BBC - 606 - - A33467664 - Man Utd can eye up Euro final place

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Man Utd can eye up Euro final place

European Football

by Phil McNulty - BBC Sport (U1816352) 14 March 2008

It was always asking too much for all four English super-powers to be kept apart in the draw for the Champions Leaque quarter-finals.

And so it proved as Arsenal were paired with Liverpool in what will be two games to relish at Emirates Stadium and Anfield.

But what remains is the very real prospect of three Premier League sides reaching the last four of Europe's elite competition for the second year in succession.

While the meeting between Arsenal and Liverpool is almost too close to call, Manchester United and Chelsea must be confident of progress from their games against AS Roma and Fenerbahce respectively.

Arsenal and Liverpool will feel the draw amounts to scant reward for ousting Italian giants AC and Inter Milan in the last 16.

Fenerbahce and Schalke O4 would arguably have been their opponents of choice - not the time-honoured "Battle Of Britain".

It will be a meeting of minds as well as teams, with Arsene Wenger and Rafael Benitez two of Europe's shrewdest tactical operators with pedigree in the tournament.

And the stakes will be even higher with the teams facing each other in a crucial league clash sandwiched in between the European meetings.

Arsenal's European style is traditionally more expansive than Liverpool's, but Benitez has one of the world's most potent strikers at his disposal in Fernando Torres.

He has added an extra dimension to the Liverpool side that lost last year's final to AC Milan, and once Benitez navigates his side into the knockout stages, they will feel confident of beating anyone.

Arsenal have also grown since they lost to Barcelona in the 2006 final. They proved their maturity with their approach against AC Milan.

They went to the San Siro for the second leg as underdogs after a goalless first game, but calmly went about the job of getting the away goal they needed and produced one of the great performances by an English club on foreign soil.

Liverpool were equally impressive against Inter, and have a self-belief that appears impregnable in Europe. Benitez has mastered the art of ensuring his team arrive in the later stages with gathering momentum.

Manchester United come up against familiar foes in Roma - and must be wary after the Italians beat Real Madrid home and away in the last round.

They have improved since their 7-1 thrashing against United in last season's quarter-finals, but Sir Alex Ferguson's side beat them at Old Trafford in the group phase this year and a young team earned a creditable draw in Rome in December.

United have a real sense of destiny in the Champions League this season, with their eyes on reclaiming the trophy 50 years on from the Munich air disaster.

They will be firm favourites and should progress to a likely semi-final meeting with Barcelona. Ferguson will feel the route to their first final since 1999 has opened up invitingly for his team.

Chelsea will have the notoriously hostile trip to Turkey for a reunion with former striker Mateja Kezman and Fenerbahce in the last eight - again one of the more favourable draws.

The Turks are talented and will be formidable on their own turf, but the smart money must be on Chelsea advancing to another semi-final.

If Liverpool beat Arsenal, this opens up the prospect of another meeting between the Merseysiders and Chelsea in the last four. Liverpool won in 2005 and 2007 - would Chelsea fear an Anfield curse or would it be third time lucky for the Londoners?

Who do you think will progress from the English contingent? Send us your thoughts.

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comment by tycoon0_0 (U11273991)

posted Mar 20, 2008

United don't have the bottle? ridiculous assumption. For anyone who watched their league game against Bolton last night, will have noticed have the breezed to victory while maintaining the mentality of a training ground session. Even thought their entire back 5 (after Vidic was subbed) was not the usual Van der Sar - Evra - Vidic - Ferdinand - Brown. they still controlled Bolton and rarely had too much to worry about. And that is why they can over come any team right now, they have so much in reserve, with fringe players such as Fletcher and O'Shea really picking up the pace, that Sir Alex is actually having a real trouble picking his team. Right now, every United player is on fire and if they can maintain this form and consistency the champions league final beckons.

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comment by ditonocomment (U8681346)

posted Mar 20, 2008

I think MAN UTD r in strong way ahs they got good playrs and all in a good form, if the thing going in this way, they can win even CL and PL, as i can see that they seems to b the more interested to win it.
Go MAN UTD go.
I beleave this year is our for both trophies

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comment by Klonezinho (U7014750)

posted Mar 20, 2008

Man Utd can't under estimate Roma , Ive seen some of their games and they look a much better side than last year. Man Utd wil progress though and we will face Barcelona in the semi final , and might win 2 - 1 on aggregate! :D

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comment by manchester-divided (U10952847)

posted Mar 20, 2008

Quarter-finals:

Arsenal will win their home leg but Liverpool will grab an away goal. Liverpool will then win he 2nd leg convincingly and advance.

Chelsea will draw the 1st leg against the Turks 0-0 befor winning their home leg 2-0.

Barcalona and Schalke 04 will go to extra time, with the spaniards just edging it.

Man. Utd will reach the semi's by getting a score draw at home before beating Roma at Old Trafford.

Semi's:

Chelsea will beat Liverpool 1-0 in both legs.

Barcalona and Man. Utd will finish with an aggregate score of 3-3, with Barcalona advancing on away goals.

Final

Chelsea 1 - 2 Barcalona, with all the goals coming in the 2nd half.

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comment by RossNFFC (U7326526)

posted Mar 23, 2008

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comment by DPanna (U4000762)

posted Mar 23, 2008

The champions league becomes more boring every season. Same old teams year after year. Was much better when only the champions got into the old European Cup.

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comment by Ingerlund08 (U11298710)

posted Mar 24, 2008

happymattbloke you're such a WUM it's unbelieveable. Please show some sign of intellect, or failing that, at least some humility rather than being all sour grapes because arsenal's title challenge is fading.

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comment by singhdeol (U11061190)

posted Mar 28, 2008

AS Roma and Fenerbache are new to the quaterfinals. I think Arsenal, Barca and Chelsea will succeed. There is a real possibility that Roma could beat Man Utd. That match-up could go either way.

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comment by tigercity (U2124309)

posted Mar 31, 2008

My forecasts: (scores after 2 legs)

Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal (Liv on pens)
Fenerbache 2-1 Chelsea
Barcelona 4-1 Schalke
Man Und 3-2 Roma

Of course I won't be putting money on it if the FA cup is anything to go by!

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comment by honestchelsea4eva (U11390244)

posted Mar 31, 2008

Chelsea are not the same as they were.They don't really seem THE CHELSEA anymore.But i think they have enough firepower to capture europe's most covented trophy.And i stongly get the feeling that this time its their turn to win the CL.

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