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Guardiola: Nervous?
A couple of teams have already booked their passage into the last sixteen of the Champions League.
Round 5 fixtures will see a few more teams book their place for the knock-out round and a few big names may miss out. There are a couple of stellar matches to look forward to in the forthcoming games and one or two players with something to prove. Right about this stage, the Champions League really starts to heat up, so stay tuned.
At any time of the year, Barcelona versus Inter Milan would be a big fixture but there are a number of factors that make this tie very intriguing. The two teams played out a draw in Italy in the opening game of the group but the current standings are a little bit different. Inter Milan are currently top of the group, holding a one point lead over Rubin Kazan and Barcelona, and a two point lead over Dynamo Kiev. Yes, with only two games remaining and only two points separating all four sides, anything could happen.
Rubin Cause Shocks
The major shock so far is that Barcelona are in third place, behind Rubin Kazan. This is because the Catalan club and current Champions League holders were only able to take one point from the six available against the current group runners up. A home loss followed by an away draw means that four of Rubin’s five points have been earned against the best side in Europe. This has inevitably raised a few eyebrows and left Barcelona needing to defeat Inter Milan at home to revitalise their campaign. If things go to plan for the Catalan club, they could be sitting top of the group come Tuesday night but if things don’t go to plan, they could end up bottom. Barcelona bottom of a Champions League group with one game, what sort of odds would the bookies offer for that situation?
The status of the group has almost overshadowed the over sense of history that will be on show in this match as yet again, the two key strikers of each club sets out with something to prove. Samuel Eto’o returns to the Camp Nou for the first time since he was manoeuvred out in the summer and if any player is desperate to score, it will be him. Eto’o struck in two different Champions League finals for Barca, including the opener back in May against Manchester United but that wasn’t enough to convince Pep Guardiola to keep him at the club. This should see Eto’o firing at the top of his game to prove some people wrong.
Ibra to Welcome His Former Colleagues?
However, the very same must surely be said for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, welcoming his former team-mates to his new home. The Swedish striker will be keen to show his former friends and colleagues what they are missing out on, much in the same way as you try to impress an ex-girlfriend. Ibrahimovic will be determined to prove that he has moved on and is much happier in his new home and surroundings. And of course, who can forget Jose Mourinho?
Mourinho worked at Barcelona alongside the late, great Bobby Robson but his more recent history with Barcelona has been a lot more chequered. Chelsea had some titanic battles with the Catalonian club and some of Mourinho’s remarks at the time caused a lot of anger. These comments, particularly the ones about Barca boss (at the time) Frank Rijkaard entering the referees room caused a lot of grief for many people in the game. No one would love to knock Barcelona out of the tournament more than Mourinho and an away win would do exactly that. You may think it is unlikely that Barcelona will lose two home Champions League matches in a row but who would they be more likely to lose to? Rubin Kazan or Inter Milan? That is why Barcelona fans will be fairly nervous in the build up to this tie.
Previous Final Gets Replayed
Another major game takes place on the Wednesday and this features Inter Milan’s close rivals and neighbours, AC Milan. AC Milan are currently sitting top of their group, on equal points with Real Madrid and a point in front of Marseille and it is the French side they welcome to the San Siro. All three of these sides know they have a great chance to finish in the top two places but one will have to miss out. With Real Madrid at home to FC Zurich, Marseille know a defeat would end their chance of Champions League football after the New Year but taking anything from Italy will keep their dream alive. Marseille welcome Real Madrid to France in their final match so staying in touch with the galacticos will be their main tactic.
Football fans will remember that this match is a replay of one of the earliest Champions League finals which Marseille won 1-0 thanks to a Basille Boli goal. Some people have moved to discredit Marseille because of the swindling undertaken by then owner Bernard Tapie but that was for a league match (and eventual title triumph which was discredited) and not the actual Champions League. At that time, the Champions League proper had just the two groups with the winner progressing to the final. AC Milan and Marseille were relatively comfortable group winners when the Champions League was for actual champions.
Milan Were on a Downward Turn
This made the tournament true to its original roots but it meant there were far more substandard teams pushing for a place in the final. That said, both of these teams were great in that period, even if it did come after the peak of AC Milan’s Dutch inspired heyday.
A victory for either club could be just about enough to push the other out of the group although AC Milan will have an extra chance up their sleeve due to the Marseille v Real game in France. AC Milan, whilst not having hit great form this season, should have enough about them to remain undefeated at home in this game which would virtually assure them of a place in the last sixteen of the Uefa Champions League.
by Andrew Reilly
for The Silver Circle at www.footballtip.co.uk
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Dear Greg,
I've been a member since July 2003, maybe one of the first to join the Silver Circle.
2004 was a good year but I really enjoyed the long run we had in, I think, July 2005. It was exhilarating! 2006-2007 was not as exciting although still quite profitable and so far 2007-2008 looks quite good. I'm wondering if we're going to hit a long one again soon. Anyway, it's been a pleasure as always with your service, Greg. Armstrong and you are one of the few people I trust on the internet. You have made my retirement so much more fun and financially happy!
Best Wishes, Trent Wrayford, Sidney
