The UEFA Champions league round of 16 is halfway through and the matches to date are:
Shakhtar Donesk 6-2 AGG - Roma
The predicted underdog of this fixture proved the soccer world wrong with a somewhat stunning defeat of Italy's capital city. Taking nothing away from Shakhtar or whatever their name is, but Roma really shot themselves in the foot. They gave up bad goals, took silly fouls, and literally handed both games to the Ukrainians.
Barcelona 4-3 AGG - Arsenal
Two top teams, two exciting matches, but only one winner at the end. Barcelona were down 2-1 after the first game on a 2nd half comeback from the Gunners. Heading back to Camp Nou, the red and blue were facing adversity for probably the first time this season, having blazed though the group stages and crushing most of their La Liga opponents. The first half of the 2nd leg was uneventful until Lionel Messi slotted his 44th goal (amazing!!!) of the season 3 minutes into injury time. Arsenal equalized 7 minutes into the 2nd half off a Sergio Busquets own goal. The game looked promising for both teams, until the snobby Swiss referee decided to send Robin van Persie off his second yellow card for shooting the ball after the whistle.
One could blame van Persie for getting his first yellow for a lack of composure, but in the end, the referee cannot decide an extremely fierce contest by carding a player for kicking the ball away. It is one thing to kick the ball away on a foul, but on an offside call? Maybe this ref wanted to make the papers or get his share of fame. Continuing on with the game, Barcelona capitalized on a man advantage with two goals and sealed the game. A harsh loss for Arsenal, as they had Barcelona right where they wanted them.Tottenham 1-0 AGG - AC Milan
Italy's terrible Champions League continues. The defending champs Inter Milan are their only hope now in what has been an abysmal showing by AC Milan and Roma. AC Milan never really got anything going in any of their two games. Tottenham had outclassed them in the first game, both during the game and after the game (remember Gennaro Gattuso's headbutt on Joe Jordan?)and held on in the 2nd leg at Whitehart Lane.
Schalke 4-2 AGG - Valencia
I did not pay much attention to this one, but from I did see is Schalke came back from 1-0 with two goals on either side of half-time. Not much else to say in this boring match up.
Manchester United 0-0 Marseille
2nd Leg: 15 March 2011 at Old Trafford
The first game of this fixture was one of the most boring games I have ever watched! Even when no team opens the scoring, the game can sometimes be entertaining with chances and saves. The shots must have been 3 to 2 because all I saw were two teams just jabbing each with no intention of trying to move in. It was so boring in fact, that I fast forwarded though most of the second half. Let's just hope the 2nd leg will provide more excitement.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-0 Marseille
ManU go through 1-0 on aggregate
Bayern Munich 1-0 Inter Milan
2nd Leg: 15 March 2011 at Munich Football Arena
Contrary to the ManU-Mar affair, this game offered plenty of chances. Bayern were the only team to capitalize, Mario Gomez scoring off a big rebound by Julio Cesar in the 90th minute. Inter were quite unlucky not to have tallied, hitting the woodwork multiple times. I'm looking forward to a competitive 2nd leg between last year's finalists.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 1-1 Inter Milan
Bayern go through 2-1 on aggregate
Chelsea 2-0 Copenhagen
2nd leg: 16 March 2011 at Stamford Bridge
Copenhagen did well to make it to the last 16, but Chelsea are just too good to give up 2 goals at home. Look for Chelsea to control the ball and play keep away for 90 minutes.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-0 Copenhagen
Chelsea go through 3-0 on aggregate
Real Madrid 1-1 Lyon
2nd leg: 16 March 2011 at Santiago Bernabeu
The 1st leg was a good game for Lyon making sure they don't go into Madrid down one on an away goal. Gomis did well to tie it up in the 81th minute after Karim Benzema silenced his former team with a goal moments after coming on as a substitute. Madrid hope they don't get knocked out by Lyon for consecutive years. 2nd leg should be an exciting one as well.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1-0 Lyon
Real go through 2-1 on aggregate
