Manchester United vs. Sunderland - League Cup Semi-Final.

Manchester United/ Moyes in crisis. Repeat ad nauseam. 14 points off the top of the league and in danger of crashing out of the league cup; it’s been quite a while since a league cup match felt quite so important for a Manchester United side. But the place in the final and a chance at a piece of silverware for two managers with zero major honours to their name is no to be sniffed at.

Story so far:

Sunderland 2-1 Manchester United.

Gus Poyet’s men carry a slender advantage with them to Old Trafford this evening. In the first leg, 15 days ago: a cheap Ryan Gigg’s own goal late in the first half gave Sunderland the lead. This was cancelled out by a towering header by Nemanja Vidic. Parity only lasted 13 minutes before Tom Cleverly gave away a dubious penalty against Adam Johnson. This was brilliantly dispatched by Borini. That was that. However, due to the away goal’s rule Moyes’ boys just need a one-nil win to put them through to the final. The reward of a game against Manchester City in said final may not seem too appetizing though...

Key Clash:

Manchester United’s central midfield is much maligned this season. Typified by the abuse that follows Tom Cleverley and Marouane Fellani around and the constant speculation about other midfielders joining. But United have had periods of dominance in the majority of matches they have played this season (such as the opening twenty minutes against Chelsea on Sunday). However, far too often their forwards will miss a gilt-edge chance (such as Welbeck’s against Chelsea) and then their defence will hand the opposition a goal (such as Chelsea’s second and third on Sunday). The midfield is not doing too much different to last year, Carrick is still an excellent passer of the ball and the more combative Jones can still break up play. Whether there is a creative presence either in the number ten role or on the wings capable of creating enough opportunities to fire united through will be key. (See: key men). Sunderland’s central midfield is hardly celebrated for their creativity. Instead it is their industry which is noteworthy. If players like Lee Cattermole and Jack Colback can stop the link between Carrick and Adnan Januzaj then you feel this tie will be Sunderland’s.

Key Men:

Sunderland, Occasional maverick and one time alcoholic Adam Johnson is a man in form at the moment. Winning the penalty against united, followed by a well taken hat-trick against Fulham then a delightful equaliser Saturday lunchtime at Southampton. Call for a spot on the plane the Rio may be a bit premature but he certainly is a man who could have a big say in this cup tie. He is a rarity in this Sunderland squad, capable of moments of magic and will be crucial to a side likely to vent much of their attacking intent through counter attacks.

Manchester United,  “You’ll never win anything with Kids.” Well, to be fair with Aston Villa’s youthful exuberance firmly in mid-table and a side increasingly reliant on Adnan Januzaj looking more likely to join the mid-table scrap then the title push, Alan Hansen might have had a point. The 18 year old proud Kosovan has been a rare bright spark for united this season, and until Wayne Rooney or Robin Van Persie return (or a new signing is made) that looks likely to continue. He is fast maturing into quite the footballer, able to commit defenders, play a lovely through ball or finish with self assurance that belies his age. Maybe it’s the innocence or arrogance of youth; I’m not sure. But as long as it continues this is a player capable of causing Sunderland a lot of problems this evening.

Final Thoughts:

Years of conditioning have led me to not back against a United side whom only need a one-nil win at home against relegation fodder. Today will be no different. There surely has to be a backlash from this side, a statement of there’s still life in the old dog yet. There is enough quality in Welbeck/Januzaj/Valenica/Hernandez to score at least one goal against Wes Brown/John O’Shea. Whether one (or two) goals is enough will then come into play. Without Vidic due to suspension, Johnny Evans will likely start, his partner either Jones/Smalling. All talents capable of keeping Jozy “the human wall” Altidore quiet. (We’ll see if that catches on, he certainly displays about as much movement in between the lines as a wall).
This is there for united's taking, book their place in the final against Manchester City and Moyes’ and the articles of crisis will dry up for at 6 days until they lose play again. Respite.

Czech Republic vs. Portugal

So here we are, the quarter finals, the best eight teams in Europe go head to head; two mouth watering clashes and two which seem, on the face of it, fairly straightforward. Of course, this is football, so no guarantees exist.

Day by day I’ll preview the upcoming match, be sure to check back.

without further ado...

Czech Republic vs. Portugal.

Even though I was in the minority of people backing the Czechs to get through the group stages. ( I even put some money to that effect) I didn’t imagine they would be group winners, I doubt even the most blind Czech fans did. Their reward: facing Portugal, I must say I’ve received better presents.

Story so far:
Everyone will be labelling this as Cristiano versus the Czech Republic, I feel that is a little unfair and I’ll try to stay away from doing that. Portugal have looked a decent side, despite a sluggish start against the Germans. They very much finished that game in the ascendency and were unlucky not to equalise, follow this with a dogged yet wasteful display against Denmark, then against the Netherlands, the closest a 2-1 has ever been to a whitewash, they were very good.

As for the Czech’s journey, they went down 4-1 to a wasteful Russia, despite having some periods of threatening possession, that result should a have been a lot worse if not for the dire finishing of Kerzhakov. They bounced back though, within six minutes against Greece they we’re 2 goals up and essentially had the points. Cech didn’t little to enhance his reputation by gifting a goal to the Greeks but they looked solid. They then played the third game very intelligently. Initially only needing a draw they started by trying to give away as little terriority as possible and upon learning of a Greek goal they didn’t go in all guns blazing, but waited and took their chance well when it came to them.

Key clash:
Ronaldo is a very good footballer, certainly the best European footballer currently in the game. As such it seems Bento has just said, “I’ll start you on the left, but just go out and win the game for me.” Although I agree with giving Ronaldo a “free role” doing this at the expense of a left sided midfielder is risky, especially when the left-back is Coentrao, a man no stranger to bombing on. Every goal Portugal have conceded has come from down their left. The German and two Danish crosses and the Robben dart which lead to their goal. Ronaldo’s shirking of defensive responsibilities allows them to double up. This I see as the key area, as for me one of the Czech’s best players has been the adventurous right-back, Gebre Selassie. If Coentrao is able to cope with him and Jiracek then I see Portugal having enough to win.

Key men:
Portugal, of course Ronaldo is a given, if he shows up this could get embarrassing for Czech Republic, it wouldn’t be very interesting to say him so i’ll give a number two (also ruling out Coentrao who I’ve already mentioned). So, my deputy key man will be Luis Nani, there are fewer player who blow hot and cold as often as Nani.  However, as much as Ronaldo can pick up the ball deep and hit if from 30 yards, the majority of his chances come from being played in behind the defence, the man with the best final ball in this side is probably Nani or Meireles, I’m giving the nod to Nani as he can also provide a bit of magic himself or provide crosses for Postiga up-front.

Czech Republic, no apologies for going for the obvious here: Tomas Rosicky. The Arsenal man missed the Poland clash but has returned to training today. He is their most talented individual and helps to control the play and is deployed  as a number 10 style playmaker, a position he thrives in (rather than the slightly more water-carrier role he is usually given at Arsenal.) If he is allowed time on the ball, he will create chances. Brief mention must go to Petr Cech, he has to have a big game if his nation are to progress, the Chelsea number one must cut out the mistakes and soft goals he has been prone to concede in this tournament.

Final Thoughts:
It would take a brave man to bet against Portugal here, and I’m not that man. I don’t think there will be much in it, but the combined factors of a solid Portuguese defence, hard-working midfield in addition to two very talented wide men in Nani and Ronaldo should carry them over the line. Postiga looks out of place at times but the option of super-sub Nelson Oliveira should mean even if this game is tight Portugal have the options to mix-it up.
As for The Czechs, the creative midfield three of Rosicky, Pilar and Jiracek certainly have goals in them, unfortunately they are servicing a rather lacklustre Baros, who looks devoid of ideas and hasn’t been making any intelligent runs thus far. Hubschmann provides a solid anchor in midfield, he really has made a difference since coming into the side after the Russia game, additionally they look safer with Kadlec in the centre of defence.
Portugal like to play reactively, hitting teams on the counter attack, so expect the Czech midfield to see much of the ball but ultimately not quite having enough to break down the defence and Portugal’s game plan paying off.