Thoughts on the Champions League
The most significant aspect of the round of 16 of the Champions League partially played out this week was the dominance of the English teams – Manchester City winning 5-0 at Sporting Lisbon and Liverpool 2-0 at Inter.
Barcelona, after 17 consecutive seasons in the Champions League, played Napoli last night in the Europa League.
The decline of Barcelona is financial.
It’s a club with an elected President that offers fans ‘bread and circuses’ in the form of expensive signings.
Latterly – in Ousemane Dembele and Philip Coutinho (well over £320m for the pair) – these have not worked out.
A huge wage bill compelled the release of Lionel Messi to PSG.
Two of their forward line v Napoli – Aubamyang and Torres – were rejected by Manchester City and Arsenal.
Real Madrid, one down at PSG in the first leg, might still qualify but their recruitment of galacticos – Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Eden Hazard at a cost of over £200m – has been no more impressive than their Catalan rivals.
They had to offload Sergio Ramos to reduce their wage bill.
Bayern Munich – who runs on a more democratic model of fan and corporate ownership – could only draw with Red Bull Leipzig.
With Manchester United still to play Athletico Madrid and Chelsea Lille, there is every prospect of 4 English clubs in the quarter finals.
I watched Liverpool’s victory over Inter.
It was like a boxing match.
Inter won the early rounds and had Liverpool on the ropes but in the second half Liverpool came off them with two counterblows from Firmino and Salah.
Their victory was all the more impressive as Jurgen Klopp is rebuilding the side with youngsters Harvey Elliot, Diaz and Konate.
Jordan Henderson might be on the way out.
Unlike Barcelona and Real Madrid, the recruitment is spot on.
Aside from Vinucius at Real, I could not see much young talent at either Spanish giant.
It looks like Juventus will be the only Italian club to qualify.
They splashed out on hot prospect Dusan Vlahavic from Fiorentina – much to Stefano Ursolini’s disgust – but they had to offload Ronaldo to reduce their wage bill.
They have wonderful defenders in Barucci and Chielini but they are the wrong side of 30.
