Champions League Preview
Down to the final eight in the quest for European Club Football’s highest honor. We have a rematch of last years quarterfinals as Manchester United take on Roma. The headlines coming into this match surround Roma’s captain Francesco Totti being ruled out due to injury. While Totti is the leader of this Roma team and it’s best player the loss shouldn’t be too great due to the simple fact that Roma have been used to playing without Totti the last couple of years. The likes of Mirko Vucinic and Mancini are quite capable of carrying on the attack in Totti absents.
Manchester United have injury concerns of there own to worry about with Edwin van der Sar returning to the lineup after missing time with a groin injury. Making your return to action at the Stadio Olimpico is not easing your way back into the lineup. Nani and Louis Saha are both ruled out of this contest due to injury but in the case of Saha that is nothing new.
Roma will have revenge on there mind since they were embarrassed 7-1 last year. Look for this game to be feisty on the pitch and hopefully not in the stands.
Today’s other game sees 2006 Champions Barcelona take on German outfit Schalke. 2006 seems along ways removed for Barcelona who give up a 2-0 lead only to lose 3-2 against Real Betis in what can easily be described as the low point of the season. Missing from the Barcelona will be Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Portuguese play maker Deco and star striker Samuel Eto is questionable. Schalke on the other hand don’t have any major injury concerns and are coming into this game winning three out of the last four German league matches.
Some of the previews are saying that Schalke are catching Barcelona at the right time. Personally I think the opposite is true. Barcelona have been asleep at the wheel for along time and last weeks loss to Betis should give these players a hard dose of reality. By merely putting on the Barcelona jersey doesn’t guarantee you the win, it has to be earned. Look for Barcelona in this game at least to wake up and return to form. How long will they play to the best of their abilities remains to be seen due to their inconstant form throughout the course of this year.