadvantage once Peter Crouch had raked a telescopic leg across Marcelo’s shins, but this was one of many signs that Spurs, having over-achieved so handsomely, were above their station. The game plan didn’t work when it was executed, and too often it wasn’t; Crouch was not suitably replaced, meaning the ball was pinged endlessly back into their half. Containing Real reasonably well in open play, Spurs shot themselves in the foot by conceding twice from set plays – once with 11 men. Red card or no, they were never in this game and looked in trouble from the first minute. They may also have missed the chance to return to the competition next year by chasing the romance of the knockout stages.
Best player in the competition? Messi. Xavi, Iniesta and Villa would be in most people’s top five or six. Best side? The team they play for – Barcelona. Best manager in the competition? Hmm. It’s likely you thought Mourinho, maybe Ferguson, maybe Ancelotti. How many of you said Pep Guardiola? For it is he who revitalised an underperforming Barcelona, phasing out superstar signings like Ronaldinho and Henry and boldly building a side in his own image. Yet he is rarely given his due as an all-time great manager. This is partly of his own making; Guardiola cuts a passive figure, never dominating his team in the way Europe’s other big cheeses tend to. There is also a school of thought that suggests that anyone could ‘manage'such a prodigiously gifted side. Yet several sides have shown us that managers have a big influence on whether a side is just good, or great. And Guardiola’s role in Barcelona’s success is pivotal. Prior to their game with Real Madrid last autumn, Guardiola allowed the press to talk up their opponents'chances. Mourinho, conqueror of Barcelona, returns to haunt them, was the press angle. Guardiola didn’t fight it, and pushed the pressure firmly into the away dressing toom. A rampant Barca won 5-0. He tried a similar trick this week, intimating that Shaktar Donetsk had the results and form to be considered a threat, and that the away leg in Ukraine could be crucial. Donetsk arrived feeling like equals – and left humiliated. 5-1 to Barcelona – the return leg may as well be cancelled.
And it won’t be Manchester United v Schalke. The two Spanish clubs'serene progress to the semi-finals has all but guaranteed that Europe’s two best teams will duke it out FOUR times in THREE weeks. After a Copa del Rey final, the two teams will play for a place in the Wembley showpiece – where they will be clear favourites. Sandwiched between the tie’s two legs, there’s the small matter of a league match-up at the Bernabeu. This four-game series will decide the winner of at least two, if not three, competitions – but in a way, it’s bigger than that. Guardiola’s Barca side have been streets ahead of the competition for the last three seasons – and yet, an avalanche of silverware has yet to befall them. Champions League winners two seasons ago, where they were lucky to escape the semi-finals, and dumped out by Inter last year, they have certainly been successful – but it’s hard to believe there won’t be a season where they win it all. If they are to do so this time, they can’t afford to lose on aggregate over these four games. If they fail, it will put renewed doubt in a team that is capable of winning every trophy going.
Likewise Jose Mourinho stands at a crossroads. Hired with the specific goal of overcoming Barcelona, the league title looks a forlorn hope, even if Madrid win their league encounter. Mourinho spoiled Barca’s season this time last year in the Champions League; to do so again, plus a cup final victory, may be enough to convince the man, and the club, that they can build on a difficult first season. If not, he could he flying in to Heathrow, and could end up at any one of four Premier League sides – most likely back to Chelsea. The Premier League will be shaken up, while Madrid may give up on their attempt to turn a one-team dominance into a two-horse race. This semi-final has the ring of Ali v Foreman, Prost v Senna, Federer v Nadal. It’s going to be huge – don’t miss it.
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