UCL 2005-2006 Last 16 Day One

21 February 2006

PSV 0-1 LYON
Juninho 65 (fk)

Coupet made a great save from a Vennegoor header and man mountain Alex almost
snapped the crossbar in half with a ferocious free kick. Lyon didn't get going
until the second half introduction of Wiltord. Gomes flapped at one of his
corners but was bailed out when Aissati headed off the line. A few minutes later
he was left with egg on his face when Juninho sent a long range free kick over
the wall and right at him but when he tried to catch the ball, he missed. It was
a surprise after these blunders to see him make a good save from Fred minutes
later. Govou got a second yellow for a foul on Cocu he actually should have got
two reds - one for the foul and one for his awful, stupid haircut. The extremely
rubbish Arouna Kone missed an open goal following a rare mistake by the normally
excellent Coupet.

Attendance : 29,400
Red Card : Govou 81 (Lyon)
Assist : Fred (won fk)


BAYERN 1-1 MILAN
Ballack 23 Shevchenko 58 (Pen)

Ballack intercepted a headed clearance from Gilardino, after he plucked the ball
out of the air he let it bounce then hit a spectacular half volley inside the
post. Two minutes later he found Makaay with a great pass over the top of the
Milan defence, Makaay shot first time, forcing Dida into making a fantastic
save, probably for the first time in 11 months. Ismael's mindless handball
allowed Shevchenko to get Milan level from the spot. Gilardino wasted a great
chance on the break. Milan reserve 'keeper Kalac got rare minutes of playing
time when Dida went off injured after Lucio, literally, kicked his arse.
Shevchenko spurned another chance and with Bayern seemingly reeling Milan
shut-up shop and played out for a draw.

Gattuso feigned injury when Ballack pushed him on his shoulder - by going down
and clutching
his face. Ballack was more successful with his retribution acting, earning
Gattuso a yellow card which rules him out of the return. Serves him right.

Attendance : 66,000
Assist : n/a, n/a


REAL MADRID 0-1 ARSENAL
Henry 47

Arsenal belied their abysmal league form with a confident start against a nervy
Real Madrid. Henry created two chances, both wasted by Reyes and Ljungberg. The
English Patient, Jonathan Woodgate, went off on 9 minutes with a quad muscle
injury. Henry, who is notoriously bad in the air, failed to hit the target from
close range. Real's once chance of note fell to Beckham following a mistake by
Senderos but Lehmann was quick off his line and saved brilliantly. Lehmann
looked less assured on a Roberto Carlos free kick but Robinho messed up the
rebound.

Mejia passed a ball out of defence to Ronaldo but a heavy first touch allowed
Fabregas to gain possession and he passed to Henry who was standing with his
back to play inside the centre circle with a sea of white in front of him. As he
turned he brushed aside feeble challenges from Ronaldo and Mejia, ran through a
desperate lunge from Guti, and one final challenge from Ramos before stroking
the ball inside a post. Henry, Diaby and Pires wasted chances in brief sorties
upfield. Arsenal's continual time wasting and theatrics killed any chance of
momentum from a Real Madrid side that were totally devoid of ideas.

This was a surprise. Not Arsenal winning because, unlike many others, I realise
it's 2006 and not 2002, and many of the so called galacticos are nothing more
than ageing, former greats. What was a surprise was Wenger's approach - 4-5-1
with Henry only getting occasional support from Reyes and the ever poor
Ljungberg. Real Madrid's best player was an Englishman, Arsenal's best players
were Spaniards and a Frenchman. Arsenal have an excellent chance of making the
quarter finals but as soon as they play a team that can actually tackle they're
in big trouble.

Attendance : 80,354
Assist : Fabregas


BENFICA 1-0 LIVERPOOL
Luisao 84

To the surprise of no one this match was monstrously dull. Petit's 50 yards shot
from the half-way line that briefly troubled Reina was the lone highlight. Even
the goal was rubbish, Luisao got between Hyypia and Finnan to head in Petit's
free kick.

Attendance : 65,000
Assist : Petit (fk)


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