United and Chelsea continue European assault – Champions League quarterfinals preview
Mitchell Gunn-USA TODAY Sports
In United and Chelsea, Premier League reputation will be on the line, however with United being drawn against current holders Bayern Munich and Chelsea being given dark-horse Paris Saint-Germain, there is a real possibility that England will not be represented in the semi-finals of this years Champions League. Without further delay, let’s break down the match ups and give our predictions to the results over two-legs.
Manchester United v Bayern Munich
It just does not get any more difficult than being matched up against the once more German champions. Munich, simply put, may as well be the Wehrmacht circa 1939-1941 – they are a juggernaut that cannot be slowed down. Having now been crowned Bundesliga champions and it only being the month of march, the Bavarian giants can now fully turn all their attentions toward David Moyes’ United side without distraction. Pep Guardiola rested half his first team at the weekend in preparation for their trip to Manchester tomorrow, while Moyes does not maintain that same domestic luxury as United remain in a mathematical dog-fight for a fifth placed finish.
United have been improved their play over the past few weeks, despite being played off the pitch against rivals Manchester City and it will be hotly debated until tomorrow what approach Moyes will take tactically as well as player selection. Everyone knows how Bayern will come at you, and Moyes can speak to Arsene Wenger on the matter if he so chooses. Guardiola has blended his favored style of possession and passing with the Bavarians work ethic, technical ability and physical nature. English clubs also historically struggle against German sides, so it will be crucial for Moyes to get his tactics right on the day, or this two-legged tie could easily be over in the first 45minutes tomorrow. The biggest question will be if Shinji Kagawa will be called upon again to pair with Juan Mata to break down Bayern with their technical ability, or, if Moyes will select Danny Welbeck and use his pace to try to catch the Bavarians on the break, which is what Arsenal did through Theo Walcott to great effect. Further questions will remain on who Moyes calls upon in the middle of the park to try to slow down the Bayern engine – any mistake by Moyes tomorrow could result in catastrophe.
Prediction: This entire two-legged affair will rest on proceedings tomorrow, but just like their strong performance at the Emirates in the first leg against Arsenal, I fancy Bayern to do a job on United away from Munich and return home to do the same. United did brilliantly to overturn their round of sixteen troubles, but Bayern is at the pinnacle of the game on the continent right now and I cannot see Moyes’ boys out performing the best club in Europe. Bayern will come to Old Trafford full of confidence and will as usual work hard for the results. Bayern to advance, however United do still have the ability to make things interesting.
Chelsea v Paris Saint-Germain
It is clear to many that Chelsea have had a wandering eye towards the continent in recent weeks, with poor performances against both Aston Villa and now Crystal Palace this past weekend. While many would feel that securing the domestic title should be priority one for any club in a title race, it is understandable that Jose Mourinho will have taken Europe into account, given the depth he can call upon but also the tough nature of the sides he has been facing. In PSG, he faced a Champions League dark-horse – the Parisian club is certainly a side that can make a run to the final, which would not necessarily surprise too many.
Manager Laurent Blanc has a wealth of options to call upon, which means Chelsea’s usual advantage in depth is nullified. Further more, PSG have one of the most threatening attacking trio’s in all of Europe, as they can call upon Ezequiel Lavezzi, Edinson Cavani and last but not least, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. While Chelsea are incredibly strong at the back, the attacking combination that PSG can field, with a very formidable midfield trio that can be comprised of any of six quality players at any time and combination, this will prove Chelsea’s biggest test of their season.
Mourinho is sure to set up him his favored 4-2-3-1 while PSG are likely to deploy in a 4-3-3. The added third midfield player for the Parisians will give them an advantage as the supply lines to Chelsea’s attacking midfield trio will be under threat. In light of this, Mourinho’s central pairing in midfield could very well make or break Chelsea’s hopes of progression into the Champions League semifinals. Mourinho is widely known as a brilliant tactician, and the Portuguese manager will have to be tactically spot on for the duration of two legs if he can hope to slow down a PSG side that, like United’s opponent in Bayern, are all but clear in their domestic affairs and will be fully focused on European success.
Prediction: Fortress Stamford Bridge will always be a place that Chelsea will be able to play with confidence – how Blanc deploys against Chelsea could very well be the deciding factor. Should the French manager choose to have a go at Chelsea in search of an away goal or two, that could put the odds in favor of the Parisian club. However if Blanch tries to sit back and soak up pressure, he risks a dominant performance from a Chelsea side that are near invincible at their home ground. Like wise, Mourinho must understand that the only chance Chelsea have is to attack his opponent. I see Chelsea winning tomorrow, but over the course of two legs, I think PSG have even greater depth than Chelsea and are not distracted by domestic affairs. PSG to advance.