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MY TIPS FOR THE LAST EIGHT
David Fairclough looks forward to an exciting week of Champions League football and assesses the merits of each of the teams looking to take the title of European Champions away from Liverpool.
The legendary Kop will again get a chance to play a vital role if Liverpool are to turn around that defeat in Lisbon two weeks ago.
Trailing to that one Luisao headed goal now means the Reds may have to pull out something special if they're to advance through this trickiest of ties.
Anfield is sure of another red hot atmosphere for a great European night and the 12th man will play a huge part if we are to overturn the first leg deficit. Years ago, returning from a first leg game trailing 1-0 would have been seen as a reasonable result. The approach would have been straightforward - just go out there and score two at home. Not these days however as the game has become much more tactical and a goal behind presents many connotations.
The Reds need to approach this one similar to the way they did against Juventus during last year's campaign. Fast out the traps, stun the Portuguese and put them on the back foot. Obviously the position is slightly different because Benfica have something to protect and will try to defend that priceless lead and frustrate the Reds.
The Eagles have a counter-attacking style so they'll be reluctant to change that so it will be up to the Reds to get at them as quick as we can and test their resilience. I've not been overly impressed with what I have seen of Benfica; they have been leaking goals, particularly away from home, and it's vital we put the keeper under pressure as we failed to do it in Lisbon.
In the build up to this one, much has been made of the fact Liverpool have struggled to score enough goals but much of their general play has been good and we shouldn't forget we have 'big occasion' players. After his first England strike, Peter Crouch's confidence should still be high and we all know Luis Garcia has been a revelation in Europe - perhaps he can reproduce his goal scoring form of last year. And who would rule against Robbie breaking his duck? Rafa is pleased with his progress in training and this could just be the type of occasion he would love to kick-start his return with a classic Fowler strike.
After the first legs of the 'Super Sixteen' stage of the Champions League, all the ties are so evenly balanced I didn't spot an outstanding favourite so the competition is wide open. If Liverpool do make it through, who would we most want to face or avoid?
There'll be many fancying us to be drawn against Gerard Houllier's Lyon, a team who continue to dominate their domestic league and surprise many with the ease of which they have progressed in Europe. Lyon against PSV was a classic tactical battle between two of Europe's famed coaches, Hiddink v Houillier. I've spoken to Gerard since that first game and he's obviously delighted with the win but explained what a big, physical side the Dutch were and he couldn't believe the pressure Lyon had to withstand. Lyon are taking nothing for granted though and will expect more of the same in the second leg. PSV knocked the French champions out on penalties last season. This time Lyon want revenge and with the benefit of a swerving Juninho free-kick that the Dutch goalie should have done better with, Gerard's side are another team holding a single goal lead.
I enjoyed watching the Chelsea and Barcelona tie. Though the Londoners went down to ten men, which handed the Spanish the advantage, they'd already made the brightest start and looked good enough to come away with the win even without the benefit of the extra man. The Catalan's strength lies with their forwards and in Lionel Messi, they look to have a very special talent. In fact, Del Horno was probably grateful to take an early bath! It would be a great surprise to see Barcelona slipping up tonight and if they do get through, they will probably be installed as favourites.
It was mixed fortunes for the Spanish though. No one could have expected to see a visiting Arsenal side pull off the win of the round defeating Real Madrid on their famed Bernebeu pitch. The problems are piling up for Real as much on the pitch as off it, where the resignation of their high-profile President Florentino Perez probably spelled the end of the 'Galacticos' era. With that in mind, the return at Highbury is the only chance of club success this season for Zidane, Beckham and the rest. I've seen Arsenal on a couple of occasions recently and that performance in Spain came completely out of the Blue. They've still got an awful lot to do to knockout Real however and I wouldn't be surprised to see Madrid overturn that first leg deficit.
Two of Europe's highest profile players, Michael Ballack and Andriy
Shevchenko, scored in the tie between two of competition's biggest clubs, Bayern Munich and AC Milan. On the occasions I've seen the Germans this year, they still look to be an extremely strong outfit capable of beating anyone. In their new stadium they produce an intimidating atmosphere and the Italians did well to come away with the benefit of an away goal. Bayern coach Felix Magath really thought they were capable of dumping the Italians out but with Shevchenko and Kaka in the Milan line up, Munich will do well to advance to the last eight.
My earliest memories of watching the Reds stretch back to the incredible night in 1965 when Liverpool beat Inter 3-1 in a European Cup 1st leg semi-final only to be denied a first ever final appearance when we were dumped out after the extraordinary 2nd leg, when the Reds went down 3-0 in dubious circumstances. It's taken a long time to think of a return to the San Siro but a quarter-final pairing with Inter would bring back plenty of memories of '65 and a chance to gain some recompense. The first round games were full of the greatest names in European football and none more so than Inter visiting Ajax. Forced to come back from a two goal deficit, Inter look like heading for the last eight and who knows, maybe a mouth watering clash with the Reds.
If Anfield produces the best European night atmosphere, then Werder Bremen run a close second as their big nights are also spectacular. While they have an attractive and dangerous front line capable of scoring against anyone, their back line is often cast as vulnerable and both characteristics showed up against Juve. The Italians look potential favourites when you consider their attacking options but a look at their ageing back line and midfield - Patrick Vieira apart - could indicate a team not quite as strong as last year. This tie looks to be the most delicately poised. Two late Bremen goals gave them a slender 3-2 lead, but they'll have to show the resilience the Liverpool defence showed in Turin last season to go on. The Italians will probably fancy their chances of getting the goal they need to get through though if Bremen could sneak an away goal, it might be another goal feast.
The one remaining tie for me sees the weakest two teams left in the tournament. Rangers travel to Villareal on level terms after their 2-2 draw. Their first game was action-packed but the main discussion point revolved around the Diego Forlan goal. It perfectly summed up the madness currently surrounding the offside law with the Uruguayan clearly offside but coming back onside to finish the move for Villareal's second goal. The Spanish have proved better away from home and the Scots can go there with real hopes of springing a surprise. If they can keep Riquelme quiet, I think they have a chance.
It will be a fascinating couple of nights of the best football Europe has to offer and the prospect of a mouth-watering quarter final is within reach for every one of the final 16 teams. Our crown might be tilted slightly but we've come too far to let it fall without a good fight. |
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