Another CL leg…

Another exciting…eh…early morning. Man United – Inter is the starting course, with Roma – Arsenal as a main dish. Working the blog is dessert . In the Theatre of Dreams, another CL contender (and title holder) ready to progress and impress. With Van der Sar, Park and Ibrahimovic as the “Dutch” players playing a potential main role in this thriller. It was 0-0 in Milan, so anything is possible.

And Sir Alex’ lads started very well. Stringing passes together and with penetrating runs from the forwards. Man United wanted to score quickly and did. A Giggs corner, headed in by Vidic in the first four minutes: 1-0. The Red Devils dominated the first half, without playing outrageously good. Caution would be important, because an away goal would put Inter back into the drivers’ seat. Man United’s next chance would come in the 38th minute, a sitter for O Shea, who missed it.

In the meantime, Inter did try to create something, but it seems hard for the Italians to push up and support lone striker Ibrahimovic. Still, opportunities came, with some decent distance strikes and venomous crosses coming into the box. Zlatan even headed the ball on the cross bar and had a late strike after another stray pass in Paul Scholes domain right before defence. Man United started the first half sharp, but ended it a bit sloppy.

The second half started like the first. Within five minutes, Man United score. This time a Ronaldo header on a Giggs cross again. Inter Milan would still get their chances, forcing Van der Sar to some saves and like the first half, the woodwork would stop Inter from scoring. This time sub Adriano beats Sar, but his little Angel is on Edwin’s side…

And in the final stages of the game, Inter couldn’t and Man U didn’t want to anymore. There were some opportunities at both sides but nothing spectacular, with another very disappointing CL performance by Ibrahimovic and another impressive game by Man of the Match Ryan Giggs…

My main dish was served up live, because AS Roma scored early in the game to make the aggregate 1-1. I saw Roma – Arsenal’s extra 30 minutes live and from the look of it, the players were empty. Tired, in pain, totally buggered. I’ve never seen Arsenal play as inspiration-less. No passing, no intelligence and a horrible Van Persie. I’m not a Roma fan (Totti…) so it was disappointing to watch. After 120 minutes, it’s penalty kicks. I do expect Van Persie to be able to score one, even if he’d broken both his legs.

Eduardo has recovered from his broken leg, but the impressive Gunner missed the first spotkick. Pizarro doesn’t take prisoners and scores. Van Persie scores his kick without a worry. Goal scoring machine Vucinic misses a howler. 1-1. English talent Walcott gets lucky with his penalty. Gunners in the lead… Ex-Gunner Batiste scores his. 2-2. Nasri is cool as a cucumber and delivers a text book kick. Montella does his thing: 3-3. Denilson scores for Arsenal, Neeskens style. Skipper Totti doesn’t miss: 4-4. And it’s sudden death now. Toure and Aquilani score both. Sanga buckets his kick. Will Riise miss?? He doesn’t… Diabi scores his penalty and the pressure is on Roma again. And ARSENAL IS THROUGH. Surviving the shoot outs and the tired Gunners find their second wind to celebrate.

Four EPL clubs move to the quarter finals.

Barcelona took care of Olympique Lyon, 5-2 with another masterpiece from Lionel Messi and two goals by Thierry Henri.

John Heitinga’s Atletico Madrid couldn’t score in Portugal and Porto will go through.