While most Fantasy managers have been arduously pulling apart the Premier League sides ahead of the double Gameweek, a hardened bunch of folks had keen eyes on the UEFA Champions League (UCL) and all that came with it. They weren’t disappointed…
Chelsea Oust the Champions
Tuesday night was why we’re all football fans. European Fantasy ramifications aside, the Nou Camp was an outdoor arena of some epic footballing theatre.
After just twelve minutes of the tie, Gary Cahill had to be substituted with injury, meaning Jose Bosingwa climbed off the bench to take his place at right-back, with Branislav Ivanovic moving into the heart of the Blues back-four. Advantage Barca, many would have thought.
Thirty-five minutes in and Isaac Cuenca set up Sergio Busquets to give the Spanish side the lead and, just a minute later, John Terry was sent off for after recklessly kneeing Alexis Sanchez in the back. Bosingwa than joined Ivanovic in the middle as Chelsea lined up in a 4-4-1, with Ramires now at right-back. Ten minutes later and Lionel Messi teed up Andres Iniesta to give the hosts an aggregate lead – Pep Guardiola’s side had one foot in the final.
Just before half-time, however, Ramires burst forward from the back and, without breaking stride, scored a sumptuous lob over Victor Valdes after a brilliant defence-splitting pass from Frank Lampard. All of a sudden it was advantage Chelsea.
With 45 minutes left to play, only ten men on the field and their hosts surging forward relentlessly in search of another goal, it’s fair to say the odds were still stacked against the visitors. Barca were handed the perfect opportunity to stretch their lead after Cesc Fabregas went down in the box only for Messi, of all people, to fluff his lines and hit the crossbar – scuppering the hopes of many European Fantasy managers who had handed him the captain’s armband.
The half rolled on and on, the Blues continued to stand firm with an incredible level of dogged determination. Then, to cap it all off, Fernando Torres only went and scored. With all of the outfield Barcelona players pressing the attacking third, a ball over the top found the Spaniard in acres of space to score the goal that put a ribbon on Chelsea’s trip to the final.
It goes without saying that it won’t be easy for the boys in Blue in the next game – four of their players are now suspended for the game against Bayern. John Terry won’t get to lead his men out in the final thanks to his recklessness. Added to that, Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles will all have to sit the fixture out as well, having reached the mandatory yellow card limit. The squad will be stretched before any injuries are taken into account.
Our brood of European Fantasy managers will likely have a whole lot of transfers to consider as great swathes of Barcelona options fall by the wayside and budgets begin to look a little kinder with no Lionel Messi needed any more.
Teams in the Premier League will even have to keep a close eye on if Chelsea pick up the trophy. Places in the Champions League are at stake depending on the result – a third place is now the only guarantee for the likes of Arsenal, Spurs and Newcastle. Our friends at the Premier League have a full run-down of the permutations right here.
Bayern Get The Home Advantage
Germans. Penalties. We all know the stories. Despite the fact that two of the four Germans taking spot-kicks last night missed their efforts, Bayern Munich still managed to join Chelsea in the Champions League final after 120 minutes of action and an exhaustive penalty shoot-out.
Much like on Tuesday evening in Barcelona, it all started so brilliantly for the home side. Cristiano Ronaldo had two goals inside a quarter of an hour but then, much like Chelsea, Bayern did anything but give up.
With a great level of gusto and more than enough willingness to attack, the German side responded before even a half hour was on the clock by scoring their own penalty. Arjen Robben slotted home against his former club after Pepe pushed Mario Gomez over in the box.
That goal made things all square for Bayern, with the tie now sitting at 3-3; at half time the visitors headed into the dressing room knowing that they were on a level playing field and putting up more than a fair contest.
As the game wore on, Munich got their legs while the Madrid team began to lose theirs; after-effects of the weekend’s Clasico with Barcelona clearly beginning to show. Full-time went and things were even, then after another 30 minutes of extra-time the game still couldn’t be decided. Penalties would ensue.
We’ve already spoiled the ending. Two Bayern players had penalties saved but Real Madrid faltered at the final furlong as Ronaldo, Kaka and Sergio Ramos all missed their chance in the spotlight for Mourinho’s men.
A final on home soil, at the Allianz Arena, now appears in the sight-lines for Jupp Heynckes’ men and, despite losing three men to suspension (Holger Badstuber, Luiz Gustavo and David Alaba) the Bavarian outfit will be on cloud nine heading into the final.
