Stand by for big-gun action
Liverpool look set to advance to the Champions League final but Arsenal face an uphill struggle in Madrid in their bid to reach the Europa League final.
The finalists for both the Champions League and the Europa League will be decided in the next 48 hours as Liverpool look to defend a three-goal lead against Roma and Arsene Wenger seeks to land Arsenal another trophy before departing. Liverpool swarmed all over Roma for a 40-minute spell in last week’s semi-final first leg at Anfield and scored five goals in as an efficient a display of attacking football as you will ever see. But they are still in a tenuous situation going into tonight’s second leg of their semi-final in Rome.
They are 5-2 ahead and this is a decent lead, but as much as Liverpool are capable of blowing teams apart, they are also inclined to collapse which makes for a tense return.
There should be at least one away goal scored by Jurgen Klopp’s men to see them through on aggregate, but it is likely Roma will win at home on the night although not by enough goals to reach the final.
On Thursday, Wenger takes Arsenal to Atletico Madrid needing to score at least one goal to stand any chance of overcoming the Spanish club and advancing to the Europa League final.
Since his end-of-season departure was announced, there have been many tributes to the Frenchman’s achievements over two decades with the Gunners.
His final epilogue is in his hands, but Arsenal face a huge task in Spain. They had it tough in the first leg at home with a 10-men Atletico employing a cynical approach and ensuring there was no flow to their hosts’ game.
The new Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid will be even tougher forum where Diego Costa and Antoine Griezmann will be difficult to contain.
It would be a fitting farewell for Wenger to take Arsenal to the Europa League title – and ensure his successor at chance to compete in next season’s Champions League – but after the 1-1 first leg draw that is difficult to envisage.
So while many TAB soccer punters might have empathy for Wenger, most will banker Diego Simeone’s team to win.
After this weekend, the relegation battle in the Premier League in England should be clearer as West Bromwich host Tottenham, Stoke play Crystal Palace and Southampton go away to Everton. Swansea could yet get sucked into the bottom three if they lose at Bournemouth.