AC Milan 4-0 Arsenal

ROBINHO: Two goals for Milan

Former Manchester City man, Robinho, struck twice to to put an end to Arsenal’s Champions League dreams as AC Milan ended Arsenal's unbeaten run against Italian sides to an embarrassing end.

Former Tottenham man Kevin-Prince Boateng’s stunning strike in the 15^th minute put the Rossonieri ahead before Robinho doubled and then trebled their lead.

Ibrahimovic scored a penalty in the 79^th minute to kill off the game beyond doubt and in doing so ensured that he has scored in every Champions League game he’s played in this season. Ibrahimovic made a nuisance of himself from the kick-off and looked every bit the player he says he is, creating and scoring goals tonight.

Arsenal had a good chunk of the possession in the opening ten minutes but their good spell ended there. Boateng’s strike of the night from the right-hand side rattled the underside of the bar and then the bottom of the net, leaving Szczesny helpless and Arsenal were 1-0 down before they knew it.

The pitch didn’t do either team any favours but it could be suggested that the wide-flanks, where the worst of it was, would affect Arsenal’s play more than the home side.

Arsenal’s defence were at their poorest since the start of the season and Milan’s front three of Ibrahimovic, Boateng and Robinho ran them ragged.

If things couldn’t get worse for the Gunners’ back line, Laurent Koscielny, who was their best defender by far and away with Vermaelen having a torrid time, had to be replaced with Djourou just before the break.

AC Milan were troubled by their own injury problems and manager, Allegri found himself having to bring on Urby Emanuelson for the injured Clarence Seedorf just after the 10 minute mark.

Robinho made it 2-0 before half time heading home a perfectly chipped ball from Ibrahimovic from five yards out.

Half time saw changes made from Arsenal and a final Champions League appearance for Thierry Henry who replaced the lacklustre Theo Walcott.

But the change didn’t rectify the problems and Robinho doubled his tally for the night after an unfortunate Vermaelen slip on the edge of the box allowed him the space to pick his spot and smash his effort towards goal.

Arsenal very nearly got one back just after the 60^th minute when Henry and Van Persie teamed up to create a rare Arsenal chance which forced a save from ‘keeper Marco Amelia.

The French maestro flicked the ball up with his heel for the prolific Van Persie to strike it on the volley but Amelia did well to tip the shot round the post.

Szczesny’s first save came in the third minute of stoppage time when he was forced to stop a later strike from Pato. Four Milan shots hit the back of the net and the other ten were off-target.

Arsenal have an important couple of weeks ahead with the FA Cup game then Tottenham and Liverpool in the league. If they continue to perform the way they did tonight then their season will be over sooner rather than later.

Tough Tests For Manchester Clubs In Europe

Manchester City and Manchester United face tough ties in the Europa League draw which was made today.

City have drawn the holders, Porto and United face seasoned European competitors, Ajax; a match worthy of Champions League status rather than Europa League.

Sir Alex Ferguson, who has never faced Ajax before in European competition in his 25-year tenure, said: “Ajax are a good team, I'm looking forward to it.”

Manchester United Defender, Chris Smalling, said: “It was a massive disappointment going out of the Champions League. This will be a good test. A lot of the teams will be keen to do well.

United won’t be taking the Dutch giants lightly and nor they should. The four-time European cup winners are trying to rebuild their place within the continent’s elite and are hoping to cement that status with a win over United.

Ajax Commercial Director, Henri Van Der Art, said: “For our fans it is a fantastic match. There are two famous teams who respect each other.”

Manchester City, on the other hand, face a Porto side who went unbeaten last season in an impressive run.

The Portuguese team were lead to victory in this competition last year by, now Chelsea manager, Andre Villas-Boas.

Smalling battling against Bursaspor

Manchester City Administrator Brian Marwood, said: “It's amazing. We've gone through the hardest group in the Champions League and now got the holders of the Europa League.”

Because of the fixture scheduling and the fact that both Manchester clubs may have to play home matches on the same night City will be forced to move their tie.

City will be forced to move because United have a higher UEFA coefficient rating and will probably play their matches on Wednesday nights at 6pm.

This is obviously not great for fans with work commitments wishing to attend but it’s better than the Thursday afternoon option which was discussed earlier this week.

If City proceed they will face either Sporting Lisbon or Legia Warsaw. If Manchester United are successful they face the prospect of either Lokomotiv Moscow or Athletic Bilbao however the Manchester clubs cannot meet each other until the quarter-finals at the earliest.

The first round of games will take place on the 16 and 23 February.

Clasico Tres: The Ugly One

Lionel Messi continued his spectacular form by scoring his 51^st and 52^nd goals against Real Madrid which broke the deadlock in this tense derby and then put the match beyond the home side. The breakthrough came after Barça substitute Afellay put in a dangerous low cross which Messi connected with at the front post after getting ahead of Sergio Ramos by an inch.

It took 75 minutes for Barcelona to score and it came about after Madrid went down to ten men. It’s the fifth time in a row that a Mourinho team has had a man sent off against the Catalans and Pepe becomes the seventh player sent off in the last six meetings between the clubs; five for Real and two for Barça. Jose then practiced what he seems to preach by getting sent to the stands after unacceptable comments made to the fourth official.

The match had a Mourinho-esque feel about it in the sense that it lacked dignity, respect and was a downright shameful portrayal of the two clubs, or maybe it was an accurate representation. Yes, Messi’s goal was wonderful but lest we forget that the precious demi-God reacted angrily to a challenge and tried to elbow someone in the leg earlier in the match, which was conveniently brushed over. Pepe’s red card was slightly harsh but the situation had reached boiling point and the Barça players were not going to let this one go as Dani Alves was taken off on a stretcher. He returned to the pitch soon after.

Whether Madrid were happy about it or not, in the first half Barcelona dominated possession and Madrid seemed at ease to let them do so and wait for a slight mistake to pounce on. Pepe, Alonso and Diarra pressurised the Barcelona front line and forced them back. Madrid struggled to keep the ball however, and when they did regain possession it was usually for a short spell. Casillas came to his side’s rescue when Xavi was played through the middle delightfully by Messi.

The German referee, Wolfgang Stark, was submitted to serious scrutiny every time he blew his whistle; from the managers, commentators and protests from the players and fans. The match was again deterred from the footballing side of things even by half-time when a melee ensued when a few players came together in a slight tussle which resulted in Barcelona’s reserve ‘keeper, Pinto, being sent off.

The second half saw Madrid take the game to Barcelona with more determination to attack and break the Catalans makeshift defence down; Puyol was playing on the left with Mascherano and Pique in the middle. However, it was to no avail. Cristiano Ronaldo had a vague chance when he found himself pushed away from goal and opted for a shot instead of looking for a runner to square the ball to.

After Pepe was sent off the game was again in Barcelona’s control. Adebayor’s presence was felt but it was too late for los blancos. As it stands, Real Madrid have a mountain to climb at the Camp Nou next week and they will have to do that without Sergio Ramos (suspended), Pepe (suspended) and their manager who will be ordered to the stands again.

Pep Guardiola stated that Mourinho had one the verbal war but reminded us all that a football match was to be played and that's where he would make his move, not in the press conference. He will consider Mourinho the winner of the battle but it looks like the war is his. For the neutral it was a frustrating match and one that prompted many questions about why this match had been hyped as a ‘footballing’ spectacle and not for what it was; a cynical war between two sides whose players play out the same rivalry on a stage already set by its history.

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Casillas; Arbeloa, Albiol, Ramos, Marcelo; Diarra, Pepe, Alonso; Ozil (Adebayor 45), Ronaldo, Di Maria. 4-3-3

Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdes; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Puyol; Xavi, Busquets, Keita; Pedro (Afellay 70), Villa (Sergi Roberto 89), Messi.

Champions League Quarter Finals and Semi-Finals Draw.

Tuesday April 5^th:                                                              Wednesday 13^th April:

Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur                                    Schalke ’04 v Inter Milan

Inter Milan   v Schalke ’04                                                Tottenham v Real Madrid

Wednesday April 6^th:                                                       Tuesday 12^th April:

Chelsea v Manchester United                                         Manchester United v Chelsea

Barcelona v Shakhtar Donetsk                                        Shakhtar Donetsk v Barcelona

The winners of Barca/Shakhtar will play Real Madrid or Tottenham potentially setting up a tantalising semi-final between the two Spanish giants and seeing them face each other 4 times in 10 days with a league game and Copa Del Rey final in the diary around that time too. Talks have been started and the league and Copa games are temporarily suspended until further notice it seems if the teams both progress. However, people may be underestimating the difficulty of going to Ukraine and facing that formidable Shakhtar Donetsk atmosphere, especially going there in the second leg.

This means that there is no chance of an all-Spanish final but we could still have an all-English final if Tottenham can overcome Madrid then either Barcelona or Shakhtar.

There is always a tasty story of revenge and payback in the Champions League and none more so than the revenge Chelsea will be looking to take out on Manchester United for the 2008 final when John Terry agonizingly missed his spot kick, handing the trophy to Man United there and then.

Rafael Van der Vaart has expressed his excitement at the prospect of returning to the Bernabeu via his Twitter. Not wishing to patronise Spurs but this is definitely a glamour tie for the North London club; the most experienced team and nine time winners, Real Madrid, up against the new boys: Spurs. That’s what the competition is all about, and lest we forget – anything can happen!

Barcenal v Arselona Pt. 2, Round 2.

 Arsenal are in Barcelona followed by fans in great numbers ahead of their much anticipated Champions League tie against the Catalan giants. It wont be easy, many of the players will still be haunted by the memories of last year’s clash at the Camp Nou when Arsenal, having fought back from a 2 goal deficit at the Emirates to take a 2-2 score line to the Camp, were demolished by Lionel Messi. Arsenal even took the lead through Nicklas Bendtner and spirits were cautiously high until Messi hit four in front of the Barça faithful.

This time it’s different, Arsenal take a lead into the second leg and Wenger’s side will be looking to and find that special something in Catalonia. Many walk the streets, serenaded by the winding paths of the Barri Gotic, some search for life itself or love, romance or beauty; everything and nothing. Although Arsenal’s task is more definite in a footballing sense; a coming of age and exercising past demons the reality of beating Barcelona by playing total football is poetry in motion and it would indeed be a thing of great beauty.

Both sides are hindered with injuries/suspensions so the changes will be rung. Expect Busquets to partner Eric Abidal in the centre of defence in the absence of Puyol and Gerard Pique who is suspended. This is, no doubt, pleasing for the Arsenal team but lest we forget the attacking line up likely to be Villa, Messi, Pedro, Xavi and Iniesta. As for Arsenal, with the exception of Alex Song who is definitely set to miss out, Van Persie and Cesc Fàbregas will have late fitness tests prior to the match with, Arsenal captain, Fàbregas, “90% likely” to start. Jack Wilshere, the man who received rave reviews in the Catalan press after his performance in the first leg when he did not look out of place when up against the world’s best, has declared himself fit via his twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/jack_wilshere) account.

Walcott missing out is a bigger blow than the possible absence of Van Persie. The winger can punish teams with his pace especially a team like Barcelona who often play a high line. Arsenal will not only miss his ability, they will miss his presence; he terrifies defenders. No defender enjoys playing against pace and Walcott would really give the Barça defence a reason to be fearful.

The Arsenal defence have their work cut out for them in the shape of Leo Messi, Pedro and David Villa. Although little praise has befallen Koscielny and Djourou for their solid performance at the Emirates, the Arsenal centre-backs took control of their area and put in a sturdy performance against the tricksters. They must put in a similar performance but that wont be enough, Arsenal will need Lady Luck on their side too.

Without a doubt, it’s going to be a beautiful game and a very different one from last year’s encounter in that both teams have grown. After Mourinho’s Inter Milan beat Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final last season the Special One claimed: “You cannot play their way and win”, Arsenal will be hoping to prove him wrong tonight.