Champions League Predictions: Semifinals, Leg 1
It feels like just yesterday that Loris Karius was inexplicably palming the ball into his net, but here we are, almost a year later, in the Champions League Semifinals. It's true, it's already time for some more Champions League! And you know what that means. In less than 24 hours, we get to experience some more terrific, pulsating football, and more importantly, the greatest anthem in the world.
Last round did not disappoint: rather, it positively oozed with drama. Okay, not as much in Merseyside or Catalonia, where Liverpool romped to a 6-1 coronation over Porto, who were also victims of the Reds' march to the Final last year. Barcelona, meanwhile, controlled proceedings against Manchester United, strolling through both legs to a casual 4-0 win. On the other end of the intensity spectrum, Dutch upstarts Ajax continued their miracle run with a stunning 2nd-leg upset of Juventus. One day later, in Manchester, Tottenham survived a 3-2 victory loss over/at the hands of likely Premier League champions Man City, in shocking fashion. If you haven't yet seen it, do yourselves a favor and watch this.
Now, though, the quarterfinal fireworks are over. It's time to turn to this week's slate:
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Ajax
It feels surreal that one of Tottenham Hotspur or Ajax is going to play in the Champions League Final. I doubt it would offend too many Londoners or Amsterdammers to say that; it probably feels surreal to them, too. But, here they are, and deservedly so. Tottenham, after looking so dismal for most of group play, have been nothing short of remarkable in the knockout stages, dominating then-Bundesliga leaders Dortmund before eking out a gutsy victory over Manchester City. Their next opponents, Ajax, quite simply have been the best story of the tournament. It's not just that they're underdogs, it's not just that they're wildly young (their captain is 19 years old!!!), it's not just that they're winning despite being a 'feeder club'; it's the fact that they've looked so darn good while winning. In the knockout stages, Ajax have dispatched title holders Real Madrid and 2019 favorites Juventus in consecutive rounds, and in both cases, did so by winning the 2nd leg on the road. More importantly, they did so by genuinely playing better football. It's inspiring. So, in the Feel-Good Semifinal, who takes Leg 1? It's tough because both sides have an air of "Team of Destiny" about them, and as we've seen in prior rounds, away crowds don't faze either side, least of all Ajax, too much. But I just sense that, amazing as the Amsterdam side have been, Tottenham is the one emulating 2018 Liverpool's run. Call it a gut feeling.
The Pick: Tottenham, 4-2
Barcelona vs. Liverpool
The other semifinal is the match you watch for entertainment and storyline. But with all due respect to both those exciting young teams, this semifinal is the one you watch to watch top quality football. It's not a stretch to say that this might be a matchup of the two best teams in Europe. Barcelona has just finished waltzing to another La Liga title, and has hardly broken a sweat in this competition in 2018-19. Liverpool very well may end up losing out on the race for the Premier League, but they're only one point off, and are on pace to finish with the 2nd-best (perhaps 3rd-best if Manchester City are to beat them) Premier League points total of all time. And, unlike City, have now proven to be Champions League mainstays with two consecutive deep runs in the tourney. It's a thrilling prospect, and a matchup that you could see going in either direction, depending on whether the genius of Messi and friends or the stalwartness of Liverpool's back line rules the day. In Leg 1, though? It's hard to see the Reds coming into Camp Nou and leaving with a point, though what they might be able to snatch is a crucial away goal.
The Pick: Barcelona, 2-1