Barca were just brilliant
|12:19 UK time, Friday, 2 April 2010
In a week where Barcelona produced the greatest opening fifteeen minutes in recent memory, I'm wondering whether there may be no English clubs at all in the semi-finals of the European Champions League.
Arsenal's resilience in the face of aversity gives them a glimmer of hope in the second leg at the Camp Nou, but Barcelona play their football on a higher plane, and will surely take their place in the last four. So with Liverpool failing to get out of the group stage, and Chelsea dismantled by Inter in the quarter-finals, that leaves just Manchester United - who must overcome a 2-1 deficit against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford next Wednesday.
United with out Rooney
United have proved in recent weeks that it's impertinent to describe them as a one man team, but will they really be able to conquer the best in Europe without Wayne Rooney's presence on the field? Rooney's ankle ligament injury gives Dimitar Berbatov his chance, but will United be able to deal with the returning Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger? Although still too inconsistent for Louis Van Gaal's liking, Bayern have the potential to turn into one of Europe's very best sides once again. I expect them to score in Manchester, and push United very hard for a place in the semi-finals. It's great to see the re-emergence of Inter under Jose Mourinho, and it's wonderful that there will be a French side in the semi-finals.
Truely European semi-finals ?
The rest of Europe has raised its game in response to three consecutive years in which there have been three English teams in the last four. The Premier League clubs do not look as intimidating as they did, and part of this may be down to the tightening of belts in the boardroom. Manchester United have not yet re-invested the money raised by selling Cristiano Ronaldo, and even Roman Abramovich has been more prudent in recent years - so might the Champions League soon resemble the original European Cup? Might there one day be eight quarter-finalists from eight different countries once more?
Let me know what you think this Saturday from 1730 GMT on Sportsworld Have Your Say.
Comment number 1.
At 12:04 8th Apr 2010, SEIDU wrote:There is no need to wonder Russel,it's now official:no English team in the semi final.Of the three teams that made it to the knock out stages, i believe Arsenal were unlucky with injuiries to key players and most crucially a tough draw against Barca.Chelsea were just not good enough against Inter,but Man United just blew it against Bayern. Man U should have finished of the tie in the first leg at Germany.
But I still beleive this season is a blip and the English teams will be stronger next year.who knows it may be a good omen for England at the World Cup this summer.
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