The English can only look on enviously. Madrid are narrow favourites to overcome Borussia despite their group-stage travails against them. Jose Mourinho has clearly targeted the Champions League and Real will be set up sharply. Mourinho is a man on a mission. If he leads a third club to the Champions League, following on from his work at Porto and Inter Milan, the debate will surely intensify over whether the self-styled Special One is actually the greatest coach of all time. Throw in two Premier League titles at Chelsea and it is a legitimate debate, if far from a conclusive one.
Mourinho's counter-attacking tactics enhance the glittering gifts of Ronaldo, whose 11 goals are the campaign's best and his phenomenal athleticism is seen in his covering 112.7m every minute of the 15 hours he has played in the Champions League this season. Angel Di Maria's five assists and Mesut Ozil's four reflects the high-quality support network Ronaldo can call on. Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos return from that incredibly well-timed suspension.
Mats Hummels's recovery from an ankle problem helps Dortmund's hopes of keeping Real at bay. Their energy is encapsulated by Mario Gotze, whose four assists and two goals form the most notable statistics of a fine season in Europe but it is also his constant movement, often at speed that has brought him coveted glances from coaches like Arsène Wenger. Gotze covers 136m every minute.
Robert Lewandowski's 123m is another prodigious return. The Pole misses some chances but six goals is still a good return. Add in Marco Reus and Dortmund are not short of potent momentum. Ramos and Raphael Varane are up against a very sharp attack and will need all the shielding work of Alonso and Sami Khedira.
If Real should just edge Dortmund, then Bayern against Barcelona is far harder to call. Many will back the Catalans because of Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta but for all their domestic excellence they are still not quite right in the post-Pep era. The scramble will be on amongst television executives to get the Munich-bound Guardiola into the studio, although being a complicated man he may take some persuading. The Spanish football expert, Guillem Balague, examined Barcelona's differences this season with the tweet: "Things missing from the Pep era: positional game, pace, pressure high, defensive line, runs into box, work of wingers, tactical surprise". Bayern will not be fearful.
The groin injury suffered by Toni Kroos is unfortunate, as is the suspension for Mario Mandzukic. Yet they have Müller who can play more central, and Mario Gomez or Claudio Pizarro who can lead the line. They have options and belief. The Spanish might not have it all their own way.
Via: [Live Football] RKC Waalwijk - Feyenoord - Dutch Eredivisie
No comments:
Post a Comment