Bayern Munich will compete for the European Cup at the Allianz Arena
As part of the general footballing audience, perhaps we really should of been more prepared, and perhaps the dramatic events at the Camp Nou should have had us acclimated to such a climatic [semi-]finale, yet still the excitement felt overwhelming. But while Chelsea survived successive waves coming down a one way attacking street, tonight’s visit from the Bavarians to Madrid was more a kin to high-speed traffic on both sides of a highway.
It was fast, it was quick, it had its fair share of crashes, and in the end it was decided by a game of Russian Roulette. For a match with such high stakes, there’s usually a party to fault. Yesterday, all of the social networks were inundated with claims that Barcelona needed a “plan B” (another story for another day), but on this occasion blame seems too harsh of a serving to dish out.
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Massimiliano Allegri’s men all but ended Arsenal’s European campaign
Ahead of tonight’s match in Italy, Kevin Prince-Boateng conjured up bulletin board material when he questioned Arsenal Champions League credentials. The Ghanaian expressed his view that Arsenal lacked the experience in their squad to go far while claiming that the London club is “nothing to be afraid of.” And while the Gunners began their 1st leg Round of 16 encounter playing timidly, as if on a mission to vindicate the midfielder’s words, “Prince” showed no trepidation in firing his acutely angled volley over Wojciech Szczęsny to hand the Rossoneri an early breakthrough.
Boateng’s opening act was one that exuded confidence, a strike that showed the killer instinct so evident in Milan’s play during their rout of the North London club. In some ways, Milan’s first goal epitomized the difference between the two teams on the night, as Arsenal were left to exit the San Siro with their tails in between their legs.
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Jose Mourinho’s Milanese past provides a case for his Madridista future
With La Liga set to resume at the weekend, Jose Mourinho finds himself in a familiar situation. After all, in some ways, he has been here before; back against the wall, protecting a lead, against the same opposition as well, but in a much different context. It’s not too long ago that Inter Milan, under the tutelage of the “Special one,” traveled to Barcelona in search of a first European Cup final birth since their 1972 defeat at the hands of Johan Cruyff’s Ajax.
Playing with 10 men for a majority of the match, the Nerazzuri faced an onslaught the likes of which, for all the great displays from Barcelona in recent years, have seldom been seen at Camp Nou. Wave of attack after wave of attack came at Inter’s final third, but Barca were staved off by a show of discipline that screamed implications of military-like drilling on the Milan club’s training ground. Offensive players bore resemblance to defensive stalwarts, bodies were put on the line, and in the end, Inter came out as survivors with a final in Madrid serving as the reward for their herculean effort. While that second leg will memorably stand alone, in lore for Inter, in infamy for Barca, those efforts would have been futile had it not been for a 3-1 win at the San Siro a week before, a victory that gave Mourinho and his team room for error, and most importantly, a foundation on which to stand for the second half of their semi-final endeavors. Cue the comparisons to the La Liga season.
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Wake up, check twitter, look on the internet. Oh yes, that DID happen.
As hard as it may be to imagine, even the best things in the world have their detractors. Likewise, regardless of how much it is considered the most prestigious club competition in the world, the UEFA Champions League has received its share of criticism, particularly from those who’ve aquired an apparent distaste for the earlier proceedings of the tournament. Perceived as stale and routine, the group stages of Europe’s showpiece event have often been dismissed, by some, for its lack of ability to inspire that “edge of your seat” thrill, the type that is so appealing to all football fans. Close your eyes, allow a brief flashback to yesterday, and, as you can imagine, the irony becomes overwhelming.
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