Barcelona, Madrid and Manchester: Week of Thrills

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas lovers – as opposed to Christians, but that’s a whole ‘nother story – will have to forgive me, but for us football “fanatics” it simply doesn’t get better than this. Close title races, relegation dogfights, and the high stakes and high drama that invariably come with the latter stages of the Uefa Champions League.

Think about it: Evenly poised races in France, Italy and England and close ties in both Champions League semi-finals make for what should be an interesting last month of the European season. Indeed, but for Real Madrid finally conquering their el clasico jinx at the Nou Camp last Saturday, Spain would still be in play too.

The next week should serve up three excellent games that will go a long way in settling two of the biggest contests of the season – the Champions League and the English Premier League.

Interestingly, it all begins in Spain, where both La Liga giants look to overcome first leg deficits in a bid to set up a climactic el clasico Champions League final in Munich on May 19th.

The action kicks off at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night when Chelsea arrive, one goal in hand, looking to upset the odds and silence the Blaugrana faithful. The Blues will need to be just as resolute – and lucky – as they were at Stamford Bridge to escape this one without conceding. Yet, having survived Barca’s first leg onslaught, and seen their opponents suffer another loss at the weekend, Roberto di Matteo’s team must think they’ll never have a better opportunity to upstage the defending champions. Barcelona was fluent but profligate at the Bridge, less fluent but still profligate against a determined Real team at the weekend. It’s hard to imagine this team losing three in a row – although a draw would suffice for Chelsea – and Pique’s return should mitigate their obvious aerial weaknesses which Chelsea will look to exploit again. It’s set to be an interesting affair, with an away goal putting Chelsea firmly in the driver’s seat – they’ll need to be more positive for that to happen. But if Barca settle into their passing rhythm, and rediscover their finishing touch, the best efforts of Terry, Cahill and co. will not be enough to keep Messi, Iniesta and co. from another trip to the final.

It will be Real Madrid’s turn at the Bernabeu on Wednesday and Mourinho’s team – thanks to that away goal in Munich - will be highly favoured to progress. Confidence should be sky high after their weekend triumph and in the attacking talents of Mesut Ozil, Benzema and the free-scoring Ronaldo, they have the tools to hurt any team, especially on home turf. But Bayern coped very well in the first leg and with Ribery, Robben and Gomez upfront; they look a side that can score goals too. Much will depend on how well Bayern’s unsung defenders – Boateng, Badstuber, Alaba, Gustavo – cope with the pressure that comes with playing in front of that partisan crowd, and how much they expose themselves to Real’s blistering counter-attack. This one could come down to away goals; Real will score goals, but Bayern are well capable of grabbing one or two as well. It’ll be a close one, but I think home advantage and Mourinho’s tactical nous – and squad depth - should see Real through to Munich.

Once the dust of the Champions League semis settle, a match of immense proportions will catch the world’s fancy next Monday when the two Manchester clubs clash in what could very well become England’s version of the clasico. And they won’t just be playing for bragging rights this time. With United blowing a two-goal lead against Everton at Old Trafford last Sunday, the Premiership title is up for grabs again. The Reds take a three point lead to the Etihad, but their inferior goal difference means a win for the Blues will put Mancini’s side top of the table with three matches left to play.

Man City seem to have recovered their mojo, after the slump that saw them relinquish a once commanding lead to their city rivals, and they still boast an unbeaten home record in the league that stretches back a couple of years. With Yaya Toure back to his powerful best and Tevez and Aguero scoring for fun, City will be favourites to win at home. United have been in great form too, and but for that slip up last Sunday, they would have one hand on the cup by now. Paul Scholes has only enhanced an already stellar reputation since returning in January, and Wayne Rooney may well end up with a career season as far as goals are concerned. There’s the revenge element too; City thumped United 6-1 at Old Trafford in the autumn, and United won at Etihad to knock City out of the FA Cup in January. It sets up what should be a truly compelling battle – local derby, title on the line, vendetta, in-form attacking players – and should be a real treat for the neutrals, if there is any such thing when it comes to United.

I think City will win on Monday – but that won’t guarantee the title.

Enjoy.