UEFA Champions League: Bold Predictions for the Semifinals

We knew the winners of the quarterfinals since the end of the first leg, but we had to wait a week to make it official.

Barcelona vs. Real Madrid and Manchester United vs. Schalke 04 will be the final two match-ups in the quest for the UEFA Champions League cup.

Schalke and Madrid will host the first legs in two weeks, while Barcelona and Manchester will be the home teams one week later.

What can we expect of the UCL semifinals? Let’s make a few bold predictions.

1. Schalke’s Run Ends Here

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MILAN, ITALY - APRIL 05: Joel Matip (C) of Schalke 04 celebrates with his team mates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final match between FC Internazionale Milano and Schalke 04 at San Siro Stadium on April 5, 2011 in Milan,

Schalke 04 has been the dark horse of the tournament, reaching the semifinals in an impressive way despite a mediocre season in the Bundesliga, where they are currently 9th of 18 teams.

It has been a nice Cinderella story, especially with the involvement of former Real Madrid star Raúl González, but that won’t last.

The German side won a group with no powerhouses (Olympique Lyon, Benfica and Hapoel Tel Aviv), then eliminated Valencia, a solid but not top team.

It was definitely a surprise to see Schalke trashing defending champions Inter Milan at San Siro, but let’s face it, the nerazzurri team is just a shadow of the squad that won the UCL last season.

Man U will be their first big opponent in this Champions League and they don’t have enough to beat the English side.

2. Chicharito Hernández Will Score Again

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 12: Javier Hernandez of Manchester United celebrates scoring the opening goal with team mate Ryan Giggs (L) during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford

Javier Hernández is probably the best signing of this season. He arrived to Manchester for a low sum and has become a starter despite the great numbers Dimitar Berbatov had posted.

Chicharito’s goals have been a key factor for the Red Devils in this Champions League.

The Mexican striker scored the only goal in their victory at Valencia in the group phase. He also scored the only two goals in the Round of 16 against Olympique Marseille and then added one in the quarterfinals against Chelsea.

He will be a factor again in the series against Schalke 04.

3. Manchester United Will Win Both Legs

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 12: Ji-Sung Park of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal with team mates Wayne Rooney (R) and Javier Hernandez (L) during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Manchester Unite

With seven victories and three draws, Man U is one of the two only teams that remain undefeated in this Champions League (the other is Real Madrid).

They will keep that streak by winning both matches against Schalke 04.

Man U’s style is not always pretty, but it is very effective, as proved against Chelsea in the quarterfinals.

The Germans have no chance in this series.

4. Real Madrid Will Be Playing Their Last Card

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LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: Manager Jose Mourinho congratulates Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid as he leaves the pitch during the UEFA Champions League quarter final second leg match between Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid at White Hart Lane on April 1

Los Merengues are still fighting to win the treble this season (League, Cup and Champions League), but they will arrive to the semifinals knowing the European competition is their last chance to get a title in 2010-11.

Although mathematically Real Madrid still has a chance in La Liga, the truth is that it’s over. Barcelona has a big advantage in the standings (8 points plus the 5-0 victory in the first half of the season) and a very easy schedule.

Even if Jose Mourinho’s men win the derby in the league this Saturday, Pep Guardiola and company won’t struggle to get their third crown in a row.

Just four days after their clash in La Liga, Madrid and Barça will face each other in the Final of the Copa del Rey.

Yes, I’m predicting Barcelona will win the Cup too.

5. Kaká Will Be a Factor in the Second Leg

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MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 05: Kaka of Real Madrid looks on during the UEFA Champions League quarter final first leg match between Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 5, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty

Although Barcelona seems clearly favorite to reach the Final, Real Madrid still have an ace up their sleeves: Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite.

Yes, I’m talking about Kaká.

The Brazilian midfielder has barely counted for Jose Mourinho this season due to his injuries and the great performances by Mezut Ozil and Angel Di María.

However, Ozil and Di María are not enough complement for Cristiano Ronaldo in the clash with Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta.

Kaká has already gotten more minutes in the past weeks and we can be sure Mourinho will use him as his last resource against the best team of the world.

6. Barcelona Will Win Anyway

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DONETSK, UKRAINE - APRIL 12: Lionel Messi of Barcelona is congratulated on scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 2nd Leg match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Barcelona at the Donbass Arena on April 12, 2011 in Donetsk, Ukr

Let’s be honest: right now there is not even a discussion, Barcelona is clearly stronger than Real Madrid.

No matter how much hype Diario Marca tries to put on this series, Los Culés are a better team and will prove it once again.

Lionel Messi, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernández, David Villa, Gerard Piqué, Dani Alves; they are just too much to handle.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Barça win both games.

What Do You Think?

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BANGKOK, THAILAND - MARCH 16: Thai girls pose with UEFA Champions League Trophy during the UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour Asia 2011 Press Conference on March 16, 2011 in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo by Athit Perawongmetha/Getty Images)

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Also read:

- FIFA Power Rankings: Top 20 National Teams After the First Quarter of 2011

- La Liga Title Race: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid Head-to-Head Analysis