Champions League Quarter Finals Round Up
I can't say I'm surprised Liverpool pulled it off tonight - defeating PSV Eindhoven 1-0 - and advancing to the semi-finals... Okay, who am I kidding? Liverpool had a 3 goal advantage heading in to the fortress of European football and PSV's coach conceded defeat minutes after the first leg in Holland. Rafa was proclaimed a genius by this fine publication on the weekend and after giving rest to Stevie G and Jamie Carragher that proclamation has not changed at all. In fact, Vein of Form thinks he is genius-er, or more genius, or a higher level of genius for somehow finagling the draw so that the Reds get Chelsea in the next round!
Yes, an all English semi-final will be had as Chelsea went into the Mestalla and defeated Valencia with a last minute strike by Michael Essien. Thankfully, Mr. Essien will miss the first leg of the semis due to yellow card accumulation. None the less, his strike was a thing of magic and Jose Mourinho proved he is almost as good a manager as Rafa with his half time tinkering. The side had a totally different work rate in the 2nd half, and the win was well deserved. But let's be honest here, Valencia are in 4th place in La Liga right now and have been a model of inconsistancy. In hindsight, they had no business being in the quarters but they were matched up in the previous round against Inter. And we all know Italian sides have no business being in the Champions League this season - period!
Which brings us to that dreadful Roma v. Man United match. I was one of the many that thought this was going to be a 90 minute battle up and down the pitch. Considering Roma were done and dusted after 20 minutes I don't feel bad as I have the knowledge football fans the world over were just as stunned. Yes, a team that lost to Portsmouth on the weekend bulldozed Roma to the tune of 7-1. Man United looked phenomenal. No two ways about it. Roma waged an early assault and when they found no joy from long range efforts they folded. Luciano Spaletti should be looking for a job right now. And VoF thinks Totti should be as well. This was his last chance to lift a major club trophy in his career and he was absent. In all fairness though, Man United were just class all around and I do not think it is even worth discussing their semi-final opponent.
And that isn't because it is another Italian side! Christ, I cannot believe VoF will be supporting Man U in the semis as they face AC Milan. Milan put away Bayern Munich 2-0 and made it look easy in the process. Munich were dreadful. Milan looked sharp. I still believe Italy has no business having teams in this competition given the scandals and violence that plague that league. Kaka is world class make no mistake. But this is an aging side that does not impress me at all. They will be lucky to not suffer the same end as Roma.
So, Vein of Form is predicting an all English final and are glad for it. The EPL is not just the most exciting football to watch, it is the best league on the planet. The final in Athens should be a great showcase for that fact, and I for one cannot wait for the semi-finals to begin.
Yes, an all English semi-final will be had as Chelsea went into the Mestalla and defeated Valencia with a last minute strike by Michael Essien. Thankfully, Mr. Essien will miss the first leg of the semis due to yellow card accumulation. None the less, his strike was a thing of magic and Jose Mourinho proved he is almost as good a manager as Rafa with his half time tinkering. The side had a totally different work rate in the 2nd half, and the win was well deserved. But let's be honest here, Valencia are in 4th place in La Liga right now and have been a model of inconsistancy. In hindsight, they had no business being in the quarters but they were matched up in the previous round against Inter. And we all know Italian sides have no business being in the Champions League this season - period!
Which brings us to that dreadful Roma v. Man United match. I was one of the many that thought this was going to be a 90 minute battle up and down the pitch. Considering Roma were done and dusted after 20 minutes I don't feel bad as I have the knowledge football fans the world over were just as stunned. Yes, a team that lost to Portsmouth on the weekend bulldozed Roma to the tune of 7-1. Man United looked phenomenal. No two ways about it. Roma waged an early assault and when they found no joy from long range efforts they folded. Luciano Spaletti should be looking for a job right now. And VoF thinks Totti should be as well. This was his last chance to lift a major club trophy in his career and he was absent. In all fairness though, Man United were just class all around and I do not think it is even worth discussing their semi-final opponent.
And that isn't because it is another Italian side! Christ, I cannot believe VoF will be supporting Man U in the semis as they face AC Milan. Milan put away Bayern Munich 2-0 and made it look easy in the process. Munich were dreadful. Milan looked sharp. I still believe Italy has no business having teams in this competition given the scandals and violence that plague that league. Kaka is world class make no mistake. But this is an aging side that does not impress me at all. They will be lucky to not suffer the same end as Roma.
So, Vein of Form is predicting an all English final and are glad for it. The EPL is not just the most exciting football to watch, it is the best league on the planet. The final in Athens should be a great showcase for that fact, and I for one cannot wait for the semi-finals to begin.
posted by Anonymous at 10:31 PM
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