Scott's Take on the Champs League Semifinals

Barcelona-Chelsea
1st leg result (@Barcelona): 0-0
Can anyone slow down Barca’s lethal offensive attack? This was the big question coming into this tie and before the 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp I thought the answer was “not likely.” But Chelsea proved me wrong, shutting down Barca’s sharpshooters and holding on for a crucial away draw. Was Chelsea’s play too conservative? Was it dull to watch? Maybe and probably, but they got the result they wanted.

2nd leg preview (@Chelsea)
Iniesta is a key architect for Barca in midfield, and he must do better in the second leg for his team to succeed. Chelsea was (somehow) able to contain Messi for most of the first leg, and the Blaugrana will need a better performance from him next time as well.

Chelsea’s defensive performance from leg 1 is to be praised for sure, but can they do it twice in a row? It’s hard to believe they can, which means Chelsea’s offense will need to step it up. I wonder if Hiddink will consider putting Nicolas Anelka into the starting lineup. He seemed to energize the Blues after coming on in the quarterfinals against Liverpool, and teaming him with Drogba upfront seems like the recipe for success.

Barca’s defense, widely considered the team’s Achilles heel on a good day, suffered a double blow in leg 1 when they lost Rafa Marquez to an injury and then his replacement Carlos Puyol picked up a yellow card and a suspension for leg 2.

Prediction
I would not have said this before the first leg, but with Barca’s battered backfield and Chelsea only needing a win at home (any draw would give Barca the edge on away goals) I’m going with Chelsea to advance.

Man United-Arsenal
1st leg result (@Man U): 1-0 win for Man U
Arsenal fans should be thanking their lucky stars—and keeper Manuel Almunia—that their team is only down by a goal. Man U dominated for virtually the entire game, and only some spectacular saves from the Arsenal keeper prevented a larger deficit for the Gunners.

2nd leg preview (@Arsenal)
In my opinion great move by Sir Alex starting the dangerous Carlos Tevez. He gives United yet another weapon that needs to be closely monitored, which may end up freeing Rooney or C. Ronaldo. Tevez ran all over the Arsenal defense—especially Kieran Gibbs on the left, and Nasri looked lost in midfield; both will need to do better in leg 2 if Arsenal are to have any chance—and I think it would be foolish to leave him on the bench. Though Berbatov did well coming on as a sub, so swapping him for Tevez isn’t a bad option to have.

The Man U defense did well to contain Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Cesc Fabregas. If those three don’t make something happen at the Emirates, Man U will ease into the final.

Prediction
Pardon the pun, but I think Arsenal is outgunned in this tie. Without an away goal in the bank, they would need to win by 2 goals to advance outright (a 1-0 Arsenal win would force extra time). Given this difficult task and Man U’s dominance in leg 1, I’m going with Man U to move on to the final.

Champions League Final Forecast
Chelsea-Man United in Rome
Another all-English final, and a rematch of last year’s championship! Chelsea will likely be smarting after last year’s penalty shootout loss (and John Terry’s breakdown), while United is still on a quest for a quadruple.

Early prediction: Chelsea gets revenge and wins its first Champions League title. Regardless of the state of the oil market, Roman Abramovich is all smiles. Enjoy the second legs!