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Champions League – Bayern Munich vs Juventus Predictions
With Juventus hoping that the whole form of the German national team facing the Italian side seeps through to the club version in their first leg against Bayern Munich, the Bavarians are hoping that league form is what counts, and in that no one really matches them in the whole of Europe.
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Liverpool FC – Steven Gerrard & Philippe Coutinho in the Driver’s Seat
If there was any need for Steven Gerrard to show that he’s the living, breathing heartbeat of Liverpool football club, even after all these years, a clutch penalty and goal-line save proved it again. When it comes to flair and brilliance, it’s more up to Luis Suarez in the time he has left with the team, and the still adjusting Philippe Coutinho to bring that aspect into the match.
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Real Madrid – Cristiano Ronaldo Looks Sharp in Final Rehersal
The league means nothing, it’s all about the Champions League. Real Madrid almost lost, something they forgot can happen, but it wouldn’t have mattered. And yet, Cristiano Ronaldo has enough professional and hunger in him to deny that from happening, keeping the right kind of mode heading into the matches that really matter pretty soon.
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FC Barcelona – Lionel Messi Can’t Stop Scoring Even in Garbage Time
The Spanish La Liga, like other major leagues around Europe (all of them, maybe?) seem like one big garbage time in the second half of the season. So Barcelona are taking it easy knowing there are tougher challenges than “meaningless” league matches, but Lionel Messi simply keeps on scoring, setting records and making new standards for perfection and excellence.
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Chelsea FC – Fernando Torres As An Example For Giving Up
When Rafa Benitez put Fernando Torres, along with Marko Marin and without Juan Mata or Eden Hazard in the lineup, you knew Chelsea weren’t taking their Premier League match as seriously as they should, knowing that two days later it’s FA Cup replay time, and while one competition sends a team to the Champions League and the other to the lesser European stage, the Spanish manager chose the alternative horse to bet on.
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Arsenal FC – Santi Cazorla Enjoying Playing on His Own
Giving Santi Cazorla the reins in the middle of the pitch isn’t such a bad idea. No Jack Wilshere, no Diaby (as usual), no Theo Walcott. Arsenal were just fine. In a match that was about scoring and creativity, there was no problem filling the midfield with players who do just that, giving Arsenal one of their few truly fun to watch wins of the season.
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Manchester United – Robin van Persie Looks Depressing En Route to Title
Once the chances of winning the Champions League were gone, it seemed that Manchester United fell out-of-love with the 2012-2013 season, and are trying to do the absolute minimum in order to secure the Premier League. Despite Robin van Persie in the worst form he’s been in for years, it’s working out pretty well for them.
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Kenny Dalglish is the Highest Paid Manager in the Premier League This Season
Not having a job is sometimes better than actually being employed, if you’re Kenny Dalglish, who was sacked by Liverpool at the end of last season, but will still make more money by the end of this season than any other working manager in the English Premier League.
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Ranking the Favorites to Win the Champions League in 2012-2013
We’re down to our last 8 teams, which means it’s a good of a time as any to give our thoughts on the chance any one of them might become European champions, with the regular names of perennial favorites like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are joined by PSG, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund.
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Arsenal FC – Jack Wilshere Isn’t That Important Right Now
Of all the signings Arsene Wenger made last summer, the return of Jack Wilshere after more than a year off the pitch might have been his best, but the way Arsenal completely submit to his talents and his dominance in the middle of the pitch when he really shouldn’t be playing that much sometimes does more harm than good, meanwhile cancelling out players like Santi Cazrola, Mikel Arteta or anyone else who likes to play through the middle.