City face tough draw in Champions League
CHRIS BASHAM’S heatmap from Sheffield United’s 1-0 victory over Wolves on Wednesday shows the Blades have benefited hugely from him bombing on
MANCHESTER CITY have been handed the toughest route possible to the Champions League final if they get past Real Madrid. If Pep Guardiola’s men can see off Zinedine Zidane’s men in their last-16 second leg at the Etihad Stadium, having won 2-1 at the Bernabeu in February, they will face Lyon or Juventus in a one-off quarter-final. The semi-final draw was also made and City could face Chelsea, but with the Blues heading to Bayern Munich for their last-16 second leg trailing 3-0, that looks unlikely. Guardiola’s former clubs Bayern and Barcelona are more probable potential semi-final opponents, with Napoli the other possibility. The other side of the draw will provide the home team for the final in Lisbon, with RB Leipzig or Atletico Madrid facing Atalanta or Paris St Germain in the other semi-final. Continental action will return next month with the remaining last-16 ties and a final eight mini-tournament in Portugal.
The route to the Estadio da Luz final on August 23 was set out at an empty auditorium in Nyon, Switzerland yesterday. Meanwhile, Manchester United are on course to play Wolves in the semifinals of the Europa League if both teams progress.
WHEN Frank Lampard was a player at Chelsea, he was part of a group of untouchables under Jose Mourinho. That is what Lampard the manager wants to create, too. But right now, there is real competition for places at Chelsea. Everyone is on trial. Only Pep Guardiola, with his embarrassment of riches at Manchester City, has made more changes to his starting line up in the Premier League this season. One of the latest to lose his spot is Antonio Rudiger, with Lampard preferring Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma as Chelsea’s centre backs. He’s using Reece James at right back and Cesar Azpilicueta at left back, sidelining Marcos Alonso. Before the restart, Jorginho started 23 of Chelsea’s 29 league games, but he has not started since. Willian and Christian Pulisic are Lampard’s wingers, while Olivier Giroud is his striker. Giroud only started three games between August and February. Now he has started four of their five league games and scored three goals, with Tammy Abraham relegated to the bench. More competition is on its way, too, with striker Timo Werner and winger Hakim Ziyech. Today Chelsea face Sheffield United, who beat Wolves
on Wednesday. That match was like an arm wrestle. Neither side gave an inch. Hard work is practically written across the Sheffield United players’ foreheads. Speaking to Chris Wilder at their training ground earlier in the season, he stressed that. They have a unique 3-5-2 system they know inside out, using Chris Basham (left), John Egan and Jack O’Connell as a back three. Basham has boundless energy and this team have enjoyed proving people wrong this season. Chelsea arrive at Bramall Lane as favourites. Willian and Pulisic are in fine form. I’d say Willian is one of the Premier League’s most under-rated players — I’m sure Lampard would love to keep hold of him — while Pulisic is a box of tricks. Sheffield United coped well with Wolves’ threats. Adama Traore got a whack and wasn’t his usual self. Wilder’s side are physical and Pulisic and Willian will be given a taste of that, too. In one v one situations, I’d back Chelsea’s wide men. But the Blades are outstanding at doubling up on their opponents. Basham and O’Connell fly forward and George Baldock and Enda Stevens provide excellent cover. Midfielders Sander Berge and Ben Osborn sprint forward but they can dash back just as quick. Wilder’s side enjoy being the underdogs. They’ve proven that this season and will embrace the challenge of playing Chelsea today.