Some routes were more precarious than others but all four Premier League sides found their way through the Champions League Quarter Finals. From a fantasy manager’s perspective, it’s not great news, with rotation remaining on the agenda for the season run-in. Our attempts at mind-reading Rafa, Wenger, Ferguson and Hiddink will need to continue, so lets start now with my notes from this week’s triumphs…
Ferguson’s lineup against Inter was reassuringly predictable with Ferdinand and O’Shea shaking off injuries to start. The experience of Scholes and Giggs were utilised in midfield and it’s these two that look most under threat for Saturday’s game with Liverpool. Both look likely to step down to the bench, with Park set to replace Giggs on the wing and Anderson or Fletcher most likely to come into the centre of midfield alongside Carrick. Berbatov and Rooney will be expected to start once again and O’Shea should keep his spot at right-back, with Neville and Brown still struggling for fitness.
Wenger went with a 4-5-1 against Roma, with Bendtner employed wide right and Van Persie ploughing a lone furrow up front. The Gunners will rotate things for the visit of Big Sam’s Blackburn, with Song a likely starter in midfield, while Arshavin looks set to get the nod, given that he was ineligible for the Roma win. Walcott will also come into the picture, with Eboue and Diaby looking must under threat.
After 120 minutes in Rome, Van Persie’s starting role could also be in jeopardy with an Arshavin/Bendtner or Arshavin/Eduardo front pairing a strong possibility. Van Persie has been rested for the two previous games however, and with the FA Cup tie with Hull on Thursday, Wenger may leave him out of that and start the Dutchman at the weekend. It looks a close run thing run and it might come down to us decoding Wenger’s press conferences in the next 24 hours for clues.
Hiddink’s selection against Juventus was intriguing, with Essien recalled to the starting lineup as part of a four-man midfield. That meant two up front with Drogba and Anelka paired. With Mikel protecting the back four, Anelka often drifted out wide left to fill the gap. For prolonged periods the frontmen were isolated which makes it doubtful that we’ll see the system for the home game with City this weekend. Hiddink shifted to 4-5-1 late on, with Belletti replacing a tired Essien. This brought the second goal and it seems likely that we’ll see a return to 4-3-3/4-5-1 against City.
That would give Hiddink several selection posers, with Essien proving he is close to completing 90 minutes, a straight swap with Mikel looks the only viable option in a 4-3-3. At the back meanwhile, Carvalho is now sitting impatiently on the bench, watching Alex cement his place alongside Terry. How long will Hiddink keep him waiting? Again, this is a tough call which threatens the fantasy potential of both players.
Elsewhere, Quaresma, Maloudo and Kalou have hardly convinced in the wide roles but should Hiddink shift back to 4-3-3 he would appear to have little option but turn to one of them to come into the lineup. There’s certainly a few uncertainties to be resolved going into the City game then.
At least Drogba is offering Hiddink and us fantasy managers some consistency. He scored his fourth goal in five games and was robbed another by a bad call by the officials. Indeed, Drogba’s participation at direct free kicks is worth noting – it seems likely that he’ll threaten potential Lampard returns from set-plays over the run-in.
Finally, Liverpool’s performance was undoubtedly the most eye-catching of our four sides. The demolition of Real Madrid came from nowhere in many ways, given Liverpool’s struggle to put sides to bed so often on Premier League weekends. Rafa’s side were ruthless against Madrid however and the return of Torres was clearly a factor in that.
The striker came into the side after returning from an ankle injury and this saw Gerrard, also fit once again, playing just behind him in the familiar Benitez 4-2-3-1. Alonso and Mascherano took the holding roles, with Babel and Kuyt either side of the advanced Gerrard. Aurellio was the chosen candidate for the rotating left-back spot, while Arbeloa made a welcome return to the right-back role.
It’s unlikely that we’ll see many changes for Saturday’s almighty clash with United. Riera could be drafted back in on the left after being suspended for Tuesday’s game. The left-back role could be rotated again, with Dosenna and Insua options for Rafa. The Torres/Gerrard combination looks a certainty though and while they will have a tough task breaking down the United rearguard at the weekend, in the long-term, the pair look likely to end the season with a flourish of goals and assists as they did last season.