The European Champions League
curtain is gradually drawing to a
close. In about a month and a
week’s time, we would have
known the champions of
Europe’s most prized club
football. Tongues are already
wagging and the four top teams
are also ready to entertain
tomorrow and next in semi final
first leg fixtures.
The encounters also show the
strength of the leagues in
Europe. The La liga of Spain
presents two big clubs, German
Bundesliga one and the English
Premiership in spite of its hype
having only one as well. But the
attraction is on the two Spanish
sides; Barcelona and Real Madrid
which at the moment boasts of
the two best footballers in the
world-Lionel Messi and Christiano
Ronaldo. Both are a delight to
watch any day and any time and
have been fierce rivals not only
in club football but globally. And
many are already predicting a
repeat of their El Classico rivalry
in the finals to be decided in
Germany May 19. But to see that
happen, both will have to
spearhead their teams to
overcome the tricky ties before
them in the semis. Messi will
have to help Barca past Chelsea
while Ronaldo must show
individual brilliance for Madrid to
overrun hard nuts like Bayern
Munich.
Both players are first class
performers capable of turning a
game any minute and the
world’s two best players took
responsibility for their side’s
victory over tough opponents to
cement crucial wins ahead of
their big clash at Camp Nou this
weekend.
Besides, they have both
surmounted the insurmountable
by jointly breaking records
believed would never be broken.
Telmo Zarra had a record of
scoring 38 league goals in the
Spanish league which stood
between 1951 and 1990 before
it was equaled by Hugo Sanchez.
That record remained for
another 21 years before the duo
of Messi and Ronaldo smashed it
on Saturday to confirm their
revered status as modern day
footballers. It is this talismanic
prowess that many are awaiting
to see in the Champions League’s
remaining journey.
A lot will no doubt depend on
this two in their club’s quest for
the trophy. Cristiano Ronaldo
and Messi both in the
2010/2011 season netted 53
goals in all competitions. The
Madrid kingpin grabbed more in
the La Liga and claimed the
Pichichi prize for his 40 goals.
Between 2009 and this season,
Ronaldo has netted 107 goals in
96 games while Messi from
2004/2005 to 2011/2012 has
160 goals from 209 games.
This awesome pedigree gives
these lethal men some edge over
others they are going to meet
mid week in the semis clashes.
No wonder experts already see a
Madrid, Barcelona Champions
League finals. Appreciating the
two in Spanish football, Barca
coach, Pep Guardiola, on Friday,
said: “Messi and Ronaldo dine
apart from the rest - we are
lucky to have them in La Liga.
But x-raying what may happen
this week in the Champions
League, Arsenal manager, Arsene
Wenger thinks the quality in
Madrid due to the presence of
Ronaldo gives it an edge over
Bayern. In clear terms, he is of
the opinion May 19 is likely the
day to see Madrid, Barca re-enact
their La liga rivalry in Europe’s
biggest club football final.
The Frenchman said: “On the
pitch, Real Madrid has an
advantage against Bayern due to
their technical and physical
strength. For me, it’s 60-40 in
favour for Madrid. Since the start
of the Champions League this
season, Real Madrid has been
more stable than other sides and
the most impressive in the
competition.”
On the clash between Barca and
Chelsea, Wenger stated that:
“Barcelona are favourites, it’s
65-35 but players like Didier
Drogba, Frank Lampard and John
Terry have extensive experience
in this competition so it may not
be so easy for Barcelona.”
Disagreeing with Wenger,
loquacious Argentine legend,
Diego Maradona believes
Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich
are better fancied to beat Jose
Mourinho’s men in the two
legged encounters.
“In the case of Bayern Munich,
the club is owned 9% by Adidas,
9% by Audi, and 82% by the
partners and shareholders.
Bayern Munich is a privately-held
shareholding company, where
the fans are the real bosses. For
this reason the team can only
spend as much as it makes, and
success comes on the field and
in marketing operations. This is
an example of a well-run,
democratic club which I
personally think will defeat Real
Madrid to reach the final of the
Champions League against
Barcelona.

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