If last night’s Champions League action got you going tonight might cause you to explode in a fit of soccer related joy. Not because we’re likely to see another 11 goals in two games. Chelsea v Man Utd is unlikely to be anything of the sort. You do have on display three players, in Ashley Cole, John Terry, and Wayne Rooney, who supporters are never afraid to use the oft-used ‘C’ word to describe.
Rooney did nothing to endear himself anymore to fans last weekend and is likely to be roundly booed at Stamford Bridge tonight. Not that Sir Alex Ferguson will care if he adds a goal to his impressive tally six in his last six games in the capital and finishes it off with another expletive ridden outburst this time into Chelsea TV’s own cameras. Fucking have that!
It gives us another chance to see if Fernando Torres can end a run that has seen him go 11 hours and 36 minutes since his last goal at club or international level. Carlo Ancelotti may give him a start here. Torres is starting to look more like Andriy Shevchenko and less like a £50million striker as the weeks go by though. He could fix all that by scoring here.
The omens are good for Chelsea, who haven’t lost to the Red Devils in 10 games at the Bridge, and have only lost two of their last 41 in this competition at home. Over two legs you’d fancy United to knick it though.
If you believe everything you read and don’t listen to Errol Brown songs then Barcelona are already through to the semi finals. If you’re of the other persuasion then in your mind Shakhtar Donetsk have a fighting chance to prevail in this clash.
You can see it now…Barcelona have two off days both of which happen to be against the Ukrainian side and exit the Champions League at the quarter final stage. It’s far from completely implausible but would require quite the effort from Mircea Lucescu’s side.
Barcelona will likely steam roller their opponents 3-0 at home and then lose by the odd goal in the Ukraine. Real Madrid basically already being in the semi final should be motivation in itself.
