UCL Semifinal first leg results

[Aquavit]

I almost didn't want to post anything about the first leg of the UCL semifinal this week. Boring 0-0 game between Chelski and Atletico, and I'm still fuming at the insane decision to pit Rafinha against Ronaldo. Who could have possibly predicted that Ronaldo would beat Rafinha and set up and/or score a goal today? Oh that's right, LITERALLY EVERYONE IN THE WORLD.

Atletico have a tough job ahead of them next week in London, and Bayern....I had such high hopes for this season but I think it'll end up all being for naught.

[Ron Obvious]

1. They were rather disappointing...

I actually regret staying home for these semifinals when I could have been out riding my bike in the sunshine. Yet, I know I'll do the same thing next week because you never know, especially with second legs.

That's football for you. Like abused spouses we keep returning, hoping for an occasional treat and surviving on our memories during the bad times.

I suppose it really shouldn't have come as a great surprise that a game between a Mourinho-led side and a Simeone-led side would turn out to be such a borefest. An early goal might have made all the difference. Alas, it didn't happen.

Prediction: I almost don't care any more, but I'm guessing Chelsea will just about do enough at Stamford Bridge. 1-0 in extra time. If not, Jose will be congratulating the referees again.

Bayern, now, did disappoint me a bit. Their squad ought to be stronger than last year and yet seems weaker. Although they dominated possession, they really didn't threaten much and looked vulnerable on the counter.

Hmm, I seem to remember applying that same description to another team last year. A team that were found out and thoroughly humiliated by Bayern in this same competition. Clearly what made the most sense is for the winning team to hire the manager of the team that lost the tie 7-0 to see if he can get them playing the same way as that losing side did last year. Yeah, that's the ticket!

With memories of Dortmund - Real Madrid in mind, I'm predicting Bayern are still going to be able to pull this off: 3-1.

[Aquavit]

2. Bayern rebound nicely

They played god awful tika taka during the first half of the game against Werder Bremen today, and fell behind 2:1 at halftime. But then they switch styles to something closer to Jupp Heynckes' style in the second half and steamrolled to a 5:2 final.

I really, really hope Pep was paying attention and will adjust his tactics according on Tuesday. My boys can totally crush Real at the Allianz Arena IF they stay away from the tika taka crap.

My predictions:

If no tika taka nonsense: 5:1 on aggregate to Bayern.

If Pep insists on possession without any intent to score, it'll be 3:0 on aggregate to Real.