Europe’s premier club competition returned over the past fortnight and the eight ties remain all firmly open in the balance. No clear-cut winners and for the remaining triumvirate of English sides left in the UEFA Champions League, it was a mixed bag.
Premiership leaders Chelsea came up against an old friend in the San Siro. After all the mind games and the frenzied build-up, Jose Mourinho got one over Carlo Ancelotti, as Inter Milan take a 2-1 lead back to Stamford Bridge for the rerun in three weeks time. Crucially, Salomon Kalou’s away goal gives the Londoners a major say in the second leg. It was a night of misfortune for Chelsea in Milan, with the damaging loss to goalkeeper Petr Cech a possible severe implication for the rest of their European and domestic campaign. Cech went down unchallenged midway through the second half, with the initial diagnosis a possible cruciate ligament injury. Though, not in the best form of his career, his impact among the Chelsea backline will be severely missed if the extent of the injury is confirmed as feared. Kalou may have scored, but was also denied a certain penalty when shoved over by experienced Argentine Walter Samuel when clear in on goal. Despite the setback of losing, Chelsea will still fancy their chances at the Bridge, but may need more than one goal to see off the ‘Special One.’
A week earlier, Manchester United had a fantastic result in the San Siro themselves, overcoming AC Milan 3-2, even if their performance wasn’t the best. Wayne Rooney is in the form of his career, with two more crucial headers giving Sir Alex Ferguson’s side a massive advantage to take back to Old Trafford. At times, Milan outfoxed United, with their clever movements, but their frontline, particularly Pato were extremely wasteful infront of goal. Both Ronaldinho and an emotional David Beckham (for obvious reasons) played their part and rolled back the years with some of their silky touches. However, like many in the side, their legs ran out of gas and United took full advantage of their fatigue in the second half. It will be incredibly tough for Leonardo’s Serie A oldies to turn around this deficit at the Theatre of Dreams.
For Arsenal, it was a very frustrating and flapping night in Portugal. Schoolboy defending and horrific goalkeeping led to their downfall in the Dragao, as FC Porto take a 2-1 advantage back to the Emirates. Granted, Arsenal played well and shouldn’t have much trouble in the return, against the 2004 winners, but what can’t be hidden was Lukasz Fabianksi’s sloppy handling, which led to both goals. The second Porto goal was nothing sort of a sketch more likely to be seen on the Armstrong & Miller show. Although the referee didn’t cover himself in glory, by blocking Sol Campbell during the indirect free-kick process, Arsenal’s lethargic attitude to get back, coupled with Fabianski’s inability to read the UEFA Basic Football Rules Handbook meant Porto were always going to be onto a winner. Arsene Wenger may have tried to find excuses as usual, in his post-match interview, but the infallibilities cannot be disguised in this situation.
Elsewhere in Europe, favourites and holders Barcelona’s erratic form in this season’s competition continued. They were lucky to escape from VFB Stuttgart with a 1-1 draw. Bitter rivals Real Madrid did even worse. Even Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo had off-nights in their 1-0 loss at their bogey side Lyon, beaten by a wonderful solo effort from Jean Makoun. Bayern Munich needed a shambolic linesman decision to beat Fiorentina 2-1 in Germany, deciding that Miroslav Klose was onside, when he was standing at least five yards offside. Finally, keep an eye out on Bordeaux, who recorded an impressive 1-0 success in Greece against Olympiakos. After almost surreal progress from a tough-looking group, including Bayern and Juventus, no-one will want to meet Laurent Blanc’s inform side in the latter stages, providing they finish off the job in France in the second leg.
It is all open and nothing is assured, the road to Madrid has firmly begun but in this season’s UEFA Champions League, anything is possible, anything.
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