The Champions League - the waters start to clear...

Watched the first two 2nd leg 1/4 finals of the Champions League last night:

AC Milan huffed and puffed (very fitting description for a team with and average age of 31 - the oldest ever team in the competition) and VERY LUCKILY saw off Lyon who were by far the better team. Just goes to show that you have to be able to take your chances...

Milan are by far the most experienced team still left in the competition - last year's finalists and a squad with 41 Champions League medals between 'em, including Clarence Seedorf who is the first person to ever win the competition 3 times with 3 different clubs. But somehow, I don't think they are good enough to win it this year - they have been extemely lucky so far. Either its that old cliche "their name is on the cup," or their luck is gonna run out quicker than than ink from a leaky biro.

On the other hand, Villareal deservedly beat Inter Milan. Bad news for Arsenal really - although they are fully capable of beating Villareal, Inter would have been better suited to Aresnal's style of play and in Riquelme, 'Real have a player who can dominate any game.

But its all speculation anyway, Arsenal still have to get past the Old Lady of Turin first. A nice 2 goal cushion, but if Juve score quickly, it could get very interesting. I think Arsenal have enough quality to score goals of their own though, so I'm expecting them to get through.

In the last 1/4 final, it could get very interesting. Barca are obviously the quality team of the competition (along with Arsenal) but their failure to score away against Benfica could spell disaster. If Benfica can get a score draw, then Ronaldhino and the boys bite the dust, which would be a real shame.

The "dream" final of Barca vs Arsenal is still on, but - in the words of Jimmy Greaves - "Football's a funny old game" - methinks there could be many twists and turns before then...watch this space.....