With each name pulled from the hat, Man United fans and neutrals alike must have figured the hardest thing about the ties ahead were being able to actively spell and pronounce 'FC Oțelul Galați'. But, the powers that be have thrown up fascinating scenario going into the final round of games; a scenario in which it is entirely plausible that the Red Devils may exit the competition prematurely, yet not undeservedly.
United have conceded 6 goals so far this stage, 5 of which were shipped at home. Without the genuine whipping boys Galați, Sir Alex's team would have been out of the picture long ago. Benfica, as it proved to be on Tuesday, are a genuinely solid and capable team; and Basle have achieved far beyond expectation. The telling way in which Ferguson abandoned his press conference mid-way last night is testament to how uncharacteristic Utd's trouble in Europe have been.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15853955.stm - see here for the clip
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The 'Noisy Neighbours' across Manchester can find themselves in even direr straights. With their Champions league progression now out of their hands, it is a far cry from the omnipotent displays exhibited domestically.
I for one would like to continue watching the star-studded gang of misfits into the knockout stage, but considering the task at hand, Mancini's men may have to gear up for the Europa cup for the remainder of the season. Bayern Munich stand before them; and even if the German giants can be vanquished, they must hope for an improbable Villarreal victory over a resurgent Napoli team. Fireworks are needed in Group A, but Balotelli and his entourage do not hold all the matches.
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Chelsea. What to say about Chelsea. What is the problem?
A problem which has arguably lasted over a year now, with Liverpool's 2-0 win on 7 November 2010. Who scored both those goals on that day for Liverpool? The man who spent the entirety of the 2-1 defeat in Germany warming the bench; a defeat that puts Chelsea's anticipated progression in real doubt. Failure to qualify would be the single worst situation experienced by any Chelsea manager in recent memory.
Fernando Torres' form arguably encapsulates Chelsea's stuttering, frustrating displays over the last twelve months. Old favourite Didier Drogba played in his place for the second game running. Who, I ask you is in better form? Yes, Drogba scored. But his touch has deserted him, his shooting is becoming increasingly more erratic and wayward, and his style of play epitomises the old way of playing for Chelsea - something Andre Villas-Boas has been trying to change since his February appointment.
I fear that Chelsea's problem is deep rooted within the very foundations of their squad. Villas-Boas, surely, is not the problem. All one has to do is revisit Ancelotti's final (and second) season, and the 'difficult moment' was there in spades. Nothing really, it seems, has changed. It is up to Villas-Boas to arrest this devolution before a real crisis kicks in, and he is certainly trying with his acquisition of Mata and Raul Meireles, and the attempt at a high line and new attacking layout. But Chelsea fans may have to wait longer than expected for the new dawn.
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In Robin Van Persie, Arsenal have the most in-form striker in world football. Superlatives begin to fail fans and journalists alike with each and every game that goes by. His two goals last night(his 31st goal from 34 games), saw off a weakened Borussia Dortmund team and delivered Arsene Wenger's team to the knockout stages.
Van Persie has always had natural footballing ability, he has just never had the chance to showcase this due to his constant injury problems which, at some stages, verge on the pathological. But the idea of a 'one man team', one of many easy platitudes being thrown around the table, must not be necessarily be considered a given. Yes, Robin scores the goals, but looking at the bigger picture, it is plain to see the key contributors in this revitalised Arsenal team.
Alex Song has grown to become, what I consider, the best defensive midfielder in the Premiership. Scott Parker is admittedly, close behind; but Song's all round abilities in almost every area of the pitch single him out. His dazzling run for the first Arsenal goal last night showed his attacking prowess, his timely interceptions and brilliant passing game in the remarkable defeat of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge proved to be arguably the main factor in the game, and his defensive positioning and awareness has come on leaps and bounds.
The much maligned Theo Walcott is starting to come into his own with a modest amount of goals and assists; and with Vermaelen's return from injury, their rearguard has received an invaluable defensive force of real quality.
Arsenal are the first of the English teams to qualify for the knockout stage, and they could well be the last. Who'd have bet on that a few months ago! Arsene? "I am surprised that we are the first English team to qualify..." He said it.
Stay tuned.
Photos and videos:
BBC Sport
IBN Live
Zimbio.com
Dailymail.com
Mcfc.co.uk
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