Villarreal 1-0 Inter Milan (QF 2L)

Villarreal 1-0 Inter Milan

Quarter-Final, 2nd Leg, 04/04/06

Villarreal (4-3-1-1-1): Barbosa; Javi Venta, Pena, Quique Alvarez, Arruaberrena; Marcos Senna, Tacchinardi, Sorin (Josico); Riquelme; Jose Mari (Franco); Forlan (Calleja). Coach: Pellegrin. Goal: Arruabarrena.

Inter Milan (4-4-1-1): Toldo; Zanetti, Samuel, Materazzi, Cordoba; Figo (Mihajlovic), Cambiasso, Veron (Cruz), Stankovic; Recoba (Martins); Adriano. Coach: Mancini.

Comments: Villarreal won on away goals 2-2, and the fans from the small suburb in Spain can go beserk as they go further and further in this competion. Inter once again failed in the Champions' League, and Mancini is experiencing the same disappointments as previous coaches. Recoba once again failed to deliver on the highest stage. He was expected to provide the creative link between midfield and attack but was unable to impress. Materazzi was again the weak point in the Inter side, as the former Evertonian gave away too many free kicks and was lucky not to get sent off for an elbow.

Milan 3-1 Lyon (QF 2L)

Milan 3-1 Lyon

Quarter-Final, 2nd Leg, 04/04/06

Milan (4-3-1-2): Dida; Kaladze, Stam (Costacurta), Nesta, Serginho; Gattuso (Maldini), Pirlo (Ambrosini), Seedorf; Kaka; Shevchenko, Inzaghi. Coach: Ancelotti. Goals: Inzaghi (2), Shevchenko.

Lyon (4-3-3): Coupet; Clerc, Cris, Cacapa, Abidal; Juninho, Diarra, Malouda; Wiltord, Fred (Carew), Govou (Reveillere). Coach: Houllier. Goals: Diarra.

Comments: A brave line-up for Lyon took to the field in the second leg. With Brazilian striker Fred flanked by Wiltord and Govou, Houllier was definitely intending his team to score goals today. They troubled Milan throughout - and although they went behind to Inzaghi's goal, they equalised just a few minutes later through Man Utd target Diarra. They held on till the 88th minute, when Inzaghi fired a second for Milan, before Sheva put a gloss on the scoreline which disguised the fact that Milan were two minutes from going out of the competition - just like last year against PSV. The difference was the tactical approach of the two managers during the game. Houllier couldn't resist going for a defensive tactical shift when bringing on defender Reveillere for the lively forward Govou with seven minutes left. The result was that Lyon invited Milan to attack - a mistake since Lyon were holding on comfortablely beforehand by defence through attack. Ancelotti's masterstroke was to bring on Maldini for Gattuso. One may question the wisdom of bringing a defender on for a midfielder when goals are needed, but Ancelotti knew what he was doing. Costacurta, Nesta and Maldini formed a classic Italian back three, allowing Kaladze and Serginho to burst down the flanks, flooding balls in to the box. And with the first class poacher Inzaghi around, it was a recipe for disaster for Lyon. Inzaghi's goal seemed to suck the confidence from Lyon, and then Sheva struck when they were at their weakest to put Milan into a semi-final they can count themselves lucky to reach.

Juventus 0-0 Arsenal (QF 2L)

Juventus 0-0 Arsenal

Quarter-Final, 2nd Leg, 05/04/06

Juventus (4-4-2): Buffon; Zambrotta, Kovac, Cannavaro, Chiellini (Balzaretti); Nedved, Emerson, Giannichedda, Mutu (Zalayeta); Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet. Coach: Capello.

Arsenal (4-1-4-1): Lehmann; Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Flamini; Gilberto Silva; Ljungberg, Fabregas, Hleb (Diaby), Reyes (Pires); Henry. Coach: Wenger.

Comments: Arsenal held on comfortably in the Stadio delle Alpi to book their place in the semi-finals. Juventus looked weak without Vieira and Nedved's fiery temperament got the better of him as he got sent off. The attempt to play with more attacking impetus with Mutu, Trezeguet and Ibrahimovic did not work out.

Barcelona 2-0 Benfica (QF 2L)

Barcelona 2-0 Benfica

Quarter-Final, 2nd Leg, 05/04/06

Barcelona (4-3-1-2): Valdes; Belletti, Oleguer, Puyol, Van Bronckhorst; Van Bommel (Edmilson), Deco, Iniesta; Ronaldinho; Larsson (Giuly), Eto'o. Coach: Rijkaard. Goals: Ronaldinho, Eto'o.

Benfica (4-2-3-1): Moretto; Ricardo Rocha, Luisao, Anderson, Leo; Petit, Manuel Fernandes (Marcel); Geovanni (Karagounis), Beto (Robert), Simao; Miccoli. Coach: Koeman.

Comments: A truly wonderful matchup of two teams with a wealth of Brazilian, Spanish and Portuguese skill and technique. Both clubs are coached by two intelligent Dutch former Ajax players, and one could see that in the way the teams played. Ronald Koeman has got Benfica playing the tradition Ajax winger system. Brazilian Geovanni and Simao, who is a target of both Liverpool and Chelsea, wonderfully come inside and play as well as making forays up and down the wing. But defensively, Benfica look more than vulnerable as Ronaldinho, Eto'o and Larsson were able to cut open the Benfica defence. A fine performance and a mouthwatering clash with AC Milan is ahead.

Milan 0-1 Barcelona (SF 1L)

Milan 0-1 Barcelona

Semi-Final, 1st Leg, 18/04/06

Milan (4-3-1-2): Dida; Kaladze, Stam (Cafu), Nesta, Serginho; Gattuso (Ambrosini), Pirlo (Maldini), Seedorf; Kaka; Shevchenko, Gilardino. Coach: Ancelotti.

Barcelona (4-3-2-1): Valdes; Oleguer (Motta), Marquez, Puyol, Van Bronckhorst; Van Bommel, Edmilson, Iniesta; Giuly (Belletti), Ronaldinho; Eto'o (Maxi Lopez). Coach: Rijkaard. Goals: Giuly.

Comments: Things could not have gone much better for Barca with a goal from Giuly giving them a crucial away goal. Milan look devoid of ideas, with too much reliance on Kaka. The defence lacked the pace to deal with Eto'o, who cornered Cafu in the second half, allowing Ronaldinho to weave his magic wand in the centre. Frank Rijkaard's team is adventurous, but have their defensive midfield well organised, with Van Bommel, Edmilson and Iniesta able to win the ball and distribute intelligently. Rijkaard may become the first genuinely successful black football coach in the history of the game. He has now won two La Ligas, taken Holland to the semi-finals of Euro 2000 and is on course for perhaps a Champions League.

Arsenal 1-0 Villarreal (SF 1L)

Arsenal 1-0 Villarreal

Semi-Final, 1st Leg, 19/04/06

Arsenal (4-1-4-1): Lehmann; Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Flamini; Gilberto Silva; Ljungberg (Van Persie), Fabregas, Hleb (Bergkamp), Pires; Henry. Coach: Wenger. Goals: Toure.

Villarreal (4-3-1-1-1): Barbosa; Javi Venta, Arzo, Quique Alvarez, Arruaberrena; Marcos Senna, Tacchinardi, Sorin (Josico); Riquelme; Jose Mari (Franco); Forlan (Calleja). Coach: Pellegrin.

Comments: A goal from perhaps Arsenal's most consistent player, Kolo Toure, gives them the advantage going into the second leg. The athleticism of Eboue, defensive play of Toure and Gilberto Silva, skill of Fabregas and class of Henry looks like securing Arsenal a first Champions League Final appearance. Villarreal lacked the killer instinct up front, although the creativity of Riquelme was admirable.

Villarreal 0-0 Arsenal (SF 2L)

Villarreal 0-0 Arsenal

Semi-Final, 2nd Leg, 25/04/06

Villarreal (4-3-1-2): Barbosa; Javi Venta, Pena, Quique Alvarez, Arruaberrena (Roger); Marcos Senna, Josico (Jose Mari), Sorin; Riquelme; Franco, Forlan. Coach: Pellegrin.

Arsenal (4-1-4-1): Lehmann; Eboue, Toure, Campbell, Flamini (Clichy); Gilberto Silva; Ljungberg, Fabregas, Hleb, Reyes (Pires); Henry. Coach: Wenger.

Comments: The same Arsenal that have been criticised for not playing the European way have now mastered the defensive shield and counterattack play suitable for Europe. Key to their run this year has been the athleticism of the young players, the class of Henry and the defensive shield in front of the defence. Still, commentators have noticed that Arsenal's performance against Villarreal did not look like that of European Champions. Villarreal's romantic run ended, and a team that heavily relies on the creative spark of Riquelme were simply lacking in class in the other areas of the pitch. Argentina skipper Sorin and Riquelme will go into the World Cup with confidence.

Barcelona 0-0 Milan (SF 2L)

Barcelona 0-0 Milan

Semi-Final, 2nd Leg, 26/04/06

Barcelona (4-3-2-1): Valdes; Belletti, Marquez, Puyol, Van Bronckhorst; Deco, Edmilson, Iniesta; Giuly (Larsson), Ronaldinho; Eto'o (Van Bommel). Coach: Rijkaard.

Milan (4-3-1-2): Dida; Kaladze, Stam, Costacurta (Cafu), Serginho; Gattuso (Rui Costa), Pirlo, Seedorf; Kaka; Shevchenko, Inzaghi (Gilardino). Coach: Ancelotti.

Comments: A dour goalless draw with a surprising lack of urgency from Milan. Barcelona go into the final as overwhelming favourites, the only team from the semis who have been consistent in both domestic and European football this season. Milan's defence looks weaker than ever, and will need a serious overhaul over the summer - Kaladze lacks quality, Stam is leaving, Dida, Costacurta, Serginho plus Maldini are all ageing - Nesta is the only quality defender left. Rumours suggest Sheva may leave for the money of Chelsea.

Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal (F)

Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal

Final, 17/05/06

Barcelona (4-3-2-1): Valdes; Oleguer (Belletti), Marquez, Puyol, Van Bronckhorst; Van Bommel (Larsson), Edmilson (Iniesta), Deco; Giuly, Ronaldinho; Eto'o. Coach: Rijkaard. Goals: Eto'o, Belletti.

Arsenal (4-1-4-1): Lehmann; Eboue, Toure, Campbell, Cole; Gilberto Silva; Ljungberg, Fabregas (Flamini), Hleb (Reyes), Pires (Almunia); Henry. Coach: Wenger. Goals: Campbell.

Comments: The big match-up before the game was focussed on The Parisien duel of Ronaldinho vs Henry, but the actual action on the pitch centred on the mistake of Jens Lehmann. The Germany no.1 goalkeeper brought down Eto'o, leaving the referee the choice of allowing Giuly's subsequent strike into an empty net as advantage, or sending off Lehmann. He chose the latter, but Arsenal were the more confident team. Eboue was daring in his raids forward although the young right-back still lacks some knowledge when to play the simple ball instead of displaying silky skills. Arsenal took the lead through Campbell, returning to form just in time for the World Cup. Arsenal held on till the hour-mark when Samuel Eto'o equalised and Juliano Belletti hit a winner ten minutes from time - both goals created by Swede Henrik Larsson in his last game for Barca. Much was made of poor refereeing, but to be fair Barcelona deserved to lift the trophy for their form throughout the season. They won La Liga, whilst Arsenal only managed fourth in the Premiership, denting their claims to being the best team in Europe. The aftermath suggests that Henry will stay at Arsenal, especially since he was busy criticising the Barcelona players after. How can he join Barcelona now? Perhaps that is the one positive for Wenger.