Champions League Final: An All-German Grudge ?

As we head towards couple of German-Spanish club semi finals where Bayern Munich (Last year’s finalist), which recently mantled a 23rd German title face favorites Barcelona and recently forced out Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund take on Real Madrid, the first leg matches to be played on April 23 and 24, with the return games on April 30 and May 1, Lets carve out some time to explore the prospect of an all-German European Champions League final next month on May 25 at Wembley stadium in London .

Some facts to start with:

*The four semi finalists feature a total of 18 titles between them.

* Both Barcelona and Real Madrid are allotted the home second leg (generally considered advantageous)

*Barcelona is seeking a third title in five years and Bayern their successive final.

* Borussia Dortmund track for their first European Championship since 1997.

 

Barcelona’s hard-fought quarter-final victory over Paris Saint Germain showed just how dependent they are on world footballer of the year Messi whilst Bayern’s every player on the roll, looks like is out to prove something every time he steps onto the pitch. German side Bayern Munich’s last year final appearance experience and desire to grab the slipped silverware makes them a top prospect for the finals. If they are to reach their third final in four years, Bayern will have to do so without the services of leading scorer Mandzukic, who is suspended for the first leg.

Real Madrid the other Spanish opponent is doubtful to enjoy the thought of another trip to Dortmund in this season’s champion’s league. In the group stages German side topped the group demolishing Real 2-1 and later earned a 2-2 draw in Madrid. Real Madrid’s 3-2 away loss to Galatasary in the quarters is enough to set the alarm bells ringing. Not to forget Borussia Dortmund happen to be the only unbeaten side left in the competition.Real Madrid will need some all round performance from its squad apart from their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo to dispatch biter memory of last year’s semi final loss to yet another German side Bayern and get hold of European champion crown after almost a decade.

An all German final would certainly point to a shift as to the top league in Europe dethroning Spain and England which has held the title for best leagues and teams. The mouth-watering prospect of a Bundesliga clash at Wembley keeps its hope high and lives on. Regardless of the final fixture, these are two tempting matches and will certainly, provide for absolute entertainment and offer exciting football.

Champions League 2013 ◆ Semi Final | Promo

Related articles

• Champions League glory (footballfriendsonline.com)
• Champions League Semifinal Draw: Bayern vs. Barca, Dortmund vs. Real Madrid (bleacherreport.com)
• Clasico finals victory against Madrid on Fabregas’s mind (spyghana.com)
• http://www.sportskeeda.com/2013/04/21/champions-league-final-an-all-german-grudge-match/

2012 FA Cup Final Preview:Wembley Awaits Chelsea Vs Liverpool

 

Year 2012 FA cup final in may will see two teams that had quite miserable Premier League campaigns this season. Both teams (Liverpool and Chelsea) will both look to end their seasons on highs with the FA Cup final being a trophy that both clubs can fall back on and depict the season as ‘worthwhile’. Both clubs overcame city rivals. Liverpool edged Everton on a late header from Andy Carroll, while Chelsea ruined Tottenham’s hopes of getting to the final, by a scoreline of 1-5

For Liverpool it will be their 2nd visit to Wembley for a Cup final after their Carling Cup success in February this year. The bright side for them is Andy Carroll who has now scored 2 goals in as many games which have both earned Liverpool wins over Blackburn Rovers and Everton. A final against Chelsea will be a memorable one for Liverpool and gives them a great opportunity to win their 8th ever FA Cup.

For Chelsea it was a ghost goal which helped them to set up a final FA Cup clash with Liverpool.For blues it is likely to be their best opportunity at silverware this season as Barcelona await in the champions league semi-finals and it’s hard to see them progressing any further.The records do read very well for Chelsea, having appeared in 3 of the last 5 FA Cup finals and winning all 3 of them. They’ve recovered extremely well under their new coach and the FA Cup would be fitting send off for di Matteo’s work at the club in his short stay as he looks unlikely to be handed the job full time unless he can bring home the desperately craved Champions League trophy.

Related articles

• Phil Dowd to referee FA Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea (guardian.co.uk)
• Carroll sends Liverpool into FA Cup final (theglobeandmail.com)