Champions League Semifinals Schedule and LiveBlogs

We are getting down to the nitty gritty with just four teams remaining in the Champions League. The first legs of the semifinals are this week. Fingers willing, I will LiveBlog both matches and I’d love to have you join along as we watch a pair of tasty tilts.

On Tuesday, Manchester United host AC Milan at Old Trafford. Milan are in the semifinals for the fourth time in the past five years. Overall, they have reached this stage of the tournament eleven times and only twice have they not advanced to the final. Meanwhile, Manchester United have been in the semifinals eight times and have advanced just twice. One of those times was in 1999 when they knocked off a Juventus side coached by Carlo Ancelotti, now the boss at AC Milan. Needless to say, this should be an excellent pairing. I give the slight edge to United.

Wednesday’s contest features two teams that know a thing or two about each other. Chelsea host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. The two played each other in the Champions League semifinals two years ago with Liverpool advancing on their way to winning the whole enchilada. They were also paired in the Champions League group stage last season, playing to a pair of nil-nil draws. Overall the clubs have met on 145 occasions with Liverpool winning 66 and Chelsea 50, while 29 have ended in draws. I fully expect this to be a tight, tight tilt. My gut gives the slight edge to Liverpool, but my gut is also in turmoil after a weekend of drinking.

Speaking of the Pool, the Reuters Blog reminded me of this classic moment in the 1984 European Cup when Liverpool keeper Bruce Grobbelaars did a little chicken dance to psyche out Roma’s Francesco Graziani during a penalty kick. That is the exact same dance I usually do when I watch the Champions League.

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Category: Champions League, World Football