Champions League quarter-finals – Advantage Porto and Arsenal

The first two Champions League quarter-finals took place last night with a slight advantage going to Porto and Arsenal.

The game between Manchester United and Porto saw a re-run of that famous game back in 2003-04 when Jose Mourinho’s Porto knocked out United on their way to winning the Champions League. Less well remembered was the 1997 quarter final in which United were successful.

Injured

United went into the game without the injured Rio Ferdinand and Dimitar Berbatov but welcomed back Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic from suspension.

Porto also welcomed back a player from suspension, Lisandro Lopez, the second highest scorer in this season’s competition.

The game

The game started at alarming pace and the fact that United couldn’t get a kick would have been particularly alarming for Sir Alex Ferguson. When Christian Rodrigues’ strike gave Porto a fourth minute lead it came as no surprise to anyone. In fact, without Van der Sar making some crucial saves, Porto could have been three goals to the good inside seven minutes.

On the quarter hour United were handed a lifeline that they scarcely deserved. A horrible back pass from Bruno Alvez was anticipated and intercepted by Wayne Rooney and United were level.

Worst

The goal did nothing to revitalise United and they went on to give one of the worst first half displays I can remember seeing from them for many years. The midfield of Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes and Park seemed to be totally incapable of keeping the ball and with Rooney and Ronaldo being starved of the ball, United simply didn’t look like scoring.

At the other end, the home side were unable to deal with Porto’s quick football and the strength and directness of Hulk. O’Shea, Evans and Evra all looked nervous and Vidic was fighting something of a lone battle.

Second-half

The second half saw a slight improvement in United’s play although Porto still looked dangerous every time they attacked on the break. The Porto keeper who had been much maligned in the build up to the game, managed to make two or three decent saves and the game looked to be fading away to a 1-1 draw that would have suited Porto very well.

A Gary Neville throw was flicked on cleverly by Wayne Rooney, one of the few United players to enhance his reputation on the night, and substitute Carlos Tevez got across his defender to give United a crucial 2-1 lead with just minutes remaining.

Undeserved

So there it was, United had got an undeserved first leg lead. Oh no they hadn’t! In the dying seconds Porto attacked again and Mariano grabbed a vital equaliser that was the very least that Porto deserved.

In United’s favour, they can’t possibly play this badly again in the second leg. Having said that, Porto will be very confident indeed that they can get the necessary result at home to see the champions eliminated at the quarter final stage.

Arsenal

The other quarter-final last night saw Arsenal travel to Villarreal. This was a repeat of the 2006 semi-final won by Arsenal.

Arsenal went into the game without the ill and injured Robin Van Persie, Rosicky, Diaby and Eduardo and the ineligible Andrei Arshavin.

Villarreal were without midfielder Bruno Sorriano and the influential winger Santi Cazorla.

The game

The game really was the proverbial game of two halves. Villarreal dominated the first half and took the lead when the excellent Marcos Senna drove home from fully thirty yards.

Not only did Arsenal concede a goal and get dominated, but they also saw keeper Manuel Almunia and centre half William Gallas limp frpm the field with injuries.

Wisdom

Whatever words of wisdom that Arsene Wenger produced at half time obviously did the trick as Arsenal looked a different side after the break.

All of a sudden it was the away team who were dominating and it came as no surprise when Emmanuel Adebayor scored a spectacular overhead equaliser for the Gunners just after the hour.

Disappointed

Arsenal’s second half dominance was such that they will probably be a little disappointed to be going back to The Emirates on level terms, but will be hugely confident of getting the necessary result to make progress.

With Fabregas and Adebayor looking to be back at their best, Arsenal could just be the team to beat in this tournament.