© EuroFootball.com
In the national championships, crucial battles for the opportunity to play in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League next season are starting, where currently the quarter-final matches are taking place and there is no room for mistakes. Last week, after a controversial referee decision, "Manchester United" withdrew from the Champions League, and this week a similar fate might await the powerful "Barcelona" team.
On Sunday, March 10
English "Premier" League
18:00 "Liverpool" - London "Tottenham Hotspur" Last five league matches: "Liverpool" - 4 wins and 1 draw; "Tottenham Hotspur" - 3 wins and 2 draws. London "Tottenham Hotspur" is firmly in third place in the "Premier" League and rightfully so. The team has not lost in 12 consecutive matches, and this week in the UEFA Europa League impressively defeated Milan "Inter" 3-0 and has very good chances to advance to the next stage. Meanwhile, "Liverpool" was very close to their goal of defeating St. Petersburg "Zenit", but due to an away goal scored by the visitors, the Russian club advanced to the next stage. Despite this setback, the performance of "Liverpool" gives positive hopes to the club owners and fans. The team won the last 2 league matches with a combined score of 9:0 and seems to have found their recipe for scoring goals. Uruguayan Luis Suarez is currently in fantastic form, with 21 goals to his name this season, and is complemented well by Daniel Sturridge, acquired from London "Chelsea". There is no doubt that the home team will be passionately supported by local fans, as a victory against "Tottenham Hotspur" would further strengthen the hopes that the Liverpool team will play in the Champions League next year.
On Sunday, March 10
English FA Cup, quarter-final
18:30 "Manchester United" - London "Chelsea" "The Red Devils" will certainly be red with anger due to what they see as an incomprehensible referee decision in the UEFA Champions League match against Madrid's "Real", which saw Portuguese player Nani being sent off the field, and they may vent their frustration on London "Chelsea". "Chelsea", on the other hand, sensationally lost 0-1 away to Bucharest's "Steaua" in the UEFA Europa League and should be equally upset. Perhaps more with themselves than with the referee. It is interesting to note that the London club last made a mark in the English FA Cup at "Old Trafford" stadium in 1963. Wayne Rooney, unexpectedly left on the bench in the match against "Real" due to Sir Alex Ferguson's decision, should be in the starting eleven of "The Red Devils". The match should also see the starting of Shinji Kagawa, who scored a hat-trick against "Norwich".
On Tuesday, March 12
UEFA Champions League, quarter-final
21:45 "Barcelona" - "Milan" These matches are probably the most important this season for the Barcelona team. The players have mentioned multiple times that the Spanish King’s Cup is not a priority for the club, and in "La Liga" the Catalans are well ahead of their closest pursuers and are likely to win the Spanish champions title again. It is much harder for the club in the UEFA Champions League, where "Barcelona" will have to work very hard to avoid elimination from the competition. Two weeks ago in Milan, the Spanish team could not find a way to break through the hosts' defense. True, the latter was particularly solid, but that was to be expected. Argentinian Lionel Messi looked uncharacteristically blank, failing to score a goal. And with such a performance, expecting to win is simply naive. Of course, in this case, we must commend the Milan team, which played very disciplined and maintained the coach's tactics - focusing on defense and quickly counterattacking. There is no doubt that the Milan team will use the same tactics in Tuesday's match in Barcelona. Whether "Barca" will be able to break through Milan's iron defense wall, we will see next week.
On Thursday, March 14
19:00 St. Petersburg "Zenit" - "Basel" Swiss "Basel" performed much better in the first UEFA Europa League match against St. Petersburg "Zenit" than the Russian visitors, winning 2-0. The lackluster performance of "Zenit" can be justified by the fact that the Russian "Premier" League only starts this weekend, so it's hard to expect the team to demonstrate their best form before the season. A useful exercise for the Russian club should be the first round matches against Kazan's "Rubin" on Sunday. The 0-2 result is not hopeless, but beating the Swiss, even at home, will not be easy, as "Basel" plays a team game, with players understanding each other well, which cannot be said about "Zenit," whose problems are often due to internal conflicts.
22:05 London "Chelsea" - Bucharest "Steaua" Bucharest "Steaua" achieved a historic victory at home by defeating London "Chelsea" and hopes that a minimal victory of 1-0 will be enough to advance to the next stage. "The Blues" goalkeeper Petr Cech vehemently disagrees with this and promises revenge in London, believing that "Chelsea" will look much better at home. It is worth noting that aside from the mentioned goal, which was scored from a penalty kick, the Romanians created very few opportunities. "Chelsea", although having more chances to score, constantly stumbled in the "Steaua" defense and could not find their rhythm. An away goal would have significantly eased the team's task of advancing to the next stage. Now at home, they need to capitalize on the opportunities created and not miss scoring chances.
