SEMI FINAL DRAMA BECKONS

This season’s Champions League final in Athens is set to contain at least one Premiership club after Chelsea and Liverpool were drawn to face each other in the semi finals. Manchester United will face AC Milan in the other semi meaning the possibility of an all English European Cup final is still very much alive. All four of the remaining teams would make worthy champions but only one club can emerge with the trophy.

Manchester United vs. AC Milan
Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United side are still hunting their own domestic double as well as the Champions League. The 7-1 demolition of Roma in the quarter finals will have sent a warning out around Europe that - if given time and space to play - they are a side to be feared. Roma had no answer to United’s all out attacking policy and threw in the towel once they fell 3-0 behind.

With Ronaldo, Rooney and Carrick currently in scintillating form, there is no reason to suggest they cannot overcome the challenge of Milan. If United can repeat their high tempo performances of previous rounds then they have every chance of progressing.

However, Milan will not concede 7 goals home or away to Manchester United or anyone else for that matter and will mark Ronaldo and Rooney a lot tighter than Roma did. Injuries and tiredness could yet work against United before the Champions League final date with so many tough domestic assignments still to overcome. AC Milan knocked out an impressive Bayern Munich side with the help of outstanding performances from Kaka, Seedorf and Inzaghi in the quarter finals. The Italians success of recent years has been based on their legendary rugged defence and quick fire counter attacking. What a fitting end it would be to a remarkable career to see Paolo Maldini lifting the European Cup at the end of a remarkable career.

The emergence of Kaka as the best playmaker and passer in both Serie A and the Champions League has transformed Milan’s season. Kaka’s brilliance coupled with the experience and talent of Andreas Pirlo are by far the best central midfield pairing left in the competition.

Milan will be the fresher - from having less games and no league title chase to distract them - of the two teams coming into the semi final. They have the experience and knowledge of how to win in Eurpoe against quicker and younger teams, so expect them to dash the hope of Manchester United and go through to the final.

Verdict: AC Milan to go through on away goals


Liverpool vs. Chelsea
There are so many sub-plots surrounding this semi final tie, you could make a movie about it. Jose Mourinho has been battling a lengthy injury list, boardroom unrest and an impatient Russian billionaire all season and yet he has managed to guide his team to the semi finals. Chelsea are still in contention for an unlikely quadruple but rest assured, the only trophy that will save the ‘chosen one’s ‘ job is the Champions League. The importance of the returning John Terry and Joe Cole from injury cannot be over-emphasised.

Liverpool have enjoyed a decent run in the Champions League this season and had it easy in the quarter finals against one of the worst PSV sides in recent years. The Reds are out of the race for the Premiership and will have the luxury of being able to rest key players in the run up to the semi finals. However, for all Benitez’s qualities as a top tactical manager expect Chelsea to come out on top over the two legs. The main reason being, simply, revenge for the semi final defeat two seasons ago. If Mourinho is good at one thing it is getting the best out of his players when he utilises the ‘world is against us' mentality.

On paper, Liverpool looks to be the fresher side and have had the easier run to the semi finals. They have also broken their hoodoo by trouncing an under-strength Chelsea at Anfield recently. However, Chelsea will save their best performances for the Champions League for the remainder of this season.

The Chelsea players have made it clear they want their manager to stay and will do everything possible to keep him at the club next season. Winning the Champions League is probably the only way the Portuguese man will remain at the helm next season.


Verdict: Chelsea to go through 1-0