The European Champions league final (or as us oldies know it – the European cup) came a step closer for all the English clubs this week, with a quite outstanding performance in their respective second legs.
Liverpool:
Despite looking strong and playing well against Real Madrid, I cannot see them progressing past the semi-final stages (sadly for me) – Benitez has been earning his living from the European cup for far too long – the league is our “bread and butter.”
Man Utd:
Yes despite the historic rivalry, without playing especially well against Inter Milan, they deserved to go through to the quarter finals. I watched half their game in the first leg, they should have made the tie safe there. As much as I’d like to see them go out at the semi final stages, I think they’ll at least reach the final. If they do, then I hope Wellback, Carrick and the like get a look in as they are playing well.
Chelsea:
Can they hold their nerve this time around?
They scraped through to the final by the skin of their teeth last time against the pool, heart breaking for a pool fan, especially the way they got there (own goal by riise) but they did break the jinx that Liverpool had over them in semi finals.
Although Juventus are not the force they once were, any result in Italy against an Italian team, is a good result. Has Hiddink come just in time to save their season?
They deserve their place, possible finalists I think.
Arsenal:
Their win over Roma was the best news of the round for me. I can take or leave Arsenal, they don’t really bother me either way, but when I watched the text updates on BBC live text, saying their tie was going to a penalty shoot-out, I worried for them.
Penalties are a complete lottery, so when the first kick was saved, I feared the worst for them.
I remember watching them in the final and losing out, they didn’t do themselves justice at all, love them or hate them, they always try to play attacking, flowing football.
In Arsene Wenger, they have one of the most knowledgable managers in the Premier League. If the doubters got their way and he left the club, then Arsenal would really be in trouble.
Semi finalist this year I think, but well worth their place there – hopefully!
