If you were to ask me for the game of the coming week, I would answer in a heartbeat. But if you are looking for the fire-and-brimstone, blustery, frothing-at-the-mouth type of football we witnessed last week at Old Trafford, then you had better take the week off. There's lots of pub football coming your way in a fortnight, but for now true football lovers are gearing up for a classic.
Just a week or so ago, we saw Frank Rijkaard return to the San Siro after representing AC Milan in 201 games, this time as coach of the opposition. It turned out to be a bittersweet experience, for although his men attacked with grandeur, they had Cafu, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, and Jaap Stam defending with a lot of heart. In the end, it was just an Andriy Shevchenko header that separated Milan from Barcelona, handing the Spanish team its first loss this season.
This week the equations are the same, although with the Nou Camp as the backdrop. Samuel Eto'o in sublime form, along with Ronaldinho, Henrik Larsson, and Deco will throw everything they have at Carlo Ancelotti's men, and I expect nothing short of a thriller as these two favourites continue their march towards May 25, 2005.
As a mark of respect, do drink wine while you watch this game. Leave the beer bottles for the English Premier League.
Celebrate. It's Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League!
Plan. Barcelona takes on AC Milan on ESPN at 0100 on Wednesday, or late Tuesday night. That will take some effort.
All right, all right, I like beer as well.
Ironic, isn't it, when you consider that the most puny figure in that Man U-Arsenal clash had the biggest influence on it. Referee Mike Riley. And what's more, this wasn't the first time. Isn't there any other way that Man U can find to get the advantage? Something more believable perhaps, so that sceptics stop wondering whether Old Trafford will be as happy with a mini-track and bloodhounds racing around wearing the same red jerseys.
What's even sadder is that the hype surrounding this game took away from an absolute cracker of a match elsewhere. Kevin Keegan's Manchester City lost a pulsating game 3-4 to Graeme Souness' Newcastle. It's hard for me to choose a pet team from Liverpool and Newcastle, for their playing style and attitude are equally engaging. What's good is that both are playing this weekend.
Watch out for Djibril Cisse, Luis Garcia and Milan Baros as Liverpool take on Blackburn Rovers on Saturday at 2140, live on ESPN.
Newcastle play Bolton Wanderers at 2130 hrs on Sunday, also live on ESPN.
On to the table toppers. Everyone's talking about how Manchester United is now on a winning streak. Luckily for them, they only take on Portsmouth on Saturday, 1924, live on STAR Sports. Arsenal plays Southampton at the same time, and that's live on ESPN.
A quick preview for Primera Liga fans. To add to the Champions League treat, Barca also plays Athletic Bilbao, live on Star Sports at 2330 this Saturday. I looked around anxiously for some Real Madrid action, and there's only some delayed live action late Sunday night, 0130 Monday morning, on STAR Sports as they take on recently promoted Getafe.
Finally, on to the mouth-watering mid-week Champions League action. Your eyes will water as well, I reckon, with the timings.
Tuesday late night has a depleted CSKA Moscow on home turf take on Chelsea, live on STAR Sports at 2250 hours. This is the first time in over 80 European games that Chelsea is travelling to Russia, and CSKA will be eager to avenge their 2-0 loss in London. Poor Roman Abramovich will not know where to look for the second time in a fortnight. Chelsea, I suspect, will have a very tough game on Russian soil.
Immediately after that game, 0100 on Wednesday morning, Arsenal takes on Panathinaikos.
At that same time on ESPN, of course, is our match of the week.
On to Wednesday night, 0100 on Thursday, my pick is the Liverpool-Deportivo La Coruna game on ESPN. Liverpool have a lot of history stacked up against them with Deportivo's excellent record in England. Besides, these are the two teams at the bottom of the table, needing desperately to claw their way back for that second spot behind Monaco. It should be another classic.
Why at that very moment STAR Sports has to show Manchester United playing Sparta Prague, I don't know. Real Madrid take on Dynamo Kiev at the same time and we would have enjoyed watching Michael Owen in his return to form much more than Man U.
It must be the beer.
Have a super week of football. And hold those burps till next week please, it's time for some wine. Cheers.
