This year's Champions League is proving to be one of the
most memorable football competitions ever. Yesterday's match between Liverpool
and Roma, although almost completely one-sided in terms of score and
performance, provided a nervy finale when Roma managed to score two consolation
goals during the last ten minutes to unhinge Liverpool fans and players alike,
as they were reminded of the "ROMAntada" that happened two weeks ago.
In any case, the final result is still a very comfortable one for The Reds heading into the return leg next week. Salah was simply magnificent. He is now
performing at a level where you just can't doubt his quality anymore. He is a
savage running behind and at defenders, and when he is facing the goal, his
calmness and efficiency are just top class. His Messi-esque goal was just the
beginning yesterday, as he went on to score another great goal by slightly
chipping the ball over the towering Alisson, as well as providing two
additional assists to Mane and Firmino. A complete game that will surely
enhance his chances in the Balon D'Or race come next January.
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| Mo Salah is the Man of the Moment in World Football |
Tonight, another epic battle awaits in Bavaria. Bayern are
raring to have another opportunity to face us to avenge the last two times we
knocked them out. Despite the refereeing controversies of last year, no one can
doubt that we deserved the qualification. We were the better team for most of
the 180 minutes in both matches and that's why we went through and continued
all the way up to secure the much coveted back-to-back title. With Heynkes as a manager,
the Bavarians are more balanced and stabilized at the back. Although they miss one of
the best goalkeepers ever in Neuer, their organization in defense and midfield,
as well as the surprisingly good form of their stand-in keeper, make up for
Neuer's absence. Up front, they are hauntingly dangerous to say the least, with
names like veterans Robben and Ribery on the wings, James as a number 10 with Thiago or
Muller beside him and Lewandowski as the striker. That's why the key today for
Madrid is to be at their best defensively to try not to concede more than two
goals.
Real's defense this season has been shambolic. Navas is
having his worst season between the sticks and his performances were very
inconsistent along the whole campaign. He should be at his best tonight for us
to keep the tie alive for the second leg. Carvajal's season is also not his
best; a weird heart injury at the start of the season came at a time where he
was being culpable for many goals we were conceding. He did improve after that
though, but he never reached last season's form. Marcelo on the other hand has
completely shaken away his bad form at the turn of the year. He still is
somewhat of a liability defensively, but when he goes forward, he causes his opposite number a lot of trouble. Ramos has also been responsible for many
conceded goals this season; I have noticed that his speed has dropped a few
levels and this is letting forwards, and especially wingers cutting inside, to
leave him watching when they pass him by. His character is still as essential
as ever on the pitch though, and it is in games like tonight's that the true
leader in Ramos comes forward. Meanwhile, Varane has only been at his best for
a few games, and luckily these games were the crucial Champions League knockout
ties. He was so good against both PSG and Juventus, but this is definitely his
toughest test yet. As for Casemiro, who is also an integral part of the
defensive setup, he is also a few levels below his usual best this season.
Zidane has given him a bit more freedom to roam forward when the team has
possession of the ball, and this has rewarded him with a few more goals,
particularly in La Liga, where oddly enough he has a goal more than Benzema,
but when opponents cut the ball and burst forward quickly on the counter, his
initial position is left in void and this has led to many chances and goals
against us. So tonight, Casemiro should only operate in his primitive role: a
destroyer, a pure number 5 in front of the back four, and leave the rest of the
offensive work for those responsible.
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| Ramos's Magical Allianz Arena Night is Now 4 Years Old |
Moving forward across the center of the pitch, both Kroos
and Modric are definite starters. Kroos is one of the most consistent players
not only in Real, but in all of Europe. He is immensely important for the team
whatever the system being deployed. No one knows Bayern and the Allianz Arena
better. Modric too remains as vital as ever, but his age is starting to show,
even though Zidane tries his best to rest him of all players as much as
possible. He clearly struggled physically against Juventus two weeks ago, so he
should definitely up his game tonight, because Bayern's midfield is even more
advanced on all levels.
Ronaldo is the the only certain starter in attack. What an incredible
year he is having so far, scoring seamlessly in both La Liga and the Champions
League and bringing the best out of his teammates in times of struggle.
Unfortunately, he is the only reliable goalscorer in the team currently, and so
if Bayern manage to handle him well, we will struggle to find the net. His
record of 9 goals in 6 games against Bayern speaks volumes.
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| Ronaldo is Mr. Champions |
This leaves two spots to be filled, and there are three options for Zidane:
1. Isco and Benzema:
If Zidane opts for Isco as the fourth midfielder, then it
will be very important to deploy Benzema beside Ronaldo in attack. Benzema is
having a dry season in front of goal, but in this 4-4-2 diamond system, his
link-up play is integral to make the team tick. His absence against Juventus
showed why he is particularly important in such a line-up. Isco gives the team
more ball control and individual brilliance. The only drawback is that he is
not quick enough on the wings, where Bayern are very reliant in their attack
game plan.
2. Asensio and Lucas
It is being speculated that the duo will probably start the match,
mainly to provide enough defensive width, as well as to use their speed on the
counter. Personally, I do really hope Zidane starts with both of them in a
4-1-4-1 system. They did a lot of damage to PSG across both legs, and Asensio's
introduction last year in the second half at the Allianz turned the game around
in our favor. The drawback? Maybe they still lack a bit of experience and
character to play such difficult games from the beginning, and Zidane will only
have Bale as a winger on the bench.
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| Asensio and Lucas have Outshone Benzema and Bale |
3. The BBC
This is the least possible option. It's been ages since the
BBC were untouchable. Bale is probably on his way out in the summer after a hugely
disappointing season. You can see that he still has plenty to offer, but
mentally and psychologically he is off. I don't even remember when was the last
time that Bale has scored an important goal in an equally important game. Having him on
the bench is surely a better choice. Benzema is also continuing to baffle fans
and critics alike week in week out. He plays just well enough, but he just doesn't
score. His only positive contribution is his link-up play in the 4-4-2 system and nothing
else.
So it should be a mighty task tonight. If all the players
were at 100%, just like the games against PSG and the first leg against Juve,
then a good result is guaranteed, and I'm not necessarily referring here to a
huge victory reminiscent of the unforgettable 4-0 in the Decima season; scoring at least one goal and conceding two goals at most would
be just good enough.
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