Arsenal vs. Porto

Well with Arsenal already putting a 4 spot on Porto I decided to write this before the game actually ends. Arsenal!!!!! Just brilliant. Arsenal have always been a very gifted attacking minded team (similar to Barcelona) and this game was no different. You could definitely see at times when Arsenal looked suspect at the back and they will definitely be looking for some center back help come this summer but when you attack this well who needs defense?

Arsenal play the formation that I wish the US men's national team would employ and they did it to perfection tonight. With Sagna and Clichy making overlapping runs all night and creating havoc was fun to watch. Diaby and Song played great in their defensive/holding midfield roles. And Nasri, Arshavin, and Rosisky played great in their attacking/wing roles. Nasri had a brilliant game even if he didn't score the goal of the week for Arsenal's third. Arshavin has brilliant in his touches and runs and attacks and created two of the goals and should have scored one himself. My only problem with Arshavin is his tendency to get lazy at times during the game but he more than made up for it. Bendtner scored the first two but really he did nothing more than be in the right place at the right time (which is a hard thing to do). Eboue's goal was created by Arshavin making a great run and laying it off for Eboue to make a move and then slot it home. Porto looked slow and behind the ball most of the game but did have some nice moments with Hulk and Varela working well together and making moves on their own.

Arsenal look like a dangerous team in this competition and have some amazing talent in their squad, though it is mainly in the attack. Their defense still leaves a lot to be desired but when you produce this type of performance without Cesc you can rest a little easier.

Really looking forward to tomorrow's games. Lets see if Real can reverse their tie with Lyon and how Man U does at home with the lead against AC Milan

Bayern Vs. Fiorentina

Just finished watching Fiorentina win 3-2 over Bayern in the Champions League. This win means that Bayern move on to the next round 4-4 on aggregate on the away goals rule. Fiorentina looked inspired the entire match and were pushing the game. The first half was a little sloppy and the first goal was due to poor keeping but it was a deserved goal. In the second half Bayern really pushed hard but left some space at the back (like they did all game) and Fiorentina was able to get a second. Fiorentina looked to have Bayern on the ropes but Van Bommel's brilliant strike put the game back in doubt. Also, if you want to learn how to score on a ball moving across the body, then watch Van Bommel because he strike was not some wild blast but a controlled strike, slotting the ball exactly where he wanted it. Great finish. Fiorentina managed to strike back again fairly quickly with Jovetic scoring his second by fending off the weak challenge and finishing between the keepers legs. Great goal and this would have put Fiorentina through to the quarters except for their lax defense and a brilliant strike from Robben. A left footed (obviously considering he can't use his right foot for anything) rip from outside the box into the upper corner.

Both of Bayern's goals were spectacular. Overall its hard to say which team deserved to go through more but Bayern did enough, coming from behind twice, to put themselves through. An extremely entertaining game to watch for the casual observer like myself. Can't wait for the Arsenal-Porto match which is just about to start for me!