Midweek games between the quater finalist saw goals, comeback's and one manager complete the touch line's equal to the Olympic one hundred metre's... For some reason I don't think Jose has the pace to out sprint his troops anymore, although he'd certainly give John Terry a run for his money.
After Real Madrid steam rolled Dortmund in the first leg, everybody thought they were comfortably through but a young Reus had other plans. With the 3-0 lead going into the game, Real decided to rest many players including the great Ronaldo, although they were brought close to the wire as German runners up scored two goals in succession to heap put pressure upon the Spanish giants. This could have been Polish striker Lewandowski's last game for Dortmund as he's looking to secure his move to Bayern, similar to ex-team mate Matio Gotze, overall this was a hard fought and unlucky game, but in the end the two goals from Reus just didn't pay off.
Moving on to the second of the Tuesday night fixtures, Chelsea hosted PSG after the French capital took the first leg 3-1. Before the game, Jose and Co looked really shaky as in press interviews his normally stern personality looked nerved. Straight away within the first twenty of the game, Chelsea looked in trouble as star man Hazard had to leave the field injured, then bringing on the inconsistent Schrrüle; you can imagine what every Blue's fans' confidence was like after this happening. However once again, Chelsea substitute managed to pull through as on the thirty second minute the German calmly slotted the host a goal up. After a long drag of gruelling football, with missed opportunities at either end, Chelsea decided to go all out, bringing on Torres and Ba in the hope they'd snatch a much needed goal; straight away they weren't far off as the boys from London struck the bar twice, leaving Sirigu stationary. It all came down to the final minutes then a moment of midweek magic occurred at Stamford Bridge, when Djemba Ba latched on to a deflected shot, scooping it from under his sliding shin to give Chelsea the all important goal they needed to put them through. On the eighty seventh minute, Chelsea celebrated as Jose Murinho sprinted the touch line, in a historic moment, where he cheered with his team and appeared to give them fearful instructions. Finishing up 2-0 to Chelsea (3-3 on Agg.), they won by the away goal rule as they scored in Paris.
Manchester United's last area for success this season was for them to scrape though the quarter final. At Old Trafford, United could only draw even with Bayern in a 1-1 result, meaning that the Germans had the all important away goal. Going in to the Allianz Arena last night it was game on if the Red Devils scored that crucial goal at any point. The first half saw no goals but it only took just over quarter of an hour into the second for United to strike up what fans thought, was the ultimate comeback against the previous winners. Patrice Evra hit a wonderfully struck left footed shot from outside the area which ripped into the top corner sending United one up, but not for long. Just twenty three seconds after the game recommenced the kings of Europe casually trotted to the by line where they whipped in a cross which was neatly headed home by Manzukic. From here it just went downhill for Moyes and his men as they ended up losing the game 3-1 to a valiant Bayern side. Unfortunately for United this could be their last stint in Europe as they may not even qualify for Europa League standard this year. Hopefully for them, they can adjust and comeback as a better team in the future.
The final quarter final was between Spanish titans Athletico Madrid and Barcelona. Both teams are currently slugging it out at the top of La Liga and I thought the winner of this game would go on to win the league. It was to everyone's suprise this year, how far Athletico have come, not only have they been dominant at the top of their league but also the success in the Champions League. The initial tie at the Nou Camp settled once again in a one-all draw leaving Madrid with the slight away goal advantage going into the second leg. This game was slightly different though as Althetico were missing their goal machine Diego Costa after he picked up a knock in the first tie. Just six minutes into kicking off the Spanish title leaders were one up as midfielding youngster Koke floated a decent finish into the back of the net. Many chances came for the home team as Madrid had five shots on target, as the ex-Barca man Villa was looking to bag a goal against his old club. Sadly for fans' and neutrals this game ended as only a 1-0 win, where I thought their would have been more goals, but Madrid did all they needed to do to qualify. The question on everyone's lips at the minute is what has happened to the mighty Barcelona?, they haven't lost any players and they most certainly haven't lost the mass fan base? Surely something in the tactical area needs changing because results just aren't going their way. Through out last nights fixture Barca dominated possession as they had seventy two percent overall, at the minute they just seem to lack the goal scoring ability, perhaps the chemistry just isn't there anymore.
Tomorrow the draw for the semi final will take place as the final four have been decided. One team from England remain, with two from Spain and finally the previous winners from Germany. One things for sure, no matter who draws who, the game's will be emphatic because footballing standards are at an all time high. If I had to choose the fixtures I'd love to see it would be Athletico Madrid vs Real Madrid as it's a passion fuelled derby sparking excitement and energy between fans and players alike, then obviously Chelsea vs Bayern because I feel the boys in blue can do what it takes under Jose to finally finish the German dominance in Europe. My money is all on Real Madrid to win the competion as so far they have been consistent and strong through out the tournament, cruising through each round.
You can see the draw tomorrow 11am on Sky Sports News or Online.
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