AC Milan - Bayern
The essence of the confrontation
The battle of the giants experiencing hard times in the national championships will be hot. Of particular interest is the almost chess tactical duel of the coaches - Hitzfeld and Ancelotti. The main fights of the two-round match, most likely, will unfold in the middle of the field - it is the midfield that makes the weather in both clubs. In addition, the teams pay great attention to the defense of their gates, so the opponent's forwards will have to spend a lot of effort to overcome it. The strength of Bavaria lies in the teamwork of the players and the skillful leadership of the crisis manager Hitzfeld. Carlo Ancelotti due to problems with the attackers forced to use the scheme with just one striker. However, the teamwork of midfield and off-year reliable defense open the door to the semifinals for Milanese.
DUEL
Kaka against the defense of Bavaria. The top scorer of the current League draw this season has gained an excellent form. An additional problem is promised to the Germans by the Brazilian rich technical and tactical arsenal: an accurate strike, corporate dribbling, a subtle pass. The defense of the Bavarians will necessarily contrast the Milan playmaker with their physical strength and well-functioning actions. However, all this is unlikely to be enough to keep the midfielder away from their goal. And what can the second confusion of defense lead to, the Scottish Celtic recently learned.
PAST
A year ago, these same rivals made up one of the pairs of the 1/8 finals of the Champions League. Then the red-blacks with equal play passed the Bavarians with a total score of 5: 2. After a peaceful 1: 1 in Germany, “Milan” at the “San Siro” gave the Germans a real defeat. Now, “Bavaria” has the opportunity to leave his offender with a nose at a more critical stage of the tournament. “Milan”, by the way, has excellent statistics of victories over German teams. In 12 out of 15 home European cup games, Italians turned out to be stronger, losing only 2 times.
Subtext
Milan invariably became the winner of the European Cup tournaments after having defeated Bavaria at one stage. And only last year, this good tradition for Italians was interrupted. Now they again have a chance to resume it.
Ottmar Hitzfeld won his first Champions League final 10 years ago in a match with Juventus Turin. True, he did not train Bavaria then, but the Dortmund Borussia. Nevertheless, a meeting with any Italian team will surely evoke warm memories from him.
BET
Odds of reaching the semifinals (according to estimates by William Sportsbook Hill ):
“Milan” - 1.72.
Bayern - 2.
Champions League chances to win:
“Milan” - 8.
Bayern - 10.
PSV - Liverpool
The essence of the confrontation
Eindhovens got a scalp of one English team and now it is unlikely to become timid in front of another. Depriving the freedom of creativity of Stephen Gerrard - this is the main task of the Dutch in a two-match confrontation. However, Ronald Kuman has yet to puzzle over what tactical design his Spanish colleague Rafa Benitez will choose. This season, the Liverpool mentor used both the 4-3-3 set-up familiar to the Dutch from childhood, and the more common scheme with two extreme midfielders and a pair of forwards.
DUEL
Peter Crouch vs. Alex. It will be interesting to watch the duel of two “basketball players” - Liverpudlian Crouch (2.01 cm) and Eindhoven Alex (1.88 cm). Benitez recently does not favor Peter with playing time, but in a confrontation with a tall Brazilian defender, he will certainly bet on him. Bellamy and Kate are mobile and technical, but still on the second floor they will have little chance.
PAST
The teams did not have time to miss each other - in the fall they coexisted in one qualifying group. PSV was unable to hit the gates of the Merseysides even once, but in the away game he also missed twice.
The history of the confrontation between Liverpool and the Dutch teams dates back to 1966, when the British devastatingly lost to Ajax - 1: 5. However, since then, the “Reds" did not know defeats in meetings with teams from the Netherlands. Another thing is PSV. Until the recent victory over Arsenal, the Dutch could not beat the English clubs for seven consecutive matches. The last success dates back to the year 2002, when the Eindhoven defeated Leeds with a minimum score.
Subtext
PSV right-back Yan Kromkamp a year ago was pompously acquired by Liverpool in order to compete with Steve Finnan. However, Benitez for some reason preferred to use it in midfield. In the summer, without visible regrets, they said goodbye to Kromkamp, which means he has something to prove to the previous club.
Liverpool striker Dirk Kate at the time of his appearances for Utrecht and Feyenord has hit the PSV goal many times, and now he will try to repeat it at the European Cup level. PSV defense is well aware of its strengths and weaknesses, but this did not always help her in the Dutch championship.
The Liverpool midfielder Budevein Zenden is even more familiar with the PSV. As part of Eindhoven's left midfielder became the champion of the Netherlands exactly ten years ago.
BET
Odds of reaching the semifinals:
PSV - 4.5.
Liverpool - 1.5.
Champions League chances to win:
PSV - 20.
Liverpool - 4.
Roma - Manchester United
The essence of the confrontation
In anticipation of a meeting with Manchester United, representatives of the Roman club are optimistic. The victory over Lyon inspired Jallorossi to new exploits. Spalletti made a serious bet precisely on the Champions League, the benefit in Serie A tournament tasks are actually solved. For the first time since 1984, the Romans climbed up so high in the Champions League and are now eager to continue the banquet.
Alex Ferguson was more restrained about the results of the draw. Curiosity is what the Scottish coach overpowers in anticipation of a meeting with Roma. Before, the Mankunians had never played with the “wolves”. However, curiosity is probably a flimsy one - Ferguson has no reason to be unsure of his abilities. At the moment, his team looks preferable to Spalletti's squad.
DUEL
Michael Carrick vs. Daniele de Rossi. Alex Ferguson is a big fan of de Rossi's talent and has repeatedly lobbied for the idea of acquiring it. In this regard, the confrontation between the young Italian midfielder and “MJ” opornik Carrick looks very intriguing - it is possible that they will become partners next season.
However, the meeting of Francesco Totti and Nemanja Vidic may become even more interesting. Only give free rein to the Roman fantasist - he will do such a thing that the opponents will only have to clutch their heads. Ferguson is aware of Chesco’s abilities and will try to neutralize the leader of the “wolves” at all costs. This mission will probably be assigned to the former defender of Spartak.
PAST
Opponents have never met in the Champions League. In 17 meetings with English clubs, “Roma” won 6 victories, while in away matches, it prevailed only twice.
Subtext
Manchester United cannot afford to focus on the Champions League. Victory in the domestic championship is close, but nevertheless, for its registration requires maximum concentration in each match.
“Roma” almost staked out the second place in the Italian championship, and therefore perceives the matches of Serie A exclusively as preparation for the European Cup fights. The Romans are in a better position, and it remains only to wait with interest if they can take advantage of such a trump card.
BET
Odds of reaching the semifinals:
"Roma" - 3.5.
Manchester United - 1.3.
Champions League chances to win:
“Roma” - 11.
Manchester United - 3.
Chelsea - Valencia
The essence of the confrontation
The quarter-final meetings of these stingy goals do not make the fan stand still in anticipation of a beautiful and spectacular football. Both Valencia and Chelsea are betting on team football, so a bitter struggle is inevitable.
Chelsea players will have to clearly and collectively play in defense - the Spaniards know how to sting an opponent painfully. This will add a headache to Jose Mourinho, who has not been able to patch a hole in the center of defense for half a season. In addition, the British should not squander dangerous moments, as Inter recently did. Assisted frugality can be learned at least from the same “Valencia”.
The Spaniards do not need to reinvent the wheel. The team will try to dry the game, defending itself with all available means. Head coach Kike Flores continues the work of Hector Cooper and, in the presence of an excellent selection of performers, prefers to wait and quickly counterattack.
DUEL
Didier Drogba vs. David Villa. Both teams are highly dependent on the leaders of their attacks. The way the forwards play is different, so they will compete in the numbers of the goal + pass system. The African has 5 goals scored in the tournament, and the Spaniard not only spent 4 goals, but also made 3 assists. Villa is more universal than Drogba and is able to add more variety to the actions of the team. But the goals of Drogba this season are not enough. The tall and athletic Ivorian was among the world-class forwards - perhaps that’s it.
PAST
“Valencia” in the fight against “Chelsea” is called to “revenge” for another Spanish club - “Barcelona”. For three consecutive seasons, the British got in the way of Barca, and the last two years, success was on the side of representatives of foggy Albion. The "bats" now have the opportunity not only to compete for a place in the semifinals, but also to tip the football scales towards the Pyrenees.
Subtext
“Valencia” is very difficult to beat at “Mestalla” - Inter has already seen this. The Spaniards rely on defensive football, sometimes defending themselves practically by the whole team. Kike Flores is pleased that the first match will take place on the road. After all, “Valencia” can immediately and without hesitation apply their favorite tactics. What will Mourinho say?
BET
Odds of reaching the semifinals:
Chelsea - 1.5.
Valencia - 2.4.
Champions League chances to win:
Chelsea - 2.75.
Valencia - 9.