English-free Champions League has plenty of pedigree

Half the fun of football comes before and after the game through the arguments, assessments and anticipation of fellow fans. So as the ‘did Nani deserve a red card?’ row begins to recede into history the European football fans that have assembled from every corner of the globe at Warwick University can turn their conversation to Friday’s draw for the Champions League and Europa League quarter finals.

No one will have been giving the match-ups more thought then UEFA chief Michel Platini, reflecting on his mission to rid the sport of perceived financial doping. In that light, he’ll see clear heroes and villains in the first two Champions League ties.

Barcelona, fresh from a vindication of their focus on youth and intricate passing in the stunning 4-0 comeback against AC Milan, face nouveau riche Paris St Germain who, now backed by Qatari millions, continue their search for a first European Cup.

Inevitably, much of the build-up to this game will focus on the media lightning rod that is PSG and former Barca striker Zlatan Ibrahimović. However, while he serves a suspension during the first leg his fellow Nou Camp veteran in the French capital Thiago Motta will be both tactically key in disrupting Barcelona’s threat in the final third and frankly more interested in proving a point to the Catalan club.

The tournament favourites continue to face selection dilemmas, for example whether to keep Andres Iniesta in a deeper midfield role and Cesc Fabregas on the bench, without manager Tito Vilanova who is still in New York for medical treatment.

While that is undoubtedly the tie of the round, for the football hipster in your life there’s Malaga vs. Borrussia Dortmund. Platini will be joining adoring English fans in cheering on the German champions, a model for any club on the pitch and in the boardroom. Malaga’s maladministration on the other hand is almost certain to see them be the first club to be barred from European competition by Platini’s ‘financial fair play’ rules next season. Another cash vs. class battle in store then but probably a more even one than most fans expect.

While Goetze and co. have played some spectacular stuff this season, Malaga shocked everyone by topping a difficult group and overcoming a first leg deficit against Porto. La Liga veterans such as Joaquin, Saviola and Julio Bapitsta have the quality and hunger to get to Wembley.

Platini might not have an obvious favourite in Real Madrid vs. Galatasaray now the Turkish giants have added some ‘galacticos’ of their own in recent Champions League winners Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder. Madrid manager Jose Mourinho of course knows both players very well and will need to be at his best to deal with them and the immeasurable pressure and expectation within Spain: Real are expected to bring home a 10th European title.

More European pedigree is on display in the final Champions League tie where Bayern Munich and Juventus have made 19 final appearances between them. Crucially, both have healthy league leads domestically that will allow them to focus on this glamorous fixture. The excitement around Bayern has dissipated after a listless second leg display against Arsenal but they remain a formidable outfit when in possession.

Meanwhile, the remaining Italian representatives have blended the experience and grace of Pirlo with the youth and energy of Pogba in midfield and will take heart from an omen: the last time there were no English sides in the Champions League quarter finals, they went on to win the competition.

Platini might have afforded himself a wry smile at the absence of English clubs, but he will be hoping that our three clubs in the Europa League can boost revenues and interest in the beleaguered second tier competition.

They have managed to avoid each other, with Chelsea facing the long trip to Russia to face Rubin Kazan while neighbours Tottenham play Swiss side Basle. Both face the distraction of the Premier League top-four fight of course so perhaps Newcastle United, just clear of relegation trouble, could provide the country’s best prospect – they’d have to overcome the toughest draw with Portuguese giants Benfica heading for Tyneside. The final match-up, Lazio vs. Fenerbahce promises an intimidating atmosphere in any potential semi-final.

While Platini examines the books of these 16 clubs and the tacticians ponder numbers of a different kind, 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3, I have a sneaky feeling we will see all three English clubs progress and that PSG might get past Barcelona – controversial I know, but as I said, isn’t that half the fun?