Champions League – Wednesday 7-12-2011 – Panic in the City
By David, BettingExpert.com | Edited
Manchester City are on the verge of elimination but things are far from settled in a Group. One which had already looked spicy at the time of the draw and is looking even more intriguing now that the final 90 minutes of play are upon us.
Villareal – Napoli
It may all be just words to try and elevate the mood in and around the Villareal camp but players have been talking up this match. They really do not want to be kicked out without taking with them the decency they have always shown in Europe since they started competing at high levels.
They have been unlucky with injuries to key players and with having drawn such a tough group. Somebody was bound to be eliminated and destiny conspired against them. Bowing out in style now means getting at least one point to their name. Debutants Otelul Galati and Dinamo Zagreb comprehensibly belong to that category but for Villareal to be part of that club it would be insulting.
They come from a defeat against Racing Santander, fresh from having witnessed manager Cuper resign from his post, and relegation fears are far from having been allayed. A look at their home form in the Liga, shows how different they responded to those in contrast to their Champions League commitments. Bayern Munich and Manchester City ran havoc when invited. In the league it has been in-form Levante which did their bidding at the Madrigal.
Napoli certainly did not manage to do that last season when they got kicked out of the Europa League after a home draw and an away defeat. The Partenopei are feeling calm. Surprisingly just like they looked ahead of their all-important fixture with Manchester City in Naples. They overtook the English side in the standings at the sound of the final whistle that day and hope to be celebrating when they hear the same sound this time round.
Mazzarri will not be risking anything and after having rested a few players against Lecce last Saturday should return to his best eleven.
Verdict: X
Napoli are favourites to take the win given the interest Villareal are not supposed to show. However, I think the Spanish side is in need of proving its worth and be shown respect. Napoli should not take this lightly but neither should Villareal and given last season’s bad experience for the Partenopei at the Madrigal I will go for a point each.
Manchester City – Bayern Munich
Well it does not depend solely on Manchester City now. After losing in Naples they will have to hope for a Villareal performance and I think they can eventually rely on that. After spending all that money in the summer and knowing my reserves are virtually limitless, if I were the Sheikh I would make good use of a very legal and well rooted tradition in Spanish football and offer Villareal a hefty bonus for a win on Wednesday night.
Will Manchester City themselves be up for the task though? Bayern Munich have taken what they wanted from this group and the top spot is assured. However, it is a big stage and the Bavarians are vain. They like to impose their strength against teams regarded as solid themselves. The bigger the better for them.
Verdict: Both teams to score
I am one to think that the Bavarians are not an easily satiated beast. They like winning and will be very happy to wipe some smiles off the faces of the City crowd turning up in numbers to support their high profile team.
Lille – Trabzonspor
Revisiting Lille matches in this year’s edition it would be fair to say they deserve to go through. Having had to endure so many changes to his team after claiming the title in France last season Rudi Garcia did a wonderful job in redirecting his team’s thinking and resetting them just in time. They gave away points carelessly to both CSKA Moscow and Trabzonspor in their first two fixtures though. Allowing each to peg them back after taking the lead in convincing displays.
The Turkish side had not been expected to be in the running until the final matchday after being recalled to the competition due to Fenerbache’s suspension. They are, however, thanks especially to those special three points obtained at the San Siro in their opening fixture. They have not been as impressive subsequently though and away from home they tend to be more timid.
Verdict: 1
Lille can fall in the trap of being too panicky. They are that kind of team. However, they have quality and are better than their opponents. Qualification depends solely on their performance and if they can find the net in the first half when they should be pushing hard it will only be easier for them to manage. Barring any panic attacks that is.
Ajax – Real Madrid
Real Madrid are though and unlike Bayern Munich I do not think they will be eager to waste energies ahead of their game of the season. Barcelona are just around the corner and never in his time at Real Madrid has Mourinho’s team been as strong in comparison to that of Guardiola. They lead the standings and cannot afford to let their arch rivals have it their way at the Bernabeu.
It has been leaked how Pep intends to rest all of his top players, a whole team in fact, in the home game with BATE Borisov. Besides, a calculating mind like Mourinho’s will already be disappointed at having to play one day after Barcelona in the Champions League and needing to travel to Amsterdam whilst the Blaugrana get to stay at home for their game. Expect few familiar faces to travel to play this match.
De Boer’s side have deserved to go through this time round. They are still not mathematically in but considering the two games with Lyon, the side they are contending the second place to, they should realistically have sealed it before this match. In both occasions they played much better and were unlucky, even in France.
Verdict: X
Ajax need a point and given their luck with Real Madrid in the past they can really aspire only for that. The players Mourinho will field should make all the difference though but I think the two can settle for a low scoring, tight affair.
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07.12.2011, 16:36 CET
Look out for Hamsik to grab a goal tonight. He likes scoring against Villareal and may be worth a small-stakes bet.