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.

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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

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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

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