Champions League: Wenger Boys Lifeline

You've got to love Arsene Wenger. He's like a little wizard tinkering away on experiments in football, while all around him cast doubt and criticise. In tonights hugely entertaining match against champions, Barcelona FC, you could say the wizards' boys largely redeemed their creator.

Arsenal managed the improbable by equalling Barcelona's away tally, 2-2. I say improbable because the first half was an onslaught, with only one team hammering away for goals that never came: Barca.
When asked about being outplayed by the Catalan giants for large parts, Wenger returned with this classic:

          "It's not easy, believe me, but you respect it more than when you've been kicked."


Other Results:

Inter Milan 1(Milito 65') - CSK Moscow 0

Champions League: Mourinho's Homecoming

Photo: Times Online, 30 March 2010

I'm no Mystic Meg, but mark my words: the Silver Fox will be coming to England come the end of summer 2010.


At a pre-Champions League press conference ahead of Inter Milan's quarters match against CSK Moscow, Jose Mourinho was at it again, dropping pitch perfect soundbites like stardust and peppering English journo's with the usual pre-match mind games you'd expect. The subject? Italian Football. Jose informed one and all that he was unhappy with Italian football. Ma perche, Jose? 
                               
                                                “Because I do not like it and because it doesn’t like me.”


This is the football mind-fuck equivalent of requesting your P45. These are the moves of a smart guy softening the ground for his eventual departure. Sure, he wants to win the Champions League with Inter. But he clearly won't be staying on to mount another campaign if they should fail this year. 


The popular and obvious bet for a next destination is probably Real Madrid, who have the size, scope and money to facilitate the ambitions of a successful coach like himself. But it's clear that Mourinho's heart lies in England for club football.


                      “I miss English football and English football misses me, there’s no doubt about that"


With a toss up between coaching Manchester United or Real Madrid, all signs would point to Old Trafford. But that job is not up for grabs. Yet. Whereas there are a couple of legitimate possibilities which may arise in the English game, at the right level. Funny to think that for the clubs I'm thinking about, much of this prospect depends on whether those two teams in particular can retain and attain fourth spot in the Premier League.


Interesting times.


Until that time, we'll just have to make do with the occasional flirt 'n' tease dance afforded to footy fans on Champions League nights when Europes best face one another in the prestigious final 8 stage.


Wednesday Matches, 7.30pm GMT kick off


Inter Milan vs CSK Moscow
Arsenal FC vs Barcelona FC

Uefa Champions League Mask of Zorro

Bayern Munich beat Manchester United tonight, 2-1, at home in the first leg of the Champions League quarter finals. Honestly, that was a pretty lucky result for Man U. The second half was an onslaught of Bayern possession and attack, laced with poor passes and lack of shape from everyone accept Ferdinand, Vidic and Van Der Sar.

Add to that a suspected twisted ankle for Wayne Rooney... Basta con questa partita!

But enough of that. Let's talk about Martin Demichelis, or rather the fetching mask. When did Zorro take up football?