|
|
VANCOUVER, B.C - The Champions League semi-finals matches will kickoff this week to help determine who will advance to the final on Saturday, June 6 at Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany. The holders, Real Madrid will entertain Juventus and Barcelona will tangle with a strong Bayern Munich side.
The first legs of the semi-finals will take place on May 5, and May 6. The return legs will be played on May 12, and May 13, in Munich, Germany and Madrid, Spain at the historic Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.
The Old Lady of Italy have the longest Champions League drought and have not lifted the Champions League trophy since 1996. Real Madrid won in 2014, Bayern Munich in 2013, and Barcelona in 2011.
Millions of eyes all over the world will be glued to televisions sets during the theatrics of the Champions League. The Vancouver Whitecaps players have weighed in and given their predictions on who will advance to the final in Berlin, and which club team will become the champions of Europe.
The English Premier League has had a dry spell in the Champions League knockout stage this year and no English side advanced to the quarter-finals. As a bonus question, Whitecaps players have done their best to try to shed some light on why teams from the Premier League have failed at this years biggest club tournament.
Striker - Robert Earnshaw:
Barcelona 2 vs 0 Real Madrid
"The favourite is always going to be Barcelona. When they're clicking and their game is on point, I think they're no match for everybody. I'm hoping for a Real Madrid vs Barcelona final. I think that would be every football fans, and every neutrals favourite football final. Barcelona, when it's the finals and when the pressure's on. Messi has got this unbelievable level that he raises his game to and everybody else follows him."
Where Art Thou England: "I think the level has gone down in the last two years, I think that's why. I think the English teams raise their levels in the previous four or five years and that's why they reached the finals and won it. I think the Barcelona's, and the Bayern's and Real Madrid's have then raised their level. Probably the level of the champions from England in the last couple of years have not been able to compete against these teams. They're far ahead, it's that simple. Sometimes people are just better than you, and people get better than you. I think that's what you've seen from really at least three of the four finalists. Juventus have been extremely competitive, but overall I think Real Madrid, Bayern and Barcelona for the last three years have been the best teams. They've raised their level and everybody else has probably gone a step back."
Winger - Mauro Rosales:
Barcelona 1 vs 0 Juventus
"I want it to be Barcelona and Juventus. Obviously Juventus vs Real Madrid is tough for Juventus to beat them. They are in good form and they are playing very well in the Champions League, but I want Juventus to pass through the semi-final. Bayern have the coach that built Barcelona very well so it's going to make the games difficult. In that stage the difference between the teams are so small that just by mistakes or little things it's going to change the series. It's going to be exciting and nice games to watch."
"I'm a fan of Barcelona so I want them. From the teams and leagues all over the place Barcelona is the team more fun to watch. Having offensively and defensively a team that is compact and always treating the ball very well, I always like to see that game. Sometimes the best teams are not the winners, but I want them get the cup again."
Where Art Thou England: "I think the quality of the teams that got to the last spot are really really good. In terms of technique, good movement, and quick players. For the Premier League it's probably difficult to catchup to some of the guys that are doing really really well. It's surprising that Chelsea's not there because they played very well in the group and also before they got cut from PSG. I think the reason is probably the way that most of the teams got to the last stage are playing with fitness, abilities, and technique."
Goalkeeper - Paolo Tornaghi:
Barcelona 2 vs 1 Juventus
"I really hope that Juventus is going to go through because they're the only Italian team. I hope for the Italian soccer movement it would be a good chance for Italy to pass. I think it would be very hard that Juventus is going to get the Champions League, but one single game, everything can happen. I really hope that an Italian team can go through and win the Champions League, but probably Barcelona has the best chances to win. They have such a good player (Messi) that's use to playing in that kind of competition and the finals. Juventus, it's a very good game, but the players are not used to that kind of game. Barcelona has more experience to handle that kind of game and win it."
Where Art Thou England: "It's hard to say. I think of course the Premier League is a very competitive league. It can be also said that Germany with Bayern, Spain, and also what happened to Italy that these four teams in their own leagues, they're winning very easily. They can prepare for a Champions League game better. They can rest their players during the weekend and be ready for the Wednesday game in Champions League. In the Premier League every game is so hard, so tight, and so different. They have to fight every single game, so maybe when they play a Champions League game it's harder for them because they are not so rested."
Goalkeeper - David Ousted:
Barcelona 2 vs 2 Real Madrid, Barcelona after Penalty Kicks!!
"I'm going to say Barcelona and Real Madrid in the final. Barcelona's going to win it. I think they have a great team. Of the four teams that's left, they're all fantastic teams. They all have their individuals who are the best in the world and as a team Barcelona plays some fantastic soccer. Right now they're a little bit in front of the other three teams just on form."
Where Art Thou England: "I think it's tough. I think England right now, teams are finding themselves a little bit in a different league. Premier League is really physical, its high tempo where the technical aspect of keeping the ball is a little bit more in the other leagues. I think you see Chelsea figuring out how to do it in Europe and they won it. I think you'll see Premier League teams in their next year, but they have a tough task especially against good teams like Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich."
Centre-Back - Christian Dean:
Bayern Munich 2 vs 1 Real Madrid
"I would think Bayern would win after the presence and showing they had the other week. The players they have, they're unbelievable, they're the best team in the world, by far. The coaching style is amazing. Pep Guardiola came from Barcelona and took the same style that they had at Barcelona and brought it to Bayern. They never lose the ball, they just keep the ball the entire time. The forwards can finish and the defenders are amazing. All around, they're just the best team in the world."
Where Art Thou England: "I think they don't have enough foreign players. I think they're a lot of English and British players on their teams. I think with other teams you see Madrid, Bayern, they have players from different countries that come in and fit together so well. They buy players from different countries and that's helped them a lot."
Striker - Erik Hurtado:
Barcelona 3 vs 1 Real Madrid
"An all La Liga final. They're the best team in the world. When they want to keep the ball, you can't get the ball off them. If they score a goal, you're screwed. I'd say Barcelona is just on another level."
Where Art Thou England: "Maybe because Barcelona is one of the best teams in the world. Real Madrid's one of the best teams in the world and so is Bayern. The Premier League is the best league, but the best teams are from a different league."
Centre-Back - Kendall Waston:
Bayern Munich 2 vs 1 Real Madrid
"I like Real Madrid, but I think Bayern Munich's going to win it. The consistency they have, they way they play at home, they are very strong. I think they have a lot of experience playing in the semi-finals. I think they're going to get there. It's going to be hard."
Where Art Thou England: "The other teams are very hard, they play very good. In football anything can happen. I think sometimes they are maybe unlucky, but the other teams are better."
Attacking Midfielder - Nicolas Mezquida:
Barcelona 2 vs 1 Real Madrid
"I think Barcelona. For the Champions League I follow Barcelona. I like the players on that team so it's special every game. It's the best tournament in the world. I think Barcelona should win a Champions League because they haven't won in three or four years (2011). Barcelona have to win a Champions League."
Where Art Thou England: "Maybe they're unlucky. It's a surprise because there's always a team from England."
Right-Back - Canada - Rhian Wilkinson:
(Semi-finals matches not yet set at time of interview)
Where Art Thou England: "You know, things go in cycles. There was a time where you always had British teams in the quarters, the semis, and the finals and that was a wonderful time for British soccer. It's on a little bit of a dip and I have no doubt that it will pick back up again soon."
(Rhian Wilkinson was on holiday in the United Kingdom and was able to take in a several English Premier League matches in mid-March following Canada's journey at the Cyprus Cup.)
The Champions League always delivers exciting matches just as the European club season comes to an end. Be sure to check back here to see if your favourite Vancouver Whitecaps player was correct with his predictions.
|