Champions League, Quarter Finals (16/04/2009 17:07)
After some crazy days regarding European football, it’s time to review the Quarter Finals of the Champions League 2008-2009. And crazy days it were, the past 16 days…
The first round of the QF featured Spanish Villareal C.F. hosting English giant Arsenal, English runner-up Chelsea visiting the other English giant Liverpool, Bayern Muchen travelling south to the Camp Nou of Barcelona and FC Porto left Portugal for a few days to battle Manchester United, current English Premiership Champions.
On the 7th of April, FC Porto stunned all who feel affection for Man Utd, by attacking well, playing nicely and scoring twice, ending the match in a 2-2 draw. The same day, Chelsea hammered Liverpool on Anfield Road 3-1, giving them a nice outcome for the next game at Stamford Bridge.
On the 8th of April, Barcelona showed the world they are the world’s best football-team by humiliating Bayern Munchen. In the first half Barca scored 4 goals, showed some fantastic skills and frustrating every single Munich player (e.g. Dutch captain Mark van Bommel using a bodycheck to stop Messi). On the same night Arsenal held Villareal on a 1-1 draw, which should be a good result to finish off the next week.
And so, yesterday and the day before, the returns were played.
Tuesday 14th of April, Bayern regained some honour by drawing Barcelona 1-1 (goals by Ribery and Keita), but saw Barca go to the Semi Finals. As did Chelsea.
A wonderful evening and some stunning and amazing football saw the match end 4-4. This match is considered by many as one of the best in C.L.-history. Lots of exitement made fans of both teams go up and down in joy, raising heartbeats and lowering them again. After 45 minutes Liverpool led 0-2, which should’ve been enough to go through. However, a mervellous tip-in of Drogba, a canonball freekick by Alex and 2 goals by Lampard made sure Chelsea would go through to the Semi Finals. Even 2 more goals by Lucas and Dutchman Kuyt made no difference to that.
Wednesday 15th of April, Man United showed some skills by beating FC Porto 1-0, resulting in another Semi Final spot. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the only but nice goal, 30 metres from goal, which might have been stopped by Helton (obviously, he didn’t). The hero of the past weekends, Macheda didn’t play and this time it didn’t matter.
Arsenal secured the 4th Semi Final spot by beating Villareal 3-0, goals scored by Walcott, Adebayor and Van Persie who slotted home a penalty.
The Semi Final programme:
28th of April: Barcelona vs Chelsea
29th of April: Man Utd vs Arsenal The returns will be a week later.