http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Messi-c22296: Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea favourites to win the UEFA Champions League
Barcelona firepower Lionel Messi has claimed that Barcelona are undoubtedly the favourites to clinch the Champions League silverware this time around. One another striking prediction that came from the Argentine International tipped Chelsea to secure a semi-final place by overcoming Manchester United in the last-eight stage of Champions League competition. UEFA (The union of European Football Associations) officials announced the quarterfinal draws on Friday, March 18, 2011.
Barcelona would face a comparatively weaker side, Shakhtar Donetsk, in the quarter-final stage whereas Tottenham Hotspur will take on Real Madrid and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan will clash with Schalke in the all important last-eight stage of the competition. The first tie of the quarterfinals will start on April 5, 2011.
The 23-year-old Barcelona striker, Messi gave insight as to why he thinks Barcelona are in a good shape this season, “Here everyone knows their role and we complement each other. All of us make each other better and it is the greatness of this team.”
Barcelona have done remarkably well this season. Their journey in La Liga is quite sensational as they are sitting on the top of the La Liga table for quite some time now by claiming 24 victories out of 28 encounters. Even in the UEFA Champions League competition, they have not let down their fans expectations, as they easily secured a spot in the top eight-teams by knocking Arsenal out of the competition in the last-16 tie.
Lionel Messi has been in an explosive form throughout the season. The little Argentine has scored 45 goals along with 21 assists in a total of 40 appearances for his club. Two goals against Arsenal from Lionel Messi in the second-leg match played at Nou Camp proved to be the deciding factor in Barcelona’s win over Arsene Wenger’s men.
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Argentina-c2841 Intentional further revealed, “We (Barcelona), Madrid and Chelsea are the favourites for this year.”
Barcelona would be eyeing for their fourth European Cup title as the last time they won this Champions League title was in 2008-09. On the other hand, Chelsea would be desperate to claim their first ever European Cup title.
On the other hand Manchester United are hopeful to put up a good show against their quarter-final opponent Chelsea. Red Devils' striker Javier Hernandez, on their crunch clash with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786, said, “We play in the same league and it is going to be tough, (Hernandez) who scored twice against Marseille on Tuesday to sweep United into the quarter-finals.”
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