After a short hiatus, the UEFA Champions League is back in action this week as the round of 16 resumes with the second leg matches.
Eight teams continue the long journey, all of them focused on working their way towards May’s final at London’s Wembley Stadium.
The crew of FAN 590’s European Weekly Football podcast (Derrick Brandao, Dan Riccio and Gordon Brunt), and sportsnet.ca’s John Molinaro offer their picks, predictions and analysis of Wednesday’s group stage matches.
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Tuesday programming alert: Watch Barcelona v AC Milan on Sportsnet and Schalke v Galatasaray on Sportsnet World. Live coverage begins at 3:30pm ET/12:30pm PT
Wednesday programming alert: Watch Bayern Munich v Arsenal on Sportsnet and Malaga v FC Porto on Sportsnet World. Live coverage begins at 3:30pm ET/12:30pm PT
Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal
Dan Riccio: It’s not often Celtic and Arsenal are spoken of in the same light, but much like I spoke of Celtic needing a miracle to beat Juventus last week, Arsenal will need a miracle of their own to move on to the quarter-final past Bayern Munich.
This is familiar territory for the Gunners. Last season, after losing 4-0 to Milan in the first leg of their round of 16 series, Arsenal almost completed an incredible comeback in the return leg, but fell a goal short by winning 3-0, and exited the tournament losing 4-3 on aggregate.
But that was a different Arsenal, a team that was driven by Robin van Persie. This Arsenal does not have that same will to win, they do not pose that same attacking threat, and their opponents Bayern Munich have been the best team in Europe this season. There will be no miracle for Arsenal on this day.
Prediction: Bayern wins 2-1 to advance.
John Molinaro: This one is interesting if only because Bayern will be missing three key players: Franck Ribery (ankle injury) and midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and defender Jerome Boateng (both suspended).
Maybe that gives Arsenal a bit of hope that they can overturn a two-goal advantage in Germany, but they’ll still be very hard pressed to turn back the challenge of a Bayern side teaming with quality and depth.
For me, Bayern has one of the most balanced sides in the competition from back to front. Even without Schweinsteiger, the Germans still have Luiz Gustavo or Xherdan Shaqiri who can come off the bench and ably fill his spot without losing a beat.
You also have to question Arsenal’s attitude right now, as they’ve been knocked out of the FA Cup, and have no hope of winning the Premiership. Confidence can’t be running very high in the Gunners’ camp, and why should it? Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski are great players, but they can’t carry this team on their backs against a Bayern side playing at home and who looks poised to win the competition.
Prediction: Bayern wins 1-0 to advance.
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Malaga vs. Porto
Gordon Brunt: The first leg between Porto and Malaga provided the Portuguese hosts with an encouraging 1-0 result, but Vítor Pereira’s squad really should have capitalized on a visiting side that was clearly playing for the away draw.
The task for Porto, however, will be difficult when they travel to Estadio La Rosaleda, where Malaga remains unbeaten in this year’s tournament. Columbian striker Jackson Martinez will be relied upon heavily to show the goal scoring form that has him atop the leader board in the Portuguese Liga.
Group C winners Malaga should play a polar opposite style from the first leg. The side that managed a win at home and an away draw against AC Milan in the group stage will be expected to come out aggressively and attack. This could also be their last UEFA competition game for a while since being banished from next year’s tournaments for financial irregularities.
Expect Malaga to play with a fearless, nothing to lose attitude and defeat Porto comfortably. Look for Spanish youngster Isco to play a bigger role in the Malaga offence and relentlessly attack the oppositions net.
Prediction: Malaga wins 3-1 to advance.
Derrick Brandao: The Portuguese champs travel to La Rosaleda looking to build on their performance in the first leg when they completely smothered and dominated Malaga.
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Eliseu didn’t play in the first leg but is back in training and if deemed fit will be a huge boost to the Spanish side. His ability to run at defenders and his goals in the Champions League is key for Malaga. Eliseu, along with Isco, will have to do a better job of keeping Porto’s backs Alex Sandro and Danilo under control. They were allowed to constantly push up and offer support down the flanks far too easily in the first leg.
Porto’s speed up front and down the flanks forced Malaga to play a fairly conservative game. Every time Malaga was on the ball Porto were on them instantly, with the Portuguese regaining possession shortly thereafter.
Malaga will undoubtedly have to come out and attach, which could leave more space at their end for Porto to exploit with their speed. Malaga will probably score at home but it will most likely come after Porto catches them on the counter.
Prediction: A 1-1 draw, but Porto advances
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