Champions League: 5 Predictions for the 2nd Leg of the Semifinals

The second leg of the Champions League Semifinals is upon us.

Chelsea vs Barcelona and Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid. 

The winners of these matches will meet in Munich. 

Here are five predictions for the second leg of the UCL Semifinals.

Please do not hesitate to comment with your opinion in the space provided below.

Messi Wil Redeem Himself

After a two disappointing losses to Chelsea then Real Madrid, Barcelona's spirits must not be flying too high today. The usually phenomenal Messi proved that he too was human and was capable of having a bad day. Their defense flustered against Drogba and the attacking crew of Madrid. 

Yet despite all this, Barcelona will again prevail.

Chelsea lead the Spanish giants 1-0 on aggregate. If these were any other teams, it would be anyone's game. 

These are not any old teams.

I believe that Messi will redeem himself and score the only goal of regular time. 

Only goal of regular time...

Barcelona Will Win in Extra Time

Barcelona-Chelsea will be a very low-scoring series. With only one goal scored in the first game, I do not suspect the second to be much different. 

What I do suspect is that Messi will score during regular time, forcing it into extra time. And in extra time, Barcelona will win it. 

In the first leg, Chelsea got extremely lucky. While Drogba must have found some kind of fountain of youth and played like he did in his prime, he got lucky. Statistically, Barcelona is the better team. If they don't succeed in knocking Chelsea out, it will be a huge upset.

I love upsets.

Final Game Prediction: 2-0 Barcelona

Chelsea Goal Scorers: N/A

Barcelona Goal Scorers: Messi and Xavi

Real Madrid Will Strike First Against Bayern Munich

After Saturday's winning performance against rivals Barcelona, Madrid will have not only received a confidence boost from the victory, but will surely be hungry for more. 

Their 2-1 loss at Allianz Arena have put them at a disadvantage going into the second leg of the Champions League Semifinals, but a one goal differential is not difficult to overcome for the attacking oriented Blancos. 

Sami Khedira netted a goal in the 17th minute against Barcelona. Mesut Ozil put away their first just eight minutes after the half against the Bavarians. If they can draw first blood against Munich this Wednesday, they will have a much easier time.

Yet They Won't Be Able to Hold onto Their Lead

Bayern Munich's front man, Mario Gomez, has scored 12 goals in the Champions League, second only to Messi. He was the one who spoiled Real Madrid's comeback last Tuesday by scoring in the 89th minute. He has been one of the keys to Bayern Munich UCL success.

While he scored just once during the first leg, he had several opportunities, where he sent the ball directly at Casillas, or he shot it over the crossbar. If he can hit his target on the better part of his shots, he will clinch a spot in the Champions League Finals for him and his team.

Yet it is not only him that Real have to worry about. Bayern Munich's midfield is packed with experienced players. If any one of these players get the ball in a scoring position, its bye-bye for Madrid.

Final Game Prediction: 2-1

Goal Scorers for Madrid: Karim Benzema 

Goal Scorers for Munich: Mario Gomez (2) 

The Cooler Heads Will Prevail

Keep a cool head.

Frustration is just as big an enemy as the opposing keeper. If a team can keep calm and play good football, it has the best chance of winning. If a team starts to miss shots and gets frustrated, its game over. 

It is a simple concept that many players have yet to master.

All four of these teams are so equally matched that the slightest change in formation could result in a loss.