The business end of the Champions League got underway last night and both of the English teams on show were to find their ties hanging very much in the balance by the evening's end... The results of Arsenal and Manchester United's labours may have both ended in draws but such is the nature of a two-legged knock out competition that their prospects for continuing into the semi-finals are looking markedly different.
Firstly Arsenal travelled to the modestly sized Madrigal stadium to face Villarreal, in a repeat of the 2006 Champions League semi-final. Both teams are well placed in fourth in their respective leagues and the tie had been expected to be evenly matched. Arsenal have slowly and quietly turned around their form since the early season calamities and are now seventeen league games unbeaten, with only one loss at all since December (in the CL last-sixteen versus Roma). Villarreal meanwhile have recently lost momentum, losing two of their last Primera Liga matches.
As it turned out the prediction of a closely matched contest was well- judged, the match was a classic example of the 'it's a game of two halves' cliché. In the first half Villarreal attacked Arsenal with real purpose from the outset, and they were soon to get their reward. After ten minutes Marcos Senna found himself roughly 30 yards from the Arsenal goal with time and space, he took a touch in his stride and proceeded to blast a shot past Almunia into the top left corner. A stunning goal and a warning that was not heeded as Senna almost pulled off the same feat later in the second half.
The fortunes of the Gunners were to take further turns for the worse when Almunia succumbed to an earlier knock after half an hour, and then just before half-time William Gallas was forced out by knee ligament damage. Thankfully the replacements were more than capable and Fabianski in particular excelled in a rare appearance in goal.
The second half saw Arsenal turn things around and establish their own dominance on the game. The returning Theo Walcott caused problems as always with his pace, and Cesc Fabregas continued his excellent form since also returning from injury. It was the Spaniard's chipped pass from midfield that found Adebayor just after the hour mark, he controlled the ball on his chest and then sublimely executed an overhead/ scissor kick into the bottom corner for the equaliser and crucial away goal. It finished 1-1 and Arsenal must now be confident of dispatching their opponents at the Emirates. With several players returning from injury and joining a squad in good form, I am hopeful that silverware may yet be won for the first time in four years.
In the other quarter-final last night Manchester United continued their quest to win back to back Champions League trophies as they hosted Porto at Old Trafford. After their last-gasp comeback against Aston Villa last Saturday, it was widely expected that that result would have a galvanising effect and that they would now dispatch all-comers with ease. In fact United were made to look quite ordinary at times and must of been surprised by the endeavour of the Portuguese who attacked with pace and skill.
After an early warning shot Porto stunned the home crowd by taking the lead after only four minutes, Cristian Rodriguez curling past Van der Sar. Ferguson's team naturally attempted to respond but instead drew level after benefiting from a horrendous defensive error. Porto's Alves nonchalantly attempted a back-pass without even looking at his goalkeeper and was soon horrified to realise that he had gifted the ball to Wayne Rooney who inevitably equalised with a cool finish. The goal did not become a catalyst for United to improve their performance though, rather Porto continued to plug away and created several more good opportunities to regain the lead.
Predictably the home team came out for the second-half with more purpose but they still couldn't stamp their usual authority on the opposition. Both Rooney and Vidic went close to restoring order but it came down to Carlos Tevez to provide another showcase of his talents from off of the substitutes bench.
With five minutes remaining, Rooney cleverly flicked on a throw-in which fell straight to the on-rushing Argentinian who hit it first time inside the post and despairing dive of Porto 'keeper Helton. It appeared that Manchester United had staged another 'smash and grab', but just as with Jose Mourinho's team five years ago Porto were ready with a sucker-punch. In the 89th minute, Lucho crossed from the right flank and found Mariano completely on his own, he controlled the ball and with great composure he dinked it over the on-rushing Van der Sar, making the final score 2-2.
Manchester United will obviously be flustered by the result and will be determined and probably expected to wreak vengeance in Portugal next week. They will have to do a much better job of containing the likes of Rodriguez and (the) Hulk though, if they have any chance of becoming the first British team to beat Porto in their own backyard. This tie I feel has a lot more twists and turns to come.
Now briefly turning to tonight's fixtures and there are two glamour games to get the neutrals salivating and the supporters fretting. How can there be any other angles left to build up Liverpool versus Chelsea?! It happens so regularly now that Rafa Benitez must be a little underwhelmed by it all, even so the two teams have developed a good intense rivalry and I expect that Anfield will certainly be atmospheric although tinged in tension. Dare I say a draw will be on the cards, we shall see.
As for Barcelona versus Bayern Munich, this match is intriguing, the Catalonians are being strongly favoured but it would be folly to write off Jurgen Klinsmann's team. They have gotten over their early season jitters and are now in a prime position to challenge for the Bundesliga, throw in the fact that they humiliated Sporting Lisbon in the last round and we may have a classic on our hands... I recommend that you choose the Nou Camp rather than Anfield as your first choice viewing in an hour's time, enjoy!