Champions League Semifinals (First Leg): Tactically Speaking

A manager's role in the success of any team can never be undermined. True that football is about eleven men against eleven but it usually takes a master mind to harness the skills and convert potential into results.

This week's Champions league matches bore testimony to this fact. Four Great managers had the onus thrown upon them to seize early advantage in the Semifinals of the most prestigious club competition. This article attempts to analyse their and their team's performance.

1. CHELSEA vs LIVERPOOL, Anfield:

RAFA BENITEZ:  When it comes to champions league football it can hardly be argued who the "master tactician" is. In his span with Liverpool he has virtually mastered the tactical game that is European Club Football. 

In this game he went with the familiar 4-4-1-1 formation where Kuyt and Babel take the flanks and Gerard goes forward to partner Torres as and when needed.

Tactically his plan worked out well. Mascherano and Alonso along with the back four almost kept Drogba and Lampard out of the game for the 90 minutes. Babel & Kuyt were brilliant, the latter coming up with the goal.

Questionable call: None. ( his one substitution which changed the game was forced upon him)

AVRAM GRANT:  In his first Champions league semi finals Avram didn't do much wrong. Although he didn't have a tactical masterpiece rolled up his sleeve.

As is the norms these days, in an away match, he started with a lone striker in a more conventional 4-5-1 lineup-hoping Ballack and Lampard would provide the creative spark and support Drogba upfront. Which did not happen.

Questionable call: Many Chelsea fans would question Avram's hesitancy in bringing on Anelka ten minutes before than he actually did though it was clear upfront things are not working.

VERDICT: In Avram vs Rafa, Rafa won the tactical battle Though Avram walked home happier.

2. MANCHESTER  UNITED vs BARCELONA:

FRANK RIJKAARD: Rijkaard was under lot of pressure for this match. He set Out an Interesting 4-1-4-1. With Toure sitting deep and Messi having the licence to roam about.

soon this changed to a more conventional 4-3-2-1, with Inesita and Messi pushed further upfront to partner Etoo. United were defending deep and with almost ten men behind the ball hence this formation was understandable.

Questionable call: With Barcelona not making the most of their chances it is little that Rijkaard could have done. Still one feels substitution of Messi when he actually didnt want to come off and a very late introduction of Henry can be decisions that can be questioned.

SIR ALEX FERGUSON: Manchester United have been one of those teams who are identified with playing a complete game. On Wednesday, however, their approach was very different.

Ferguson put out a team which on paper looked to be a 4-4-2 But turned into a 4-1-4-1, with Ronaldo upfront and Rooney and park on flanks and Tevez making up the numbers in the midfield.

At times it was 4-6-0 when Barcelona had the ball and that is something one never sees with united. They were content to sit behind and absorb every thing that Barcelona threw at them. They were not contesting the 50-50 balls and seemed reluctant to go forward in numbers.

Questionable call: Including park in the starting line up at the expense of Giggs and Nani.

If the plan was to defend and to hit them on the counter Anderson with his better defensive skills and pace would have been a better option that Scholes.

Playing Ronaldo upfront and Rooney on right wing.  

VERDICT: whether Sir Alex's Tactics of sitting back was right or wrong only time will tell. As for Frank vs Alex Ferguson tactical battle one feels sir Alex won it because he achieved what he came for and that was not to concede.