Champions League Round Of 16 2nd Legs
AC Milan-Arsenal
ESPN2 11.45 a.m. PST
1st leg 0-0
This is the biggest match for Arsenal Football Club sine the 2006 Champions League Final, and the biggest match for the current Arsenal team ever {gone from 2006 are Henry, Ljungberg, Pires, Campbell, A Cole, Lauren, et. al}.
No English team has ever beaten AC Milan at the San Siro.
No English team had ever beaten Real Madrid in the Bernabeu before Arsenal did it in 2006. Furthermore, a win isn't even required today- any scoring draw will see Arsenal through to the quarterfinals on the away goals rule. And even though the current team had nothing to do with it, Arsenal did go to the San Siro with their backs against the wall {needing at least a 3-0 win} a few years back and beat the shit out of Inter Milan 5-1.
What will happen? I'm not sure, but I do know this: Arsenal's youngsters will once again run circles around the old men of Milan {average age of 33 when Maldini plays and Pato does not}, just as they did in the first leg. Beyond that I'm not certain if 1) they will create tons of chances but fail to score and go down to a goal from the wise old men or 2) they will get the away goal that would then require Milan to score two in order to advance.
Here's hoping for the latter.
Come on you Gunners!!!
Other Matches today:
Manchester United - Lyon
1st leg 1-1
Man Utd's late away goal in the first leg gives them the advantage here.
Barcelona-Celtic
1st leg 3-2 to Barca
With 3 away goals, and Celtic never having won an away game in the Champions League {30+ and counting}, it would be shocking for Celtic to beat Barca today by 2 goals in the Nou Camp.
Sevilla-Fenerbache
1st leg 3-2 Fenerbache
Sevilla must win here but their 2 away goals make thier task doable: 1-0 or 2-1 and they advance.
I'm off to the pub.
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