European Journalists April Issue | Page 9

Champions  League  Update       Manchester   United   makes   a   comeback   against   Olympiakos   with   the   Dutch   striker  Robin  Van-­‐Persie’s  hattrick.       Real  Madrid  qualified  already  in  their  first   match  against  FC  Shackle  04  with  the  1-­‐6   victory   in   Stadion   Gelsenkirchen   and   later   won   the   second   leg   in   the   Santiago   Bernabéu   with   3-­‐1.   Chelsea   secured   their   places   in   the   quarterfinals   against   Galatasray   with   their   2-­‐0   victory   at   Stamford   Bridge.   So   now   they   are   8   teams   left   from   the   16.   The   teams   that   have   qualified   are   Real   Madrid,   Barce-­‐lona,   Paris   Saint   Germain,   Chelsea,   Manchester   United,   Dortmund,   Atletico   Madrid   and   Bayern  Munich.       The  teams   that   have   the   biggest   chance   to   go   the   semi-­‐ finals   are   Barcelona,   Real   Madrid,   Bayern   Munich   and   Chelsea.   These   teams   have   all   had   a   good   season   both  last  year  and  this  year  with  Chelsea,   Real  Madrid  and  Bayern  Munich  on  top  of   their   league.   Barcelona   may   be   third   in   their   league   but   with   Lionel   Messi   back   from   his   injury   in   January   he   can   start   to   catch   up   with   Cristiano   Ronaldo,   who   is   the   top   scorer   of   the   champions   league   with  13  goals.       The   strongest   team   this   season   is   Real   Madrid   with   the   best   attacking   trio   with   Karim   Benzema,   Garetth   Bale   and   Cristiano   Ronaldo.   It’s   not   only   these   three  who  contribute  to  the  team’s  victory,   Real   Madrid   midfield   is   just   as   strong   as   their   forwards   with   Angel   di   Maria,   Sami   Khedira,   Luka   modric,   Xabi   Alonso   and   Isco.  Real  Madrid  has  a  solid  defence  with   Sergio   Ramos,   Pepe,   Marcelo,   Arbeloa,   Fabio   coentrao   and   Varane.   Don’t   forget   that   Iker   Casillas   is   one   of   the   best   goalkeepers   in   the   world.   With   only   two   losses   in   La   Liga   and   showing   no   sign   of   weak-­‐ness   in   their   games,   Real   Madrid   may  win  their  10th  Champions  league  this   year.     The   weakest   team   is   Manchester   United   with   their   new   coach   David   Moyes.   Man   United   is   in   7th   place   in   the   Premier   League   and   is   struggling   the   most   of   all   teams   in   the   Champions   League.  With   nobody   on   field   being   able   to   create   chances   for   their  strikers,   it   will   be   hard   to   beat   teams   like   Real   Madrid   or   Bayern   Munich   who   both   got   a   great   defence   and   attack.   But   United’s   attack   with   Jaun   Mata,   Wayne   Rooney   and   Robin   Van   Persie   is   a   great   trio  and  should  not  be  underestimated.   Mashood  Isola-­‐Gbenla