A Champion week in Europe
|13:17 UK time, Friday, 12 March 2010
What a terrific week in the Champions League. More brilliance from Wayne Rooney saw Manchester United sweep aside a feeble Milan; individual excellence from Samir Nasri helped Arsenal trounce Porto; and there were goals to savour from both Mark van Bommel and Arjen Robben as Bayern Munich pipped Fiorentina to a place in the quarter-finals.
It can be hard trying to watch two matches at once, but the one that demanded my attention on Wednesday night was Lyon's remarkable victory over Real Madrid. After Cristiano Ronaldo had given Madrid the dream start, Real played like potential champions in the first half - but couldn't find the back of the net. Higuain was the biggest culprit, and when Lyon took the attack to Madrid in the second half, Manuel Pellegrini's side had little answer. Miralem Pjanic's fiercely struck goal fifteen minutes from time drained the fight out of the home side, and Lyon proved worthy winners.
Madrid remain a work in progress - but will the current constructor be allowed to remain in his post? Immediate indications appear positive for Pellegrini, as Real's director general Jorge Valdano has stated publicly that the club believe in his work and plan to continue with his services next season. Plans can change, though, especially when Florentino Perez is club president.
All change at the Bernabeu
Perez was the man who sacked Vicente del Bosque, who had won two Champions League and two La Liga titles in a four year spell at the Bernabeu. Five coaches took the reins in the final three years of Perez's first term as president, and Pellegrini is the ninth different coach to have been given control since del Bosque left the club less than seven years ago.
Will Perez see things differently second time around? Madrid have lost in the first knockout round six years in a row, but surely this is now the time to stand by a man who was brave enough to substitute the disappointing Kaka and has taken Madrid past Barcelona to the top of La Liga?
Let me know whether you agree on this Saturday's Sportsworld Have Your Say. We'll be taking your calls from 1730 GMT.
Comment number 1.
At 14:58 12th Mar 2010, Tanimu Umar wrote:English teams have again proved the dictum that the Premier League is currently the best in Europe. The victory Man United had over one of the so-called Eyropean giants, AC Milan, was a sweet revenge and an eventful one. I'll not be surprised if two English teams again end up meeting in the final.
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Comment number 2.
At 08:27 15th Mar 2010, Hamundyoli wrote:I watched the Madrid, Lyon march and for the first 30 minutes thought Real were going to beat the french side comfortably by atleast 3 goals. However the Lyon team that turned out after the break seemed re-galvanised and had shaken off the intimidation that a place like the Benebeu can exert.
Startlingly, you could sense the impatience of the fans as the game wore on and even when Lyon equalised, you couldn't help but think that half those fans had expected it. It would appear the last six or so seasons have been so devoid of champions league glory that there seems to be some cynicism from many fans, let alone players regarding their team's chances. That said the body language from Cristiano didn't help matters. He cut an increasingly and impatiently frustrated figure, openly castigating colleagues for their profligacy and selfishness when in possession. Wouldn't be surprised if he moved back to Man United in the summer.
Congratulations to Man united who made light work of Milan and ofcourse Arsenal who for me are the surprise team. Great blog Russel, and a great fan.
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