Which English clubs can reach the Champions League quarter-finals?
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
BPL clubs did not have the best go of it in their respective round of 16 first-leg matches of this seasons Champions League. Posting a record of 0-1-3, only Chelsea got a favorable result when they earned a credible draw on the road in Istanbul against Galatasaray. Both Arsenal and Manchester City suffered home defeats while Manchester United was pipped while on their Hellenic road trip. Can the quarter finals feature any English sides and if so, how many?
Chelsea
As mentioned before, Jose Mourinho’s men were the only English club to gain a positive result, a 1-1 draw away at Galatasaray. The Turk Telekom stadium is a notorious place to travel to, so Chelsea supporters must feel positive returning to Stamford Bridge for the second leg, especially with a valuable away goal in their back pocket. Considering Chelsea’s impressive home record in both domestic and European competitions, it will take an equally strong performance from the Turkish side this time around if they are to hope to slow down the west London club.
Prediction: Stamford Bridge may as well be Gibraltar at this point – Chelsea rarely have a result go against them at their ground and I don’t see that changing. Gala have quality going forward but I see Mourinho leading his troops into the quarter finals. I am predicting 2-1 to Chelsea.
Arsenal
Gunners supporters should not feel too disheartened by their performance in the first leg. Bayern are the holders and arguably the best club in the world currently and yet still, Arsenal played well, however going to Munich on the back of a 2-0 defeat at home no less will not give them a strong chance of progression. Bayern have all but assured themselves of yet another Bundesliga title and that will allow them to concentrate fully on their continental aspirations as they look to repeat their success from last term. Arsenal will have to be at their best and will have to hope for a complete capitulation by the Munich club if they are to reverse the first leg deficit.
Prediction: Bayern, in Munich, with a two-goal deficit (away goals no less) will probably have Arsenal shown the door yet again early in the knockout stages of the Champions League. Bayern are just too strong right now and even if Arsenal put in a shift that is the best we have seen from them in quite some time, the Munich club are just too strong in all areas of the pitch. I would not be surprised by a 3-1 Bayern win. It helps that they have an excellent record at home to English opposition.
Manchester City
At first look, a 2-0 home defeat by visiting Barcelona is certainly a tough result to reverse when City travel to Spain. On second look however, Barca have not been in good form domestically and if that carries over to their second-leg match up, Blue Moon could be blasting in the north of England. City are still a top class side when attacking and can certainly ask questions but their defense will have to be at its absolute best if it is to shut down Messi and company, despite their misfirings of late. Barca are always up for a big match however and Messi could easily inspire his side on his own to garner the result that see’s them into the quarter finals.
Prediction: City will want to make amends for their FA Cup quarter final loss to Wigan at the weekend and they will be inspired to try to cause a shock result on the road. Barca likewise must look to pick up their performance level after their weekend mishap. I see this ending in a draw, but Barca could also pick up the full three points.
Manchester United
Unlike Arsenal supporters and even the City faithful to an extent, United fans must feel hard done by their poor showing in Greece when they were downed 2-0 by Olympiakos. The Greek’s are resolute yes, but United is certainly seen as a completely different class, well usually anyway. If David Moyes wants to save any part of his season at all, he must require a top class performance at Old Trafford. United do have a habit of overturning lackluster first leg performances but this is not Ferguson’s United – they must be at their best as the Greek side will surely look to bunker down and hit them on the break.
Prediction: This is completely in the hands of the United players. They do not have away goals to over-turn (yet) so they must turn up for this match. However this is not the United sides of Sir Alex, so questions must be asked if Moyes can motivate his troops enough to get themselves into the last eight of the competition. I will go against my better judgement and say that United win on penalties after holding 2-0 through full time and extra time.
Day and times for the second leg fixtures are as follows:
Bayern Munich v Arsenal – Tuesday, March 11; 3:45 EST
Barcelona v Manchester City – Wednesday, March 12; 3:45 EST
Chelsea v Galatasaray – Tuesday, March 18; 3:45 EST
Manchester United v Olympiakos – Wednesday, March 19; 3:45 EST