Clash of Big Bs
Vijay Anand
The semi final clashes of UEFA Champions
League have been drawn and are now open for discussion. It is certainly Spain
2, Germany 2. Most of the fans around the globe are waiting for a El Classico
final, for the first time in the History of UEFA champions League and a 2nd
all Spanish final. But the biggest block on their route to Wembley is Bayern
Munich. It’s not only the history of the Bayern that is frightening, but the
present form that is giving a chill in the bone for Barca lovers. Record wise
speaking, both has lifted the trophy on 4 occasions each with Germans have been
second best on two more occasions to Catalan’s 3. Presently, Barcelona, no
doubt, have made the squad, which is not the best, but among the best in the
soccer history. They have conquered every possible cup of the planet, some even
more than once. Their loss, each time, hit the headline on each possible media
network around the world and triggers the hottest debate.
Bayren
are emerging as a European power house in new avatar for 3 years, having played
2 of the last three finals. Their last stand at the top came in 2001 and since
then they have been quite ignored for a chair among the European elites, a
place, they truly deserves.
Now, coming to the present form. They have
recently won Bundesliga title before round 30, in fact as early as by round
28!! This is the quickest catch of the top flight in the history. The team is
in ruthless form, showing no mercy for opponents. They have scored staggering
83 goals in Bundesliga by far. It proves them the lethal predator. Even
recently, they are showing no signs of fatigue, beating Hamburger by 9-2 on 30th
of previous month, then conquered Old lady of Italy by 4-0 in two legs and won
by a 4-0 margin against Nurnberg this Saturday. But the most troubling and least debated
figure is the goals conceded. Their net has been holed on only 13 unlucky
occasions. Everyone talks about Mandzukic, Muller, (Super) Mario in the front,
Ribery, talisman Robben in the midfield and experienced Lahm-Van Buyten in the
defence, along with longest ball thrower Nueur as the custodian.
It
must have raised the eyebrows of the killing striking line up of Barcelona. We
have seen that Messi is not fully fit and the difference that he can make by
his absence and his presence on the ground against PSG. He acted like glucose
for a dehydrated patient and with his dancing feet, suddenly the subdued dance
floor come to lightening. This is the worry that Tite Villlenova must consider.
Another problem is their often visible cracks in Tiki taka tactics, which has
been revealed by a few clubs in the recent months successfully. If Bavarians
deciphered the code then there will be huge trouble for the Catalans. The mid
field of Germans is superior to Catalans and can produce quicker counter
attacks. Barcelona is master of the legs whereas Munich army is the maestro by
their heads. The man who has anchored the whole show is Joseph Heynckes. He is
with them since 2011 and shared every jump, be it by his boys after winning
Bundesliga title in the field. At the age of 67, he is quite inspiring for a
team looking to beat the European best.
Interestingly, both have tested each other on
only 6 occasions yet and Barca has an upper hand. Their last meeting took place
at Munich, ended in a stalemate of a goal each in 2008-2009 QF of Champions
League (Barcelona were eventual winners then on aggregate). Bitter memory of
losing 4- nil to Catalans must be fresh in their minds and in a week’s time,
bomb is about to explode at Allianz arena of big Bs of Europe.
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