[wanderlustindia]

Utd win against Roma in the return leg and now face a tough Barca test in a fortnight's time. The other semi-final is not for the first time in the Champions League. Liverpool and Chelsea lock horns again at the semis stage.

An all English final cannot be ruled out.

[normally_crazy]

Man U v/s Chelsea is a strong possibility. The top 2 in the EPL fighting it out for the Champions League too - would be fitting.

I thought Roma played very very well in the 1st half. No doubt Rooney and Ronaldo being benched could have helped their morale. Man U looked pretty calm in defence even under severe pressure.

I did not see the other semifinal though.
Can't wait for the semis.

[2theMax]

Whoopie ! finally walcott delivers a scorcher.that was a killer goal against liverpool . adebayor's miss proved costly for arsenal, anyway there is always next year.

Chelsea's gonna lose IMO.

[wanderlustindia]

On current form, it looks like a Man U v Chelsea finale. But we all know what Barca are capable of with the kind of players they have. They have struggled domestically, though and were quite nervy at the Nou Camp against Schalke last night.

Liverpool are a tough nut to crack for Chelsea. Jose could not do it and it remains to be see if Avram Grant can do any wonders for Chelsea in the semis.

Great matches in prospect! Man Utd to complete the double would be a treat to watch.

[MaserQ]

Cannot count out any team in the last 4 of the champions league. Both semis are evenly matched. Away goals are holy grail in these match ups.

Arsenal will play for pride this weekend and mathematically, their last chance to get their EPL hopes back on track with a victory over United. Easier said than done!

[wanderlustindia]

Originally Posted by MaserQ

Cannot count out any team in the last 4 of the champions league. Both semis are evenly matched. Away goals are holy grail in these match ups.

Arsenal will play for pride this weekend and mathematically, their last chance to get their EPL hopes back on track with a victory over United. Easier said than done!

Arsenal are flat after the defeat to Liverpool and I honestly think they have run out of steam lately. The horrific injury to Eduardo a couple of months back was the starting point and they have not looked Championship material since then everytime they took the pitch.

I see a rout at Old Trafford. Man Utd are too strong for Arsenal at the moment. Like you said, Arsenal will play for pride because their season is all but over.

[benbsb29]

Good to see many more ManUtd fans here.
Its defintiely going to be a EPL trophy for ManUtd this time, and i am looking forward to them routing Barca in the semis of the CL as well.

The way Arsenal started this year, i thought they were well on track to the title.

[wanderlustindia]

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Good to see many more ManUtd fans here.
Its defintiely going to be a EPL trophy for ManUtd this time, and i am looking forward to them routing Barca in the semis of the CL as well.

The way Arsenal started this year, i thought they were well on track to the title.

Arsenal started the year strong because Adebayor hit a "purple patch". At the moment, he is a pale shadow of his own self. And like I mentioned Eduardo's horrific injury added to their woes. Somewhere, I think I knew they were not Championship material this season after the departure of Henry to Barcelona (Its another story that Henry might be off-loaded from Barca at the end of the season!)

Arsenal would be a force in a year or two. Man Utd has seem a similar phase between 2004-2006. And look where they are now. Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez have terrorised defences all season. And the bench is stronger than ever. I am a happy Man Utd fan for more than 10 years .

[benbsb29]

Read in today's newspaper that Henry was booed for lacklustre contribution in the last CL game. Looks like he hasnt been able to take his divorce in his stride.

[wanderlustindia]

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Read in today's newspaper that Henry was booed for lacklustre contribution in the last CL game. Looks like he hasnt been able to take his divorce in his stride.

Divorce is one reason. The other reason I see is the different style of play in Spain and in England. In England, its the long-ball culture except for the top teams who play a fast, passing game. In Spain, all teams play at a rather easy pace (slower than the EPL, but much faster than the Italian Serie A) and love to pass the ball around a lot.

It is this distinct style of play that renders a player successful in one league, struggle in other. A case in point is Diego Forlan (ex-Man Utd). He hardly scored during his time at Old Trafford and the moment he was moved to Spain (Villareal, I think), he topped the goals tally for the season.

Henry, having spent close to 7-8 years in the EPL was always going to find it difficult in Spain to make an impression. If Arsenal could get him back, that would be a catalyst for a successful run in the next season, maybe.

[MaserQ]

Originally Posted by wanderlustindia

Divorce is one reason. The other reason I see is the different style of play in Spain and in England. In England, its the long-ball culture except for the top teams who play a fast, passing game. In Spain, all teams play at a rather easy pace (slower than the EPL, but much faster than the Italian Serie A) and love to pass the ball around a lot.

Also, Henry has not had the kind of success for his national side as he had for Arsenal. One reason is that he works well as lone striker. Wenger pushed him up from midfield to the forward he is now. France has never played him in that role. At Barca he has Messi, Eto and co. alongside him.

Shevchenko is another example. The pace of EPL doesnt suit his style.

Coming back to Arsenal, the start of the season saw the emergence of Adebayor the star. But, the midfield has also seen a slump in terms of goal scoring. Hleb, Flamini, Fabregas and Rosicky have failed to net as often as they did in the beginning to mid season. Long injury layoffs for Van Persie and Eduardo's unfortunate incident have also hampered them.

[benbsb29]

The Serie A is more of a counter attacking style, the typical way in which the Italians play.

I guess the difference in styles is the reason why Beckham also struggled initially with Real Madrid.

[finneyp]

Nice to see Football thread so active!

Couldn't see the Champion's League Q'finals due to odd timings, but will definitly watch the S'finals, Man Utd are certainly the favourites against Barca, Liverpool & Chelsea would be a close fight, Liverpool had good run on C' League in the past, so I guess they should make it.

[nkapoor777]

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Good to see many more ManUtd fans here.

I am pleased to see that I've found people with similar passions in life (football and automobiles) in one place. When it comes to football, it strictly means all things United. cheers:

Well I think we are very well placed against Barca who are facing a torrid time. There have been reports of player indiscipline and lack of unity in the dressing room, and it clearly is showing in their play. Not to forget, they have missed Messi badly. I would love to see two great games between these two great clubs. Anyone remember the two group games in the Treble season in 1998/99. Awesome! I still can't get over the brilliant overhead lick that Rivaldo scored i none of the games.

I think Chelsky would bore Pool to death with their game (not to forget Pool isn't any better, but may be a tad better than Chelsea).

If we meet Chelsky in the final, we will need to be very cautious of their game, because they've got quality to hit you any time and then sit back and defend for their dear lives.

[wanderlustindia]

You bet Nkapoor. When I started off with T-BHP "Shifting the gears" section, I was looking for the Football Thread. And saw it was dormant since the WC 2006 got over. Am glad to find folks here who share their love for football (and automobiles as well ).

Yes, I remember that match. Man Utd played awesome football. Almost invincible. Can never forget the chants "Who put the ball in the Germans' Net" at the Nou Camp in the finals. Solksjaer was God! And that great semi-final against Juve when Roy Keane single-handedly took on the gritty Italians. Simply amazing. Pure adrenaline stuff!