A first UEFA Champions League goal for Bojan Krkic gave FC Barcelona a significant advantage in their quarter-final against FC Schalke 04 as the Catalan side withstood fierce second-half pressure to win in Gelsenkirchen. Frank Rijkaard’s men may be struggling for form in the Primera Division but having continued their impressive European run, they will be confident of booking a semi-final place in next Wednesday’s second leg match after expertly nullifying their German opponents. Regarding Manchester United it has the best options in sight since Ronaldo headed the English champions in front after 39 minutes and, after United’s defence had resisted a determined rally from the home side, Rooney doubled the lead in the 66th minute. Given that the United has already beaten the “Giallorossi” twice at Old Trafford in the last 12 months, few would bet against them sealing a semi-final berth when the teams meet again next Wednesday.For Liverpool FC from Rafael Benitez is also a good opportunity to find out another important final and he has the theoretical advantage after the draw (1-1) obtained in first leg match played at Emirates Stadium last Wednesday. The situation of Liverpool FC in the Premiership is not excessively buoyant and therefore a new European tittle    Would be enough to save the season.Finally and in spite of his defeat (2-1) in Turkey in front of Fenerbahce FC last Wednesday, Chelsea FC is still the favourite because just a win 1-0 at Stamford Bridge would be enough to qualifies for semi-finals and try to obtain the Champions League tittle for first time in his history.The solution to all these conjectures will be known very soon. 

The German coach was keenly aware just how special Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Barcelona. He had identified the defensive midfield pairing of Xavi and Iniesta as key players alongside Barcelona’s exceptional strike force and the defences Eric Abidal and Gianluca Zambrotta, who operate almost as wingers whenever the Catalans attack, are others meriting close attention because FC Barcelona play almost in the style of a handball team.  Nevertheless, the “two faces” of Barcelona have not escaped Slomka’s attention. Barça is having an outstanding season in Europe and are unbeaten so far having picked up six wins and two draws but in the league and the Spanish cup they have only won one of their last six and have conceded 15 goals and the hope of the Schalke boss was that his team will be able to exploit this. Barcelona’s recent results are not the only reason why the Royal Blues feel they are in with a chance at the Veltins Arena. Determination, strength in the tackle, pace and drive going forward have been features of Schalke in the Bundesliga just recently, and these are the things that Germans will be hoping to reproduce against Barcelona. The atmosphere inside the Veltins Arena was excellent, as was the effort and the passion put in by the players, but too much reverence in the opening 45 minutes of the quarter-final first leg against Barcelona cost Schalke 04 a better position going into the return at the Camp Nou. Mirko Slomka’s men will now have to reverse a 1-0 deficit there on 9 April if they are to progress to the semi-final.