OT: UCL Semis: Bayern Munich v. FC Barcelona, @ Allianz, Munich

Submitted by gopoohgo on

The best matchup of the year.  Trickiest step in Barcelona's 4-5 year run of dominance; in the lion's den of the hottest team in Europe (minus Tony Kroos, Badstuber, and Mandzucic) with Messi and possibly Xavi both not being 100%.

Think Munich is too big, physical, and plays the counterattack game too well for Barcelona's makeshift back 4; 3-1 Munich going back to Barcelona.

Hur-dur not real football, etc.  It's the offseason.

bluewoody

April 23rd, 2013 at 12:53 PM ^

I would NEVER bet against Barcelona in these types of matches. Although they aren't in the best form as of late they have a lot of experience and even their B game is better than most teams A game. I went to the AC Milan v Barca game in February and I too thought Barca had no shot to advance but, once again, Barca proved me a fool. I'm cheering for Barca. Watching them click on all cylinders is breath-taking.

dlcase1708

April 23rd, 2013 at 1:06 PM ^

So damn excited for this game. Also excited for the other matchup, tons of offense coming out of BVB lately, and Ronaldo is always fun to watch.  I'm hoping for a Bayern-Madrid final, though. A Clasico final would be fun to watch as well.

SCS100

April 23rd, 2013 at 1:28 PM ^

Auf geht's Bayern! Also, Bayern signing Mario Götze for next year will be perhaps the biggest move of the summer transfer window. Now to see if Pep uses him as a false nine or in some other manner.

4godkingandwol…

April 23rd, 2013 at 1:25 PM ^

... I think the back four is too shaky and Munich too strong this year.  3-1 Munich.  

 

Hope I'm wrong, but Barcelona is going to need to play inspired ball in the midfield and attack in order to make up for the inevitable mistakes they make in the back. 

superstringer

April 23rd, 2013 at 1:32 PM ^

Not quite like the CL semi's, but there's a good horserace in the Barclays PL for 3d and 4th place finish on the table.

I was perusing the remaining 4 games for Arsenal, and 5 games for Chelea and Tottenham.  (Funny its the top 3 London clubs, dueling it out for the 2 slots.)  Arsenal has a game vs Man U, as does Chelsea, but who knows about the Red Devil's motivation after winning the domestic league yesterday.

There is only one game between the three -- Spurs at Chelsea.

Frankly, with the lowest GD and being behind the other two, plus a tough road game at Stoke, I think Tottenham is not likely to catch the others.  If the Gunners get a result against United, they have 3 other eminently winnable games.  So Tottenham absolutely will have to beat Chelsea or they're looking at year 2 of Europa next campaign.

Poor Everton -- well, did it to yourself.  I was rooting for them (sort of this-year's Toons, plus they have Timmy in goal).  But that absolutely spiritless loss at Sunderland this weekend was a team with no heart, as if they didn't care they had the CL opportunity nearby.  Now they probably won't even catch Spurs for Europa. 

MGo_Bro

April 23rd, 2013 at 2:21 PM ^

Keep in mind Arsenal's top goal scorer, Olivier Giroud, is serving a 3-game ban after getting red against Fulham last weekend. I'd like to think the Gunners would win regardless against Wigan, QPR, and Newcastle (all bottom 5 clubs), but I could see Spurs overtaking us if we don't win all three.

As for today, I'll say 2-1 to the home side. Bayern has been unreal good this season. Someone feel free to correct me on this, but I think the only match they've lost this calendar year is 0-2 to the Arsenal in the second leg of a tie they were up 3-1 in.

superstringer

April 23rd, 2013 at 1:36 PM ^

Not quite like the CL semi's, but there's a good horserace in the Barclays PL for 3d and 4th place finish on the table.

I was perusing the remaining 4 games for Arsenal, and 5 games for Chelea and Tottenham.  (Funny its the top 3 London clubs, dueling it out for the 2 slots.)  Arsenal has a game vs Man U, as does Chelsea, but who knows about the Red Devil's motivation after winning the domestic league yesterday.

There is only one game between the three -- Spurs at Chelsea.

Frankly, with the lowest GD and being behind the other two, plus a tough road game at Stoke, I think Tottenham is not likely to catch the others.  If the Gunners get a result against United, they have 3 other eminently winnable games.  So Tottenham absolutely will have to beat Chelsea or they're looking at year 2 of Europa next campaign.

Poor Everton -- well, did it to yourself.  I was rooting for them (sort of this-year's Toons, plus they have Timmy in goal).  But that absolutely spiritless loss at Sunderland this weekend was a team with no heart, as if they didn't care they had the CL opportunity nearby.  Now they probably won't even catch Spurs for Europa. 

superstringer

April 23rd, 2013 at 1:48 PM ^

Not quite like the CL semi's, but there's a good horserace in the Barclays PL for 3d and 4th place finish on the table.

I was perusing the remaining 4 games for Arsenal, and 5 games for Chelea and Tottenham.  (Funny its the top 3 London clubs, dueling it out for the 2 slots.)  Arsenal has a game vs Man U, as does Chelsea, but who knows about the Red Devil's motivation after winning the domestic league yesterday.

There is only one game between the three -- Spurs at Chelsea.

Frankly, with the lowest GD and being behind the other two, plus a tough road game at Stoke, I think Tottenham is not likely to catch the others.  If the Gunners get a result against United, they have 3 other eminently winnable games.  So Tottenham absolutely will have to beat Chelsea or they're looking at year 2 of Europa next campaign.

Poor Everton -- well, did it to yourself.  I was rooting for them (sort of this-year's Toons, plus they have Timmy in goal).  But that absolutely spiritless loss at Sunderland this weekend was a team with no heart, as if they didn't care they had the CL opportunity nearby.  Now they probably won't even catch Spurs for Europa. 

Zoltanrules

April 23rd, 2013 at 1:50 PM ^

  1. Barcelona: Valdes; Alves, Bartra, Pique, Alba; Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets; Pedro, Messi, Sanchez.
  2. Bayern Munich: Neuer; Lahm, Dante, Boateng, Alaba; Schweinsteiger, Martinez; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Gomez.

ATLalumni

April 23rd, 2013 at 3:34 PM ^

of this decade.  Scary team is just getting better.  They will slowly phase out the older Ribery and Robben, replaced with Shaqiri, Gotze, Kroos.  They are the perfect "Pep" players, short, fast and technical.  Gomez is a slow plodder who will move on as well.  Not to mention one of the 5 richest clubs in the world. 

jmblue

April 23rd, 2013 at 4:29 PM ^

Wow.  Barça's been a little off-kilter for much of the knockout stage (aside from the rematch against Milan), but this is pretty stunning.  Bayern is putting on a clinc.

 

Zoltanrules

April 23rd, 2013 at 7:38 PM ^

but I wouldn't over react to the result today. Messi obviously was nowhere near his normal self and the team really misses Puyol with his tenacity and emotional leadership. They don't have the depth to replace these guys but WTF was the coach doing, or not doing? While it was only 1-0 at halftime , could have been worse, he made zero adjustments, and didn't sub until almost the end of the game.... Bayern strengthened their spine last year after losing to Chelsea in the finals, and Barca needs similar tweeking to return to the top team status, which is very doable. A center back to complement Pique and a healthy Messi and they'll be fine.