The dessert of the Champions League 2012-13
Round of 16 is the tie between Milan and Barcelona.
The winter transfer period was the moment
of truth in Milan. Disappointing profiles like Acerbi, Mesbah, Emanualeson and
Pato left the team, while Balotelli joined the rossoneri. Although Super Mario
will not play in this Champions League, the changes have added a lot to team’s
moral. Allegri’s side is already on the third place in the league.
Champions League is the tournament where
Stephan El Shaarawy will need to make it without his new partner.
Despite coach Tito Vilanova’s absence due
to
cancer treatment, Barcelona doesn’t feel uncomfortable at all. The team
keeps on earning points in the domestic league and is still on in the national
cup competition. The difference between Barcelona and its closest follower is
12 points. Messi eagerly prolongs his record of scoring in now 14 consecutive
league matches. In other words, it is still the same Barcelona, the same Puyol,
the same Xavi and the same Iniesta. Taking the ball away from Barcelona and
organizing an attack is as tough as containing Leo Messi.
As if Milan wouldn’t experience problems
against Barcelona, Bonera and Nocerino are suspended for the first meeting of the teams. The defense is definitely going to
struggle during the Spanish visitors’ attacks. Another question is whether
these visitors will be set to attack the whole match or not. Milan will also
experience problems in the midfield. The only chance for Milan to survive the
encounter is not losing it already here at San Siro. Understanding this, the
teams will probably show some calm football without lots of risks.
The last and eighth tie of the Champions
League 2012-13 Round of 16 is the one between Galatasaray and Schalke 04.
Galatasaray has been in good domestic form.
Things got better with star additions of Sneijder and Drogba. No other Turkish
team can compare to Fatih Terim’s team in any component. The defending title
holders are simply too strong. The striker Burak Yilmaz has been sharing the Champions
League group stage topscorer title together with Cristiano Ronaldo. The player
is the author of 6 of his team’s 7 Champions League goals so far.
Schalke 04 has had a coach substitution
while the Champions League was having a break. Jens Keller has only won one
league match since he was appointed two months ago. His team has also sold one
of the leaders Lewis Holtby. Another big name has joined the club: Michel
Bastos. The former Lyon man has scored three in three appearances. Something is
wrong with the German team. The winter crisis seems to be continuing in spring.
The teams have never met each other in
official matches. Although Drogba and Sneijder are big Champions League
profiles, their introduction doesn’t mean a much better team.
Galatasaray has had
problems with organizing its game, which hasn’t changed much after the winter
period. This could have become the key for Schalke to beat the Turkish
champions. However, the Germans are in their worst form. So individual play of
Galatasaray’s new superstars might work and bring a result in this round. Considering
the adventurous character of teams’ defenses, there might be lots of goals
scored in this encounter.
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