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VANCOUVER, B.C - The 2014 UEFA Champions League is down to the semi-finals with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Atletico Madrid all vying to be crowned the champions of club football in Europe. Holders Bayern Munich will play Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid, and a surprising Atletico Madrid team will tangle with the tactics and mind games of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea side.
The opening legs of the semi-finals get under-way on April 22, and April 23. The return legs will be played on April 29, and April 30 in Munich, Germany and Stamford Bridge in London respectively.
Never have two teams from the same country and the same city featured in a Champions League final but history could certainly be made this year if a both Madrid teams do the trick. Lisbon, Portugal is set to host the final match on Saturday, May 24 at Estádio de Luz in what should be a fantastic match watched by millions of people worldwide.
Just like everyone else, the Vancouver Whitecaps are avid football fanatics. The Caps have weighed in with their 2014 Champions League semi-final predictions and the eventual winner. Many of the Whitecaps love watching the beautiful game just like you when Europe's best teams are on top form.
As part of a bonus question, the Whitecaps players also gave their thoughts on the saga of Atletico Madrid's number one keeper Thibaut Courtois. The 21-year-old has been on loan to Atletico Madrid from Chelsea for the past three-seasons. The Bree, Belgium native’s loan contract has a provision that if Chelsea and Atletico Madrid meet in the Champions League, Atletico Madrid must pay Chelsea $3 Million Euros per match to use Courtois.
UEFA have stepped in claiming the fee is void and unenforceable, thus allowing Atletico Madrid to use Courtois as they please. Whitecaps players gave their own thoughts on what they would do if UEFA hadn't stepped in and if they were in charge of making all the important decisions for Atletico Madrid and Thibaut Courtois.
Vancouver Whitecaps 2014 UEFA Champions League Predictions:
Striker - Kenny Miller: Bayern Munich defeats Chelsea
"I can't see past Bayern Munich, but the Jose Mourinho factor is always going to come into play. A lot of people have written them off this year both in the Premier League and in the Champions League so it reeks of a few years ago when they won it and everyone was against them. My head says Bayern Munich but my heart will say Chelsea."
Despite his heart siding with Chelsea, Kenny Miller still backs Bayern Munich to win the Champions League.
"They've got everything, they defend very well and they now pass the ball a bit like Barcelona. Their work rate, their athleticism, they're physical, but the standard of their players is just fantastic. At the moment they are a well-oiled machine and they look very hard to stop."
What to do with Thibaut Courtois? "I've read a lot about the loan system recently and I'm kind of into thinking that if you're going to allow a player to go out on loan I think they should be able to play. The guy is obviously a fantastic goalkeeper, so for him to be there at that club where he probably feels at home with Atletico Madrid, I think that would be tough to take that away from him."
Striker - Darren Mattocks: Real Madrid defeats Chelsea
"I think they've been pretty consistent this season. Obviously Bayern Munich I think have been the most consistent team in Europe, but I think with Cristiano Ronaldo being such a dominant force over the years, I think they'll get the better of them. He'll want to show why he's Cristiano Ronaldo, and I think he's going to feel right at home in his back yard, so I think he's going to do a really good job."
What to do with Thibaut Courtois? "That's tough, I mean those are super giants in Europe so I don't think $3 Million (per match) is going to touch their pockets so I would definitely let him play."
Centre-Back - Jay DeMerit: Real Madrid defeats Atletico Madrid
"Atletico's coming off a huge win in their club’s history at this point so I think they're flying high. I think at this point of the season it's all about confidence. Bayern Munich has been there over the last couple of years more than most of these teams, but now Real Madrid has just won a big championship, the Copa del Rey. I would say Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid."
DeMerit is a big believer in underdog teams, but his confidence in Atletico Madrid doesn't extend to May 24.
"I think Real Madrid wins it in the end. Big players play on the biggest stages and I think they have the biggest players as far as the championship game is concerned. I think Ronaldo will be healthy by then. He's played great in these big games and Gareth Bale is finally starting to hit a big load of confidence coming into these huge games and he's really coming into his own. I look for those two to cause terror."
What to do with Thibaut Courtois? "I would pay it because you don't want to start messing with the dynamic of the team at that point and if you're making the Champions League final you'll have more than $3 Million dollars to spend."
Centre-Back - Andy O'Brien: Bayern Munich defeats Chelsea
"I'd like Chelsea to make it, but I think ultimately Bayern Munich are probably going to win it. When Guardiola took over he had big expectations to fill and I think they won the domestic league in record time. I think they're quite a formidable side and they're going to take some beating this year."
Strong consistency is a big reason why Andy O'Brien favours Bayern Munich to win the Champions League.
"There are rumours of players leaving but I think it's very similar to Barcelona. The treadmill of players that come in and they've obviously the regular players like Mueller that's been there a few years, but regardless of the names on the team sheet they seem to produce results every week."
What to do with Thibaut Courtois? "I'd think he'd want to play. I read in one of the papers back home that Chelsea want some money off (Diego) Costa as well when they buy him for allowing him (Courtois) to play. What a claim to fame for a young lad who can't get in the Chelsea team at the minute, but faces them in the Champions League semi-final. It's almost fairytale stuff."
Left-Back - Jordan Harvey: Bayern Munich defeats Atletico Madrid
"I think Bayern Munich will win but I want Atletico to win. I just think Bayern are a solid team, they're disciplined, they've got machines that work ninety minutes, and they've got some really creative players in Robben and Ribery that I think are really unstoppable. I think defensively they're sound and their coaching is second to none."
What to do with Thibaut Courtois? "Oh man that's difficult. With whatever team you're on I feel like you try to give one hundred percent to that team even if you're on loan. I think your heart would lie with that team you've been playing with for that year."
Right-Back - Steven Beitashour: Bayern Munich defeats Chelsea
"I just like their style of play. I think they're overall well-rounded and they work well together. Look at that whole team, you could mention anyone on that team. They're great going forward, defensively they're sharp, great goaltender, and everything about them I like."
What to do with Thibaut Courtois? "They got that, they could pay it."
Midfielder - Erik Hurtado: Real Madrid defeats Chelsea
"They're pretty strong right now. They've got the attack going and they are pretty unstoppable with Gareth Bale, Di Maria, Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo out there. They like to get at defenders and their really fun to watch, their creative, and it's always a fun game when they play. I like Real Madrid not because of the team name but because of the players that play there."
What to do with Thibaut Courtois? "If it's in the contract, you've got to read the whole contract before you sign it. You have to abide by your contract so in that case he's got to do what the contract says."
Midfielder - Russell Teibert: Bayern Munich defeats Chelsea
"Their efficient, they do the simple things right, are hard to beat, and they have clinical finishers."
What to do with Thibaut Courtois? "I'd have to sit down and think about that. It's an interesting position to be in. I really don't know what I would do in that situation."
The 2014 Champions League semi-final matches and final in Portugal are shaping up to provide exciting football. Be sure to check back here to see which Vancouver Whitecaps were a hair off the mark with their predictions.
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