Dave Pundit on the Champions League Semi-Finals

Hi, I'm Dave Pundit. This week sees some of the most exciting fixtures the Champions League has ever produced. If it carries on like this every year it may become almost as good as our very own cup competitions.

Three out of the four teams still in it are English which proves that we have the best league in the world. Barcelona have been lucky to get to this stage as they haven't had to face any English - and therefore good - teams. Let's face it if you can't beat a German team then you don't deserve to be in the competition to start with. You wouldn't find any English teams losing to kraut opposition, no matter what competition it was.

Barcelona v Chelsea
Chelsea have the relatively easy task of knocking out the Spaniards. Many people point to threat of Messi but I think Chelsea can contain the little Brazilian. I mean he's a shortarse isn't he? I doubt he even knows how to head a ball and that's a fundamental skill. Of course, Chelsea are missing Ashley Cole and he would have easily coped with Messi, I just don't think Messi would know how to deal with Ashley's tackle. Especially if it came from behind. But even without Cole Chelsea still have the rock that is John Terry. No one gets past John Terry he's like the Great Wall of China, except he's English. The Great Wall of Chelsea maybe. He has all the best attributes of a wall; strong, reliable and totally immobile. However he has to be careful of the referees in Europe, they don't seem to have the required respect for him as the England captain, and as such aren't influenced by him the way English refs are. It's disgraceful really but when you have a Frenchman in charge of UEFA what do you expect?
Verdict 0-2

Man Utd v Arsenal
Now I'm no fan of Arsenal, but I am a patriotic Englishman so I always support them in Europe. But luckily they're facing Man Utd here so I don't have to. Both teams will be strong going forward but it will be the defence that makes the difference. Utd have probably got the best defence in Europe, full of British greats like Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville and John O'Shea. Whereas Arsenal rely on Frenchmen like Clichy, Toure and Silvestre. I mean let's face it someone like Silvestre would never play for a team like Man Utd. Man Utd have also had the best possible preparation for this game after demolishing Tottenham who being form North London are like the English equivalent of Arsenal. The Gunners on the other hand had a lucky win against Middlesbrough, who despite starting with an M are nothing like Man Utd.
Verdict 2-1

Finally I'd like to mention Liverpool. Despite not making the Semi Finals they are clearly one of the top four teams in Europe and they should have been in the mix but as ever UEFA fixed the draw to stop an all-English Semi Final. It's a travesty. Liverpool won it in 2005, they should be their by rights. I mean when was the last time Barcelona won it? Where's the justice?