This week’s UEFA Champions League Quarter Finals threw up some surprising results to say the least.
When the draw for the quarter finals was made, I was assured of Manchester United’s path to the semi-finals but Porto completely outplayed Man Utd in the first half at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Manchester United were lucky not to have conceded more goals in the first half but gave a better account of themselves in the second. After taking the lead, Porto had to come from behind to draw 2-2.
Manchester United looked tired and were most definitely missing star players, especially Rio Ferdinand as they looked very wobbly in defence. I still fancy Man Utd to go through to the semi-final after the return leg next Wednesday, though to do so they will have to become the first English club to beat Porto in Portugal.
The winners of that tie will play either Arsenal or Villareal who drew 1-1 in Spain on Tuesday. The Spanish midfielder Marcos Senna ran the first half and scored a great goal to give Villareal a first half lead. But Arsene Wenger’s team-talk in the interval led to a more positive approach by Arsenal in the second-half with both Cesc Fabregas & Theo Walcott seeing much more of the ball. Arsenal also appeared to cancel out Senna’s superiority, and deserved the equaliser – a superbly taken acrobatic goal by Emmanuel Adebayor.
Arsenal will be favourites to proceed when the teams meet for the second leg at the Emirates Stadium next Wednesday.
Bayern Munich beat Sporting Lisbon 12-1 in the last round, and Barcelona scored four first-half goals in their home league against French champions Lyon, in the last round. So this quarter-final was either going to be a goalfest or a dull 1-0 affair.
I only heard reports on the radio of this game, but it sounded like Bayern Munich were completely outplayed in the first 45 minutes, as Barcelona once again scored four goals in the first-half. I love the way Barcelona play expansive, entertaining football.
It seems an age since Chelsea and Liverpool haven’t played each other in the UEFA Champions League; and the only advantage to have between their previous Champions League encounters has been the second leg home advantage.
Liverpool started the brighter and Fernando Torres scored after 5 minutes. But instead of stunning Cheslea, the early goal gave them the opportunity to play a more attacking formation, and immediately they began to dictate the game.
Frank Lampard was pushed into a more advanced position, similar to Steven Gerrard, and had a great game, while Gerrard’s threat was completely nulled by an excellent performance from Michael Essein.
Branislav Ivanovic was the unlikely hero as he scored with headers from corner kicks either side of the break. Didier Drogba put the icing on the cake as Chelsea completely outplayed a stunned Liverpool, romping home to an amazing 3-1 win at Anfield.
Chelsea look favourites to meet Barcelona in the semi-final after their quarter-final second legs next Tuesday.
What’s the odds on another Chelsea v Manchester United Champions League Final?
2 comments so far
1 Jonathan Mood // Apr 11, 2009 at 8:46 am
The chances of Chalsea vs Nan utd final are very remote I believe. Man utd need to do what no English team has ever done before and beat Porto at home. If they manage that they still have to beat a resurgent Arsenal who have already beaten them this season. Then there’s the small issue of Chaelsea having to turn over their traditional rivals of Barcelona.
2 claudio // Apr 11, 2009 at 1:50 pm
hy all im claudio from italy i have 2 ticket for final champions legue in roma if you are interested write me at molixclam@alice.it