Champions League: Barcelona vs. AC Milan, Galatasaray’s Grand Experiment
Barcelona vs. AC Milan
Barcelona are Barcelona. They are cruising in the Primera Liga, with 21 wins in 24 matches, a 12-point lead over second-place Atletico Madrid and a +53 goal difference. Lionel Messi, with 46 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions, remains the world’s best player. There are some causes for concern though. Since Dec. 1 Barcelona’s defense has been slacking, conceding goals in 10 of their last 11 league fixtures. They have also been extremely reliant on Messi going forward. He has 35 goals in the league this season. No one else has more than six.
The Rossoneri were in for a lean year. The old guard cleared out. AC Milan sold their two world-class stars, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to PSG. The present squad is young and decent, though hardly as star-studded as past seasons. The club has gone undefeated winning five of seven in 2013, propelling them to the third-place on goal difference. Milan have had trouble scoring, netting just seven goals in six group stage matches. They found the answer for that in Serie A, signing Mario Balotelli who has scored four times in three matches. Unfortunately, he is cup-tied, having already appeared for Man City.
These teams met four times in the Champions League last season. Bizarrely, Milan drew both road matches and lost the two matches played in the San Siro. Barcelona are not infallible. It’s possible Milan could hold out for a draw in one leg, but unless they discover Messi’s weakness it is hard to see them going through. Maybe Silvio has the answer?
Schalke vs. Galatasaray
This match will feature Galatasaray’s grand experiment. The Turkish club sought reinforcements in January. They signed pricey ones in Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba. Those guys are stars, but they are also stars who relish performing on this stage. Drogba was man of the match for Chelsea in last year’s final. Sneijder was man of the match for Inter Milan in the 2010 Final. Schalke have had a rough season. They sit ninth in the Bundesliga, 27 points behind leaders Bayern Munich. They have just one win in 11 matches since Nov. 10.
[Photo via Getty]
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30 Responses to “Champions League: Barcelona vs. AC Milan, Galatasaray’s Grand Experiment”
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February 20th, 2013 at 2:48 PM
is the guy that wrote this british?
February 20th, 2013 at 2:50 PM
is the guy that wrote this british?
Ha, awesome.
February 20th, 2013 at 2:50 PM
Only fucking Italians could see a life idiotic version of the villain in Tomorrow Never Dies and vote for him repeatedly.
Fuck old media.
February 20th, 2013 at 2:51 PM
In his dreams. Literally.
February 20th, 2013 at 2:53 PM
I haven’t been paying much attention to La Liga this year. This is rather shocking. Seems like they can be had this year. Just not sure AC Milan is the team to beat them.
February 20th, 2013 at 2:54 PM
An “I,” an “I,” my Brooklyn loft for an “I.”
/Duffy’d
February 20th, 2013 at 2:54 PM
In his dreams. Literally.
They are much more cultivated than us after all. Especially their socce-, er, football fans.
February 20th, 2013 at 2:55 PM
This is what is going to cost them another CL title. I don’t think their shit defense can win this title.
February 20th, 2013 at 2:55 PM
I think we can all agree that a 6-4 Barca-Munich CL final would be the tits, though. Right?
February 20th, 2013 at 2:57 PM
I need to start paying more attention. I had no clue this went down. I love Sneijder’s game. Dude seems like a massive douchebag, but he can ball.
February 20th, 2013 at 2:57 PM
Of all the embarrassment Italian football has suffered over past 10 years, this goes right to the top of the line. They are now forced to sell players to the fucking French league. Oh, the shame.
February 20th, 2013 at 2:59 PM
Don’t think Bayern will make it. I honestly wouldn’t mind it at all. Need time to mend the wounds from last year’s debacle.
February 20th, 2013 at 2:59 PM
Meh. It’s one team in France that is oil rich. I wouldn’t go nuts with that Nazi-emblazoned brush of yours.
February 20th, 2013 at 3:00 PM
Of all the embarrassment Italian football has suffered over past 10 years, this goes right to the top of the line. They are now forced to sell players to the fucking French league. Oh, the shame.
It seems to me, and someone correct me if I’m wrong here, that the pattern whereby some clubs spends scads of money and accumulate tons of expensive players in the transfer windows will eventually run afoul of UEFA’s book balancing rules, if the transfers don’t pan out and attendance and revenue slag.
February 20th, 2013 at 3:01 PM
dick cancer people
February 20th, 2013 at 3:02 PM
dick cancer people
Who are these dick cancer people you keep speaking of?
February 20th, 2013 at 3:03 PM
Duffy or Mole will know this I’m sure, but as a cynical soccer fan, I just assume the big clubs will keep doing whatever the hell they want and nothing will change.
February 20th, 2013 at 3:03 PM
Haven’t seen any big clubs get into trouble yet. They say you won’t see the full impact for another couple of years. But from what I’ve read so far, there are multiple loopholes that financially irresponsible clubs can exploit to avoid any trouble.
February 20th, 2013 at 3:06 PM
Awareness for men, since the only reason women’s basketball exists is to raise awareness for breast cancer, according to Butters
February 20th, 2013 at 3:07 PM
Can you get cancer in your dick? I mean I know you can get testicular cancer, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of dick cancer.
February 20th, 2013 at 3:08 PM
dick cancer = the herp
February 20th, 2013 at 3:09 PM
Blau und weiß, wie lieb ich Dich
February 20th, 2013 at 3:10 PM
Yes
It’s because you’re not aware, and that’s my goal for the next 30 days: make people aware of dick cancer.
February 20th, 2013 at 3:15 PM
Worse hair, El Shaarawy or Neymar?
February 20th, 2013 at 3:17 PM
Neymar will win that award against anyone.
February 20th, 2013 at 3:31 PM
Breck Shea and Andrew Bynum would like a word.
February 20th, 2013 at 3:59 PM
What? Milan allowed to use hands I see.
February 20th, 2013 at 4:30 PM
Barca peaked too early this season, they look sluggish. All the football the Spanish guys have played the last few years were eventually going to catch up to them, maybe it’s showing now.
February 20th, 2013 at 4:39 PM
With expert analysis like this, I should apply for a job with ESPN.
February 21st, 2013 at 6:48 PM
Well, Barça is not as strong as it used to be, but didnt expect Messi to be so weak and Milan to vin. Lets see maybe now FC Bayern will become the best club in Europe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNbRIx2rsrk