The first leg of the high level clashes in the Champions League is in the books. It was an exciting round that provided some great matches and even a few sub-plots, of course. Inter – Chelsea lived up to expectations, Barcelona put on a laborious display in Germany, Arsenal resisted bravely the Portuguese firepower only to be betrayed by youthful indiscretions, while Fiorentina was outright robbed in Germany. Other than Manchester United, which virtually assured its passage with three goals in Milan, everything will be decided in the second leg.
Real Madrid and its 200 million acquisitions were humbled in Lyon by a determined home side that played with great courage. Madrid was lucky to get away with only a one goal deficit and Lyon will rue missed opportunities that would have provided a much needed cushion for the second leg, particularly senor Lisandro Lopez. Madrid goes into the second leg as heavy favorite, but if Lyon manage to get one on the counter, hundreds of millions of Florentino Perez’s ambitions may simply go up in smoke. Madrid must get past Lyon to justify its projections, but it will not be easy. Lyon will believe.
Bayern Munich – Fiorentina was an enjoyable match to watch, though it will be remembered for the bitter injustice at the end. Despite Bayern’s domination and relentless attacks, the Tuscans played with great character and managed to get a crucial away goal through their Danish stopper Koldrup, who equalized off a corner kick. Bayern pressed and overall may have deserved to win, but not like that. First, a stupendous red card was given to Fiorentina’s Mssimo Gobbi for an infraction that warranted a yellow at most. More importantly, Klose’s last minute goal was blatantly off-side, not debatable, but CLAMOROSAMENTE! Bayern will defend its 2-1 lead in Florence against a team looking to redress a big injustice.
view Klose\'s off-side goal against Fiorentina, giving Bayern a 2-1 win
Arsenal visited Porto in another entertaining affair with great midfield battles that was decided by young Arsenal keeper Lukas Fabianski’s gaffes. Sol Campbell returned to the Arsenal line-up in style, even scoring the Gunners’ goal, but he was also complicit in the deciding goal. His back pass was inexplicably picked up by Fabianski at the edge of the box – so far, minor crime. What happened next was bizarre, yet perfectly correct. Referee happened to be near the play, blew the whistle and extended his arm for the ball. Fabianski, slow thinking, handed it to the referee before Arsenal defenders were back. Campbell did not get in front of the ball and the Portuguese pounced on the opportunity. Just like that, Porto took a 2-1 lead to London. Team with the greatest conviction will prevail in the re-match.
view Porto scoring an opportunistic goal after incredible Arsenal error
After a sensational start fueled by Ronaldinho’s early goal, Milan’s quarterfinal hopes where dashed by an irrepressible Wayne Rooney & co. It was a 3-2 victory against the run of play, but that is not going to matter at the end of the day. Man United played a very efficient game in Milan, scoring on a fluke goal by Paul Scholes and generally capitalizing on its opportunities, while Milan and its fans will get ulcers looking back at the numerous near misses. Leonardo, how many times does it have to happen before you understand that Seedorf must be in the first 11 from the start? Milan will play with confidence its slim chances in Manchester, but three away goals is too big of a mountain to climb now.
Guardiola said after the Stuttgart match “we don’t have a divine right to win every match.” It is precisely this kind of attitude and guidance that brings this club perhaps just a notch below soccer divinity. Barca, not on its best day, improvised in the back in Daniel Alves’ absence, got poor performances from Rafa Marquez and Ibrahimovic, yet managed to squeeze out a 1-1 away tie in a game that could have gone either way. Messi, Xavi, Pique, Iniesta carried the load this day, particularly in the second half, after a first half thoroughly dominated by the Germans. Ibra tapped in the goal but did little more. He must contribute more. Barca should be fine for the second leg, but it will not be a walk in the park.
Chelsea’s trip to Milano to take on Inter was not only a great clash between the leaders of England and Italy, but it brought Ancelotti back to San Siro and Mourinho facing his old club, along with many of his former players. The highly anticipated match lived up to expectations, for the most part. Inter must be pleased with the result, despite giving up an important away goal. Tough in the back and in the midfield, Inter did not create many clear chances and did well to capitalize on the few. Eto’o worked hard but was hardly visible. Milito scored a great goal after getting around Terry, but he also disappeared for long stretches. Chelsea was unlucky on two occasions – Drogba’s free kick hitting the cross bar and being denied a penalty on Solomon Kalou. Overall, it was great a good match. It would seem that Inter has to score in London, given Chelsea’s firepower, but anything can happen. Should be a great re-match.
Bordeaux took a huge step toward the quarterfinal with a beautiful away goal against Olympiakos that came with controversy. A seemingly good tackle by Lua Lua of the home team was judged to have been a foul, incorrectly. Nothing controversial about what ensued next, a great cross in and splendid header, but should the play have taken in the first place? Bordeax has a foot in the last eight.
Sevilla and CSKA Moscow played to a 1-1 draw in the round’s final match.