Main Listening Report: Champions League Review 2011: The Quarter-finals

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:44 — 5.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Blubrry | Email | TuneIn | Deezer | Youtube Music | RSS | More

Subscribe: Main Listening Report

This week’s main report previews the quarter-final matches from the Champions League and asks which team can win the trophy in Wembley in May. There is a transcript below, while explanations of key vocabulary (in bold) can be found at the foot of the post.

Transcript

All of the second round matches of the Champions League have now been completed leaving three teams from England, two from Spain and one each from Italy, Germany and the Ukraine to battle it out to decide this year’s best team in European club football. The draw has been made and on this week’s main listening report we take a look at the quarter-final match-ups.

Real Madrid-Tottenham

As a Spurs fan this was exactly the tie I wanted as this could (realistically) be our only run in the Champions League for a while. The glamour, history and attacking talent of the nine-time winners of this competition, Madrid, will have White Hart Lane buzzing though the Spurs fans will be hoping that the tie will not have gone beyond them by the return leg. Madrid boss, Jose Mourinho knows the Premier League well, has a European pedigree that has hardly been bettered by anyone and is a master tactician but he knows that his Madrid will have to be aware of the threat of Bale and Lennon on the flanks and ex-Madridista Van De Vaart playing up front. Tottenham have already put out AC Milan, can they go one better? Unfortunately I doubt it.

Chelsea-Manchester United

This all-English tie guarantees that one team from the Premier League will be in the semi-final – unlike last season – and this one really is too close to call. A Brazilian colleague called this a ‘big English battle’ and he is not wrong. The games will be tight and will probably be decided by one goal – no doubt a controversial one at that. Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea boss has a very good track record in European competitions while his Manchester United counterpart Ferguson is looking for his third win, one that may then see him retire from the game. Chelsea seem to be finding their form while United have been badly hit by injuries, however I am still going for a Red Devils’ victory.

Barcelona v Shakhtar Donetsk

Favourites against dark horses. The teams that no one really wanted to face have ended up playing each other. We all know about Barcelona and their style of football, a style that saw them win the title two years ago and reach the semi-final last year. Shakhtar are no mugs however and also won a European title two years ago – The Europa League. They are a side packed with talented Brazilians and the Catalan side will not relish a trip to the imposing Donbass Arena, they will probably need a two-goal cushion to feel confident of progressing. I think they will make it through, though not as easily as many have predicted.

Internazionale v Schalke

The holders against the outsiders. Inter’s comeback againt Bayern Munich was the stuff of heroes and this will no doubt galvanise them to maybe go on and retain the title. Schalke are under-performing in the Bundesliga and have just fired their coach Magath so they seem to be in some sort of disarray though Champions League top scorer Raul lines up in their side. Inter have too much experience, too much fire-power and too much class to fail.

So, our predictions here see Real Madrid playing Barcelona and Manchester United playing Inter Milan in the semi-finals but as we know not only have our predictions been a little wayward this season but anything can happen in football.

Vocabulary

White Hart Lane: The home stadium of Tottenham

buzzing: Very excited indeed

has a European pedigree: His success in European competitions is one of the best

on the flanks: The wide players, players on the wings, wingers

can they go one better?: Can Spurs win through another round?

too close to call: Difficult to predict

has a very good track record: Anceloti has performed well in European competitions; has a good history

counterpart: Colleague; equivalent

Red Devils’ victory: A Manchester United win

are no mugs: Are not stupid; they will not be easy to beat

will not relish a trip: Will not fancy; are not looking forward to

a two-goal cushion: A two-goal lead (to protect)

to be in some sort of disarray: In a mess; chaos

a little wayward: Not always that good!