IVAN THE GREAT
Branislav Ivanovic completed one of the greatest Champions League comebacks of all time. After losing in the first leg, being completely outplayed and talks of rifts between the manager and the older players of the group Chelsea were due a decent result in their favour. Ivanovic had scored earlier in the game and his second in added time wasn't one of the best goals I have ever seen, but I was chuffed to see Chelsea win, obviously because they are an english team. But also,after all of the troubles they had with Andre Villas Boas, they deserved a break from the fans that were getting frustrated with the results. Personally i thought that Villas Boas was a great manager, for the Portugese league, but to come to one of the big four in one of the best leagues in the world was just a step too far. Everybody knows that the reason he wasn't given a fair chance at the club was because of the impatient owner, 10 managers in 9 seasons just shows that he is not satisfied unless they are winning every game and are top of the league, then he will do away with the manager. But hopefully Roberto Di matteo will get the job and be given a fair chance. Finally good luck to the Chelsea players in the second leg of their Chapions League quater final match against Benfica.
THE MIGHT OF BILBAO
Manchester United's european nightmare was ended by Athletic Bilbao. In the first leg you would have expected the biggest club in the Premier League to win at home against a mediocer Liga BBVA team, but oh no!! Bilbao were spectacular and completey outplayed United in every aspect of the game. Fernando Llorente bullied the United centre backs all night and forced them to make more than one mistake which Llorente pounced on and made them pay. As I'm writing this Llorente hs just scored against Schalke after the goalkeeper and defence had made a mistake, just to prove my point about him. United looked weak all over the pitch, up until they broke away and were fortunate to get a goal, especially the penalty in the 94th minute, typical that they should get a chance in the lats minute of the game at home to give them a lifeline. In the return leg in Bilbao, United weren't the favourites in a European match for, not including finals, for the first time in a number of years. Bilbao were full of confidence and rightly so, they had earned it in Manchester and they were ready to show their resiliance and fight in this game. Bilbao did just that, up until United got a lucky goal that wasn't anything spectacular to say the least. But then the fans started to sing their hearts out and Bilbao responded, scoring 2 to secure their place in the next round. I wouldn't normally say this about an English team, but I was glad that they went out and I hope that they lose the title as well and I bet that Sir Alex will moan about refereeing decisions throughout the season or other managers in the league.
SPORTING BLISS
Manchester City's millions couldn't help them beat Sporting Lisbon in a captivating encounter in the Europa League. In the first leg City were outplayed by a Sporting team that weren't fazed by playing world class players. Even without their star striker, Ricky Van Wolfswinkel, Sporting terrorised City all over the pitch. But to be fair to City, away from home in a city where the fans are very passionate, they played very well and the score line shows that. David Silva was the star of the show as usual and he found passes that I could even imagine to make and he managed to run through the Sporting defence on a number of of occasions. Personally I think that David Silva is the equivalent of the spanish Messi, His movement, passing and mazy runs make him an all round world class player. At the end of the game Roberto Mancini admitted that City should have played better and that they should be beating teams like Sporting, no disrespect to them, Sporting are very good team. In the return leg City's fans turned out in force expecting them to turn it around and advance to the next stage. There was another hero in the City ranks on that night, Sergio Aguero, he completely ran the show by creating chances for his teams mates and when he needed to he was taking the chances that came his way. Scoring 2 classy goals and I expected them to advance, even though they had gone 2 goals behind early in the game. When City's 3rd goal went in the crowd came alive and believed that they could win it. A City corner in the final minute of the game, Joe Hart comes up for it, City have nothing to lose. The ball gets swung in and who else but Joe Hart heads it towards goal and everyone is holding their breath, but at the last minute the keeper saves it and the final whistle goes. So both Manchester clubs are out of Europe and I just hope that City can win the league now.
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