Champions League: Even the most optimistic Gooner could not have been surprised by Barca's 5-1 aggregate victory over Arsenal with the Catalans winning the home leg 3-1 including an outrageous volley from Suarez (Messi & Neymar completing the three-some).
There was a mirror image of Juve's 2-goal come back at home to Bayern Munich when the Bavarians found themselves 0-2 down in the return leg. However, after the dynamic duo of Lewandowski & Muller forced extra-time and Bayern scored twice more to reach the quarter-finals, joining Barca, PSG, Athletico Madrid, Man City, Real Madrid, Wolfsburg & Benfica.
Europa League: After Pochettino field a weakened side in the first leg (no surprises here as he did the same at Southampton when there were opportunities to progress in the two cup competitions) Dortmund progressed with a 5-1 aggregate at the expense of Spurs.
Man U faced an uphill struggle to overcome a 0-2 deficit against Liverpool; despite going a goal up through a Martial penalty the tie was effectively over when Coutinho scored a magnificent solo effort (albeit with little opposition) on the stroke of half-time.
Home front: Local non league side Eastleigh have found their form again with 3 straight home wins after beating Bromley 2-0 to keep them in contention for a play-off place. The pitch at The Silverlake Stadium will be a factor for the remaining home games as it currently resembles a beach.
Southampton look to welcome back Wanyama after suspensions (Saints have suffered 6 sendings- off this season); Mane's extremely harsh red card in the victory at Stoke was subsequently rescinded on appeal. Graziano Pelle found his goal scoring touch in the 2-1 win after a drought stretching back to November. Saints are at home to Liverpool on Sunday - a key fixture in the context of European qualification going into the international break.
MLS (USA): The new season is underway across the pond and I for one will be following the impact of European legends helping to establish the game of soccer - the big names are Lampard, Gerrard, Keane, Villa, Pirlo & Kaka, but there are also lesser stars such as ex-Villa defender Liam Ridgewell who helped Brighton get back on track whilst on loan there during the MLS close season. Ridgewell plays for MLS Cup Winners, Portland Timbers.
Titbits: Harry Redknapp is to assist Derby County negotiate promotion from the Championship as well as agreeing to coach the Jordan national side for two games; according to the match program at Wimborne Town Harry has recently joined the board of this financially challenged Southern League club as a non-exec director. Nice one, Harry.
A couple of lower league footballers have tarnished the game's image by their behaviour at Cheltenham this week, what were they thinking? Let's trust that their clubs will take the appropriate action and that the lads themselves grow up.
There was a mirror image of Juve's 2-goal come back at home to Bayern Munich when the Bavarians found themselves 0-2 down in the return leg. However, after the dynamic duo of Lewandowski & Muller forced extra-time and Bayern scored twice more to reach the quarter-finals, joining Barca, PSG, Athletico Madrid, Man City, Real Madrid, Wolfsburg & Benfica.
Europa League: After Pochettino field a weakened side in the first leg (no surprises here as he did the same at Southampton when there were opportunities to progress in the two cup competitions) Dortmund progressed with a 5-1 aggregate at the expense of Spurs.
Man U faced an uphill struggle to overcome a 0-2 deficit against Liverpool; despite going a goal up through a Martial penalty the tie was effectively over when Coutinho scored a magnificent solo effort (albeit with little opposition) on the stroke of half-time.
Home front: Local non league side Eastleigh have found their form again with 3 straight home wins after beating Bromley 2-0 to keep them in contention for a play-off place. The pitch at The Silverlake Stadium will be a factor for the remaining home games as it currently resembles a beach.
Southampton look to welcome back Wanyama after suspensions (Saints have suffered 6 sendings- off this season); Mane's extremely harsh red card in the victory at Stoke was subsequently rescinded on appeal. Graziano Pelle found his goal scoring touch in the 2-1 win after a drought stretching back to November. Saints are at home to Liverpool on Sunday - a key fixture in the context of European qualification going into the international break.
MLS (USA): The new season is underway across the pond and I for one will be following the impact of European legends helping to establish the game of soccer - the big names are Lampard, Gerrard, Keane, Villa, Pirlo & Kaka, but there are also lesser stars such as ex-Villa defender Liam Ridgewell who helped Brighton get back on track whilst on loan there during the MLS close season. Ridgewell plays for MLS Cup Winners, Portland Timbers.
Titbits: Harry Redknapp is to assist Derby County negotiate promotion from the Championship as well as agreeing to coach the Jordan national side for two games; according to the match program at Wimborne Town Harry has recently joined the board of this financially challenged Southern League club as a non-exec director. Nice one, Harry.
A couple of lower league footballers have tarnished the game's image by their behaviour at Cheltenham this week, what were they thinking? Let's trust that their clubs will take the appropriate action and that the lads themselves grow up.
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