Preview: UEFA Champions League quarter finals second leg

The quarter final first legs of the UEFA Champions League gave us another round of exciting matches last week with the favorites remaining favorites for the second leg. We don’t know where it will take us and which team will ultimately lift the prestigious trophy at the end of a so far,dramatic season. All we can try to do is predict, with some analysis, who has better chances of securing the crown. Let us now focus on each game one by one.

Chelsea FC vs Paris Saint-Germain

Chelsea after conceding against PSG

1st leg score- PSG 3-1 Chelsea

So much was expected of Chelsea in the first leg and unfortunately for those who expected, Chelsea disappointed. PSG outplayed them in all areas of the pitch. Chelsea had no answers to the midfield domination of PSG which was headed by Thiago Motta, who was brilliant on the night. Defensively, they were deficient of focus and concentration. Chelsea’s attacking game too was far from their usual standards.

Paris Saint-Germain, who like Chelsea have an abundance of individual talent in their squad managed to take advantage. Jose Mourinho complicating the tactics, I feel, cost them the match. The Chelsea players too were at fault as they did not execute the plans formulated by Jose Mourinho.

Too many mistakes and blunders were committed by Chelsea which showed a lack of maturity on the part of the younger players of the squad.If Chelsea are to pull off a comeback, they need to play as confidently as they have done for the majority of the season.

2nd leg Preview

Looking ahead to the second leg, Chelsea fans still possess some optimism due to the fact that they are playing at home and they have a vital away goal in hand. Injury to Paris Saint-Germain’s star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic also adds to this optimism as he will miss the 2nd leg, the French club has confirmed. Ramires is not eligible for Chelsea due to suspension.Frank Lampard is most likely to fill his spot and partner David Luiz in midfield.

Samuel Eto’o by far, the best striker for Chelsea this season is still a doubt to make the squad, thanks to a hamstring injury he picked up against Arsenal in the Premier League.

Without Eto’o, Mourinho willl have to look at Demba Ba, Fernando Torres or even Andre Schurle as he did last time, to fill in the striker’s position. Chelsea, as we all know are very capable of pulling this off, what with Mourinho-the master tactician being their manager.

Chelsea need to make sure the midfield trio of PSG consisting of Thiago Motta, Blaise Matuidi and Marco Verratti do not get as much comfort on the ball as they got in the first leg.They must also be looking to use the wings effectively which they failed to do in the first leg.

Another defensive lapse and they could be staring at the exit door. There is not a weak link for PSG at the moment and for Chelsea to qualify, they need to be at their brilliant best. With PSG at almost full strength except for Ibrahimovic, they will be confident of keeping their lead.

PREDICTION

This is a tough one to call, but for me Chelsea will win 2-1 on the night, and hence Paris Saint-Germain will qualify for the semi finals with a 4-3 victory on aggreggate.

Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid C.F

Isco celebrates scoring against Borussia Dortmund

First leg- Real Madrid 3-0 Borussia Dortmund

Real Madrid were too good for a Dortmund side half as good as they were when these two sides met in the semi-finals of the same competition last year. Real Madrid are stronger this year than last year and Dortmund have struggled to cope with injury troubles this year, raising question marks about their squad strength and financial strength.

Although they could have scored one or two more, Real Madrid though had a lot to worry about, as they did not look very comfortable in the first leg. Dortmund too, we must all agree had their chances but failed to capitalize when they got them. Their passing in the final third let them down.

Dortmund must try to forget their poor performance in the first leg and look at their performance last season in the semis where they thrashed Real Madrid 4-1 to regain their confidence.They come into this game after an impressive 2-1 victory against Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, where they came back from 1-0 down to wrap up the victory.

2nd leg Preview

Robert Lewandowski returning from suspension is certainly good news for the Dortmund fans who will support their team till the end tonight. He will be looking to create an impact in the second leg and Pepe & co may not find it as easy as they did in the first leg. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was poor in the first leg. His pace was not used as he was not involved for Dortmund in their attacking build up.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel di Maria are doubtful to make the squad for the visitors. This could be the opportunity for youngster Alvaro Morata to shine.

Borussia Dortmund will be without captain Sebastian Kehl due to suspension which adds to the misery for Dortmund, which means Milos Jojic, the January signing will get his chance to prove himself at the top level. Marco Reus who was decent in the first leg apart from his final passes must have a go at Daniel Carvajal who is not a proven defender on the big stage.

Dortmund must try to cut down the spaces for Gareth Bale as he was comfortable dealing with the inexperienced Erik Durm who had replaced the injured left back Marcel Schmelzer.

Another key factor in Real Madrid’s first leg victory was Luka Modric. He must not be gifted any space in the second leg if Dortmund are to make a comeback. Real Madrid has not had a good record at the Signal Iduna Park in the recent past. But, the records don’t often matter when you need to defend a 3-0 lead and hence, Real Madrid will be confident and will be hoping to make it to the semis once again.

PREDICTION

I am going for a 1-1 draw in the second leg and Real Madrid to triumph with an aggregate score 4-1.