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almohamady-blog · 5 years

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Champions League semi-final - Barcelona vs Liverpool predictions

Liverpool's hopes of reaching a second successive Champions League final run through Barcelona, with the Spanish champions standing in the way of Jurgen Klopp's men. The Reds have seen off Bayern Munich and Porto in the knockout stages to reach the final four, but now face their toughest test, against the competition favourites. Barca, with Lionel Messi having scored 46 times already this season, are full of confidence after sealing another Spanish title at the weekend. But this is the competition they really want, having seen Real Madrid win the last three on the spin. But who will gain the first leg advantage in the battle between a pair of five-time winners? Mirror Football's reporters make their picks...

Mohamed Salah has a look around the stadium (Image: AFP/Getty Images) READ MORE How Lionel Messi changed his preparation as Barcelona clash with Liverpool John Cross Barcelona 2-1 Liverpool I cannot imagine Liverpool not scoring but I also fancy Barcelona to win in the Nou Camp. I think Liverpool playing away first is a huge advantage as Barcelona have made a habit of overwhelming English teams in the second leg of ties, Lionel Messi turns on the style and they win through. But Barcelona may be more cautious and then Liverpool have the return at Anfield. I fancy Liverpool over two legs. David Maddock Barcelona 1-2 Liverpool I'm going for a surprise away win...Liverpool have been brilliant on the road of the knock out stage in the Champions' League, and are up for this game. If Barca have a weakness, it's against pace at the back, and you can see there being chances on the break for Salah and co. There is always the Messi factor though, so it's not exactly a confident prediction...!

Messi and Suarez during training (Image: AFP/Getty Images) Matt Lawless Barcelona 1-2 Liverpool I've got to say, I really fancy Liverpool to surprise quite a few people. Barcelona are the favourites but Jurgen Klopp's side are in tremendous form and have the firepower to really cause problems to the home side's defence. The question is, can they stop Lionel Messi? Whatever that answer may be, I reckon Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah will inspire the Reds to a famous Nou Camp win tonight. Mike Walters Barcelona 1-1 Liverpool This is much, much harder to predict than the last time Barcelona hosted an English club in the Champions League - when Manchester United's exit from Europe in the Nou Camp was, sadly, all too predictable. Take Lionel Messi out of this Barcelona team and you'd fancy Liverpool to reach the final, no sweat. But with Messi, you always wonder if there is one more rabbit in the top hat. At the risk of needing splinters surgically removed, I'm going to sit on the fence here. Both teams to score, cagier than a lions' den at the zoo, level-pegging when they go back to Anfield.

Mane is enjoying a stunning season (Image: PA) Steve Bates Barcelona 2-1 Liverpool Barcelona see destiny calling this season in the Champions League and that will make a difficult trip to the Nou Camp even more tricky for Jurgen Klopp and his stars, Liverpool's front three certainly have the firepower to land some blows on Barcelona but the Spaniards have their own deadly trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho and it's hard to see how even Virgil van Dijk can help Klopp's men lock them down for 90 minutes. Klopp's tactics will be vital - does he go Gung-Ho or be more pragmatic? Maybe a mixture of the two would be sensible. But this isn't an invincible Barcelona and although Manchester United were routed by them over two legs in the quarter-finals there were moments in both games where a better organised team with superior players like Liverpool would have punished Ernesto Valverde's men. That's why I believe Liverpool can get a vital away goal in the Nou Camp - and if Barcelona take no more than a one goal lead to Anfield next week it could be advantage Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp with Mohamed Salah (Image: REUTERS) Simon Mullock Barcelona 2-1 Liverpool Lionel Messi is driven by the desire to win another Champions League - so it is going to be tough night for Jurgen Klopp's men. Can Virgil van Dijk and Co contain the Argentine? Have Liverpool got the nouse to compete in midfield? How will Barca cope with Salah, Mane and Firmino? There are some intriguing battles, but I can see the Catalans edging it in the Nou Camp to set-up a mouthwatering return at Anfield. But Barca can be attacked - and Liverpool have the tools to take home a priceless away goal. Alex Richards Barcelona 1-0 Liverpool Two teams blessed with outstanding attacks so you’d expect goals, right? Nah, not for me. Right now, the best two central defenders on the planet are Virgil van Dijk and Gerard Pique, and with both on the field here, I think defences could find themselves on top at Camp Nou. Neither side will want to risk a first leg massacre and both managers know that the other is capable of dishing out a severe beating. Throw in the natural conservatism of Ernesto Valverde and I’m expecting this to be much like Liverpool’s second round first leg against Bayern, which ended 0-0 at Anfield. Only this time there’s Lionel Messi involved and he’s in red hot form. With 46 goals and 21 assists in 45 games this season, he might just give Barca the edge. A tight one, but ultimately, a first leg lead for the Catalans.

The King of Catalunya (Image: Reuters) Neil Moxley Barcelona 2-2 Liverpool I think Barcelona may be in for a shock this evening. Liverpool are fresh, scoring goals and exude confidence. Barca didn’t really need to hit top gear against Manchester United. They’ll need to be at it tonight because I think this Reds team is outstanding. But winning in the Nou Camp is never easy. I think it will be set up beautifully for the return...

How will Suarez fare against his former club? (Image: AFP/Getty Images) James Nursey Barcelona 2-1 Liverpool If Liverpool can keep the tie alive for when Barcelona return to Anfield, they will have done well. You have to expect the Spaniards will score infront of their own fans with Lionel Messi in fine form as usual. Hopefully Liverpool can sneak a goal on the break and limit what i expect to a defeat, to perhaps 2-1. Barca showed few vulnerabilities when they dumped out Manchester United previously and I think they will be even better in the semis as they are starting at home. Mark Jones Barcelona 1-2 Liverpool There aren't any golf clubs or angry Welshmen this time, but Liverpool can stage a repeat of the scoreline from 2007 when goals from Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise made them the most recent team to win at the Nou Camp. The game could follow a similar pattern too, with Barca dominating possession and perhaps even taking the lead. But this Liverpool is made of strong stuff these days, and with the home defence looking somewhat creaky then they should create more than enough chances to improve on the seven away goals they've so far scored in the knockout stages. Unless they get Messi'd, obviously.

Craig Bellamy celebrates in 2007 (Image: REUTERS) Tom Hopkinson Barcelona 2-1 Liverpool So difficult to predict but if Liverpool can keep it tight and nick an away goal then they will fancy their chances at Anfield. Everyone will be looking for big performances from Van Dijk, Salah and Mane but you’d expect that on this stage. The key for Liverpool will be the performance of the lads around them - if they are at their best then they can be a match for the superstars of Catalonia. Neil McLeman Barcelona 2-1 Liverpool I reckon it will be open and exciting with three goals a conservative estimate. Liverpool won’t be able to stop Messi - but will have hope going into the second leg. Darren Lewis Barcelona 2-2 Liverpool I think Liverpool will fight fire with fire as they did with Manchester City last year. Messi will terrorise them, yes, but Mane and Salah will give their defence something to think about too. Read the full article

#Barcelona #ChampionsLeague #Liverpool

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edukick · 5 years

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EduKick UK Ellesmere Junior Football Academy 1st Term Review 2018: Coach Report: International FOOTBALLERS age 12-17 Join us for 2019/20. Accepting Registrations NOW: [email protected] Ellesmere 5 – 0 Lakelands 1st game of the season for EduKick Ellesmere College Football Academy saw them run out 5 – 0 winners against a good Lakelands team. Goal scorers were Saranpagpeny Pagadala,Will Mullock, Dev Marini and 2 from Glen Senuabeh. EduKick Ellesmere 16 v 2 Dragon Academy (Oswestry) 2nd Game saw us play Dragon Academy of Oswestry, ending in a very high scoring 16 – 2 win. Goals from Serio Ehlis, Glenn Senuabeh and Tom Jones amongst the scorers. “We took 2 players off and played ‘2 touch only’ for the second half as we didn’t want to embarrass anyone as that’s not football as I see it.” said Head Football Academy Head Coach, Chris Morrell . EduKick Ellesmere 3 – 0 Gobowen 3rd game saw Academy vs Gobowen – This match was played on sand based astro, which wasn’t ideal, but a good contest saw the Academy run out 3 – 0 winners. Goals from Max Molzter and Glenn Senuabeh (2) EduKick Ellesmere 6 – Wrekin 2 4th Game saw Academy vs Wrekin College U18. A strong Wrekin team twice took a lead before we ran out 6 – 2 winners. Sunuabeh, Mullock and Marini amongst the goals in a very good 2nd half performance. Coach’s General comments: Amongst this first term we have had a showcase in Manchester where the players were a credit to themselves in their play and conduct and a trip to Manchester City Etihad stadium. Most players have also participated in several Football workshops including data Analysis collection, Devising set-plays, Analysis on Real Madrid vs Barcelona and have all presented their findings in front of the group with some using tactic boards and data and we have had a an indoor football competition every Friday which the players have loved. Most have certainly bought into what we are trying to do with the Academy this year and individual and collective development has improved considerably in the past few months.” [email protected] #edukick #football #soccer #boardingschool #uk #england https://www.instagram.com/p/BrYKGbOHhKH/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ohjegw8z12eh

#edukick #football #soccer #boardingschool #uk #england

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