Homecoming

       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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Barca conspiracy theories are, admittedly, ridiculous

But these calls just never happen anywhere else. It’s incredible actually. Robin Van Persie last year, technically right, and that’s a stretch, but rarely, if ever applied anywhere else. Alessandro Nesta a few weeks ago, perhaps technically a foul, but rarely, if ever given anywhere else.

Here, John Terry is just not clever, to say the very least, but when do we ever see a line judge brave enough to make that call, never mind calling offsides right, with the ref looking elsewhere?

When it comes to Barca matches, things are applied strictly by the book, and that’s alright. They question is, why only in Catalonia and no where else?

eenfish asked: Thoughts on Man City and Man United bombing out of Europa while Chelsea sign in the Champions League?

         Joe Hart nearly provided the dramatic finishing touch for Man City

In the case of Manchester United, it was always going to be rough after the first leg. Three away goals is a big hurdle to climb, and even if Bilbao had lost 1-2, the Spaniards would have still gone through. It would have been interesting to see United turn the tie though, as it would have silenced all the cynics who claim that the “big clubs” don’t care about the Europa League, which I don’t buy. United simply ran into a Bilbao team which not only beat them, but technically, tactically, and comprehensively outclassed them over two legs. Fairplay to Bilbao and their manager Marcelo Bielsa.

As for City, when United crashed out in Spain, the writing was really on the wall, although their elimination was less gut-wrenching. Sporting scored their first on a brilliant free-kick, but after they got the second, City did real well to get back three. Joe Hart nearly had a moment for the ages at the end. His header was eye-widening and as far as drama goes, that would have been tops this season. You would have thought that Manchester City, who flattened Porto at home, although some claim that the scoreline flattered the hosts, who have been able to close the tie out at Eastlands. Overall, the real loser here might just be the Europa League, as both Manchester teams’ presence added that bit of luster that was needed for the competition.

But while everyone took those two results as an indication of the Premier League’s “decline” in quality, the great irony is that the lowest placed English team at this stage in European competition has actually gone through, and have a great chance of heading to the semis. Figure that! To say that Chelsea played with a sense of freedom would be an understatement, but it just shows, once again, how much psychology plays into sports. The players were clearly up for it, the “old guard” clearly saw that their reputation was at stake, they thought they were good enough to turn the tide, and they responded accordingly. I was no fan of the AVB sacking, and I’m still not, but Chelsea did not look capable of that result two weeks ago. Even David Luiz showed his best. To think that Chelsea actually held Cavani, Lavezzi, and Hamsik scoreless, and can now work their way to a potential rematch of the 2009 semi-final against Barca, in which, make no mistake, they were absolutely and undeniably cheated, is incredible…But that’s football.

That Chelsea first XI is a shredding counter attack waiting to happen

Gunned

     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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