28.03. Najave meceva

Champions League, četvrtfinale, prvi mečevi

Milan - Barcelona
Domaćin obično može da se uzda u dva igrača, Ibrahimovića i T. Silvu. Najbolji odbrambeni igrač u Seriji A, Silva, neće igrati sutra a verovatno ni u revanšu. Njega je teško zameniti ali bi nekakva uteha trebala da bude što se Nesta vraća u postavu za ovu utakmicu. Robinjo je takođe na raspolaganju dok se Boateng već vratio u postavu proteklog vikenda. Van Bomel će biti suspendovan sutra dok je Abate povređen. Sedorf bi mogao da se nađe u startnoj postavi umesto Emanuelsona.
Barselona je otputovala u skoro kompletnom sastavu a nedostaje im samo Adriano. Alveš se vraća u postavu posle suspenzije i on će igrati u odbrani zajedno sa Pujolom.
Gvardiola je hteo da izbegne Milan u četvrtfinalu. Možda to ima veze sa njegovim komplikovanim odnosom sa Ibrahimovićem.
Po meni Barselona može samo da se plaši Real Madrida i Bajerna iz Minhena no bez sumnje je i Milan znao da pravi probleme Barseloni nekoliko puta ranije.
Poslednji put kada je Barselona igrala na San Siru oni su zabeležili pobedu od 3-2. Zašto i sutra ne bi bila pobeda sa jednim golom razlike (1-2) ili možda nerešeno sa golovima (1-1).

Marseille - Bayern Munich
Tokom ove depresivne sezone koju ima ekipa Marseja oni su zabeležili dve pobede nad Borusijom iz Dortmunda u okviru grupe u Ligi šampiona. Borusija je vodeća ekipa u Bundes ligi. Da li ekipa Marseja zna kako da igra protiv ekipa iz Nemačke lige? Ja imam jednostavno objašnjenje za to. Borusija iz Dortmunda je očajna u Evropi u poslednje dve sezone jer oni jednostavno nemaju dovoljno dobre igrače.
Uvek prisutni golman Marseja Mandanda će propustiti ovaj meč. Da li je to težak udarac za njih? Mislim da jeste jer njegova potencijalna zamena, Andrade ili Braciliano, nisu skoro uopšte branili u poslednje vreme. Izgleda da će Andrade braniti. Ovaj 33-ogodišnji Brazilac ove godine nije branio ni na jednom meču. Centralni odbrambeni igrač Diavara neće igrati do kraja sezone. Remi ima manju povredu a postoji mogućnost da Brandao igra u napadu od početka meča.
Bila je ovo teška nedelja za Bajern. Oni su odigrali 120 minuta u kupu protiv Borusije iz Menhengladbaha prošle nedelje a onda i meč sa Hanoverom za vikend. Oni su pobedili na oba meča a nijedan igrač se nije povredio. Švajnštajger će biti na klupi sutra.
Marsej zna kako da igra defanzivni fudbal a ovaj meč bi mogao da bude razočaravajući. Bajern bi bio zadovoljan ako bude 0-0 tako da oni neće po svaku cenu ići na pobedu u prvom meču.
Biće pobeda gostiju ili 0-0.

Read More

28.03. (Wed) 20:45 Milan - Barcelona

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

AC MILAN Abbiati Bonera, Nesta, Mexes, Antonini Aquilani, Ambrosini, Nocerino Boateng Ibrahimovic, Robinho

BARCELONA Valdes Dani Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Puyol Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta Cesc, Messi, Sanchez

AC Milan's chances of dethroning the Champions League holders were dealt a major blow as centre-half Thiago Silva, who scored during a 2-2 draw between the two sides earlier this season, limped out of the Rossoneri's weekend clash with Roma.

He has been ruled out for both legs of this quarter-final, meaning coach Massimiliano Allegri will reshuffle the defence by welcoming back veteran Alessandro Nesta, while Daniele Bonera will slot in at right-back in place of the injured Ignazio Abate.

Another key absence is the suspended midfield enforcer Mark Van Bommel, but Kevin-Prince Boateng and playmaker Clarence Seedorf are once again available and both could start, though Alberto Aquilani and Urby Emanuelson are also possibilities in the centre of the pitch.

Ibrahimovic, who tops the Serie A scoring charts with 22 goals, will lead the line against his former side. Robinho has recovered from an ankle problem and is likely to start alongside the former Inter star ahead of Maxi Lopez and Stephan El Shaarawy. Alexandre Pato has gone to the USA for treatment on his persistent muscle injuries and will not feature on Wednesday.

Barcelona have a few worries of their own as defender Eric Abidal is scheduled for a liver transplant and another left-back option, Adriano, is suffering from a thigh strain.

Therefore, Carles Puyol is likely to be moved to left-back with Javier Mascherano partnering Gerard Pique at centre-back. Coach Pep Guardiola could opt for a 3-4-3 system which he used against AC Milan earlier in the campaign.

Dutch winger Ibrahim Afellay has been included in the matchday squad to continue his training, but will not take part in the actual fixture, following his recovery from knee ligament damage. Spain international striker David Villa remains a long term casualty.

Which players will partner Lionel Messi upfront remains a mystery, but the two front-runners appear to be Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez with Pedro also in contention for a place in the starting XI.

DID YOU KNOW?

• AC Milan have never lost the home leg of a European Cup quarter-final tie, winning 10 and drawing four.

• The Serie A champions have conceded 11 goals, the most times of any side left in this season's competition.

• Current Milan players Ibrahimovic, Maxi Lopez, Van Bommel and Zambrotta have all had spells with the Blaugrana during their careers.

• Barcelona have already beaten AC Milan at San Siro this season, winning 3-2 on Matchday 5 during Group H action.

• Guardiola's side topped Group H with 16 points and the Italians were runners-up with nine points.

• The Catalans have won nine matches in a row in all competitions since a 3-2 loss to Osasuna in early February.

Prediction

Both sides have defensive absences, but Milan's in particular are much more influential, it's doubtful they can stop the Barcelona juggernaut at the moment, barring a stupendous performance from Ibrahimovic against his former club at San Siro.

Editor's Prediction

Milan 1-2 Barcelona

Read More

28.03. (Wed) 20:45 Olympique Marseille - Bayern Munchen

Panoramic

PROBABLE LINEUPS

OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE Bracigliano Azpilicueta, M'Bia, N'Koulou, Morel  Diarra, Cheyrou, Amalfitano  Valbuena, Brandao, A. Ayew

BAYERN MUNICH Neuer Lahm, Boateng, Badstuber, Alaba  Luiz Gustavo, KroosRobben, Muller, Ribery Gomez

Olympique de Marseille coach Didier Deschamps is facing some serious selection troubles ahead of the clash with Bayern Munich as a number of key players are either injured or suspended.

Steve Mandanda, who picked up a red card in the second leg of the round of 16 tie with Inter, will be replaced in goal by Gennaro Bracigliano. Souleymane Diawara, who is also suspended for the game against Bayern, is likely to be replaced by Stephane M'bia in the heart of the defence. In the final third, Olympique de Marseille will probably have to do without the service of Loic Remy, who is still recuperating from an injury and is rated doubtful for the clash at Stade Velodrome. Striker Brandao, who netted against Inter earlier this month, is expected to deputise for the France international.
Bayern Munich vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger could recover from his leg injury in time for the fixture, but is likely to start on the bench.

Toni Kroos, who delivered an impressive performance in the 2-1 win against Hannover last Saturday, is likely to be pushed back to the double pivot, at the expense of Danijel Pranjic, in order to make room for the returning Thomas Muller.

Ex-Olympique de Marseille man Daniel Van Buyten is certain to miss out on a reunion with his former club, unlike Franck Ribery who is set to start against the side he represented for two years between 2005 and 2007.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Olympique de Marseille have lost nine of their last 19 games at Stade Velodrome in the Champions League, drawing on three occasions. 

• Midfielder Alou Diarra played for Bayern Munich's reserve side between 2000 and 2002, amassing 41 games. 

• Olympique de Marseille have won their last two knockout ties against German opposition.

• Bayern Munich have never played against Les Phoceens in an official game.

• The Bavarians have won three of their last four two-legged ties with French opposition.

• Daniel Van Buyten and Franck Ribery played for Olympique de Marseille in the past. In addition, Bayern Munich honorary president Franz Beckenbauer had a coaching stint with the French side in 1990.

Prediction

Olympique de Marseille have been in awful form in recent times, but are sure to give their all against Bayern Munich on Tuesday. However, with some crucial players out for game at Stade Velodrome for Les Phoceens, and with the Bavarians firing on all cylinders recently, one can see Jupp Heynckes' men edging the first leg.

Editor's Prediction

Marseille 1-2 Bayern

Read More

27.03. Najave meceva

Champions League, četvrtfinale, prvi mečevi

Apoel Nicosia - Real Madrid
Ako nam Lion služi kao neko merilo onda Apoel neće imati nikakve šanse . Lion je izgubio od Apoela na penale. Ja još uvek smatram da je Lion bolja ekipa, bar na duže staze, no hoću da ukažem na to da Lion nije imao nikakve šanse u dva meča u okviru grupe protiv Reala. Oni su ubedljivo savladani na ta dva meča ukupnim rezultatom 0-6.
Apoel, koji će sutra verovatno igrati ultra defanzivno, može da oteža posao Realu, možda će čak uspeti da odigraju 0-0, ali pobeda u prvom meču? Ne, to se sigurno neće desiti.
Manduka, koji je postigao gol protiv Liona, će biti suspendovan sutra a ni Ćabi Alonso, igrač sredine terena Reala, neće igrati iz istog razloga. Lasana Dijara je povređen. Izgleda da će Real igrati u veoma ofanzivnoj formaciji sutra, bar se tako priča u Španiji. Očekujem tešku utakmicu za domaćina.

Benfica - Chelsea
Žesus, trener Benfike, je zadovoljan jer će njegova ekipa igrati protiv ekipe iz Engleske. Ne znam da li je u pravu ili ne no on je mišljenja da njegova ekipa zna kako da igra protiv Britanskih ekipa. Dobro, oni su odigrali nerešeno oba meča u grupi protiv M. Junajteda no Junajted je igrao veoma loše u Evropi ove sezone.
Nisam preterano oduševljen ovim timom Benfike no odaću im jedno priznanje. Oni igraju sjajno na svom terenu.
Aimar će igrati ponovo, bar poslednjih pola sata, jer se on često umori. Kardozo će igrati u napadu kao i uvek, Rodrigo će možda takođe igrati a naravno i Vitsel. Garaj, bivši odbrambeni igrač Real Madrida, će najverovatnije propustiti sutrašnji meč.
Trener Čelzija ima jako puno opcija. Samo je Ivanović povređen odnosno njegov nastup je veoma neizvestan. Sigurno nije lako Di Mateu da izabere “najbolji” tim za ovaj meč no ja verujem da će on biti nešto više defanzivno orijentisan na ovom gostovanju. Najvažnije za njih je da izbegnu poraz. Čelzi protiv Benfike na Stamford Bridžu? To zvuči kao sigurna pobeda domaćina.
Da je Porto domaćin Čelziju onda bih se opredelio za pobedu domaćina ali ne i u slučaju Benfike.

FA Cup, ponovljeni mečevi

Sunderland - Everton
Sumnjam da ćemo videti pobednika na ovom meču posle devedeset minuta igre. Obe ekipe su takmičarski raspoložene, sličnog su kvaliteta, i imaju igrače koji su spremni da ginu na terenu sada kada ih samo ovaj meč deli od polufinala FA kupa na Vembliju.
Za sve one koji žele da se klade na Sanderlend ću kazati da će Sanderlend biti u jačem sastavu nego u prvom meču odigranom na Gudison Parku (1-1). Sesenjo i Katermol su bili suspendovani za taj meč no obojica će biti na raspolaganju sutra. S. Larson i Bardsli su odmoreni za vikend. I njih dvojica se vraćaju u postavu ali ključni odbrambeni igrač O’Šej neće igrati.
Everton je bio bolja ekipa u tom prvom meču a s obzirom da su bili domaćini onda se može reći da su i trebali da budu bolji. Sutra bi trebala da bude obrnuta situacija mada u suštini nema mnogo toga što razlikuje ove ekipe što se može videti i na tabeli. Pienar nema pravo nastupa za Everton sutra.
Mislim da ćemo videti produžetke na ovom meču. Biće nerešeno!

Tottenham - Bolton
Ovo u suštini nije ponovljen meč. Ovaj meč je naravno prekinut pred kraj prvog poluvremena pre desetak dana. Rezultat je u trenutku prekida bio 1-1. Bolton je neočekivano poveo ali su Pevci uspeli da izjednače i može se reći da su posle toga preuzeli kontrolu nad mečom.
Očekujem da će Totenhem sutra učiniti dovoljno da zabeleži pobedu. Lenon i King bi trebali da budu na raspolaganju ponovo.
Siguran sam da će ovo biti meč pun emocija no gledajući na meč sa fudbalske strane mislim da Bolton neće moći da izađe na kraj sa Totenhemom. Totenhem će uskoro ponovo odigrati sjajno neki meč a možda će se to desiti već danas.

Read More

27.03. (Tue) 20:45 Benfica - Chelsea

Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS

BENFICA ArturPereira, Luisao, Jardel, EmersonJavi Garcia Gaitan, Witsel, Bruno Cesar Cardozo, Rodrigo

CHELSEA CechIvanovic, Luiz, Terry, Cole Lampard, Essien Sturridge, Mata, RamiresDrogba

Pablo Aimar came off of the bench only to receive a red card against Olhanense at the weekend so Jorge Jesus may choose to stick with Nicolas Gaitan, Axel Witsel and Bruno Cesar in midfield.

Nelson Oliveira will compete with Rodrigo for a place in the Benfica attack, with the latter boasting a stronger goal scoring record this season.

Defender Ezequiel Garay and striker Yannick Djalo will be missing due to injury.

Roberto Di Matteo is hoping Branislav Ivanovic can recover from a thigh injury in time to feature but if not Jose Bosingwa will start at right-back. In the centre of defence David Luiz could return at the expense of Gary Cahill against his old club.

Otherwise Di Matteo is unlikely to sway too much from the side that beat Napoli in the previous round. Didier Drogba will probably be preferred to Fernando Torres in attack while Raul Meireles is also in contention for a place in midfield.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Benfica had not suffered defeat in the league until they lost to Guimaraes in February. That match was the first of a run of three games without victory, including a 3-2 loss to Porto, who now top the table.

• Striker Rodrigo has bagged eight goals in the league for Benfica this season but scored just once in 17 matches while on loan with Bolton Wanderers from Real Madrid during the 2010-11 campaign.

• The Eagles overturned a 3-2 first leg deficit to progress past Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg in the previous round.

• Chelsea will meet Benfica on Tuesday for the first time. Portuguese sides have not been kind to their English counterparts this season; Sporting Lisbon knocked Manchester City out of the Europa League while Benfica played a part in Manchester United's Champions League elimination.

• The Blues do have two former Eagles players in their ranks to help them out on the night. David Luiz and Ramires were teammates in Lisbon before joining Chelsea.

• Chelsea have not won away from home in the Champions League this season. They lost games against Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen and drew with Genk and Valencia.

• They will feel confident if they are able to keep the score close in Portugal, however, having won all four of their home fixtures in the competition this season.

Prediction

Chelsea's away record in the Champions League this season has not been strong and Benfica should edge this encounter but the Blues will remain optimistic if they can keep it close and grab an away goal. They have shown more resilience since Roberto Di Matteo took over as manager and should be capable of keeping themselves in the tie ahead of the second leg.

Editor's Prediction

Benfica 2-1 Chelsea

Read More