004: UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Preview
Download Episode **If you want to check out our sister show, I gave out the wrong website address accidentally. The correct address is calaabocashow.com ** THE RECAP Benfica come back from a 1-0 deficit at half time to win 5-1 against Rio Ave. FC Porto beat Braga at home 3-1 and Sporting suffers their first loss in the season against Estoril 0-2. Sporting has been suffering with injuries to major key players Gelson Martins and Bas Dost, and did not play an impressive game against Estoril. Estoril were able to capitalize on Sporting's defensive errors, while Sporting did not take full advantage of their opportunities (Bruno Cesar missing an open shot on goal toward the dying minutes of the first half) With these results, FC Porto climb to the top of the table once again (with a half game in hand), leaving Benfica and Sporting in second and third place respectively, Benfica only ahead by goal difference. THE DISCUSSION We are taking a look at the upcoming UEFA Champions League fixtures-games beginning next Tuesday, February 13. JUVENTUS v TOTTENHAM (2/13/18) Juventus come into this game with a lot of UCL experience, making 2 finals in recent years and playing at home gives them a tremendous advantage in the first leg. However, since losing Chiellini this year, their defense has not been as strong as in prior years. Tottenham have been putting up big results this year, upsetting Real Madrid, and beating out Borussia Dortmund to win their group in the UCL group stage. Harry Kane has also been a goal scoring machine, currently the top goal scorer in Europe, and is in top form. Our Pick: Juventus FC BASEL v MANCHESTER CITY (2/13/18) Basel has regularly made appearances in the UCL and Europa League tournaments year after year, and consistently one of the best teams in Switzerland. They were able to upset Benfica in the group stages and were able to keep up with group winners Manchester United. Manchester City, current EPL leaders, having only suffered one loss are in prime position to take this tie. They have the players, the chemistry and, most importantly, the experience of playing big teams in the UCL. FC Basel, while a very good team, is not that big of a threat, and City should have no problem moving on to the quarter finals. Our Pick: Manchester City FC PORTO v LIVERPOOL (2/14/18) Porto are playing some great soccer at the moment. Their team is firing on all cylinders, sitting in first place in the Liga Portuguesa with an undefeated record. More impressive than their starting 11 success is their bench depth. They have had UCL success in the past, winning it under coach José Mourinho, and playing at home will give them a tremendous advantage. We can't count out Liverpool though...or can we? The five time UCL champions have not been tremendously impressive lately. They are able to put up huge numbers, but have also been shaky in terms of their defense. In the group stages they let slide a 3-0 half time advantage against Sevilla into a 3-3 draw, recently allowing Tottenham to come from behind twice in a 2-2 draw. It's looking to be a very hard fought match. Our Pick: FC Porto REAL MADRID v PSG (2/14/18) Essentially out of the running in all other competitions, the UCL is Real Madrid's last hope at salvaging what is left of the 2017-2018 season. The back-to-back champions have been going through one of the biggest slumps in its recent history. 2-2 draws against mid-table teams as Levante and Leganes are not great indicators that they will be able to put up a huge fight against a hot PSG team. PSG is currently sitting in first place of the French League, and playing absolutely great soccer. With finishers Neymar and Cavani (39 goals between them both) in the front and Pastore and Verratti controlling the middle, they are one of the main teams to beat in this tournament. However, we can't forget how they blew a 4-0 lead against Barcelona in last year's tournament, could the same thing happen again? Our Pick: PSG BAYERN MUNICH v BESIKTAS (2/20/18) Bayern is year in and year out one of the main teams to beat. They are consistently in the quarter and semi-finals, also lifting the trophy in 2013. Currently 18 points clear in the Bundesliga, allows them the opportunity to focus more time on the UCL without worry of slipping down the table. Besiktas has consistently made it into the UCL group stages, also making appearances in the Round of 16. They are one of the best teams in Turkey, but they do not have the kind of raw talent that Bayern have, nor the experience. Our Pick: Bayern Munich CHELSEA v BARCELONA (2/20/18) A repeat of the 2012 UCL semi-final when Chelsea saw off Barcelona with a last minute goal by Fernando Torres. Can they do it again? Chelsea has hit a slight slump in recent games (1-4 loss to Watford, and 0-3 loss to Bournemouth) and has not looked the least bit impressive. Playing at home does give them an advantage, but they do need to improve their game play if they hope to take this tie. La Liga leaders, Barcelona, have an opportunity to take revenge on the English team that took away their finals hopes in 2012. Barecelona have been playing very clinical this year, and what surprises me most about their playing style is how easy they make it look. Playing away is always a slight disadvantage, but Barcelona has been known to be a tremendous threat at home or away. Our Pick: Barcelona SEVILLA v MANCHESTER UNITED (2/21/18) Sevilla have been a rising figure in Europe as of late, winning two Europa League titles, and quickly becoming one of the better teams in Spain outside of the big 3. They are the underdog in this match up, but they shouldn't be underestimated. Manchester United are trying to reclaim their footing as a top tier team in Europe after a few years of sub par results. Their coach, José Mourinho, has a lot of experience in the UCL, winning it with FC Porto, and Inter Milan. Our Pick: Manchester United SHAKTAR DONETSK v AS ROMA (2/21/18) This tie features two evenly matched teams which put up big results in the group stages. AS Roma took out last years semi-finalist Atletico Madrid out of the Round of 16. As an underrated game, this one seems to have the closest match up, and an opportunity for one of these teams to make it on to the next round. Our Pick: AS Roma CONNECT WITH US Comment on the show notes Email feedback@442pod.com Subscribe to the 442 Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher and TuneIn Radio Follow us on Twitter @442pod Follow us individually @josephrocha42 and @oneunitedxvii Leave us a rating/review
