Advertisement
Comment

6 talking points from the Champions League quarter-final draw

Bayern Munich face Manchester United, Chelsea play Paris St-Germain, Real Madrid take on Borussia Dortmund while Barcelona meet Atletico Madrid.

Arjen Robben and Patrice Evra. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

1. Toughest test possible for Moyes and United

The bookmakers odds are telling. This morning Manchester United were 16-1 to be celebrating in Lisbon in May. After the quarter-final draw they have drifted out to be the rank outsiders at 33-1.

That’s what happens after receiving the toughest test possible in the draw. Bayern Munich are cruising towards the Bundesliga title and their European form has given rise to the belief they can retain their Champions League crown.

United may have had three goals to spare over Olympiakos on Wednesday night, while Van Persie and Rooney recaptured their form, but they were still hanging on in a nervy finale. Bayern’s team of supreme talents are going to provide a huge test on the pitch while David Moyes is going to have to up his tactical game against the peerless Pep Guardiola on the touchline.

It’s difficult to see United pulling off a shock, even as they seek to evoke the memories of one of their greatest nights from 1999. Everything points to Bayern progressing, probably with more to spare than they did four years ago when they relied on Arjen Robben’s wonder goal to go through on the away goals rule at the quarter-final stage.

GoalsOnSunday / YouTube

2. A chance for the Old Trafford faithful to see Toni Kroos

Arsenal were undone by their first leg showing against Bayern Munich, and while Wojciech Szczęsny’s dismissal was a crucial turning point, the manner in which Toni Kroos orchestrated Bayern’s victory was hugely influential.

Kroos belted home a brilliant goal to put Bayern ahead while the statistic that he produced 144 passes – just shy of Arsenal’s overall total of 150 – pointed to a player who dictated the game.

Now United have to try to put the shackles on a player whose future has been under scrutiny and transfer whispers have suggested he could be on his way to Old Trafford. It may seem fanciful and Kroos may be attempting to apply pressure to secure a more lucrative contract. The Old Trafford faithful will pray that they could capture a player of his calibre yet also hoping he has negligible impact over the two legs.

Britain Soccer Champions League Toni Kroos celebrates his goal against Arsenal. Alastair Grant Alastair Grant

3. Zlatan to renew acquaintances with Jose

Anyone who has spent time absorbing ‘I Am Zlatan’ – the Swedish star’s autobiography – will have been left in no doubt about the 32 year-old’s views on the current Bayern Munich and Chelsea bosses.

His time with Barcelona led him to describe Pep Guardiola as ‘a spineless coward’. His time with Inter Milan led him to describe Jose Mourinho as ‘a guy I was basically willing to die for’.

The latter idol is now someone he will come face to face with after Ibrahimovic has moved to Paris and Mourinho to London with their clubs paired together in Europe for the first time in a decade. Both are huge assets to their respective outfits and how they fare will be vital in determining who triumphs when they renew acquaintances.

Greece Soccer Champions League AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

4. Chelsea will be pleased with the draw

Given the quality of the teams left in the competition, there were no straightforward ties in the offing in this morning’s draw. That said, Chelsea should be pleased with the outcome. Swerving past the Spanish triumvirate, the reigning champions from Germany and the local pressures that Manchester United will bring, leaves them with Paris Saint-Germain.

Granted Paris Saint-Germain possess strengths. Zlatan is the figurehead who has racked up 40 goals in 40 games. Thiago Silva, Blaise Matuidi and Edinson Cavani are threats in their own right. The club are on course to retain their Ligue 1 title and have been making a decent stab in Europe this season.

But Chelsea will be pleased to have avoided bigger players in the race. They will be at home for the second leg and have plenty experience in getting results away from home. They’ve ticked every box in Europe so far this season and for all their problems in the striker department, they can compensate with the form of Eden Hazard, André Schurrle and Willian.

Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Round of 16 - Second Leg - Chelsea v Galatasaray - Stamford Bridge Chelsea players celebrate against Galatasaray. PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

5. Different Dortmund set for Real test

Real Madrid will hardly lack in motivation when they come up against Borussia Dortmund. They face their conquerors from last season’s semi-final who thwarted their attempts at winning a first Champions League title since 2002. Dortmund finished up 4-3 winners on aggregate but two goals in the final seven minutes of the second leg by Real helped close that gap. In the first leg they had been battered 4-1 at the Westfalenstadion.

The problem for Dortmund is how much their team has changed in the interim. They lost Mario Gotze last summer to Bayern Munich while cruciate injuries have ruled winger Jakub Blaszczykowski and defender Neven Subotic out for the rest of the season. Now Robert Lewandowski, the four-goal hero against Real last year, will be suspended for the first leg. Given Real’s imperious form at present, it’s difficult to envisage an upset.

Soccer - UEFA Champions League - Semi Final - First Leg - Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid - Signal Iduna Park Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring against Real Madrid. Adam Davy Adam Davy

6. Atletico won’t fear Barca

The only tie featuring teams from the same country would have been an easy one to forecast if it materialized in recent years. Barcelona’s track record and class would have seen them installed as overwhelming favorites to get past Atletico.

But this season is different. Atletico, second in La Liga, will not fear the team just below them in third. When the teams clashed in January, it finished 0-0 in Madrid. Atletico have stayed the course in Spain and Europe while Barcelona have stuttered of late, losing two of their last four league games. Messi and Co will still be favored to prevail but they will get a searching test from their Spanish compatriots.

Spain Soccer La Liga Lionel Messi in action against Atletico Madrid. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

As it happened: Champions League quarter-final draw

Power-ranking the Champions League contenders ahead of today’s quarter-final draw

Your Voice
Readers Comments
6
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.