Once again, all four English Premier League teams have made it through to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League. Proving beyond doubt, whether Michel Platini likes it or not, the Premier League and English club teams are dominating European competition; and with the possibility of a second all-England final in May, English fans have never had it so good!
Chelsea did well to twice come from behind against a good Juventus team, and further showed their new-found togetherness under the leadership of Guus Hiddink.
Manchester United and Alex Ferguson saw off the challenge of Inter Milan and Jose Mourinho without an overly impressive performance, while it was squeeky bum time for all Arsenal fans as they had to endure a penalty shoot-out against Roma, which had all the fun of the roller-coaster when Eduardo missed the first penalty.
But it was Liverpool who, once again played exceptional football to thrash Real Madrid 4-0 at Anfield. An amazing 5-0 win over two legs.
The other teams to qualify for the UEFA Champions League quarter finals are Villareal and Barcelona (Spain), Porto (Portugal) and Bayern Munich (Germany) who set a new Champions League knock-out stage record by thrashing Sporting Lisbon 12-1 on aggreagate. Yes, Sporting Lisbon may have been the weakest team to make it through from the group stage, but the fact that they qualified proves they were no mugs!
I personally think Barcelona will be crowned Champions of Europe in May, and if they avoid them in the quarter final draw (to be made on Friday 20th March) I now think they might be facing Liverpool in the final.
2 comments so far
1 free bet // Mar 16, 2009 at 7:48 pm
it proves that British football is the best in the world…
2 Neil // Mar 17, 2009 at 5:52 pm
And if Villa (as in Aston) pull their finger out we could have a reminder of the 80’s in European football again.