A Week in Europe

This weeks champions league fixtures through up some interesting results, and more importantly for others, some very important flaws.

First of all, a very impressive Arsenal led by a rejuvinated Bendtner (you were as surprised as me) achieved Arsenal's first European comeback over two legs since 1978. Although the most deluded, arrogant striker of all time stole all the headlines, mesmerising performances by the creative duo of messrs Nasri and Arshavin wreaked havoc upon a Porto side whom seem to get weaker every season.

In Florence we saw a Bayern Munich side continue to sneak under the radar and make it into the Champions league quarter finals almost unbeknown to everyone not living in Bavaria. But with talented wingplay from Robben (cast off by Madrid) and Ribery, (trying everything in his powers to get to Madrid) it would not be a surprise to see them reach the semi's under a veil of invisibility.

Wednesday saw the David Beckham testimonial, I mean Manchester United versus AC Milan. Despite being built as a European classic, this was as one-sided as any European fixture you will see this year. With Rooney running riot, a Pato-less Milan never looked like causing a surprise, the hightlight being Sir David of Beckham  close to tears after his deserved standing ovation. Old Trafford was allowed one last goodbye to its prodigal.

And then we have Madrid. A Real Madrid who looked ready to finally reach the quarter finals for the first time in six years. A Real Madrid who had spent the summer spending money like it was going out of fashion. A Real Madrid who indeed signed Lyon's star striker, Karim Benzema. And the result?

You guessed it, we will be seeing Olympique Lyonnais in the next round of the champions league, leaving coach Pellegrini and chairman Perez wandering what exactly went wrong. The logical course of action in this instance will be standard Madrid: Pellegrini will be sacked come late May and Real will spend around 30 bazillion pounds on the latest set of Galactico's. Well, you would have thought they'd have learned by now....

The final word however has to go to the only long-blonde-haired, Lamborghini driving male in Derby, Robbie Savage. Both of County's keeper had been busy injuring themselves or receiving red cards,  leaving  Savage to spend most of the match in between the sticks. He even saved a couple shots on the way to a 4-1 defeat before declaring goalkeeping 'boring'. Still as reserved as ever Robbie.