First Blood to Valencia Against Chelsea

This Quarter Final tie is on a knife edge after last night’s 1 - 1 draw at Stamford Bridge but I believe Chelsea have an uphill road to climb if they are to repeat the Semi-Final line-up from two years ago. Ok, I know Liverpool aren’t technically in the Semi-Final for sure, but let’s face it, you won’t be getting too many bookies taking bets on Liverpool to win the tie, will you?

Valencia scored first, and with it that vital away goal, with a superb strike from David Silva after half an hour. And it was nothing more than Valencia deserved, quite frankly. Petr Cech was absolutely powerless as the shot sailed into the top corner of the net.

However, it was Didier Drogba who, yet again this season, came to the rescue for Chelsea with his 53rd minute equaliser and his 30th goal of a fantastic season for the Ivory Coast striker. It keeps Chelsea’s hopes alive but it will be difficult when the teams play at The Mestalla next week.

You’d have to say that Chelsea didn’t offer too much in the first half but having said that, you have to admire their character. They came back into the game strongly in the second half and that Drogba goal was a well deserved reward for their increased effort and effectiveness. Mourinho obviously had a few words to say at half time!

Mourinho said after the game, “Both teams are really tired because Chelsea tried to change the result and Valencia defended with commitment. We can go to Valencia and win It’s possible to [to qualify]. We need to play well. We know the atmosphere we get there, so we need a good referee too.”

Personally I think Chelsea are going to need more than a good referee and I see Valencia getting through with a win at the Mestalla in front of their vocal supporters to set up a “home-coming” for their old boss Rafa Benítez. Sorry Jose!

After the first legs of the Quarter Finals, I predict the Semi-Final line-up as follows:

Valencia v Liverpool
Bayern Munich v Roma (I think! That one really is a close call. I can only put that down to “something in my water”)

And for The Final:

Bayern Munich v Liverpool

I’m not going to tell you who I think will win, I don’t know. Both teams seem to be peaking at the right time after a somewhat indifferent start to the season. But both have that look of inevitability about them, know what I mean?

Let me know your Semi-Final and Final line-ups. And even who you think will end up as Champions of Europe.

The Soccer Blogger

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Many thanks
Rik