Champions League Wednesday: Football’s Finest

By Dominic Vieira

Arsenal hosts the almighty Barcelona, CSKA Moscow play at the legendary San Siro. Embrace yourselves for Champions League Wednesday and football will be played at its best!

Arsenal vs Barcelona, 19:45 GMT, Emirates Stadium

This match is a clash of titans against two clubs which play in a league of their own; no team plays at their level. Tonight we can expect attacking, fluid and beautiful football played by both sides. And of course, the encounter guarantees goals. What more could a fan ask for? Barcelona will be the favourites as they are the cup holders and are capable of outclassing anyone, but it’s fair to state that the side have not performed at the same level as last year. However, they have won their past 5 games. Arsenal is clinical at home, they thrashed Porto 5-0 in the previous round and if Arsenal plays their football, they can outshine the Catalans. It’s 50-50 chance for both sides.

Arsenal are hoping that their captain and former Barcelona boy, Cesc Fabregas, will manage to shake off a minor leg and knee injury he received against Birmingham on the weekend. Wenger stated that there is a 40% chance that the Spaniard will play and Arsenal without Cesc is not the same team. Allowing Barcelona to control the midfield easily could become an issue. Wenger is also worrying over Diaby’s fitness, who has been an essential player this season. The other players who are sidelined are Van Persie, Ramsey, Djourou and Gibbs.

Barcelona is without one of their key players, Andres Iniesta. Similar to Cesc, Iniesta is a key pillar in the Barcelona squad and Keita will have to fill his shoes. But Barcelona are a tactical side, any player can replace another and not have a huge effect. But Iniesta’s vision, class, and talent are irreplaceable. Chygrynsky is ineligible for the encounter, and Pique and Abidal need check-ups before the kick-off. As Abidal is not expected to play, Puyol will be shifted to the left back position. Tonight we will see the return of Thierry Henry at his old home, but wearing a different strip.

Arsenal (4-3-3): Almunia; Sagna, Vermaelen, Campbell, Clichy; Song, Fabregas©, Diaby; Nasri, Bendtner, Arshavin

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes; Alves, Pique, Milito, Puyol ©; Busquets, Xavi, Keita; Messi, Ibrahimovic, Henry

Prediction: Arsenal 1 - 3 Barcelona, I can’t see Arsenal’s defence coping with the world class Barcelona trio. Messi will give Clichy a nightmare and Zlatan will easily outpace Sol Campbell who is not the same player anymore. When Barcelona get their engines going they are unstoppable and I can’t see them being beaten. Arsenal will need to play at their best, close down Brceloona and not give them the freedom and confidence on the ball. The counter attacks could win this game. A game which can’t be missed!

Inter Milan vs CSKA Moscow, 19:45 GMT, San Siro

Inter Milan’s main objective is to win the Champions League, not the Serie A. José Mourinho has an amazing home record and is not planning to lose. They are going to field their strongest team, play tactical and aggressive approach. CSKA Moscow is sailing in unknown waters, they’ve never played in a Champions League quarter-final before. They have the capability to surprise Inter tonight if they are not respected and marked. Inter are a powerful side at home and are clear favourites tonight, after knocking Chelsea out of the previous round, CKSA could be their next victims.

Balotelli, as expected, will not play tonight. The talented powerful forward has not appeared in the past 5 games due to disciplinary issues and Mourinho does not seem to need him. Commanding centre back Lucio will have to miss this one and so will Thiago Motta, both due to suspension. The only injured player in the Inter squad is the young Santon. Inter Milan may be missing two key players but they have plenty of options, their style of football will not change and fans can expect a tactical team, which play an efficient, clinical and simple game.

CSKA have their full squad available and they’re all in a superb condition. Inter Milan will find it hard to pass their strong defence and scoring against Akinfeev is never an easy challenge. But the team’s real strength is up front; Necid, Honda, Krasic and Dzagoev are some of the side’s creative and talented men, they are posses the ability to run riot in Milan. The team will want to continue writing down history and throw everything that they’ve got to score a goal.

Inter Milan (4-4-2 Diamond): Julio Cesar, Maicon, Samuel, Chivu, Zanetti ©; Cambiasso, Stankovic, Sneijder, Pandev; Milito, Eto'o

CSKA Moscow (4-2-3-1): Akinfeev ©; A. Berezutsky, V. Berezutsky, Ignashevich, Schennikov; Semberas, Aldonin; Krasic, Honda, Gonzalez; Necid

Prediction: Inter 2 - 1 CSKA, it should be a comfortable victory for the home side but football results are never that simple. Inter’s form has been disappointing over the past games and the team have been unable to find their momentum, José Mourinho will need to get his tactics right on the night. Having said that, Inter Milan has the quality and brilliance to knock out CSKA with ease. But, don’t underestimate the Russian team. Another cracking match!

What are your thoughts on tonight’s matches?