Do Chelsea stand a chance against the Spanish Giants?

As we look forward to the second leg of Champions League games, every team has their eyes upon the semi-final places for this year’s competition.

With Real Madrid, Chelsea and Bayern Munich winning their first game, they’re certainly on the front foot for the next round. After Barcelona’s stalemate at the San Siro, it’s going to be a big game when Milan travels to Spain, whilst Marseille, Benfica and Apoel are looking to get themselves back into the contention for the next round.

After a 3-0 victory in Cyprus against a battling Apoel side, Madrid– in spite of their professionalism – are surely already casting their eyes towards the next round. The odds are heavily stacked against them throwing such a valuable lead away, so they’ll either face Chelsea or Benfica.

After a tight game, with Chelsea narrowly winning 1-0, it’s still all to play for back at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s consistency is unpredictable, and with Gaitán and Cardozo at the helm, Benfica aren’t short of attacking flair and inspiration. This one should be a cracker – I think extra time will decide the outcome.

Bayern Munich are also fairly safe – a solid 2-0 away win at Marseille’s ‘Stade Velodrome’ confirms their status as favourite’s to go through. If anything, there will be more goals back in Germany: expect some English teams to be watching, as one of Europe’s hottest prospects, Mario Gomez, will be playing.

Meanwhile, the only two teams (A.C. Milan and Barcelona) who haven’t conceded or netted against each other will be facing off at the Nou Camp. Despite the tie being completely even at the moment, it’s hard not to measure the odds in Barcelona’s favour, especially with an in form, defence taunting, Lionel Messi playing. Although Barcelona are still favourite’s,Milan will be dangerous – big names such as Ibrahimovich will have all gun’s blazing, so Barcelona should be wary. I predict Barcelona to win 2-0…

Let’s presume that Real Madrid face Chelsea and Bayern Munich take on Barcelona. Could it really be an all Spain final? They are taking quality football to a whole new level, which is evident in the way they play: attacking full-backs, drifting playmakers, every player happy to pass in tight areas, mixed with some individual brilliance too. Maybe some German guise and guile could over-throw the ball-keeping Spaniards: after all, top German teams are renowned for being like ‘well oiled machinery’.

Should they progress, there would be an added dimension to Chelsea’s game – this would come in the form of Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge, which would receive a huge reception from the Chelsea faithful, causing a huge atmosphere, in and around the ground. Could they overhaul the tactically and technically sound Madrid team, or would they be embarrassed by the era defining Spaniards? Only time can tell – this also relies on my hypothetical predictions, which have mainly been based around the results that have already occurred.

I cannot possibly choose a winner, but I have a hunch that Barcelona’s dominance may be halted in this season’s Champions League. This may well be the season that it happens, but they’re still going strong.

One thing’s for sure though: we’ll witness quality football, some excellent games and one passionate player crying after their team’s loss in the final. Whether it be Cardozo, Terry, Ronaldo, Messi, Gomez, Ibrahimovich, Ailton or Ribery holding the Cup on the 19^th of May, there’s bound to be more controversy, excellence and coverage than ever before.

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