There shouldn't have been that many surprises in the Champions League this week as far British teams werw concerned. Celtic had what looked like on paper to be the toughest task, but to their credit they took AC Milan to extra time before being undone by Brazilian Kaka.
United faced Lille in what was another tough looking assignment, and they just about deserved to win with Larsson scoring the only goal of the game, but it wasn't pretty or convincing. Based on the level of the two performances against Lille, the quarter final will be United's curtain call, but bizarrely the bookies make United favourites to win the competition, given the Reds limitations up front, that must be completely wrong. What United do not need is to be drawn against Liverpool or Chelsea, losing to either might be catastrophic in terms of confidence.
Liverpool despite losing on the night to Barca, deserved to win the game and the tie over both legs. Barcelona look nothing like last season.
Chelsea scraped through with a scratchy performance against Porto and they too do not look convincing at present.
Arsenal despite being one down from the first leg, went out somewhat surprisingly, as PSV managed to draw 1-1 with Alex scoring at both ends.
The competition is now wide open. Any of the remaining sides can win it, but I fear sadly not United due to our lack of firepower up front.
Moreover, the champions league is about playing with the best in the rest of Europe, so it is always more fun to play a team that we don't play throughout the year!
ReplyDeleteRooney desperately needs to find his touch again.. c'monnn!!