Champions League Quarterfinal Results

[Ron Obvious]

Well, I'd say these four games were interesting rather than exciting or entertaining, but least nothing's been really settled yet.

Manchester United - Bayern Munich 1-1

Not bad. Not bad at all from ManU. Clearly Bayern had an off-day, but David Moyes' side kept them reasonably well contained. De Gea continues to be much better than he's credited with, Buttner did pretty well in place of Evra, and Vidic scored with a great header. I don't really think Schweinsteiger should have been sent off, but it wasn't a gross miscarriage of justice either. Rooney was smirking, though, the cheeky monkey. Fellaini is still a weak link.

Bayern aren't invulnerable at home, especially against English opposition, but should on balance be favoured to go through: 60:40.

Barcelona - Atletico Madrid 1-1

I didn't see this one, but I'd love it (just love it!) if Atletico were able to pull this one off. 50:50 for want of more info.

PSG - Chelsea 3-1

Chelsea were comfortably in control at the half (1-1), and even at 2-1 down would still have been favoured to go through. That last goal, though, in the 93d minute, massively changed the odds. Czech should have stopped it, as it was at the near post but the rest of the defence didn't cover itself in glory either. Ibrahimovic set up the first PSG goal but otherwise went missing. What is it with this guy? I see these fantastic goals on youtube and elsewhere but every time I see him live he's a non-factor. He may not even make the return leg because of a likely hamstring injury.

Mourinho's team are capable of a defensive display that could do just enough without conceding an away goal to pull it off. 65-35 in favour of PSG.

Real Madrid - Dortmund - 3-0.

Didn't see this one either, but this should just about settle it. Still, Dortmund have great home support, Ronaldo is an injury worry and stranger things have happened. 85:15 for Real Madrid because I can't see them not scoring an away goal. This one might be over quickly.

[Aquavit]

1. Time for Bayern's annual near-elimination

It seems like Bayern have trouble in one of the knockout stages just about every year. Last year it was Arsenal, this year it will be ManUre.

I'm a little bit concerned, especially with Basti being sent off and Javi Martinez picking up a ban, but I think my boys will be okay. Our depth and the home crowd's support will be huge in the return leg. I predict a 3:1 win on aggregate for die Roten.

I'm absolutely delighted by PSG's performance. Hopefully they can bury Chelski with another 1:3 on the return.

Am I insane for thinking Dortmund still have a good chance of progressing? With Real's recent collapses against German competition over the last few years, I just don't think you can rule out Kloppo's side. It's a tall order, I know, but I'm going to say 4:3 on aggregate to Dortmund.

I would be pleased to see Atletico progress, if not for the fact that the CL winner the last two seasons have been the ones that knocked out Barcelona. Atletico are a fine team to be sure, but they're not allowed to win this year!

[BKH70041]

2. First two games are in

Looks like Real made it through on goal difference (3-2) and Chelsea on away goals (3-3, Chelsea 1 away goal to PSG's 0).

I think Bayern will beat ManU, but Atl. Madrid and Barcelona is a toss up. Those two are fighting it out in La Liga as it is.

[Aquavit]

3. Rats.

I was really hoping for a repeat of last year's final. Oh well, maybe there will be a repeat of the 2012 final...with the correct team winning this time

Can't wait for tomorrow's matches. Bayern are a bit thin in the holding midfield area, so hopefully their forwards don't allow many counter attacks from ManUre...

[Ron Obvious]

4. It was on for about 30 seconds today...

First half was forgettable, but the second half made up for it. Evra scored a fantastic goal and for a few seconds Man U believed it was going to be their day. Unforgivable, though, how they switched off and allowed Bayern to equalise straight from the kick-off like that.

Still, a lot of positives for Man U and David Moyes to take out of the tie. They scored first in both legs and were legitimately in contention for much of it.

I'm still mystified at the wages Rooney pulls down, though. Other than missing a sitter in the first half, he was virtually anonymous again today. Whoever is in charge at Man U next year should a) kick Rooney up the backside and then b) sit him down and explain that they're cutting his wages in half and he can either like it or leave the club, and then c) regardless of what he decides, kick him up the backside again.

Contracts, schmontracts. My bank changes the terms of my contract all the time.

Great win for Atletico today! I hope this is the last we'll of the sterile domination that is Tiki Taka Barcelona. Good riddance, I say!

[Aquavit]

7. Yikes

My heart stopped for a few seconds, I think, right after Evra's goal. It was an incredible shot. Unfortunately for Mr. Moyes, all it did was light a fire under Bayern (and bring out a little bit of last year's attacking style, which was far better than this year's style IMO). I think the better team ultimately won, but the losers showed massive quality throughout both legs.

I was impressed by Atletico too. Will they now go on to win the UCL, just as every winner since 2008 has done?

[Ron Obvious]

10. At least Atletico will be able to play their keeper Courtois

Courtois is property of Chelsea out on loan to Atletico and the loan deal contract had a clause that he either couldn't be used against Chelsea or only if some huge sum were paid.

UEFA today, in a rare fit of integrity, have ruled that clause unenforceable. I hope he plays and has a blinder.

[BKH70041]

5. UEFA Semis

The website still hasn't posted the match-ups unless I just missed seeing it.

I suspect they'll split the Spanish clubs up, so I'll guess it'll be Real-Bayern & Atletico-Chelsea.

They're all playing well this year so hard to cry over whatever combos do happen.

[Ron Obvious]

6. I'm pretty sure it'll be a open draw

Nobody will be kept apart. At least that's what they say...

I'm not sure which permutations I'd prefer, really. It's fairly wide open, and even Bayern don't look at all invulnerable this year.

[BKH70041]

8. You see the draws?

I lucked up and guessed right.

I'm my own conspiracy theory. LOL

[Ron Obvious]

9. Yep, you called it!

To be fair, you had a one in three chance to guess correctly.

[Aquavit]

11. Real is the last team I wanted n/t