The draw for the quarter-finals of the Champions League threw up a number of intruguing tussles. Here, Sport360°, previews each of the last eight ties and gives you our predictions as to who will emerge victorious
APOEL NICOSIA V REAL MADRID
Real’s progress thus far has been near-perfect with six from six in the group stages and a commanding performance against CSKA at home. The only blot being a late equaliser conceded in Moscow. Madrid are on fire.
Sport360° Verdict: The most one-sided of the ties and if Madrid don’t get through then Mourinho might as well book his ticket to London now, irrespective of whether they win the Spanish title. Except a fantastic atmosphere in Cyprus and Nicosia will look to put on a good show. Keeping it to a draw would be an achievement but they’ll get blown away at the Bernabeu.
MARSEILLE V BAYERN MUNICH
Inconsistent in Ligue 1, Didier Deschamps’ Marseille side have reached the last eight for the first time since 1993. Came second in the group stages, behind Arsenal, before profiting from Inter’s errors in the knockouts.
Bayern, on the other hand, topped the ‘Group of Death’ with Napoli, Manchester City and Villarreal and after a first-leg scare in Basel stepped on the afterburners in Munich with a 7-0 victory. Away from home they look vulnerable.
Sport360° Verdict: Marseille will need to establish at least a two-goal lead at the Stade Veldrome, minus suspended keeper Mandanda, to have any hope with Bayern simply brutal in Bavaria. Other sides in the competition are capable of performing such a task but Marseille lack goalscorers and that should prove their undoing. Bayern to meet Madrid in the semi-finals.
BENFICA V CHELSEA
If there is a ‘dark horse’ then it is Benfica. Came through a tricky qualifier against Twente, topped a group with Manchester United and Basel only to lose their unbeaten run switching off against Zenit in the 88nd minute.
From chaos to courage, Chelsea were far from convincing in the group stages (admittedly in a tough quartet) and after being thoroughly outplayed in Naples, produced a Herculian effort to reach the quarters.
Sport360° Verdict: Chelsea will fancy this tie but at the same time Benfica won’t be too disappointed. With Andre Villas-Boas gone, the spirit has returned at the Bridge but they still don’t convince. Benfica have the talent to win the first leg but may not be able to break the Blues down in London and Chelsea’s senior players will drag them through once again.
AC MILAN V BARCELONA
Milan were drawn with Barcelona in the group stages, where they recorded a credible draw in the Nou Camp. Ravaged Arsenal at home but the first 45 minutes in the Emirates emphasised their weakness against pace.
The creeping doubts earlier in the season that this Barcelona model was not quite of the 2011 vintage have now subsided and with Lionel Messi in breathtaking form, just ask Leverkusen, they remain the team to beat.
Sport360° Verdict: Chelsea will fancy this tie but at the same time Benfica won’t be too disappointed. With Andre Villas-Boas gone, the spirit has returned at the Bridge but they still don’t convince. Benfica have the talent to win the first leg but may not be able to break the Blues down in London and Chelsea’s senior players will drag them through once again.
* So, the semi-final line-up by our own predictions will be Real Madrid against Bayern Munich and Chelsea versus Barcelona. As for the final? Well, don’t look beyond on all Spanish affair and the biggest El Clasico EVER.
