The Euro 2012 gets underway on Friday night. Like many, I have a feeling that the games will offer quite a few surprises. Even dominant Spain is not a certainty, in my books, to win or let alone reach the final. This could have been an occasion for England to shine, but they have been so struck by injuries and lack of a manager for long, that they don't inspire any amount of strong confidence.
The opening game sees co-hosts Poland play Greece in Group A. That match looks sets to end in a dour 0-0. There certainly won't be many goals in this. Russia and the Czech Republic square off in the other game, and both look to be the strongest teams in the group. There are a lot of questions on the Russians as they play under a new coach following the departure of Guus Hiddink. The Czech are always present but rarely shine on the big occasions, and their current team is weaker than the previous editions. This game can really go either way.
Typically, the 4 teams above clearly form the weakest group of the Euros. None of them inspire confidence and I'll take a pass for this opening night. Poland v/s Greece to end in a draw looks enticing for long punters.
Showing posts with label Hiddink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hiddink. Show all posts
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Going opposite directions
Bayern edged Real thanks to a last-minute goal, voiding the +1.0 Real selection. Here's my take on tonight's Chelsea vs Barcelona game semi-final match-up.
One of the very few times that I have seen Guardiola's Barcelona team being rocked, has been their visit to Chelsea a few years back in the UCL. Obviously, everyone remembers this game as the one that Barcelona massively got away with, following a last-gap 93rd minute equalizer from Iniesta, and surviving at least 3 good penalty shouts. Chelsea should have qualified on the night. They were then guided by top coach Guus Hiddink.
Fast forward 3 years, and this is the night that Chelsea will be clinging to as a rallying cry, when they host the Catalans again. Barcelona has become better in every aspect; Guardiola's team is now at its zenith. Chelsea has become inferior in every aspect, Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Essien are no longer the force they once were. So when Chelsea are looking for positives such as the impact of Di Matteo as a manager, their current good form, the fact they have never conceded a goal to Messi, the reality is that deep down, they fear the formidable force of the Catalans, just like any other team.
The Chelsea of a few years back would have had a chance. Their current crop doesn't. Barcelona will go through over 2 legs. In tonight's match, the Spaniards look good value as draw-no-bet as well.
One of the very few times that I have seen Guardiola's Barcelona team being rocked, has been their visit to Chelsea a few years back in the UCL. Obviously, everyone remembers this game as the one that Barcelona massively got away with, following a last-gap 93rd minute equalizer from Iniesta, and surviving at least 3 good penalty shouts. Chelsea should have qualified on the night. They were then guided by top coach Guus Hiddink.
Fast forward 3 years, and this is the night that Chelsea will be clinging to as a rallying cry, when they host the Catalans again. Barcelona has become better in every aspect; Guardiola's team is now at its zenith. Chelsea has become inferior in every aspect, Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Essien are no longer the force they once were. So when Chelsea are looking for positives such as the impact of Di Matteo as a manager, their current good form, the fact they have never conceded a goal to Messi, the reality is that deep down, they fear the formidable force of the Catalans, just like any other team.
The Chelsea of a few years back would have had a chance. Their current crop doesn't. Barcelona will go through over 2 legs. In tonight's match, the Spaniards look good value as draw-no-bet as well.
To qualify: Barcelona
Draw-no-bet: Barcelona
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