UEFA Champions League 2010 Matchday 6: Previewing 3 Crucial Ties
"Die Meister. Die Besten. Les Grandes Equipes. The Champions!''
Lyrics which will make many football fans shiver with nerves, which will stir up passion and create unrivalled anticipation.
In 1992, UEFA commissioned Tony Britten to adapt Georg Friedrich Handel's Zadok The Priest and create an anthem that was beautiful, powerful, sophisticated and symbolic. All qualities they wished the footballing world to associate with The Champions League.
Nearly 20 years on, Europe's premier club competition continues to entertain and fascinate nine-digit global television audiences with its mixture of drama, pomp and quality.
Although critics will point to its economic impact widening the gap between the rich and the poor and rightly point out that many participants are not and might never be true champions, it is hard to argue with many statistics suggesting that it is now a sporting phenomenon.
In fact, last year the final of the competition attracted more than 100 million viewers—more than the NFL's Super Bowl—to become the most popular single sporting event of the year.
During the long winter months, the event creates anticipation and excitement which provide a welcome distraction for many men, women and children weighed down by oppressive working weeks and financial stress.
Tuesdays and Wednesday can often feel like Saturdays and Sundays as clusters of friends, family and fans huddle around their new widescreen HD-ready TV or corner of the last table of the local pub to watch their beloved team clash against the powerhouses of European football.
And although some games are clearly and painfully one-sided, any competition which can produce magical moments such as Zinedine Zidanes stunning volleyed winner in the 2002 Final or Liverpool's remarkable comeback win against AC Milan, ''The Miracle of Istanbul'' must be special.
This season, the competition has provided wonderful entertainment. The last round of 16 matches, Matchday 5, produced 45 goals and notable games included Valencia smashing six past hapless Turkish side Bursaspor, Roma adging a five-goal thriller against Bayern Munich and Braga surprising free-scoring contenders Arsenal with a 2-0 victory.
In the following brief slideshow, I preview the three games which are perhaps the most interesting and decisive and highlight key facts and factors which might determine what impact they have on the remainder of the tournament.
Group A: Werder Bremen vs. Internazionale
1 of 3Date: Tuesday, 7 December, 2010
Kick-Off: 19:45 GMT (14:45 EST)
Significance
Bremen, most pundits' second favourites to win Group A behind their Italian opponents, will be hurting and playing purely for pride after managing just two consolatory draws to date.
Inter Milan will top the group if they win and rivals Tottenham Hotspur fail to beat FC Twente in Enschede. If the rumours circling the international footballing press are to be believed, there will be several top sides watching the performance of young German playmaker Marko Marin closely with a view to a big-money January transfer.
He said
Inter's coach Rafa Benitez on the importance of the match: ''How important is this game for us? I would say 10 out of 10 and that's the same for every player who will enter the pitch.''
Team News
Bremen
IN: Arnautovic, Jansen, Pizzarro, Silvestre
OUT: Borowski, Boenisch, Naldo, Vander
Inter
IN: Muntari
OUT: Cesar, Chivu, Coutinho, Lucio, Maicon, Milito, Obi, Stankovic, Sneijder
Odds(*:1): Inter 2.55; Bremen 3.10; Draw 3.40
Key Players
Inter: Samuel Eto'o
Bremen: Marko Marin
Prediction: Bremen 1-2 Inter
Group D: Barcelona vs. Rubin Kazan
2 of 3Date: Tuesday, 7 December
Kick-Off: 19:45 GMT (14:45 EST)
Significance
Rubin Kazan (third) must beat Barcelona again at Camp Nou, following last season's surprise 2-1 victory, and hope that Panathinaikos shock FC Kobenhavn in Denmark if the Russians are to progress to the knockout stages.
This result is not beyond the realms of reality, especially in light of the Russians' rise through the echelons of European football and their defensive strength, and Barcelona's disruptive weekend La Liga travels. In three previous fixtures, Barcelona have failed to beat the Russians.
He said
Rubin goalkeeper Sergei Ryzhikov on the tie: "I think they have a grudge against us and will try to do everything to take Rubin down a peg".
Team News
Barcelona
IN: Adriano, Alcantara, Mascherano, Pinto
OUT: Alves, Keita, Milito, Rodriguez, Villa, Xavi
Rubin
IN: Eduardo, Kaleshin, Salvatore
OUT: Natcho, Sharanov
Odds (*:1) :Barcelona 1.45; Rubin 8.17; Draw 4.70
Key Players
Barcelona: Leo Messi
Rubin: Christian Noboa
Prediction: Barcelona 3-0 Rubin Kazan
Group H: Arsenal vs. Partizan Belgrade
3 of 3Date: Wednesday, 8 December
Kick-Off: 19:45 GMT (14:45 EST)
Significance
Arsenal, despite having scored five more goals than any other team in their group, must win to assure progression past the group stage. Partizan, losers in all five group encounters, must hope that Arsenal have an off day and do not reproduce the form which saw them spank 11 goals past Sporting Braga and Shakthar Donetsk in their home matches.
If Arsenal win, they will complete a quarter of Premier League teams in the last 16 of the competition.
He said
Bacary Sagna on the imminent fixtures faces league leaders Arsenal: “We are doing quite well at the moment and we have to keep looking forward because some big games are coming and we want to win them.”
Team News
Arsenal
IN: Djourou, Gibbs, Wilshere
OUT: Almunia, Diaby, Fabregas, Koscielny, Van Persie, Vermaelen, Walcott
Partizan
IN: None
OUT: None
Odds (*:1): Arsenal 1.11; Partizan 31.15; Draw 12.35
Key Players
Arsenal: Samir Nasri
Partizan: Radoslav Petrovic
Prediction: Arsenal 3-1 Partizan
