So, that’s it then. For the first time since 2003, there will be no English representatives in the final four of the UEFA Champions League. Back then, three Italian sides, plus Real Madrid made the semi-finals. This time around, we have a diverse range of nations still being represented, by Spain, Italy, France and Germany.
To be honest, English clubs have been spoilt rotten in Europe of recent times. We had the 2008 final to ourselves, and in the past four years, have had three semi-finalists from England. Therefore, that time did had to change, and their can be no excuses either, our sides simply weren’t good enough this season to deliver on Europe’s premier club stage.
Liverpool failed in the group stages, a brief summary of their shambolic season, both domestic and abroad. Despite making the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League, Rafa Benitez and the players must shoulder the blame for a campaign full of tactical mistakes and defensive cock-ups. The lack of depth in Chelsea was strongly highlighted by their early departure in the knockout stages. Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge with a confident Inter side and the Serie A league leaders outmuscled, outfought and outclassed the Blues in two hard-fought contests.
The youngsters of Arsenal have been fairly impressive in Europe this season and if the draw had been a bit kinder to them, they might have had the chance of making it all the way to Madrid. Unfortunately for Arsene Wenger, his side ran into the unstoppable Barcelona and the unplayable Lionel Messi. Following a stirring fightback at the Emirates six days earlier, Arsenal supporters would have gone to the Nou Camp thinking of a famous night out, even though it seemed to be in more hope than expectation. Niklas Bendtner made them believe more by giving the Gunners an early lead, but the majestic Messi quickly wiped out the advantage and soon enough, the Argentine took the game away from the Premiership title challengers. Messi’s level was outstanding, on another planet from the rest. He cut Arsenal single-handily to ribbons, reminders to how Maradona was at his age. The 4-1 final scoreline did Barcelona full justice; they were three goals better and now must believe they are unbeatable on a sublime march to the final. They will meet Mourinho and Inter in the semis, as they put in a professional performance to seal the job in Moscow against CSKA. Wesley Snejider’s early free-kick settled the outcome in the freezing sub-zero temperatures.
The other semi-final will see Lyon play in the final four for the first time. Despite a 1-0 defeat at Bordeaux in the second leg, they gritted it out and held on to a narrow 3-2 aggregate lead. Sadly, for the Red Devils and the English neutral, Lyon will come up against Bayern Munich, not Manchester United after an breathtaking night of drama at Old Trafford. The pre-game build-up was all about whether Wayne Rooney would make a surprising return from his ankle injury he picked up in the Allianz Arena the previous week. He did play and his presence was felt, United charging into a 3-0 lead by 40 minutes, with goals from the young starlet Darren Gibson and a brace from the inconsistent Portuguese winger Nani. Rooney though was struggling, having picked up an earlier knock and was withdrawn shortly after half-time. By then, Munich had got back in the match, with Ivica Olic netting just before half-time to give the Bundesliga leaders hope. With Rooney off, Rafael controversially dismissed for two bookable offences, United were on the ropes and couldn’t hold on. With sixteen minutes remaining, Franck Ribery’s corner found Arjen Robben and the ex-Chelsea winger hit an unstoppable shot past a despairing Edwin van der Sar. With it, went United and English hopes in the premier club competition this time around.
Honestly, United haven’t been good enough either to win it this season. The limped to a home draw with CSKA in the group stages and limped to a shock home loss to Turkish minnows Besiktas. Although AC Milan went down tamely at the Theatre of Dreams, their valiant effort at the San Siro showed many the cracks in Ferguson’s European campaign and Bayern Munich went on to expose them fully.
It’s a nice blend in the final four and anything is possible, but surely, it will take something special to stop Barcelona on their road to defending their trophy successfully in Madrid.
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