Europe week, and while the main event is of course yet to come, this very evening, the Champions League has been rather entertaining as well... Liverpool destroyed PSV Eindhoven in Holland, heaping further humiliation on Arsenal by convincingly dealing with the team that kicked the London side out of the competition. As PSV now have to go to Anfield and try to turn around a 3-0, few people will doubt that Liverpool are set for the semi-final. Ok, this is football, miracles happen… but no.
Bayern Munich’s at the San Siro was an interesting game, a clash between Milan’s pace and Bayern’s staunch confidence. Initially, Milan looked like the likelier winners and were in the lead after a nice header by Andrea Pirlo in the first half. Every time I wondered where on earth a Bayern goal was going to come from, despite the impressive flank work of Lahm and Schweinsteiger, they equalised. By the clever chance taking of a defender. Daniel Van Buyten managed to sneak two similar goals past Dida, the second in the 93rd minute. The Bayern defence had done well against Milan’s attacks, not the least goalkeeper Michael Rensing. Oliver Kahn, true to form, was suspended because of an incident with a urine sample (too horrible to contemplate), and had been replaced by his complete opposite, a sweet, seemingly timid lad who looked about twelve. But not only is Rensing more experienced and less timid than his appearance suggests, he is also very good. So, 2-2, and an interesting second leg to look forward to.
Manchester United, ending up with ten men and furthermore facing twelve men, according to Sir Alex (as he apparently considers German referee Herbert Fandel to be a Roma player), did, if that mathematical analysis is to be believed, rather well to only lose 2-1 in Rome. Paul Scholes, adding to his already impressive number of coloured cards, was sent off for two offences and the Man U supporters were involved in combat with riot police. Will there be more hostilities in the return leg at Old Trafford? Or just more pretty goals from Wayne Rooney, who scored his first in the competition with composure and skill?
Chelsea taking on Valencia at Stamford Bridge was an exciting tale of the Davids and the Goliaths. David Villa and David Silva are both tiny, fast and skilful; the latter’s strike was a real beauty. The Chelsea players, by comparison, looked more forceful than quick and despite dominating possession, especially in the second half, found Valencia’s clever positioning hard to get past. But as we all know, Chelsea just refuse to lose at home, and Drogba eventually secured a draw with a nice header. Joe Cole, up for the award as most missed player of the season – at least in the England squad – made his return as a substitute.
And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and be nervous about the evening: Sevilla FC vs. Tottenham Hotspur. Anything can happen.
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