ROAD TO ISTANBUL '21: UCL SEMI FINAL (28/04)

Renewed Hostilities as the Oil derby flares up!

The Arabian owned clubs face off in what is a money-gested clash. The quality both teams posses is mouthwatering and it will all come down to who gets it tactically right. 

Kobysportsupdate.blogspot.com previews this evening's game. Follow on: 

Pep Guardiola finally makes it to the semifinals with Manchester City. It has been long coming, and I am sure Pep can feel, this is the one for him. He is allowed that but Paris SG stand in his way. Last year's finalist may be staking a claim to the title this year after they overcame Bayern Munich, the holders. 

Kylian Mbappe got a knock in the last game but has been declared fit for the tie, he and Neymar Jr can be a thorn in the flesh of the City defense. Pochettino has not added much but has just resorted to a more pragmatic approach. The counterattack is that deadly and Pep would not want those two running at his defenders.

The Cityzens have had an impressive defensive record. The arrival of Ruben Dias brought some stability in defense. Gundogän seems to have had his season sorted. His attacking numbers have dwindled. Phil Foden has been the cavalier of Pep's attack. Two goals against Dortmund eased City's way into the semis. 

Kevin De Bruyne has not slowed down too. Pep has set up his team where he wants his fullbacks to normally drop into the midfield to provide more options in the box for his attack. Cancelo and Kyle Walker have been the choice effects for this formula. 

A traditional 4-3-3 is Pep's formation, most of it this season has been without a striker. The false nine system with most of his midfielders overloading the attacking third of opponents. 

Pochettino has met Pep many times than he has any other manager in his career. The glittering feature would be eliminating his adversary en route to the 2019 final. 

Renewed hostilities as the Espanyol/Barcelona rivalry of Catalonia could resurface but in different circumstances. The Oil derby as many put it would be an enthralling one. 

Poch has used the 4-4-2 formation so the wide midfielders can come back on defense. Di Maria only joins the attack when the ball is further up the pitch. Some injured players are back in the fray and could get a sniff at this. 

PSG was here last season and can be hoping to be only the sixth club to make it to the final after being there a year prior. 

A good game on our hands, let's sit back and enjoy. 

ROAD TO ISTANBUL 21: UCL SEMIFINAL(27/04)

Tuchel’s chance; Chelsea eyes CL trophy since 2012 or Real Madrid walks through unscathed? 

A preview of the game tonight in the UEFA champions league semifinals. Read on for updates from kobysportupdate.blogspot.com as we fill you in.

Chelsea stealthily made its way to the semis and this feat comes from the very good work Thomas Tuchel has put in. Notwithstanding, we will not undermine Lampard's run in the group stages without a defeat. There is a good presence in the camp of Chelsea, and it is all to their advantage, if they use it to proper effect in their clash against Real Madrid. 

Their Spanish opponents have had two very drab stalemates domestically but Tuchel will be very much aware that his opposition number does not need good results to show up in this competition. That regardless, they have faced Chelsea three times and have come out without a win on all three occasions in all competitions. 

Tactically, Zidane deployed a low block and hit Liverpool on the counter at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano, and it worked perfectly. Vinicius terrorized Liverpool’s back line. Carvajal makes it back in time to play at right back but eyebrows will be raised about his level of fitness for this game. Nacho or Ferde Valverde can have another run at left back in Mendy’s absence. This is the fourteenth semifinal for Real Madrid and Chelsea’s eighth.

Chelsea is not that expansive with the ball but is very tight at the back. They dwell on their wing play to hurt teams. Reece James and Ben Chilwell look the sure starters because of the defensive ability they both possess. The defense has managed to keep 18 clean sheets in the last 25 games. Just as many as Manchester City has kept in Tuchel's time frame. 

Real Madrid has the personnel to unlock that back line, Benzema and Vinicius can do that to perfect effect. Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Modric are the combative force in the middle for the Galacticos. Thomas Tuchel must romp up his men to stifle the progress of this brilliant trio. The midfield Tuchel selects must be one to cut Real Madrid's passing lanes and to provide quick passes to release Chelsea's front line. A 3-4-2-1 looks like the go-to formation. Kante and Jorginho may sit in front of the defense to provide cover with Kovacic being unavailable. 

The task for Tuchel would be who starts up front. Kai or Giroud, lots would prefer the latter, but he seems to have fallen out of favor with Tuchel. He has preferred the former to lead the line with Timo and Mount playing of him. Timo broke his goal scoring drought at the weekend against West Ham and that should be a confidence booster going into tonight’s encounter. 

Chelsea is gradually getting there and could be repeating the happenings of their 2012 campaign. 

UCL QUARTER FINAL Preview:2nd Leg(14-04)

Dortmund host Pep's Manchester City and do the troubles at Anfield continue?

PSG and Chelsea both qualified on away goals despite their 1-0 losses last night to Bayern Munich and FC Porto respectively. 

Two more spots to be clinched in the semis, Who goes through? Follow on for updates on tonight's happenings;

Borussia Dortmund vs Manchester City

A very controversial game at the Etihad. Dortmund should be disappointed to have returned to Germany with just one away goal instead of two. Jude Bellingham had a very good goal chopped off for reasons beyond VAR and the sights of the referee. They get another go at it tonight when they host the Citizens at the Westfalenstadion. Mahmoud Dahoud and Jude Bellingham were immense in that midfield for the yellow and black in the previous encounter. 

Dortmund fought harder at the weekend to win at Stuttgart while Manchester City fell at the hands of Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United. Dortmund’s only previous home meeting with Manchester City came in 1-0 victory in 2012. 

Pep Guardiola realizes his team was not up for it in the first leg and at the weekend as well. A case of rotation came to play but the quality in the squad should have dealt with their opponents at the weekend. It did not happen, and focus should be turned to tonight’s game. Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden were the bright spots in the first leg but Pep would require a more collective effort to get through to the semis. 

Erling Braut Haaland remains a threat and strategies must be drawn to reduce his efficiency in the final third to set up that semi final showdown with Paris SG. 

Liverpool vs Real Madrid

The Reds have it all to do at Anfield when their Spanish opponents come to Merseyside. Jurgen Klopp may have over thought the situation in Madrid. He got it tactically wrong in the middle of the park and had no cover for Trent anytime he bumped forward. 

Naby Keita started in midfield last time out to provide more energy in the middle of the park for Liverpool but the quality in Zidane's midfield trio of Modric, Kroos and Casemiro was more dominant. 

Despite not having his first choice centre back pairing, Zidane was spot on with his team selection and must be looking to keep it tighter at the back to make it to the semis with Eder Militao and Nacho in the heart of defense. 

Anfield has not been very good to Liverpool in 2021 and Los Blancos will have no shivers down their spine knowing very well the problems there on Merseyside. 

Liverpool clinched their first victory in seven games at Anfield in 2021 at the weekend via a thunderbolt from the right foot of Trent. 

They would have hope in their hearts that qualification is a possibility. If they manage to prevent Real Madrid from scoring, they would surely believe they can make it. 

The winner of this encounter faces Chelsea in the semis, Can Liverpool make it an all English affair?

See you in the semis. 

All Games at 19:00 GMT

UCL QUARTER FINAL Preview: 13-04-2021

A little late for Porto?; Mbappe In that goal king chase.

The second legs kick off tonight, kobysportupdate gives you a preview of happenings tonight in the UCL. Follow on;

Paris SG vs Bayern Munich

The French outfit got the better of the German side in last week’s encounter, Bayern fought harder and made it level but Kylian Mbappe’s brace and Neymar’s attacking verve helped Paris SG beat Bayern by the odd number in a five-goal thriller. Bayern will still be without their star striker, Robert Lewandowski but Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting put in the shift and his services can be relied upon again to stake their claim in the semis and Serge Gnabry is still out with an illness. 

Mauricio Pochettino was pragmatic in the first leg and will by no means vary his tactics in this one. The three away goals make them comfortable to seal qualification if they can prevent Bayern from scoring. Marquinhos limped off with an adductor problem but Danilo could move into defense to partner Kimpembe like he did in the latter stages in the first leg.

Joshua Kimmich was magnificent but his team could not convert most of the chances created. If Bayern can make the 31 shots at attempt at goal from the first leg count tonight, they could break the jinx of not making it past an opponent after losing a first leg tie since 2014-15 against FC Porto. 

Chelsea vs FC Porto

Chelsea will be looking to progress for the ninth time in the UEFA Champions league KO stages when winning the tie in the first leg. Chelsea is unbeaten in the competition this year and will be looking to stamp their authority from the onset. Mason Mount's 180 degrees in step turn got the English side the early advantage and Ben Chilwell later rounded Marchesin to double the advantage.

Thomas Tuchel has opted for a false nine approach in the last 3 games with Kai leading the line and will most likely go for the same in tonight’s encounter.  

Porto is without a victory in the last seven games against English sides after their famous 5-0 thrashing handed out to Leicester in 2016. Sergio Oliveira and Mehdi Taremi could make it back into the starting line up after serving out their suspension. 15 goals this term for Sergio Oliveira who joined from Rio Ave last summer. Porto lacked his precision and directness last week and would be hoping to count on that against Chelsea. 

Chelsea has not lost a game in Spain this term and the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan will be a more welcoming home ground. 

All games 19:00 GMT. 

UCL Quarter Final: 7/04/21

Conceição - nothing is impossible and revenge for  PSG this time?

There was no dilly-dallying in yesterday's encounters. Real Madrid got off to a perfect start to stun Liverpool and Phil Foden on the 90th minute mark gave City a 2-1 advantage in what was a controversial game at the city of Manchester Stadium. 

Welcome again to Day 2 of the first leg in the last 8. This page will preview tonight's games:

Bayern vs Paris SG

Only the second meeting between the two sides in the knockout stages after last season's final. Bayern urged that but revenge cannot hold on any later as PSG make the trip to the Alianz arena tonight. 

Bayern and PSG sit at number 1 and 2 respectively with the best goal averages in the competition since 2016/17. 

Bayern still remain unbeaten thus far. Manuel Neuer made some important saves the last time the two met and will call on him when Mbappe, Neymar and Di Maria get into the groove. Marco Verrati misses out but the defense of PSG has been impressive. A loss at the weekend to Lille in the top of the table clash leaves a lot to be desired. 

Serge Gnabry and Robert Lewandoski will also be absent for the Bavarians. Choupo-Moting will lead the line for the hosts. Leroy Sane and Kingsley Coman can trouble PSG's backline with their speed. 

With away goals in play, a sturdy defense is what Hansi Flick must keep to nullify the attack of PSG.

Porto vs Chelsea

It's in awkward bewilderment when underdogs steal the show and certainly the way Porto has gone about its acts. They knocked Juventus out and will be hoping to replicate the same against Chelsea. 

The blip at the weekend to West Brom will only remain that when Thomas Tuchel romps his team for this encounter. He has preached humility after the events of the weekend and in that he will know how to set up against Porto. 

The 3-5-2 formation is apparent and Giroud and Werner will lead the line for the Blues. 

Sergio Conceição admits the task is herculean but indicates nothing is impossible (such confidence if you knock Ronaldo out) despite having Sergio Oliviera and Mehdi Taremi suspended. Jesus Corona, Luis Diaz and Moussa Marega will be the obvious threat up front. 

Chelsea will be more alert with the weekend's actions and that makes an assured headpiece for this tie.

Let's enjoy the games tonight.

All Games 19:00 GMT.

UCL Quarter Final: 6/04/21

No Ramos - Salah can now breathe and can Haaland extend his goal tally?

The Quarter finals starts tonight with a good preview of the games happening tonight;

Manchester City vs Dortmund

Pep Guardiola will be looking to get things right when he faces Borussia Dortmund in Manchester. His team has been knocked out of the CL at this stage in the last three seasons. No need for extra motivation and this tie against Dortmund looks very much the better step to make it into the semis. 

Despite the abysmal form of the German side, the Champions League has been a great level of surprise. They are only here at the expense of Sevilla and that blessing of Haaland's goal scoring talent has kept them moving. 

Pep has done it all domestically but only the CL trophy at City evades him. A great run of games for  Manchester City gives Pep the upper hand over Edin Tirzic's Dortmund. 

Haaland has been in the highlights and the absence of Sancho makes the task harder but Jude Bellingham and Mahmoud Dahoud have been imperious in the middle of park. Pep has Gundogän and De Bruyne who can pull all the necessary strings in there. Pep has tactically deployed fullbacks mostly in the middle so midfielders can push further forward and a possible false nine system to give the needed reward. 

A great game on our hands, does Haaland add more to his goal tally or does the collective efforts of Manchester City urge this?

Real Madrid vs Liverpool

Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano hosts the two sides in the first leg. Both teams have gradually got their season running with some very good results. 

The CL this season has presented a great front to Liverpool with only one loss this season at home to Atalanta. They brushed off RB Leipzig to make it here. The midfield looks more balanced with Fabinho now back as the holding midfielder. Kabak and Phillips have had a great partnership in defense as well. 

Zidane says his team will want to focus on this particular one which is going to be played over 180 minutes. This will have to be done without captain, Sergio Ramos and Benzema will need to carry the team on his shoulders in this tie.

Targeting the rookie centre backs of Liverpool will be the main plan and if done to perfection, it gives the needed advantage heading into the second leg. Experience will count for Real Madrid and the Reds will be wary of this. 

Diogo Jota is the surprise element for Klopp and his positioning and goal scoring is that bonus Liverpool can dwell on. 

More room for Salah to breathe in Ramos's absence. 

All Games 19:00 GMT