1. Demise of the Special One has been exaggerated
Savaged on Saturday, triumphant on Tuesday. Coming off his first league defeat at home in nine years, with five players in doubt for the match against Spurs, it was a genuine crisis point for José Mourinho. But he brushed aside the injury worries and lifted his players, and they responded with a performance that left Madrid fans feeling they can compete on equal terms in that looming semi-final showdown against Barcelona. Mourinho may still end up with no trophy for the first time since 2003, but the will to win is as strong as ever. No wonder he and Alex Ferguson are such good buddies.
2. This is not the worst Manchester Unted team in living memory
Talking of which, the old man once again showed his tactical intelligence with a midfield selection that made life difficult for Chelsea. Veterans and newcomers performed as instructed. Sir Alex is so good at identifying the oppositions’ weakest links that if he ever retires from football he could take over from Anne Robinson. In this case he homed in on Frank Lampard and José Bosingwa, and that was the difference between the two sides. Along with that penalty decision at the end.
3. Extra officials improve decision-making but not decisions
The first season with additional assistant referees, or AARs as they unwisely known in the trade, has not been a great advert for the idea. The game at Stamford Bridge was just the latest example. Senor Undiano Mallenco, the man in black, or in this case black and white, had a decent view of the penalty incident but deferred to his AARs. Goal-line officials ought to be better placed than the old-fashioned linesman, who are often unsighted (remember that Thierry Henry handball?) but they also dilute the referee’s authority, as they are referees in their own right. Mallenco’s two Spanish colleagues are both UEFA Category 2 officials. He might have made a better decision without them.
4. In football, attack is not generally the best form of defence
Inter’s manager Leonardo started off as a left back before turning into an attacking midfielder. Maybe that’s affecting his judgement now that he’s a manager because against Schalke, as in the Milan derby last weekend, the Inter defence was not just shambolic, it didn’t exist. Leonardo doesn’t really care much for tactics. That approach achieved a near-miracle against Bayern in the previous round, and it’s a welcome change from the drearier traditions of calcio, but usually not the best foundation for success. The second leg could be fun though.
5. Never underestimate the Germans
Especially when you score from 50 yards inside the first 30 seconds.
Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/JoR-HlvVjP0/post.aspx
Sir Michael Lyons Darren Bent Francesca Panetta Highlands Rihanna Christmas and New Year
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