Who do we want in the semi? I would have wanted Barca, Dortmund, or United! All very beatable. But all out. And deservedly so. Who's left? We may struggle to break Athletico down, we can get at Real but they will score against us. Bayern: even though they had their CM midfield out against United, once they sorted their tactics out and moved Lahm into midfield last night, they looked very good again. And they will have Pigherder, Thiago and Javi back for us anyway. But the way we play I think we can give them (like Barca), a tough game. My choice: 1 Bayern 2 Real 3 Athletico
Id say Atletico are the best draw. Bayern have already won their league so can completely concentrate on this comp, been there done it and may be out for some revenge. Real have been awesome mostly in this competition though are starting to fade a little as the season closes and Jose knows them inside out. Atletico are chasing the league as well so will have to play their best team every game, Courtois wont play and they have no experience at this level. Also is Costa going to be fit? All very hard ties but for me Atletico, Real then Bayern. I think we'll get Real. Jose returning is just one of those inevitable stories.
Suppose i would go for Bayern very tough draw all round dont suppose any body fancies playing any one else to much
I think the most important thing for you guys is to play away from home first, I think it would suit your style of play a lot more and give you a decent chance of getting through. All three the sides are very attacking so setting out your stall in the first leg is ideal, and then you know how much you need to attack in the second leg at home. I think Real are the biggest danger, looking forward to the draw on Friday (although I'd be a lot more interested if United were in it)! I hope you get Real purely because of the drama it will create with the managers being ex coaches of the opposing teams...
Definitely one of the strongest semis I can remember. German and European champions, the 2 Spanish sides still battling for the title, the winner from 2 years ago and still in the English title race....
I just think they'd end up being one of those teams we would struggle against. All good not having Courtois to face, but we don't exactly have a potent strikeforce to take advantage.
I'm thinking primarily set pieces. With our big guys and a potential nervy or under used keeper coming in, corners, free kicks etc will give us a good chance at goals. I think us v AM would be a 50/50 tie where as I see the other 2 more as 60/40 against. Though we are more likely to be underestimated by the big 2 as well I guess. All tough ties no doubt.
Its been confirmed by the AM president that there is a clause meaning they have to pay us for him to play against us. The fee is rumoured to be 3-4 million per game. AM have confirmed it is a sum they cant pay. So...unless a deal is struck i.e first dibs on Costa or something then he wont play against us....though he technically can.
The sum goes up every time I hear it... At this rate we'll own their stadium and the players' wives....!!
Uefa would most likely want a Real/Bayern now that Plattini's love team PSG have been dumped and would want to avoid an all Spanish final so Real v Atletico, Chelsea v Bayern is my prediction. And I predict Bayern and Real will get the 2nd leg at home too.
Out of our potential opponents, I would prefer Atletico Madrid as they are the least strongest side. Not to in any way say that they're not strong, but out of the remaining teams I think we have the best chance of going through against them. It is unlikely Courtois would play against us which would be a significant boost for as they would be missing him for two games. If it's not them then Bayern Munich. We've already played them this season and know that we have what it takes to face them. Plus as Manchester United have shown us recently already, their attack can be stifled and their dangerous players kept quiet. If Moyes' current team can expose them and twice take the lead against them in the tie, both home and away, there is no reason that we cannot give them even more problems. Add to that that Mourinho is very well acquainted with Guardiola and his style of play, we could very well have a good chance of progression to the final. Real Madrid is the team I wouldn't want to face at all.
The clause was inserted after that game as I understand it when we renewed his loan deal last summer.
You can make a case for and against each side. Real have by their standards struggled a little of late, Dortmund tore them apart and were lucky to survive that tie despite being 3-0 up plus they have a title race to deal with which Bayern don't. Plus Jose knows them inside out. That said I agree I'd prefer AM with the hope we get Real in the final.
