Some great strikes, late goals and top defending - the Champions League returned to leave us gasping for more.
Luckily this time we only have to wait two weeks rather than two months for the action to restart, although the second leg between Inter Milan and Liverpool (0-2) takes place a week later than AC Milan v Arsenal (0-0) to save the San Siro pitch from two successive days of punishment.
(In reality the sensible Milan authorities don’t want hordes of Arsenal and Liverpool fans descending on city in the same week).
Liverpool and Milan must be the favourites in the two ties, prompted fears from the rest of football that the two teams will dare to contest the European Cup final for the third time in four years. Not again surely? (Although Serie A talk thinks Milan have a chance if keeper Zeljko Kalac can so play so well after a dislocated finger.)
Barcelona were the victors in 2006 and Lionel Messi’s stunning performance in the 3-2 win at Celtic, as well as an Arsenal-eque goal from Thierry Henry, suggests reports of their demise have been exaggerated. Even Ronaldinho played well.
Chelsea and Real Madrid could be in trouble according some bloggers while the Real Liga feels Arjen Robben’s return to form in the 2-1 defeat by AS Roma bodes well.
Karim Benzema’s superb goal in Lyon’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United left absolutely everyone purring though.
Can it get any better than this?
Mark Meadows, Milan and Kevin Fylan, Berlin
PHOTO: Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates his second goal against Celtic during their Champions League first knockout round, first leg match in Glasgow, Feb. 20. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne
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6 comments so far
I do think that RealMadrid have entered a dangerous dynamic in February with three consecutive defeats away from home. At home, they are still unbeaten this season in league and Champions league, but this may not be enough to dispatch a Roma side that looked less stylish, but was far more effective.
- Posted by GonzaloIs it too soon to start seriously hyping up Benzema? He’s done wonders at every level and in every competition..
- Posted by clementWell, being a Chelsea fan it was pretty disappointing to see a side full of talent unable to break down Olympiakos.
- Posted by Betting Blue BoyI guess if you were to look at every detail there may be a couple of reasons why this happened. One, their fans really were top notch and I imagine really intimidated the players with their hissing every time we were on the ball. Secondly, their own record in the league this season is impeccable and they have now gone 18 games unbeaten, considering both I think that a draw was a good result but our own performance left little to enjoy.
Saying this, come two weeks it looks pretty likely that Chelsea will be the side to progress, such is our home form.
I agree with Betting Blue Boy. Chelesea may have had a goalless draw against Olympiakos, they should be able to secure a win home at Stamford bridge. English teams have usually been good at home.
And it should be the same for Man United, they are very good at Old Traford. (Lets forget the loss at the hands of rivals City.) Lyon though will make it tough for them.
I am sad that the Gunners couldn’t see of AC Milan at the Emirates. They had some good chances, but not one clinical finish. Brought back memories of Arsenal of 2006. They surely can beat Milan, but its going to be tough, very tough at San Siro and Arsenal will have to play their best game of the season if they aim to progress.
Celtic really played against Barca. Celtic have been terrific at home and should have seen off Barca. Barcelona played really well to beat Celtic despite going behind twice. And indeed it will be a herculean effort for Celtic to now win the tie at Nou Camp.
- Posted by Nachiket KelkarLooks like Milan, after playing against Liverpool in 2 CL finals have got the Jekyll and Hyde disease. Lousy in the domestic league but still superior in the Champion’s league haha
Oh well… we’ll see how it goes in the 2nd leg for these 2 teams. Maybe they might fulfill EVERYONE’s initial expectations and crash out spectacularly.
I hope more people will think that Liverpool will lose terribly because through the years, I’ve noticed that when people believe Liverpool will lose, they will win, vice versa.
- Posted by Five TimesThus, they are not favourites in the return leg… after all, many years ago, Liverpool did lose a 2 goal advantage to Inter haha =)
With Liverpool taking a two-goal lead to the San Siro with Chelsea and United enjoying the prospect of home advantage in the next round, Arsenal are probably the English team most likely to be kicking themselves.
- Posted by Betting Blue BoyJust as Nachiket says they had many chances to put the tie beyond doubt and couldn’t convert, now they have to go to Milan and get a result over there, I for one can’t see it happening.
Predictions from the games involving British sides: Barcelona, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool and Milan to qualify for me.