Stewart PrimroseEuropa League Semi Final comment
April 29th 2010 16:10
The Europa League semi-final second legs will be played out tonight, and both matches are finely balanced.
Liverpool will try and overcome a 1-0 deficit at home to Atletico Madrid, but despite being used to Champions League success in recent years, the Anfield club will be desperate to save their season with some European glory.
It’s going to be tough for Liverpool, and with Torres out, it makes it all the harder. Rafa Benetiz has a bit of an injury crisis in the forward areas and will need to look towards Steven Gerard for some much needed inspiration.
Gerrard, so often the hero and scorer of some ‘Wembley’ goals, doesn’t appear to be the same player he was a couple of years ago. Injuries have resulted in a lack of form, and age may have started to catch up with him. I think we have seen the best years of Gerrard, and I would be surprised if he was influential for England at this years’ World Cup.
Liverpool have been dreadful this year, and even some decent home form in Europe will not be enough to see them through. Atletico, under Sanchez Flores, are a much improved side than they were at the beginning of the season. Defensively they are stronger, and Aguero and Forlan are performing much better further up the field.
They are a confident side, especially having reached the Spanish Cup Final, and I think they will do enough tonight and grab that all important away goal which will see them through to the final.
Hamburg versus Fulham is an equally interesting tie. Goalless in the first leg in Germany, Hamburg were by far the better team, but could not take a lead to London.
Fulham have done a remarkable job in the competition this year. For a modest squad, they have knocked out Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Wolsburg
Bobby Zamora has been crucial for them, but there are doubts over his fitness tonight. If he is fit, coupled with the problems Hamburg have suffered in the last few days – sacking their manager at the weekend – I can see
Fulham winning it by the odd goal. Hamburg, however, have a lot of quality up front and some genuine pace, so don’t be overly surprised to see them create a few good chances.
Liverpool will try and overcome a 1-0 deficit at home to Atletico Madrid, but despite being used to Champions League success in recent years, the Anfield club will be desperate to save their season with some European glory.
It’s going to be tough for Liverpool, and with Torres out, it makes it all the harder. Rafa Benetiz has a bit of an injury crisis in the forward areas and will need to look towards Steven Gerard for some much needed inspiration.
Gerrard, so often the hero and scorer of some ‘Wembley’ goals, doesn’t appear to be the same player he was a couple of years ago. Injuries have resulted in a lack of form, and age may have started to catch up with him. I think we have seen the best years of Gerrard, and I would be surprised if he was influential for England at this years’ World Cup.
Liverpool have been dreadful this year, and even some decent home form in Europe will not be enough to see them through. Atletico, under Sanchez Flores, are a much improved side than they were at the beginning of the season. Defensively they are stronger, and Aguero and Forlan are performing much better further up the field.
They are a confident side, especially having reached the Spanish Cup Final, and I think they will do enough tonight and grab that all important away goal which will see them through to the final.
Hamburg versus Fulham is an equally interesting tie. Goalless in the first leg in Germany, Hamburg were by far the better team, but could not take a lead to London.
Fulham have done a remarkable job in the competition this year. For a modest squad, they have knocked out Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Wolsburg
Bobby Zamora has been crucial for them, but there are doubts over his fitness tonight. If he is fit, coupled with the problems Hamburg have suffered in the last few days – sacking their manager at the weekend – I can see
Fulham winning it by the odd goal. Hamburg, however, have a lot of quality up front and some genuine pace, so don’t be overly surprised to see them create a few good chances.
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