United, Barca ready to finish the job

Duo aim to seal Champions League semi-final places tonight.


Afp April 11, 2011

PARIS:


Both Manchester United and Barcelona have one foot in the last-four after contrasting first-legs. Yet both coaches are warning their teams they must take nothing for granted after drawing first blood.


Barca, eight points clear in La Liga, thrashed Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1 at the Nou Camp so their passage appears assured but coach Pep Guardiola has counselled that injuries and complacency mean they must tread carefully in the return.

Sir Alex meanwhile is only too aware that a 1-0 advantage over Chelsea - even if garnered away from home - does not mean he and his troops can start plotting a potential rematch of a 2009 final lost to the Catalan club.

But while United are heading for a hat-trick of Premier League crowns, Ferguson also wants his own Champions League treble after 1999 and 2008 - the second coming at Chelsea’s expense. After Wayne Rooney secured a first win at Stamford Bridge in almost a decade, United are cast in the role of favourites - but their manager says they must concentrate on ramming home their advantage.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti must hope his misfiring £50 million striker Fernando Torres can break his duck at Old Trafford after 648 goalless minutes since arriving from Liverpool. Ancelotti benched Torres for Saturday’s win over Wigan but has the luxury of having experienced alternatives in Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

Chelsea captain John Terry, whose missed penalty in Moscow, cost the Londoners a first European crown three seasons ago, insists one goal will open the floodgates for the Spaniard and hasten his return to form.

“It is just a case of getting that first goal, getting that off your shoulders, and then you can move on,” said the Chelsea captain.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 12th,  2011.

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