UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal: Key Battles of Manchester United vs. Chelsea

Manchester United vs Chelsea Champions League 2011:
First Leg: 06 April 2011 – Stamford Bridge
2nd Leg: 12 April 2011 – Old Trafford

As a English Premier League fan, the assurance of having at least one, hopefully two representatives in the Champions League semi-final is an exciting boost for the EPL.  As a Manchester United fan, I hope United can reopen the same wounds left in 2008, when United pipped Chelsea to Europe's ultimate honor, in a penalty shoot-out in Russia.

Manchester United, and Chelsea are two of the greatest current EPL teams.  If the EPL as a whole wasn't as strong as it was, than it would basically be the La Liga.  Thankfully though, the constant challenge from Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as the potentially dangerous Tottenham and Manchester City, make the EPL Title, and the four Champion League spots, highly contestable, and profitable until the end of the season. 

The clash of the English giants is one of the more entertaining fixtures in the EPL, but will also be one of the more exciting matches in the Champions League quarter final draw.

Each team will be fighting for supremacy in Europe, just like they have been fighting so in their domestic league. 

Prediction

Since the first leg is at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea will want to secure a favorable result at home, as a result is less likely to happen at Old Trafford.  Although Chelsea is a strong side, Stamford Bridge is not the fortress it once was.  I predict that the first leg will be a draw, 1-1, since United's experience in Europe and return of key players will be able to hold Chelsea off at the Bridge.  When Chelsea travels to Old Trafford, I think United will put the game away.  I believe a 2-0 result at Old Trafford will see United through 3-1 on aggregate, where either Inter Milan, or Schalke will be waiting.

Think otherwise on my prediction or verdict for key battles? Let me know.

Fernando Torres has so far failed to justify his hefty €50 million fee Roman Abramovich agreed to pay for him in the January transfer window.  As supportive as Carlo Ancelotti has been regarding Torres' contributions in the form of darting runs, and creating space; the owner would rather have Torres doing what he paid him for. Scoring buckets of goals.

Althugh in Fernando Torres' new jersey he has failed to score a goal, a certain Serbian defender will not let that statistic change his marking style on Torres.

In the past three seasons, Nemanja Vidic has been sent of four times while playing against the Spanish Torres.  In the recent Premierl League meeting between Chelsea and Manchester United a match that saw Chelsea win 2-1, Vidic again opted for an early shower. 

It is safe to say that Fernando Torres has always been a constant thorn in Nemanja Vidic's side.  Although Torres is strugling to regain his top form, Vidic is struggling to regain his fitness.  Having to face an opponent like Fernando Torres after returning from injury, isn't likely to delight Vidic.

Verdict

Given Fernando Torres' terrible form, the trend of Nemanja Vidic seeing red will likely be the only way Torres can threaten Manchester United's back line.  If Vidic can refrain from receiving his marching orders, a result in United's favor seems even more likely.

Both Frank Lampard and Darren Fletcher have shone in recent clashes between the two perennial title contenders. With Chelsea likely to operate with a three-man midfield, the battle for supremacy in the middle of the park will be vital to the outcome of the match.

Lampard still seems to be looking for his best form after a long injury lay-off and would love to truly get his season up and running in this encounter.

Meanwhile Fletcher has been a prominent member of the Manchester United midfield in the league this season and continues to impress for the Red Devils.  Fletcher has been a tireless servant for United, often getting stuck in when he needs to, and also doing his part in creating attacking opportunities.

Verdict

Although Frank Lampard has been struggling to regain his form and fitness, class is permanent.  I expect Lampard, as one of the senior members of the squad, to come up big against United.  Fletcher will surely cause Lampard some problems, and make the midfield battle anything but a cake walk, but in the end I see Lampard having a slight edge over Fletcher.

Ashley Cole has been one of the best left backs in the Premier League, second only to Patrice Evra.  Cole adds width to Chelsea's attack, and has the ability to serve dangerous crosses into the box.  Ashley Cole is strong, fast, and has good field awareness. 

If any defender has the ability to slow down Nani, Cole certainly does.  However, to avoid a reckless foul, Ashley Cole will have to make sure he doesn't dive in at the Portuguese winger.  Cole's attacking instincts could also resort Nani to playing defense, especially given the uncertainty as to who will be deputizing the right-back slot with John O'Shea, and Rafael out of the first leg due to injury.

Nani has been in superb form this term, and appears to have improved his all-round game immensely.
He has scored 9 goals and set up 16 this season in all competitions and has a league efficiently ratio of a goal or assist every 92.86 minutes.

His pace, trickery and delivery have been a nightmare for defenders, and his stats are testament to his tremendous creativity.  His uncertainty, and the unpredictability that surrounds him on the pitch, often gives defenders little chance to read his next step.

Verdict

With the form Nani has been in, its simply too hard for any defender to slow down Nani.  Of course unless your name is Jamie Carragher, and kicking an opponent twice in the leg only still allows you to stay on the field.

These two midfield generals have known about each other for a while, as this picture depicts the battle going back to 2004.  Michael Essien may now be wearing a different teams jersey, but Paul Scholes will have played enough matches against Essien to be familiar with the Ghanaiana midfeilder.  Both players are capable of playing up field, or sitting in the pocket and spreading the attack, and both players are crucial aspects of their teams formation, and style of play.

At Paul Scholes' age, most people need glasses to read text right in front of them.  All the while Scholes is still pinging 40 yard balls side-to-side.  Scholes' powerful presence and inherent leadership qualities make him one of the most respected players currently playing.

 Even at 36 years of age, Sir Alex is still trying to tie down his veteran fledgling to an extended one year contract.  Scholes may need rest throughout the season, and might not be as resilient as he once was, but the clash against Chelsea won't be a game Sir Alex is willing to rest his midfield gem, or bench his valuable experience.

Although eight years his junior, Essien has certainly been around for a while and has arguably been Chelsea's most consistent performer since moving form Lyon in 2005. He is a real driving force in the middle with his tough tackling, powerful runs and incredible shooting.  Essien is considered a linchpin in Chelsea's midfield, much like Paul Scholes.

Verdict

This is one of the key battles that is a total tossup, and one I look most forward to watching develop.  Both players are capable of playing up field, or sitting in the pocket and spreading the attack.   

This hotly contested battle between the two Englishman will be one of the key battles on the feild.  Wayne Rooney and John Terry are old friends, but also very familiar rivals in the Premier League.  Both stars embody the culture of their club, and are viewed as leaders on the pitch.

For Chelsea to edge Manchester United, a fully functional John Terry is crucial.  The newly re-instated England stalwart will have to count on his defensive skill and experience in shutting down some of the most talented players in the world. 

Wayne Rooney has an immense amount of raw power, and the ability to make something out of nothing. That being said, Terry will likely employ a deep defensive line to cater to the pace and power of United's attack.

Despite Rooney's appetite for the game, Rooney has been less than prolific against Chelsea.  Netting two goals in their 19 meetings is a testament to the trouble John Terry can cause Rooney. 

However, Rooney's recent deeper role will allow him to create space, which will hopefully open up gaps for Javier Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov, or Nani to exploit.

The pressure will be on both of these players.  Wayne Rooney is carrying United's banner, whereas John Terry is Chelsea's captain fantastic.  This key battle is truly important for both teams, as both key players have the ability to change a match.

Verdict:  Wayne Rooney's hunger will prove too much for John Terry to deal with this time around.  In their last meeting, David Luiz was the one who handled Wayne Rooney, and was rather successful at it.  Without Luiz this match, John Terry will be fully tested in dealing with the engine that is Wayne Rooney.