'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The quarter final first legs of Europe’s greatest football competition turned out to be goal fests as plenty of attacking football was on display with a total of 18 goals being scored over the two days, the most in any QF in Champions League history as predictions were shattered and football emerged the winner.
This edition of ‘Football Bloody Hell’ is Champions League special, as Sportskeeda’s Joydeep and Zico do a post-mortem of the dizzying action from the two extraordinary European nights and answer the major talking points.
In the words of Sportskeeda’s very own Soumitra Kapri, Tottenham were taught a lesson in European football by a clinical Real Madrid. Is there a way back for Spurs in this quarter final?
Z: Usually, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of anything with Tottenham considering their track record of coming back from the dead so many times this season, most notably in the San Siro when after being battered 4-0 in the first half, Spurs made it to 4-3, but I don’t expect such surprises at the White Hart Lane because Jose Mourinho is not Rafael Benitez to take anything light, rest on his laurels and make tactical blunders. He will set out his side to be organized and sweep up Gareth Bale every time the Welshman gets on the ball. Apart from this, the growing injury list seems to have shattered Spurs’ dream season. All the good work they’ve done seems to be coming to an end with so many missing personnel, especially in defence, a weakness that was exploited by Mourinho who played the physically imposing Adebayor to win aerial battles with the Spurs defenders and the man from Togo delivered the goods with two goals. So, barring a miracle, I am looking at an ‘El Clasico’ in the semi-final now that Barcelona are effectively through against Shakhtar.
Trending
An early bath for Peter Crouch in Madrid means Tottenham need to produce a rabbit out of the hat in White Hart Lane
J: Tottenham should now look for a home win to at least salvage some honour and pride. I can’t predict what would have happened had Peter Crouch not been sent off. In that case Tottenham could have played like how they managed to perform in the earlier stages. I would also not rule out the possibility of the ties being almost over. Who knows if Bale has his best game or Van Der Vaart makes Real look like fools at White Hart Lane! Yet barring major miracles, we can definitely expect an ‘El Clasico’. Tottenham need to focus now on regaining the top 4 slot in the Premier League which again looks like a distant dream, but if Chelsea starts to stutter again like countless times before in this season, it can be an exciting end to the season. On that particular night, Ozil and Di Maria were two of the best players on the pitch and Adebayor seems to gel with his new club with ease. Yet he won’t become a top marksman in the future for Real Madrid as he becomes too predictable. Hoping for a night to never forget at White Hart Lane!
From resurgence to misery in three days: Inter Milan threw it all away against underdogs Schalke. The holders on their way out?
Z: Arguably, THE result of the week! What was devastating about the Schalke defeat was that Inter let the German side put FIVE AWAY GOALS past them in their own fortress, which is an abomination to the notion of Italian clubs being defensive pantheons. I cannot believe this was the same Inter side that was so organized and disciplined last season, qualities which won them the treble. I’ve said it already and I’ll say it again, Leonardo must emphasize on bringing more organization to his team’s style of play. His style is ‘bling bling bang bang’ Brazilian football that doesn’t bode well with Inter’s tag of defensive powerhouses and there’s no way he’s going to lead Inter to silverware with such tactics that border on zero defence. To go through to the semis, Inter must win in Germany by a margin of 4-0. Can they score 4 away goals? Yes, I believe they can with the attack that they have. Can they keep a clean sheet in the process? I don’t think so.
From being hailed as the magical 'Leonardo da Vinci' to being demonized as a 'Loser', Leonardo needs to produce magic in Germany to save his reputation
J: The only problem with this tie is that Inter on their day can manage to shut out the entire Schalke attack at their own backyard and score goals too. Scoring a minimum of 4 goals is a tad too much to ask for a team reeling under humiliating losses and maybe already looking for next season. I was utterly surprised at the end of the game as I had predicted a simple and boring win for the Nerazzuris after Inter struck within the first 2-3 minutes. Yet football can be strange and Schalke evidently proved it. And what a swansong, Raul is having!! There was no pressure on Schalke and that somehow worked to their advantage. Leonardo now seems to be publicly known as a poor coach and he needs to turn his fortunes quickly to ensure his reputation remains intact. Regarding their defensive formation, they are surely missing Lucio. But no excuses for such a shambolic performance.
Manchester United edged past Chelsea in an intensely fought encounter at Stamford Bridge. Which of these English sides is more likely to go through?
Z: It is advantage Manchester United at the moment but this quarter final is far from over. There was little to separate the two sides in my opinion. Wayne Rooney was fabulous in spreading out the play and as an attacking threat in the first half while Chelsea were very threatening in the second half, and if not for some top-drawer defending from United’s backline, goal keeping from VDS that was beyond description and a contentious decision, they could have equalized. However, as I’ve always maintained, Sir Alex is a tactical master class who proved it once again in playing Antonio Valencia out of position at RB and the Ecudorian adjusted brilliantly, while Carlo Ancelotti weirdly took off Didier Drogba despite being a nuisance to the United backline all night with his physical strength, while he let the ineffective Fernando Torres stay on. I just don’t understand Ancelotti and Chelsea. I get it all the time from Blues fans that Torres needs time to settle, but just how long? Chelsea are on the brink of elimination and to quote you Joy, it’s war out there.
One Fading Striker and another who was Unjustly Taken Off. Is Ancelotti Digging his Own Grave through Selection Dilemmas?
J: First of all , playing Antonio Valencia at right back never proved to be a tactical masterstroke. It was a gamble which did not cause any troubles at the end. Secondly taking Drogba off and keeping Torres on the field was a mistake and a gamble which ultimately proved fruitless. Chelsea are themselves to blame for a lacklustre attacking performance and fans expected more from them. And all the fuss about the referee playing a blind eye to Manchester United’s appeals? Rio Ferdinand did not get a booking for a high boot and a sure shot penalty not awarded for Chelsea!! But I am not complaining. Ultimately you need to live with these things. And Torres needs time to settle. How much time? God knows! But it’s not only Torres who is not scoring. It’s the whole team which needs to be blamed. I was quite impressed by his overall performance but saddened that he did not break his duck. Let’s hope for the best.
You disagree with us or like to see a talking point discussed, leave comments at the end of the section. If you liked our feature, do share it!
