Uefa Champions League predictions

There are eight teams left in the Uefa Champions League and there is already hot debate over who will the tournament. Tomorrow’s draw will be important; it could change and shape the picture. But as things stand this is what it is…

8. Schalke 04

Schalke have possibly the best young keeper in the world in Manuel Neuer, and if it wasn’t for his wonder save, one on one with Aritz Aduriz in the 58th minute of their 3-1 win over Valencia, the German side might have been watching the quarterfinals on TV like the rest of us. Schalke also have a fanatic home support that can get them through difficult moments. But football is a cruel game and Champions League knockout football is no child’s play. The experience of the situation counts and as a team Schalke sorely lack the know-how of top level football combat.

People often point out to Porto’s win in 2004. Well, Porto had won the Uefa Cup the previous year and boasted international star players, such as Deco and their success was based on a mean defence. This is where Schalke have shown they fall short; they are not a compact team and allow opponents opportunities which will be punished at this stage of the competition.

7. Shakhtar Donetsk

To be honest if Gael Clichy wasn’t Gael Clichy Shakhtar might have not got this far. Minute, 45th, score, Shakhtar 1, Arsenal 1 and the Gunners still on course to claim top spot in Group H… then Gael “I’m Maradona in a Red Shirt” Clichy decides to be flashy near his corner instead of clearing the ball. He is dispossessed by Dario Srna and Eduardo scores. Shakhtar go on to win the match 2-1.

Football is a simple sport, never give your opponent a sniff and strangle them whenever you have the chance… Anyway back to Shakhtar… The Ukraine champions are very strong at home and have won all their Champions League matches at the Donbass Arena this season. In Mircea Lucescu Shakhtar also have an experienced, top-class coach who has won the Uefa Cup twice (Galatasaray 2000, Shakhtar 2009), coached Inter Milan and league titles in Turkey with different teams. But still, looking at the teams assembled in the last eight it’s hard to see them winning even with their growing credentials. Upfront Luiz Adriano is talented but still erratic, while Dmytro Chygrynskiy leads a passionate but prone to mistakes defence.

6. Tottenham

Tottenham have been the most entertaining team in the Champions League this season, no question. They have been a breath of fresh air. Rafael van der Vaart is a proven world-class match winner, Gareth Bale has been the find of the season and Peter Crouch has offered a unique threat. But although Spurs showed in their 1-0 aggregate win AC Milan that they have more steel than Arsenal, they are still too nice to win the Champions League.

One thing you can point out about Spurs is the general culture and expectation of the club. For some of the players in Tottenham’s squad getting this far may be the achievement of a lifetime. They may be content and that’s where they may fall short.

5. Manchester United

Man United are Man United, the most successful football institution of the last 14 years.  Even more so, since their loss to AC Milan in 2007 United have learned how to be ruthlessly efficient in Europe and have lost all fear of the big occasion. United were always great side but tended to have an inferiority complex that was tied to English football. A case in point was in 2003 when they were easily beaten 3-1 by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in a quarterfinal first leg. But these days United can go to any ground in the world be confident of getting a result.

But still, even with their amazing collective hunger they may have too much to chew. They are involved in a close title fight and also face enemies Man City in the FA Cup semis – they can’t rest players for that. United’s squad is already showing signs of cracking with reports today that Rio Ferdinand may be out for the season. United are United but this may be a bridge too far.

4. Inter Milan

It was a tough call between Inter and Man United for fourth spot on the charts but perhaps the fact Inter’s title challenge in Serie A is stalling may help them. Inter are five points behind rivals AC Milan and there may come a point where they see the Champions League and lure of becoming the first-ever side to defend it as their priority. As a team Inter have plenty of weakness this season, their midfield is one year slower and is definitely not as strong as it was last year. It has exposed the central defence missing Walter Samuel to more danger than it was used to previously under the compact style of Jose Mourinho.

Most especially, as Tottenham exposed, their fullback areas are not as strong as once thought and as a result goals can be had. That said; in Samuel Eto’o Inter have the most dangerous striker in the world. Simply put Eto’o is a machine, the Chuck Norris of football, no mission is impossible for him. And with the irrepressible Wesley Sniejder next to Eto’o anything is possible for Inter Milan.

3. Chelsea

Chelsea are on a mission to win the Champions League. Roman Abramovich simply wants to win the Champions League before he kicks the bucket and he has a coach who knows how to do it.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side have lost some of their fear factor, Chelsea is now a team you can play against and expect to create more openings than ever before. But as they showed earlier this month against Man United they are still able to step up to the plate when it matters most. They have an innate winning culture drilled into them by Mourinho. They are also one of the few sides that will worry Barcelona in a head to head to battle. No one will want to face a Chelsea side out to prove a point. Also, Chelsea unlike United are more inclined to make the Champions League their focus – in April while Sir Alex is fretting over his line-up away to Stoke, Chelsea will be resting players for their midweek Champions League tie.

2. Real Madrid

Madrid are second favourites because of their home record under Jose Mourinho. 22 wins from 22 games is simply crazy. A situation where Real Madrid are playing at home in the second leg will always be a huge advantage for them… this is even before we factor in the ability of Spanish sides to influence referees. Madrid’s spine is also better than it has been in ages. Iker Casillas is a World Cup winning goalkeeper; Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho are robust at the back. Xabi Alonso is arguably the best player in his position while the same can be said of wizard playmaker Mesut Ozil. Oh yes and upfront Madrid have Cristiano Ronaldo the most relentless attacker there is. Cristiano just wants to score goals, and most of the time he does.

1. Barcelona

Top of the pops at this moment are Barcelona, unsurprisingly. They play to a consistent rhythm that never changes. And as is the case with champions they are super-confident in their own abilities. Few situations faze them and also apart from their enormous talent there is a great fear factor to Barcelona. People simply fear Barca, and the English media in particular has portrayed them as a side of Spartan immortals. In a sense Barcelona do deserve it, they are a special side with ridiculous quality all through the side.

The only way to beat Barcelona is to be brave and take your chances. More and more Barca’s system has meant at times their two centre-backs are left alone in defence. So yes, to beat Barcelona isn’t impossible, it’s just very hard.