Barcelona vs Bayern / Dortmund vs Real - Spaniards have aces, German teams: Champions League semifinals without favorites

The title is not a simplification. Obviously the Barcelona philosophy of play that more assimilated and Real Madrid Jose Mourinho can reach the final at Wembley in collective work.

Like Lahm, Ribery, Muller, Schweinsteiger and Robben for Bayern Munich and Gotze, Reus, Gundogan by Lewandowski and Dortmund are able to make a difference in an individual action, even if their teams stand in solidarity for football.

But it is undeniable that Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are the greatest strengths of the Spanish giants. The Catalans had to sacrifice to save the Argentine before the PSG at Camp Nou. Without the eleven goals of the Portuguese, who knows what would of meringues?

The German champion with historical numbers live better now, but must face a dilemma: to change the way you play to make it conform to the style of Barcelona, ​​accepting without getting the ball and focusing on counterattacks and air moves? Or try to be the first to impose in fact, advance the dial and control the game, but eventually risking leaving spaces for Messi and infiltrations in diagonal Villa and Pedro?

If you prefer caution, the backlash to back Daniel Alves with Ribéry is obvious solution. Like crossings with stationary or rolling ball to Mario Gomez, the likely replacement for suspended Mandzukic in the Allianz Arena. So Tito Vilanova must climb Bartra, taller than Adriano, Puyol in central defense and shorn of Mascherano.

To attack, Schweinsteiger will have to win the duel by Xavi in ​​the middle with ball control and spaces. Injured Kroos will be missed in this dispute, but Muller can stifle output Busquets. The duo Lahm and Robben on the right part upwards of Jordi Alba and forces Iniesta or Pedro to return to combat. On the other hand, leaves spaces in the sector.

But everything continues to go through Messi. How to stop it, even without physical ideal? If the world's best act from the right, only Alaba not realize. You need a steering wheel to close the diagonal. Sacrificing Schweinsteiger? Move Javi Martinez? If Dante to open a hedge no longer the center of the Villa area.

If ten of Barça shirt is the "false nine", denying space? Compress two lines very close to the area itself to induce him to retreat? Plantar Martínez or advance one of the central defenders to not let it get between the lines?

Difficult decision for Jupp Heynckes. After all, his team is offensive, likes to work the ball - which is more exchange passes in the tournament, behind Barcelona - and prowl the area to finish. Leads the statistics on the findings from outside the area.

Barcelona vs Bayern / Dortmund vs Real Madrid, the semifinals of the Champions

Bayern Munich will face Barcelona - just before Josep Guardiola, coach of the most successful Catalan club, take the Bavarians - while Real Madrid take the Borussia Dortmund in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League as draw held on Friday, Nyon (Switzerland), Uefa's headquarters, with the former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The Spanish teams will make the second game at home against the Germans. Bayern and Barca face off on April 23 and May 1, while Dortmund and Real duel on the 24th and 30th of this month.


Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were present in the semifinals last season. The Catalan club was eliminated by eventual winners Chelsea (in today's Europa League), while the German team was once again the "black wing" of the meringues on penalties to win at the Bernabeu. In the decision at home, Allianz Arena, but also fell in the maximum penalties.

The Borussia Dortmund returns to a semi after 15 years, when exactly was eliminated by Real. In the current edition of Champions, however, the two teams have met, the so-called "group of death", and the Germans were well: tie at the Bernabeu and a 2-2 home win by 2-1.

In European competition, Bayern advantage over Barca: in six games, three wins, two draws and a defeat. The last time they faced off, but the Catalans remain. In the quarterfinals of the Champions in 2009, going by the golearam 4-0 (Messi-2, Eto'o and Henry scored) and held a draw by 1-1 in Germany. The Barcelona finished as champion at that season.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid has retrospect favorable light before the Dortmund: also in six games, two wins, one loss and three draws. The most important duels took place in 1998, in the semifinals of the Champions League. The Spaniards won at home 2-0 (goals from Karembeu and Morientes) and tied without goals to advance to the decision about when they were champions Juventus.

The semifinals of the UEFA Champions League place on 23 and 24 April (round) and April 30 and May 1 (back). The decision will be at the legendary Wembley Stadium in London on May 25.

Messi should be booking in decisive duel with Paris Saint-Germain

In recovering from an injury to the femoral biceps of his right leg suffered in last Tuesday, Lionel Messi must be among Barcelona's reserves in the decisive clash with Paris Saint-Germain, on Wednesday, the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Absent the duel with Mallorca on Saturday, the Argentine athlete of physical improvement work performed on Sunday and, if no surprises, will be able to be related to the game at the Camp Nou, at 15:45 (GMT).

The initial plan of the technical committee of the Catalan team, led by coach Tito Vilanova, is leaving Messi on the bench and put the number 10 on the field only if necessary. The expectation of the commanders is that the Argentine player is not used and can be saved for the finals this season.

Besides Messi, left-back Adriano and striker Peter also trained on Sunday and could be related to the confrontation by Villanova. The Brazilian, inclusive, can be scaled to act as a defender, as has happened in classic with Real Madrid.

In comparison balanced, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain tied by 2-2 at the Parc des Princes. In case of equality of 0-0 or 1-1, the classification is club blaugrana. Any tie by three goals or more assures the French team following the tournament. If the confrontation again finish with 2-2 on the scoreboard, the dispute will go to extra time, with the possibility of penalties.

Barcelona will be without the wheel Javier Mascherano back in the confrontation, as the Argentine was booked and need to fulfill suspension. Moreover, the South American athlete left the field injured late in the match and should defalcate the team for six weeks. By side Paris Saint-Germain, Matuidi, also suspended, not plays.

On the way back after over a year, thanks Abidal cousin to donate organ

The French side Eric Abidal, who returned to the field on Saturday after 13 months of inactivity, thanked cousin, donating part of liver for a transplant, after the match against Mallorca, the Spanish league.


The player used a shirt underneath the uniform of Barcelona, appears at the end of the duel with a message in French: "Merci, mon cousin (Thanks, cousin)."

Abidal, who spent the operation last year, took the field in the 24th minute of the second half of the game, in place of Gerard Piqué. "Without him I would not be here.'s A unique moment," said the excited Frenchman, who also thanked everyone who cheered for his recovery

Messi 'ignores' backlash following treatment and to play against PSG

Injured Lionel Messi did not want to know the day off. The Argentine 'ignored' free day in Barcelona and the club was to follow the treatment of muscle injury in his right leg. All to be ready as early as next Wednesday, the day of the return match against Paris Saint-Germain for the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

The initial expectation is that the Argentine is low for 10 days. There is a good possibility, however, that the intensive treatment and leave ready to play as early as next Wednesday.

Messi was injured in the first half of the first leg against PSG - a 2-2 draw in France - and had to leave the field still in range. The Argentine is not embezzlement because of injury since November 24, 2009.

Arrival of Neymar in Barcelona is negotiated

Santos insists to renew his contract for another two years, providing a substantial increase, but hardly convince him to follow in Vila Belmiro. Neymar is getting closer to Barcelona.

With contract until July 2014, the attacker may leave the club before the next World Cup. At first, their output should happen at the end of the season, pushing leaders of the growing concern of a transfer without cost. Negotiations with the Spaniards still elapses and feature a new character backstage.

The businessman Mark Malachi, responsible for Henry's comings and Keirrison to Camp Nou, is involved in talks with the Catalans.

Before the friendly against Russia in London last month, Neymar and his father Malachy arrived to find a restaurant with a member of the technical committee of Barcelona, Pepe Costa, a former scout team in South America The chat was recorded by the agent in your account on Instagram, image sharing site.

Marquinhos Malachi, as he is known, traveled to accompany the recent appointments of Brazil in the company of His Neymar. Upon returning to the country, was also at his side in the games against Mogi Mirim and West, both the Campeonato Paulista. At the end of the game Sunday, received even Neymar in his private jet on the trip back from Itápolis.

In an interview with ESPN.com.br, the businessman confirmed the close relationship with Neymar da Silva Santos, but denied any involvement in the career of the star Vila Belmiro.

"I have no involvement. What happens is that Neymar father and I have some business in common and we're always together, "he explained.


The two are neighbors in Florianópolis and often rely on their meetings in town with singer Alexandre Pires among the guests. 'Almost inseparable "in recent months, has gathered even with agent Wagner Ribeiro, another stakeholder in the future of star alvinegra.

Mark Malachi does not deny that could assist in talks with Barcelona.

"Who knows. This is a decision that he (Neymar father) have to take. Neymar The father is the one who will decide. If I can help with my previous experiences, excellent, "he said.

Wagner Ribeiro minimizes the presence of Malachi beside His Neymar. "He is my friend, a friend of Neymar father Neymarzinho friend, a friend to all" comments.

The President of Santos Rodrigues Odílio, holds out hope of renewing the contract of the gem Belmiro desconversa and when asked about the influence of the entrepreneur in talks with Barcelona.

"With the Saints, has nothing. Neymar may have with his father. But we have no dealings. Totally unaware of any business in this direction, "he said.

The phase Neymar is not the best. Even after ending a fast six games without scoring at the weekend, following disputed by the crowd alvinegra. The same criticisms were present during the recent friendlies selection against Italy and Russia.

Called 'ginger' in European stadiums, the attacker struck and locked up in the hotel room. On the way back from London, made even all the way to the airport alone, almost as an anonymous, without the company of any employee of the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation), his team's work or his family.

Magazine 'publishes' ​​third Barcelona shirt in black

 

 The Barcelona must use black next season. According to the newspaper Sport, the Catalan team will again have a third jersey and from July. The first two shirts had 'leaked'.

The main uniform will again thin stripes in red and maroon. This time, the stripes also appear in the second shirt that alternates yellow with orange.