Monday, 1 April 2013

Portuguese influence all over Champions League Quarter's

The Champions League quarter-finals are set to commence on Tuesday and several Portuguese players will need to play key roles if their sides are to progress in the competition:

                                                                       
                                         
                                                     Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid

What more can you say about one of the top players in the world, a complete footballer that can beat you in every way possible, Ronaldo is the focal point of a Real Madrid attack that has been hard to contain throughout the competition. Leading the Champions League with eight goals, the Portuguese superstar has a favorable match-up against an attack minded Galatasaray side in the quarters. Expect Ronaldo to find the back of the net a few times against the Turkish giants and play a pivotal role in Madrid reaching the Champions League semi-finals.

                                             
                                                         Fabio Coentrao, Real Madrid 

The Portuguese left-back is in very good form at the moment and was a major threat against Manchester United in the round of 16 match-up. Playing as a winger early in his career, Coentrao has made the switch to left-back rather seamlessly and partners Ronaldo on the left for both Madrid and the Portuguese National Team. Possessing great pace and dribbling ability, Coentrao has managed to entrench his role at Madrid in the last few months forcing Marcelo to the bench. Galatasaray should be weary of Coentrao's offensive capabilities while trying to take advantage of the space he leaves behind him.

                                                                

                                                             Pepe, Real Madrid

A enigmatic figure, Pepe has seen his role at Real Madrid diminish with the emergence of youngster Raphael Varane at centre-back and Sergio Ramos in good form as well. Whether Jose Mourinho chooses to utilize the experience of Pepe over Varane is still to be seen but his impact in the two legged tie should be felt either at the back or playing a holding midfielder role for Mourinho's men.

                                                             
                                                      
                                                                 Eliseu, Malaga

The Malaga left-back has been a revelation for the big spending Spanish team this season scoring some marvelous goals and putting in some man of the match performances against some of Europe's biggest clubs in the group stages. Unable to play against FC Porto in the round of 16 (fellow Portuguese left back Antunes filled in for him admirably) because of injury, Eliseu will need to play a key role for Malaga if they are to defeat one of the most formidable Champions League teams of the season in Borussia Dortmund.            











                                                              

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