They are such an attacking side that scoring goals should really not have been a problem at all, but that is exactly the problem they had over 2 legs in that tie.

Lionel Messi, well he seemed to have been effectively muscled out. As a Nigerian, i feel really relieved. Reason is that we all know that Mr. Messi can be marked out of a game, and made more or less a spectator on the field.

For Inter, i think they played brilliantly over both legs and fully deserve their place in the final.  For Mourinho, People are now talking about him as the best coach in the game. That is a topic for another day, but if you ask me, the answer is a blunt NO.If you make such a conclusion, how about good old Sir Alex Ferguson who has won everything in the game and still has hunger for the game. Like i said, that is a story for another day.

In the final, Inter will play Bayern Munich who put Lyon to the sword in front of their own fans in Lyon. You couldn’t ask for a more convincing progression into any final than that. So who will win, Bayern or Inter? watch out for an indepth preview before the big match date.

Fulham, ever heard of such a name in Europe before? I bet you haven’t, but now wake up and take notice because Fulham football club from England have come to the party in a big way.

I can’t even remember how they got into the Europa league, but however they got there, they have shown the likes of Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United that you can still get into the continent and play good football without a big budget.

I don’t know how much they stand to gain should they win or even finish runners up. Whatever they get, they are sure to make a big profit when the books are balanced.

I can’t remember the number of more illustrous sides they have beaten enroute the final. The match against Hamburg was really tight, and to come from behind and beat a team like that just shows you the character the Cottagers have.

Well, spare a thought for Liverpool, they did well to pick themselves up after Champions League elimination to get to the semi-final only to lose on the away goals rule to Athletico Madrid. At the start of the premier league season in England, everyone including me believed that the Reds will finally click to take their first premier league crown. That wasn’t to be. They have certainly not been helped by injuries to key players of whom Fernando Torres has been the most missed for them.

For Athletico Madrid, they have had some sort of a miracle themselves. They were so out of sorts and got beaten by almost all in La Liga. Most people had thought they would even be relegated, but they turned things around and changed their story to a sweet song. Want to know the title of their song, “On the verge of Europa League glory”. Don’t say i told you though.

On the whole, this season’s cups have really been the most exciting for me. I don’t what you think, but what else would you ask for. We watched Inter and Barcelona tango four times with Inter coming coming out superior, we saw Manchester United knocked out, and we saw Fulham in what i believe is their first foray into Europe beat big teams on their way to the Europa league final. It’s really been exciting stuff all the way, and i hope that we see this next season.

Manchester United is still the most valuable football club in the world, according to Forbes magazine.

The Premier League title holders, who came second in a list compiled by Deloitte in February, again topped the table ahead of Real Madrid.

Forbes values United at £1.19bn($1.84bn), Real at £859m ($1.32bn), and Arsenal, in third, at £767m ($1,181m).

It uses data on income streams such as broadcast rights, sponsorship and sales of tickets and merchandise.

Barcelona is fourth in the 20-team list which includes six clubs from the Premier League plus Newcastle United who have spent this season playing in the Championship.

Liverpool, Chelsea and AC Milan all made the top 10, but the trio’s value had each fallen by 19% in the 2008/09 season according to the Forbes calculations.

Juventus and Olympic Marseille had the two biggest increases in value – each gaining 9% on the previous year.

Increasing sponsorship and media revenue meant “the news continues to be good for investors” said Michael Ozanian, national editor at Forbes.

However the average worth of the clubs in the list fell 8.5%.

Talking about that, i got prediction totally wrong as Inter Milan ran out 3-1 winners over Barcelona at the San Siro. I did not watch the match because of some really important commitment, but the after match report i have read suggest some questionable officiating by the match referee. That is totally normal in our beautiful game.

The Special One himself was all laughs after the final whistle had sounded, not for beating Barcelona, but for the fact that Barcelona staff, players and fans were complaining of bad officiating. You would remember that Mourinho and Chelsea had the same grumblings last season when they knocked out at the semi-final stage by Barcelona after a fiercely contested match in which a couple of penalty appeals were turned down by the center referee. A case of being paid back in one’s own coins you would say.

As for the match, well i think Inter have really done well for themselves. But don’t also forget that Barca can play really well at the Nou Camp. Inter may have won yesterday, but Barca can still turn things around. They even scored an away goal remember.

Now to the second semi-final between Bayern Munich and Lyon. Bayern, conquerors of Manchester United in the last round, are in the semi-finals of the competition for the first time since they were crowned champions in 2001.

They are targeting a treble and warmed up for the semi-final in style with a 7-0 win against Hannover that leaves them two points clear of Schalke in the Bundesliga.

Lyon are also very strong too, they have been knocking at the Champions League door for some time now. I think they have focused a little more on the UCL this season, and that is why they are currently 3rd in Ligue 1, 9 points behind leaders Marseille.

Lyon like to delay things and don’t often play along. Bayern will probably have 60-65% of possession, but they have to make sure they don’t get surprised at the back.

On the whole, i think this match will be a lot more exciting than the match we witnessed yesterday. Las time i made a prediction, i got my hands burned badly. My prediction for this one is 2-0 to Bayern.
This will not be a star match, but very worth watching.

If you really love football, you would have enjoyed the drama at both Eastlands and Whitehart Lane. Not only did
i enjoy myself, i also made some cash. Not from the Man City v Man United game, but from the Tottenham v Chelsea
game.
I went to see my cousin, who is such an arrogant supporter of Chelsea at his home. After watching the Manchester
derby, i asked him to drop me at my place, but he insisted that i watch the Chelsea game.I don’t like watching
them. To me, they play a very arrogant style of football.
After much argument and persuasion, i decided to watch the match. Earlier in the day, i told him that Chelsea will
lose the match, and all he told me was that since they had beaten Man Utd at Old Trafford, they will crush any team
for the remainder of the season.
We were still arguing when his wife, who is also a Chelsea fan brought the idea of settling the issue with a bet.
I normally don’t bet, and told them so, but they thought i was shying away because i knew that Chelsea were going
to beat Spurs. I was so sure the Blues will be beaten, so i agreed to the bet. The amount was $500 and Spurs
promptly and soundly beat Chelsea, and i made $500.
For me, the money was never the issue. I am convinced that Chelsea will not win the league this season. They still
have another tough match at Liverpool to negotiate. Enough with Chelsea and their loss.
United’s match at Eastlands was just another league match. No spark, no thrills, no flair, but a precious 3 points
which means that as i make this posting, we are only a single point behind Chelsea, very soothing. The last thing
i want for my darling club is a season in which we did not win the Champions League, and then lose the league crown
to a team like Chelsea.
Rooney was so anonymous it seemed like he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. His touch on the ball was so
uncharacteristic, and the chances had that he normally would score just went as if it never even came, still
feeling the ankle obviously.
For Scholes, he was superb throughout, and the goal was just characteristic of his never say never attitude.
Not a great derby, no match by any stretch of the imagination, but a great day at the office.

With our best player and deadliest striker in the league out with an injury, and with just about 4 matches to the end of the premier league season, fear is the name of the game for me right now. Can United still win the league?.

First was the defeat at Bayern in the first leg of the UCL quarter finals, then came the shocking defeat to Chelsea at Old Trafford, then came the exit from the UCL, and then this draw at Blackburn. Men, i can’t remember the last time we went through such a barren spell.

With Chelsea also out of the Champions League and wounded, they are going to do anything to make sure they win the league. Therein also lies the hope for all Red Devils. The blues have to play 2 difficult away games in Tottenham and Liverpool. United will Tottenham at Old Trafford, and i reckon that Chelsea’s remaining games are potentially tougher than United’s, and in football, don’t discount anything.

I do believe that United can still win the league if we win all of our remaining matches and hope that Chelsea faulters. I know folks are asking, how about Asernal. Guys, the Gunners are a good side, but they lack the mental toughness that will drive them the remaining crucial games, even though, on paper, the have the easiest games remaining. But guys sincerely speaking, they are no easy games in the premier league these days. Take to the field against today’s Fulham, and you will know what i am talking about.

UNITED FOR LIFE

They still play their attractive passing football, but have scored more goals that have won them more matches. For that strength of character that they have exhibited this season, i would love to see them win something. But i am afraid this is almost impossible now.

In the premier league that Chelsea and Manchester United are displacing each other at the top of the table, Arsenal will find it hard to remain consistent with about 5 matches to go.

The big one that is the Champions League is proving even harder. If they are to make anything of a somewhat better season, they have to beat Barcelona at the Camp Nou tonight, no mean feat.

In the first leg in London Arsenal were outplayed for an hour by a much better team, at least technically in terms of passing, possession and chances to score, so much that their 39-year-old former French international Emmanuel Petit said. “I’ve never seen them outplayed like that before.

The second leg could be a more even affair with Barcelona missing key defenders. Barca are without captain Carles Puyol, who is suspended after conceding the penalty from which Fabregas equalised last week.

It is a big blow for Barca, who are also without Puyol’s regular central defensive partner Gerard Pique. He is also banned after picking up a second booking at the Emirates. Puyol and Piquet missing the game is good for Arsenal. “Pep Guardiola has had less than a week to put a new centre-back pairing together and that could be the biggest chance for Arsenal. Rafael Marquez and Gabriel Milito will probably play in central defence, and that could allow Arsenal to do something because those two don’t play together often. “Those positions are very important for Barca. It’s the spine. They may not have the automatism.”

That is for Barca, what about Arsenal, they will be without their captain Cesc Fabregas, who would have been suspended for Tuesday’s game even before picking up a season-ending injury in the first leg. In all,i think it will a good contest, but i stillthink Barcelona have enough in reserve to win the tie. Let’s enjoy the footall.

Tuesday 30 March:
Lyon v Bordeaux
Bayern Munich v Manchester United

Wednesday 31 March:
Arsenal v Barcelona
Inter Milan v CSKA Moscow

2nd leg:

Tuesday 6 April:
Barcelona v Arsenal
CSKA Moscow v Inter Milan

Wednesday 7 April:
Bordeaux v Lyon
Manchester United v Bayern Munich

SEMI-FINAL DRAW:

1st leg:

Tuesday 20 April: Inter Milan/CSKA Moscow v Arsenal/Barcelona

Wednesday 21 April: Bayern Munich/Manchester United v Lyon/Bordeaux

2nd leg:

Tuesday 27 April: Lyon/Bordeaux v Bayern Munich/Manchester United
Wednesday 28 April: Arsenal/Barcelona v Inter Milan/CSKA Moscow

Guys, i was expecting a lot of fun, and this is it. This is as fearsome as it could possibly get.

Sweet and bitter memories are evoked here. Can Bayern Munich, who Manchester United beat in the 1999 final take their pound of flesh, and will Arsenal exact their revenge from Barcelona who beat the Gunners in the 2006 final.

The match between Arsenal and holders Barcelona stand out for many reasons. Arsenal have over the years boasted that they play the most attractive football in Europe, but we all know that it is Barcelona that really play the best foot ball. Same style of play, but contrasting fortunes.

We can’t wait!!!

Don’t get me wrong, Chelsea play fine attractive football these days, but they still do not have the European winning mentality that clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona and others have that constantly give them the edge in the Champions League. You don’t play the UCL like you are playing the likes of Wigan, Portsmouth and other lesser likes in the English Premier League.

I always feel pity for Chelsea and its teeming fans, particularly in my country Nigeria. Premiership clubs are loved here, and followed in the millions. When Samuel Eto’o scored in the 79th minute, i knew it was curtains for the Blues in this season’s UCL. And how about Drogba’s red card in the 86th minute. Once again he disgraces himself.

For Eto’o, he has proved that he is still the best footballer in Africa, regardless of the sham that is the African footballer of the year award that was given to Drogba. We all know that last season, Samuel Eto’o did exceptionally well with Barcelona, winning every trophy in world football, and also qualifying the Cameroun  national team to the world cup in South Africa.

For last season, Drogba did not merit the award more than Eto’o, and it has shown today. Justice has been served.

But i am very courteous, rightly so. Remember the Milan leg of the match we just won on wednesday? we hammered AC Milan 3-2 and came back for Fulham to demolish us in the premier league by a massive 3-0.

I think Fulham will have the nerve to try any such thing at Old Trafford , we will simply shred them to pieces with our weapon of total destruction, Wayne Rooney. This guy is so hot.

On a rainy night across Europe, English heavyweights Manchester United and Chelsea maintained their perfect records in the group phase of the UEFA Champions League to move closer to the last 16. Elsewhere, AC Milan staged a thrilling comeback to inflict a first defeat of the season on Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, the venue for this season’s final.

The results

Group A
Bordeaux 2-1 Bayern Munich
Juventus 1-0 Maccabi Haifa

Group B
CSKA Moscow 0-1 Manchester United
Wolfsburg 0-0 Besiktas

Group C
Zurich 0-1 Marseille
Real Madrid 2-3 AC Milan

Group D
Chelsea 4-0 Atletico Madrid
Porto 2-1 APOEL Nicosia

The big game
Real Madrid 2-3 AC Milan
Goals: Raul 19, Royston Drenthe 76 (Real Madrid); Andrea Pirlo 63, Alexandre Pato 66 and 88 (Milan)

This classic match-up did not disappoint. On an evening when Real’s star signing Kaka was reunited with his former team-mates, the Spaniards struck first, Raul seizing on an error by Milan keeper Dida to roll the ball into an empty net. With an hour on the clock and the hosts seemingly in control, the match took an unexpected turn. Trying his luck from fully 35 metres out, Andrea Pirlo saw his dipping shot surprise Iker Casillas at the near post to pull the Italians level.

And when Casillas misjudged Massimo Ambrosini’s superb flighted ball over the top of the Merengue defence, livewire Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato was on hand to slide the ball into the unguarded net and give Leonardo’s men the lead. Their pride stung, Real surged forward in search of an equaliser, which duly came when Rosyton Drenthe thumped a low drive past Dida from Raul’s precise corner-kick.

Chances came at both ends as the pace continued to quicken, and after the two sides each had goals disallowed, that man Pato popped up with a late winner, side-footing Clarence Seedorf’s delicious chipped pass into the roof of the net.

The other games
Bordeaux took a two-point lead at the top of Group A by edging an injury-ravaged Bayern Munich side 2-1. After inadvertently putting the Germans ahead with a misplaced header, Girondins defender Mickael Ciani promptly redemeed himself by levelling the score with a nonchalant back-heeled flick from a corner. Ciani’s central-defensive partner Marc Planus then stole in ahead of the Bayern defence at a set-piece to stab the French champions in front. And had Hans-Jorg Butt not saved two second-half penalties, the final scoreline could have been even worse for the visitors, who had two men sent off.

Juventus moved into second place after earning a narrow 1-0 win over a bold Maccabi Haifa side. Giorgio Chiellini scored the only goal of the game with far-post header, though I Bianconeri needed a typically classy save from Gianluigi Buffon late on to cling on to the points.

Shorn of the services of several first-teamers, Manchester United drew on their vast European experience to chisel out their third straight win in Group B. Their victims on this occasion were CSKA Moscow, the only goal of the evening coming when Ecuador international Antonio Valencia fired home Dimitar Berbatov’s fine flicked header four minutes from time. In the other game in the section, Wolfsburg and Besiktas cancelled each other out in a goalless draw.

While Real Madrid were tripping up at home, Marseille were doing their Group C chances a power of good by earning a valuable 1-0 win away to Zurich. Argentinian defender Gabriel Heinze’s superb volley proved the difference between the sides. Despite the defeat, the fourth-placed Swiss are still in contention in a surprisingly open section.

Meanwhile, Chelsea would seem to have Group D all wrapped up after extending their 100 per cent record with a typically ruthless 4-0 win at home to struggling Atletico Madrid. Salomon Kalou set the Blues on their way with his first European double, before Frank Lampard and a Luis Perea own goal underlined their superiority on the night.

Porto weathered torrential rain and a battling performance by APOEL Nicosia to tighten their grip on second place. After falling behind early on the Portuguese hit back to secure a 2-1 victory, both goals coming from Brazilian striker Hulk, the first of them the result of a fine team move.

The stat
66 - Legendary Real Madrid forward Raul won his duel with fellow veteran gunslinger Filippo Inzaghi by scoring his 66th goal in Europe’s premier club tournament. The scorer of 226 goals in La Liga, 44 for Spain and 27 in other official competitions, the No7 now has 363 career strikes to his name.

Goal of the night
Chelsea 1-0 Atletico Madrid (Salomon Kalou 40)

Chelsea’s passing game finally clicked five minutes from half-time when Ashley Cole scampered in behind the Atletico defence and latched on to a blind pass by Frank Lampard. The England left-back surged towards the by-line before cutting the ball into the path of the unmarked Salomon Kalou, who side-footed home to complete a textbook move.

Key Matchday 4 encounters
Group A: Bayern Munich have no option but to go for the win when they entertain Bordeaux in a fortnight’s time. The French side, on the other hand, will be happy with a draw.

Group C: The return match between continental heavyweights AC Milan and Real Madrid should prove one of the highlights of the season so far.