Tuesday, March 10, 2009

UCL – First Knockout Round, Return Leg

The return leg of the first knock our round is less than a day away. Already there are some teams that are facing elimination even before kick off.

Real Madrid will look to overturn their 1-0 deficit when they travel to Anfield. Playing at home, Liverpool has always found a way to succumb the pressure. Will the likes of Gonzalo HIGUAIN, Fernando GAGO & Gabriel HEINZE help to salvage something for Real this season? Liverpool are unlikely to go on the offensive so don't expect Javier MASCHERANO to stop snapping at Madrid's heels all night long.

Atlético Madrid will travel to Portugal knowing that anything less than a win might see the end of their European conquest. Kun AGUERO, Maxi RODRIGUEZ & Co will need to bring everything they got onto the table. As it was in the first keg, Porto will rely on the goal scoring exploit of Lisandro LOPEZ and Lucho GONZALEZ brilliance to take them beyond this stage.

Despite of his amazing performance during the weekend, I doubt that Sir Alex will want to start Carlos TEVEZ against Inter Milan. Nevertheless expect at some point of the game, Carlitos coming in to wreck havoc on Inter’s defense. Can we expect something from Europe under achieving team this time? They will be without Nicolas BURDISSO but Walter SAMUEL could return to the line up. Off the field, a rumour has it that Inter will negotiate with Carlitos representative on bringing him to the San Siro next season.

After a dip of form in the last few matches, I do expect Lionel MESSI & Barcelona to come out full-fledged against Lyon. I’m confident that Lionel & Barca will progress as they look to be back to their best. A goal from him would really make our day here. By the way, could someone explain to me how long is Gabriel MILITO out?

Then there is Villareal’s trio (Gonzalo RODRIGUEZ, Ariel IBAGAZA and Fabricio FUENTES), on a tough proposition to Greece. Sporting Lisbon Leandro’s (ROMAGNOLI and GRIMI) and Martin DEMICHELIS of Bayern Munich will play for formality sake.

10 comments:

liverpoolfc4ever said...

Well MASCHERANO has always been a key figure for liverpool and if liverpool try to be more offensive then im sure they will surely regret it later after the match

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utusanlfc (Johardy Ibrahim) said...

Hey John,

This is one thorough analysis you have here. I agree with your points. But one thing scared me most is that Monster Mash is carrying a yellow card. Life is not that easy wooo.... because after defeating Real tonight, there would be more games coming up...

Soccer Guru said...

i do agree that Argentina have some of the best talents in the world. In fact they are probably the only team that can topple Spain from their current status as a top team. I will be looking especially for players like Higuain,Messi,Aguero and Lucho to come out well..4 players that are up and coming and really talented.Players like Benzema,Simao,Forlan,Etoo,ibrahimovic,Ronaldo,Gerrard,karagounis,Evergreen Del piero and many more make this round of 16 awesome with many talents for show.

Plz feel free to check out http://soccercrazee.blogspot.com
where a soccergundu(Manchester United biased) and Soccerguru(Unbiased) writer would love other fans to contribute to our blog n leave comments freely.Cheers.


http://soccercrazee.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Hi there, thanks for visiting my site and leaving a comment: so here I am returning the favor with my thoughts on the upcoming clas between Liverpool and Real Madrid at Anfield.

Truth is I'm not very hopeful Madrid can advance. Liverpool will be favorites, playing in their turf with their fans and with an away goal advantage.

One thing that I find to be in Madrid's favor is the fact that I don't think Liverpool can really sit and defent all game long in front of their fans... this might leave us with some space to attack them. Another thing I find to me in Madrid's favor would be Liverpool's injury woes. Torres and Gerrard are not 100%.

Either way... Liverpool remain favorites. I'm watching the match tonight with much guarded optimism. Here's to hoping Pipita Higuain being rested becomes worth it. After all, the kid only know how to score important goals.

messidona19 said...

i hope messi scores again and barca advance! i want him to play as many matches as possible this czon so that he'll be able to beat cristiano ronaldo's 42 goals last season...

Anonymous said...

Just over an hour to go to the kick-off and I am also not particularly hopeful about Real's chances against Liverpool. You may be interested in an article in El País describing how Mascherano is keeping Gago out of the Argentinian squad.

messidona19 said...

the article in el pais would have been good if it was in english
although real madrid have 3 argies in it
i hope heinze flops again to prove to maradona that he just should not be in the argentina squad
hope for gago , higuain , mascherano , lisandro , aguero and maxi all the best

John said...

Ariel IBAGAZA has just scored to put Villareal in the driving seat.

It looks like Liverpool has got it done against Real Madrid.

Sérgio de Oliveira said...

John :

Thanks for the visit . It will be a dificult match but we have Lucho, Lisandro , Hulk and other great players.

Yes , we can !

Anonymous said...

sweet victory for Liverpool, as expected king Gerrard and Torres outstanding. Mascherano and Alonso prolific defending and precise passing!!
job well done lads!!
hope you repeat the same over the weekend against Man-u