Champions League Semifinals Review

The 2008 UEFA Champions League Final is set: Manchester United v. Chelsea.

Manchester United earned an expected win over Barcelona, in front of the home fans at Old Trafford. The goal from Paul Scholes midway through the first half proved too much for the Catalonian side to overcome. It came at a crucial juncture though, as Barcelona were clearly the more aggressive and dangerous side in the opening quarter-hour, so when Scholes scored against the run of play, it provided a much needed boost of confidence for United and allowed them to settle in and sit back in stingy defense for the remainder of the game.

Barcelona simply need more creative support for Messi in the final third, as they maintain possession better than anyone (except maybe Arsenal), but often fail to create legitimate chances. Messi, for my money, is still the best attacker in the world, a player who on every touch has you literally holding your breath anticipating something fantastic. Cristiano Ronaldo may be a more complete player, but it's Messi for me. At the end of the day though, Barca need to get their house in order this offseason, by shipping Ronaldinho, re-signing Rijkaard, and building towards the future around Messi, Bojan, Deco, Iniesta, et. al. Their nucleus is still strong, if not overly youthful, but they need a fresh confidence about them if they're to unseat Real Madrid in la Liga next year.

Meanwhile, United are poised for a historic Double, as they await Chelsea in the Champions League Final, and must fend off the same West London rivals down the stretch in the EPL.

In the Chelsea-Liverpool second leg, the result was not shocking, after Riise did all he could to oust Liverpool at the end of the first leg with his calamitous own-goal. (Liverpool were owed some bad luck, after all the good luck they enjoyed against Arsenal....) However, the manner in which the result arrived was shocking, with five goals scored in the second leg. Chelsea won on aggregate 4-3, and you could watch six or seven matches between these two clubs normally and not see seven goals. And in the end, the fortress that is Stamford Bridge refused to yield a poor result and the Blues moved one step closer to the Roman Abramovic dream of European glory (and how fitting that his chance to win the Champions League will be in Moscow).

Wednesday, May 21 will be an exciting evening of European football played by two English powerhouses for the ultimate club competition trophy.