It’s interesting.
This is the most interesting week of the football season.
Four English clubs are well placed to reach the last eight.
Arsenal go to Roma with a 1-0 lead.
Real Madrid go to Anfield 1-0 down.
I worry about the fitness of Fernando Torres, my favourite striker.
He’s a phenomenal technician who can do everything, an alpha-male gladiator. I love watching warriors like Torres, just as I hate watching idiots like Adebayor.
Chelsea go to Juventus 1-0 up.
Inter go to Old Trafford having held the world champions to a 0-0 in Milan.
A 1-1 draw will do for Mourinho but I don’t think he’ll get it.
I reckon Manchester United will smash Inter, despite Jose’s cleverness and ruthlessness.
Mourinho to manage United? I hope not !
His ego would wreck Man United or any big club he took over. So I hope the tabloid media’s darling never comes back here. He’s good copy but he turns ugly every time things go against him. His disgraceful antics in the Nou Camp will live forever in football’s annals of infamy.
Tonight we’ll see that Pavel Nedved is past it. He’s been a combative winger with a stunning shot but I doubt if one of his rockets will beat his friend Petr Cech in Turin tonight. Del Piero will be waiting for that moment. He can still win a game if that moment arrives.
Let’s be clear about one thing : Drogba and Ballack played to get Phil Scolari the sack. The only event that can justify that betrayal is winning the Champions League. No London club has ever won it. Arsenal were finalists, Chelsea were finalists, Spurs never got that far.
Juventus are a serious football club, so I like them a lot.
(Despite Moggi, who should be locked up for life on a freezing cold rocky island with all the crooked greedhead bankers who have crippled the global economy).
Arsenal’s 3-1 victory against Juventus was one of their greatest performances. That was an exceptionally exciting game, especially the first 25 minutes.
Arsenal might beat Roma 2-0. That could happen.
If it does, prepare for Gooner frenzy far in excess of the ecstacy that followed those three thrilling goals against Burnley. Put your champagne in the fridge before the game.
Just a shame that Arshavin isn’t eligible. Arsenal have too few experienced players. If they lose in Rome, that will be the reason. Experienced players allow younger players to perform. With Eduardo, Gallas and Arshavin on the side, Arsenal are much better. Their experience adds steel, character and know-how to the side.
Just pray that Arshavin’s success will persuade Wenger, a deeply misguided individual, that he needs more 27-year old players alongside young ones who are learning the game.
In his prime, Rome-born Totti was a cross between Gazza and Kenny Dalglish: very strong, durable, ambitious , capable of great dribbles, killer passes, match-winning shots. But, like Nedved, he’s past it now.
The real danger man is Vucinic, a late developer who can score amazing goals. In the Group Stage, Roma beat Chelsea 3-1 and Vucinic scored twice in the second half. You’ve forgotten that but Wenger hasn’t. Panucci is a veteran defender who can still score too.
Don’t be surprised if Arsenal go 4-5-1 with Eduardo on the left side and RVP up front. A 0-0 will be enough to earn millions of euros for Arsenal.
This is a big moment for Robin van Persie, just as it’s a big one for Rooney, Vucinic, Drogba, Torres and Ibrahimovic.