UEFA Champions League Update - 4/7

The final four, not the basketball kind, but the semi-finalist of the 2009-2010 UEFA Champions League are decided. The best clubs in Europe took to the field Tuesday and Wednesday to play the second leg of the quarterfinal round. Here is a look at the results:

Inter Milan (ITA) vs. CSKA Moscow (RUS)
 - Result: 1-0 Inter (Inter 2-0 aggregate)
 - Thoughts: A 1-0 lead and a goal by Snejider in the 6th minute put Inter into cruise control as they held off the farthest advancing Russian club. The Italian champions are at the top of the table in Serie A and Mourinho will love the growing spotlight of the semi-finals. 

Arsenal (ENG) vs. Barcelona (SPA)
 - Result: 4-1 Barcelona (Barcelona 6-3 aggregate)
 - Thoughts: Arsenal came into the game with a tough hill to climb - giving up two away goals in the first leg and without many of their star players. Add a player with the caliber of Messi on top of that hill and its game over. Arsenal started the night off with a goal, but Barca proved too much as Messi responded with four goals to move the champions into the final four.

Bayern Munich (GER) vs. Manchester United (ENG)
 - Result: 3-3 ManU (Bayern 4-4 aggregate / advance on away goals)
 - Thoughts: Coming into the game down 2-1 and possibly without Rooney, ManU's future looked bleak. However, Rooney starts and two goals by the Red Devils in the first 7 minutes put them into the semi-finals. With a 3-0 lead on the night, Rooney on the pitch and at home it seemed all but assured. Then two goals and a red card against Rafael left ManU with 10 men on the field and could not re-capture the momentum. This means there will be no English club in the final four since the 02/03 season.

Bordeaux (FRA) vs. Lyon (FRA)
 - Result: 1-0 Bordeaux (Lyon 3-1 aggregate)
 - Thoughts: Lyon took a a 3-1 lead going into the second leg. Even after a goal in the 45th minute by Bordeaux, Lyon always looked poised to advance to the next round. Lyon the favorites become the first French club to make the semi-finals since the 03/04 year.

Now we move on to the semi-final round with the first legs on April 21/22 and the second legs on April 27/28. Here are the match-ups:

 - Bayern Munich vs. Lyon

 - Barcelona vs. Inter Milan

Thoughts on the semi-finalist? Predictions for the next round?

UEFA Champions League Update - 3/31

Here is a look at the first leg of the quarterfinal round of the UEFA Champions League, including some major injuries which will shape the EPL season, UEFA Champions League and the upcoming World Cup. 

Inter Milan (ITA) vs. CSKA Moscow (RUS)
 - Result: 1-0 (Inter)
 - Thoughts: Inter out shot CSKA 25 to 10, but could not find the net until the 65th minute. Inter appeared to have the better quality, but between CSKA's defensive stance and Inter wasting good chances the game and leg remain tight. They now travel to the Russian capital where CSKA are quite capable of knocking off Inter and sending Mourinho packing for the EPL sooner than expected.


Arsenal (ENG) vs. Barcelona (SPA)
 - Result: 2-2
 - Thoughts: Clash of the Titans. The Gunners went up against the reigning European and World champions knowing this was most likely the toughest round of the competition for them, even if they advance. After falling behind early on two goals by Ibrahimovic, Arsenal responded with a goal by Walcott. Then the captain and hero of Arsenal, who made his return despite injury, Cesc Fabregas, connected on an 85th minute penalty to tie the match and save the clubs European title hopes. However, Arsenal was destroyed with injuries as Fabregas, Arshavin, and Gallas all left the match. While the Gunners pulled out the heroics to level, with the injuries and now faced with a road match at Camp Nou the advantage is clearly with the champions. 


Bayern Munich (GER) vs. Manchester United (ENG)
 - Result: 2-1 (Bayern Munich)
 - Thoughts: 2 minutes in and the game looked just as predicted. Rooney and company dominating and continuing to improve their performance. But then Bayern responded with two goals in the final 15 minutes, including one in stoppage time. However, the headline from the match is that Wayne Rooney left with an injured ankle and is expected to be out for at least a month. With a second leg match against Bayern, an EPL game versus Chelsea on Saturday and the World Cup in less than 3 months this is a tremendous blow for English and ManU fans. I think Manchester has the skill to overcome the deficit at home, but will they have the heart after losing Rooney and potentially the EPL lead to rivals Chelsea. 


Lyon (FRA) vs. Bordeaux (FRA)
 - Result: 3-1 (Lyon)
 - Thoughts: The French battle proved to be an entertaining match and on the back of Lopez' two goals Lyon take a solid lead heading into the second leg. Bordeuax were without Pjanic, but will need him, the home crowd and some luck so overtake the goal differential.