IF A miracle worker is present in the world today, it didn’t turn up last week, as the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals turned out into nothing more than dull formalities.
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| CATCH ME: Rooney chases after Hernandez, as he breaks the deadlock |
The only quarter-final of interest that had something to play for was the all-English clash between Manchester United and Chelsea. Ultimately, it was the Red Devils who comfortably prevailed in the tie; winning 2-1 on the night at Old Trafford and 3-1 on aggregate. Carlo Ancelotti’s appaling tactical gamble in playing a totally new formation confused many Chelsea fans, and the West London club can have no complaints about their elimination this season. Ancelotti might as well prepare to pick up his P45 at the end of the season, because surely Roman Abramovich will not accept a trophy less season at Stamford Bridge. Javier Hernandez put the home side infront and only when Ramires was sent off for two clumsy challenges did Chelsea ever look like scoring. Fernando Torres’s selection ahead of Didier Drogba was startling, and Drogba made his point by equalising in the 73rd minute and giving the visitors some faint hope. That disappeared less than a minute later, as United went up the other end and replied in kind through Ji-Sung Park. The treble dream may be over now, after the weekend events in the FA Cup, but a rich double still awaits Sir Alex Ferguson this season. Schalke 04 stand in the way of Ferguson and Wembley, after winning 2-1 against Inter Milan in Gelsenkirchen, to complete a highly impressive 7-3 win on aggregate against the defending champions. There was another goal for the evergreen Raul, who now has 71 goals in UEFA Champions League history. Thiago Motta was dismissed for two yellow cards, completing a miserable fortnight for Inter, who have also seen their chances of retaining their Serie A title going up in smoke. Leonardo is an adequate replacement for the unpopular Rafa Benitez, but he’s no Jose Mourinho!
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| OH DEAR: Another clanger from unreliable Gomes finished off Spurs |
Meanwhile, Mourinho seemed delighted to be back in England and returned to Spain, having guided Real Madrid to their first semi-final in the competition since 2002. Madrid beat Tottenham 1-0 at White Hart Lane last Wednesday to seal an ‘El Classico’ semi-final with Barcelona. The previous evening, Barcelona had won by the same scoreline against a hard-working Shakhtar Donetsk side, with Lionel Messi on target. In North London, Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal was the difference. However, his shot was horribly dropped into his own net by bumbling Hereulho Gomes. Gomes has cost his side three goals in this quarter-final showdown and I’m afraid to say, doesn’t cut it at this level for me. If he can’t catch a football, then he has no hope! Despite the damp exit, Tottenham have captivated everyone in Europe this season and I hope we will see them again next season, because the Champions League needs sides like Harry Redknapp’s.
Next week sees the first leg of the semi-finals and now just four teams remain. Can Schalke 04 cause a shock against Manchester United and will the Mourinho magic shine again against Barcelona? Posing questions, but the final four all deserve to be here and have shown a lot of quality and mental strength in getting to this stage. Bring on the semis!
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