Will Liverpool test the European Champions?

(Image Credit: Messi2day.com)

I have to admit one thing.  As a Liverpool fan, I get goosebumps every time I think about the Reds taking on the European Champions Real Madrid and especially away at the Santiago Bernabeu. We lost 3-0 last time at home in an inspiring performance from Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.

This one match I do not have much expectations. As Brendan Rodgers so eloquently put it in a post match interview after our recent loss to Newcastle over the weekend, “there is no formula”. We are without Daniel Sturridge and missing Luis Suarez who now plays for Barcelona. We just need to find a way to use our players and win.

What will happen tonight? Liverpool will likely lose. Mario Balotelli is horrible and should be sold off in January. I don’t want this to be a match preview. There are tons available and I feel that I should speak here as a Liverpool fan. I am not ashamed to admit we have lost our edge. We lost it when Fernando Torres left in January 2011 and we are feeling it after losing Suarez.

Super Mario will have to prove himself in this match if he wants a regular place. Whenever Sturridge does return, I hope Balotelli isn’t in the starting eleven. Ronaldo, Benzema and the returning Gareth Bale will really be in top form at home.

Where does our strength lie? It lies in the fans. It lies in all of the Kop who sing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. Will we test perhaps the best team in Europe? Rodgers claims they are probably the best now according to BBC Sport. Steven Gerrard has to rally the troops. We need to be our best against the best. There are no excuses. Rodgers says that we want a good result and not rely on the other games to qualify out of the group stages in the UEFA Champions League. He is right that we have every chance to go through. I feel that we should not take this game as a write-off.

If we lose, we make sure every minute on the pitch, we show the Los Blancos no fear and make them work hard for every goal and at the same time take the game to them! Go Reds, may you never walk alone, because we will be singing with you all the way to victory lane!

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Spanish lions collide: Showdown in Camp Nou as Barcelona take on Atletico Madrid for La Liga title!

(image credit: livetipsportal.com)

This season, we have seen domestic competitions like the Barclays Premier League go down to the wire with the winner being decided on the last day of the season. In similar fashion, one of the biggest leagues of the world, La Liga (LIGA BBVA), sees the top two teams, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid go head to head for 90 minutes in the quest to clinch the title and its happening tonight at the Camp Nou!

This is more than just a title decider. One the one hand, Barcelona want to retain their league title and their supremacy while Atletico are looking for their second title after an 18 year wait. This will give Atletico the momentum going into the UEFA Champions League final against derby rivals Real Madrid in Lisbon on the 24^th of May.

Barcelona may look the stronger side on paper, but face a stiff opposition in a team that knocked them out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals earlier this year. At the same time Barcelona has had one of their roughest seasons. The Spanish giants had to cope with the loss of former beloved manager Tito Vilanova, UEFA sanctions and Argentine sensation Lionel Messi’s mixed form, among other issues. Messi, arguably the best player in the world, recently signed a lucrative contract extension making him the highest paid footballer in the world overtaking Real Madrid’s Portugese icon Cristiano Ronaldo.

Fortunately for the Catalans, the UEFA sanctions prohibiting them from transfer business for the next two windows have been suspended. Since this is the only title silverware left to fight for, they will be looking to attack the Atletico defence, retain the title and wrap up their relatively turbulent season with a celebration.

Atletico, on the other hand, can win the title even with a draw as they are three points ahead of the defending champions. Barcelona would equal on points with a win, but will lift the title based on relatively better head-to-head record as well as goal difference.

Barcelona’s 36-year-old long-serving defender Carles Puyol will not be part of the historic match ending his 15 year association with the club as the season wraps up. However, after being sidelined due to injuries, their talented Brazilian forward Neymar, defenders Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are expected to return to the starting line-up.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone is fortunate to have his strongest offence, Diego Costa, back after nursing a hamstring strain. He would be the key to breaking down the rejuvenated Barca defence. Simeone knows by winning tonight, they would be the first club to break the two horse title race between Real Madrid and Barcelona dominating Spanish football for years.

To their credit, going toe to toe with the two biggest clubs in Spain is no easy feat. It will be a deserved victory for Atletico Madrid who are this season’s underdogs. Similarly, Barcelona are hoping to extend their superiority and snatch a huge victory on the final day of the season.

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