First leg of the quarterfinals done - my predictions - 50%...as a teacher, no good...for footy...still not very good. However, what was amazing was the fact that 18 goals were scored across the four matches - Seven at the Giuseppe Meazza, four at the Bernabeu, six at Camp Nou and a solitary one at Stamford Bridge - though only one game ended with both teams still firmly in the tie. Those 18 goals represent a record - most goals ever scored in a quarter-final leg programme.
For fans, this may seem exciting and may highlight the idea of strong attacking trends - not so - the defending was simply shambolic. Inter Milan has some of the most seasoned and experienced defenders, but they gave up goals that would even be bad if they were a pub team. Tottenham allowed Real Madrid to run riot, letting players like Adebayor and Di Maria do whatever they felt like. One could forgive Shakhtar as they were playing the Blaugrana, but their offside trap failed miserably. And as for the controversial tie at Stamford Bridge, Jose "Unibrow" Bosingwa basically gave up when Ryan Giggs, a decade older, beat him with the ball - leading to Rooney's goal.
Almost all the goals were all preventable, and it leaves me to wonder what is going on with the best competition in the world. One must remember, however, that normally, the team who wins Ol' Big Ears is not the team with the big attacking prowess but rather the best defensive record. That currently is Manchester United.
So if by some chance a manager is reading this blog - tighten up the defense - it may not be the most exciting football, but what would you rather...exciting and going out in the quarters, or functionally put together like an accounting firm and lifting that beautiful trophy at the end of the season.
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