Analysis: UEFA Champions League semifinals

It’s been a great year of European football. From 32 teams in September, we finally have our final four- Hot favourites and holders Bayern Munich, the mighty Real Madrid, English giants Chelsea and surprise semifinalists Atletico Madrid. The first leg of the Atletico-Chelsea semifinal will be played in Madrid on April 22. Chelsea will look to avenge their 4-1 hammering at the hands of Atletico in the 2012 Super Cup final.

The second semifinal features the mouthwatering clash between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich which will be played at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 23. Real Madrid too will be out for revenge; their semifinal loss to Byaern on penalties in the 2011-12 edition will no doubt be on their minds.

Let’s a take an overview of the four semifinalists.

BAYERN MUNICH

Bayern Munich

Without a shadow of a doubt, they’ve been the most dominant European team for the past two seasons. The “surprise finlaists” just four seasons ago against Inter Milan, it’s amazing how they’ve improved. It’ll be a surprise if they really this time. Their knockout stage performances this season haven’t been as emphatic as last season- 4-0 on aggregate against Juventus, 7-0 on aggregate against Barcelona- but they’ve looked solid. They had a few wobbles especially against English opposition, but they always seemed to have it under control.

Strengths: Manuel Neuer is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world, often seen playing as a sweeper when his team need him or are in a very comfortable position. A very solid back four with Dante and Jerome Boateng in the centre; David Alaba and Rafinha as the fullbacks, always looking to make runs down the flanks and crossing it into the danger area. Possibly the best midfield around with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, captain Phillip Lahm- former right back, Toni Kroos, Mario Gotze and Javi Martinez.

Two dynamic wingers in Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben- often referred to as ‘Robbery’- a constant threat to any back four due to their speed and goal scoring ability. Mario Mandzukic has shown us exactly why Bayern bought him from Wolfburg and played him ahead of the dangerous Mario Gomez last seaon. Good dribbling skills, finishing and very good in the air- a very handy striker. Manager Pep Guardiola has changed their playing style this season; they love to keep the ball and play a very good passing game; very often seen keeping 70-80% possesion even against strong teams like Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund.

Weaknesses: It is often hard to find a weakness in this Bayern Munich team, but their last few performances have shown that they are certainly not invincible. Bayern’s attacking style of play, with so many men going forward, often leave them vulnerable to counter attacks, which was evident in their tie against Manchester United. This plays right into Real Madrid’s strength. They have to be more organized at the back; Manuel Neuer should not be seen sprinting down the pitch in order to make a clearance.

REAL MADRID

Real Madrid

With 76 titles- including 32 La Liga titles and 9 European titles- possibly the greatest football club ever. Having breezed through the group stages and the Round of 16, they were given a huge scare when a spirited Borussia Dortmund side put two goals past legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas in the return leg of the quarterfinal. They were always favorites to go through after their 3-0 first leg win, but it wasn’t at all easy.

Real Madrid have looked solid till the semifinals in the last three seasons, but they just can’t seem to advance to the elusive final, having been stopped by Barcelona in 2011, Bayern Munich in 2012 and Borussia Dortmund last year. Could this be Real Madrid’s time?

Strengths: Even though he hasn’t played a single league game this season, Iker Casillas has had some brilliant performances in the Champions League and Spanish Cup. He will most probably be played ahead of Diego Lopez, having played all the previous matches. He will be key if Real have any chance of going through. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has shuffled his defence quite a bit, with Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Rafael Varane as the centre backs, although Varane, the French wonderkid has been underutilized. The back four of Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Alvaro Arbeloa and Marcelo seems to be the best and most likely for the semifinal.

A world class midfield with the likes of Xabi Alonso, Luka Modric, Isco, who have all been in good form. Arguably the two best wingers in the business right now- Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. They are also the most expensive footballers ever. Both have been in great form. Ronaldo especially has shown us why he’s the best player on the planet right now, a title that had been held by Leo Messi of Barcelona for the past four years. Ronaldo has found the net in every Champions League matches he has played this season- 14 goals in 8 matches. He has been in fine form in the league as well, scoring goals for fun.

His fitness, however, has been a concern of late. Di Maria, the second choice winger has ably filled the void. Karim Benzema’s form has been very inconsistent; yes, he has scored some great goals but has been missing the target on easy opportunities, something that he cannot afford to do against Bayern Munich. Real Madrid’s counter attacking style of play makes them one of the most dangerous teams to play against, with Alonso, the master passer, Modric, the playmaker, Ronaldo and Bale, the pacy wingers with great goal scoring abilities and a handy striker up front in Benzema.

Weaknesses: Real Madrid on paper are easily one of the best teams around, but their problem of late has been the constant shuffling of players. Ancelotti plays Ramos, Varane and Pepe in different combinations which makes overall co-ordination quite hard and leads to defensive errors, which evident against Dortmund. Other than that, the team has looked solid, especially in the Champions League.