JOSE MOURINHO has many qualities – boring the pants of supporters is one. The Chelsea boss will no doubt be happy to have held Atletico 0-0 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final but games like that would get football banned.
I'll be watching Neilston v Clydebank tonight and I know it will be 100 times more enjoyable. That means I'll miss the first half of Real Madrid v Bayern Munich and I just hope it's a better tie than last night's fare.
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti didn't risk Cristiano Ronaldo for last week's Spanish Cup Final against Barcelona because being crowned European champions for a 10th time is the priority – the big dream.
Gareth Bale stepped up to the plate to win Copa del Rey but both are now doubts tonight. Picking a winner isn't easy but after three semi-final defeats running I reckon Real will edge it – but not if Ronaldo and Bale are missing.
I wasn't impressed with Bayern against Man Utd in the semis but maybe they were holding something back and in the end qualified fairly comfortably. But the holders conceded in both legs and at times looked fragile and won't get away with it against the likes of Ronaldo, Bale and Karim Benzema.
To have any chance of going through Real – whose record in Germany is shocking – will have to win the home leg and are 7-5 at Ladbrokes and McBookie to do so and 11-8 at Betfred and bet365 to qualify.
Bayern are 4-6 at McBookie to reach the Final and 21-20 at McBookie to triumph in the Bernabeu.
Twenty-goal Bale missed Monday's training with flu and is a doubtful starter. However, the news points me towards Ronaldo to score first at 7-2 with McBookie and others – if he starts. The Portuguese has 48 for the season and 14 in the Champions League – one behind Lionel Messi's record.
Bale is 13-2 at McBookie to break the deadlock with French hitman Benzema 6-1 at Paddy Power.
Pep Guardiola knows all about Real of course and wants his troops to rally after some poor shows in the Bundesliga since being crowned champions.
Franck Ribery has been off the boil and and Mario Mandzukic's netted three goals in 10 games so while Real usually concede Bayern will have to work hard for their away goals. Both sides to score pays 4-7 at Ladbrokes and over 2.5 goals is 4-6 at Ladbrokes.
If Ronaldo and Bale both miss out Real could struggle and I'd be looking to back Bayern to at least draw on the night. My recommendations will have to be put on hold until the teams are announced – and of course I'll be at Neilston by then.
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Bayern double chance 8/15
Under 5.5 cards 4/5
Ronaldo looks a good bet @ 7/2. Boylesports will pay out at 7/1 if he scores first goal within the first 20 mins
JOSE MOURINHO in jan 2014 after west ham parked the bus.
It’s very difficult to play a football match where only one team wants to play, very difficult. A match is about two teams playing. This match was only one team playing and another team not. I told Big Sam that, because they need points, to come here and do it the way they did… is it acceptable? Maybe yes.
I cannot be too critical because, if I was in this position, I don’t know if I would do the same. But at the same time this is not Premier League. This is not the best league in the world. This is football from the 19th century.
yep not pretty to watch last night and it makes us all the more thankful to compete and not spectate…. fair play to Jose… he called it right on the night and at the end of the day football and life is based on a results basis…. even though I backed Madrid no sour grapes from me….. although I took Lads 5/6 Madrid to qualify before last nights games as well……
What he is saying is that it’s normal(acceptable) to park the bus when you desperately need points(like fighting off relegation, ensuring you qualify for next cl stage)which was not the case for west ham, so he has a point. He also ensured he got the desired result in madrid yesterday, so give the man a break.
Jose is the best at parking the bus.
Good result .got chelsea @ 22～1 in January .still in with a chance !!!!
Surely both Ronaldo and Bale will start?
John, Ronaldo and Bale will start if fit – if not they won’t play. It’s that simple.
Chelsea did go for the draw yes but Athletico did not have the integrity to break them down.It will be more of an open game next Weds.Hopefully Hazard will be fit but good to see Mikel suspended he creates nothing.Real v Bayern could go anyway but if Bale is out and Ronaldo not 100% could be the Germans night.
Draw HT …..Draw FT …………….5/1…….Im on big !!!!!!!
Ronaldo anytime and Real Madrid to win 5/2 @paddypower
After last night, I can’t help but have a hate relationship with football. I use to respect Mourinho for what he offered to the game, but why would his team need to entertain the scoreline when he is all the entertainment himself on the sidelines… anyway, I see an all Madrid final coming. Imagine that? I’ll be there with the best seat tickets 110% :D
Re arrange these words Mourinho to make a well known phrase “pish utter” excuse my portugese.
Yh Mr Fixit I think both will start.I think bales “flu” is just to keep Bayern guessing.They both should start
Well said mrfixit watched the game last night like watching paint dry truly awful to wacth yes he got the result he wanted but a poor advert for the game we all love I’m confident tonight’s match will be a much better game on the eyes with hopefully goals galore !
Will tonight be a high scoring game or will both teams cancel each other out? I think it could be an edgy game until the second half?
John, 1st legs are usually edgy so I’d go with that but team line-ups are vital. I’ll be backing Real to win and Ronaldo to score first if he starts. If he doesn’t I’ll be looking at a draw. Will try to comment later but heading to the football just now.
True Mr F but i think If its a full Real madrid team attacking wise it be a doozy.
Waiting,to be sure to put on R.Madrid an over 2.5 plus Bale or Di Maria anytime Madrid win…few Scorecast covers on Bayern too. For example Robben or Muller first goal 3-1 Madrid ;) “a buy that for a dollar” :) happy hunting guys
Bale n Ronaldo are playing and gerling great so Ancellotti says. De Maria anytime and Real Madrid 8/1? Nice aka no chance. lol al bite but.
I think real to win for people on small punts.people putting 200pound plus should go for Madrid +1 (double chance) it brings back 80pound.Good luck guys