Finally, Manchester United put in a comprehensive performance to advance into the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
The Red Devils ran themselves into the ground to overcome an Olympiakos side which failed to match the intensity United exuded. And that was the significant factor, the willingness to run with and without the ball.
As it is in football, big teams will suffer two to three poor performances a season while average teams will turn it on two to three times a season against bigger opposition.
Manchester United, at times woeful, at other times insipid throughout this season, performed above themselves this time around.
How often can that be said of the defending Premier League champions, backs against the wall within a mere 10 months?
This performance has to be replicated at the weekend against West Ham United in London (1.30am, Sunday). The euphoria has to be carried into this game and beyond. I still believe the performance against Olympiakos is a one-off and before long, the adrenaline would be drained.
The bread-and-butter games, as these are called, need grit and determination; two qualities the Hammers show when Sam Allardyce decides, on percentages, and this is one game he won't want to lose.
Simply put, West Ham will prove to be a bigger test than the Greeks, and if Manchester United intend to continue fighting for a spot in European competition next season, they must overcome the London side which have improved by leaps and bounds in the past two months.
Chelsea v Arsenal (8.45pm)
The Gunners’ resilience in the face of a Spurs onslaught has obviously given them the belief they need to take to Stamford Bridge.
Individual errors notwithstanding (Wojciech Szczesny tried his best to gift Tottenham Hotspur a goal), the Gunners need to move the ball faster through midfield, a common ailment faced by the Barcelona side of last season, yet often overshadowed by individual brilliance (that is, Messi).
With having so many players who can run with the ball from midfield, Arsenal are better on the counterattack. Expect Jose Mourinho to play "away" tactics.
Sitting deep and compact, out of necessity as the Chelsea defence is woefully lacking in pace, Mourinho will rely on individual breaks – a game plan that has worked wonders this season – as Chelsea sit pretty at the top of the Premiership.
The ball is in Arsene Wenger's court. Do Arsenal commit to attack or do they, too, sit back and wait for Chelsea to bring the game to them? Cat and mouse or full pelt? We'll find out tonight in the early kick-off, which starts at 8.45pm.
Cardiff City v Liverpool (11pm)
Liverpool make a visit to Wales, as the struggling Cardiff City welcome their high-flying guests.
Not the game that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have wanted, but a manager facing his predicament really has no choice at this stage. Only one tactic to apply here, all-out attack!
But expect Cardiff City to keep it tight and goalless for as long as they can before taking any risks (similar to their game plan at Goodison Park, playing the blue side of the Mersey, Everton).
Is this a potential banana skin for Liverpool? Maybe not, as Liverpool dare to dream about claiming their first ever Premier League title.
Everton v Swansea City (11pm)
Swansea City will enjoy the battle of the passing sides as Everton look to finishing the season as high up the table as possible.
This Everton team has been a delight to watch while Swansea have had brilliant performances interspersed with poor showings in equal measure. Gerard Deulofeu will be looking to run at defences with delight once again.
Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton (Sunday, 9.30pm)
The other interesting clash is at White Hart Lane. Having rested their first-team in midweek, Tottenham Hotspur will be going at full pelt against Southampton. Quite perhaps, a little controlled aggression will help after the helter-skelter showing against Arsenal, all effort and heart, but no end product.
While the "up and at ‘em" approach gets the fans going, it does take a physical toll as unnecessary energy is spent by pent up emotion and tension being let loose with abandon.
As the second half progressed in the North London Derby last weekend, Spurs became more and more ragged rather than the under the cosh Gunners, happy to soak up the pressure which desperately lacked that final ball needed to unlock their defences.
Against a controlled tactical side such as Southampton, a reckless showing could spell further misery for Tim Sherwood's boys.
This clash will hinge on the vision of Christian Eriksen. With him on the pitch, there is hope for this Spurs side, without him, there isn't really an alternative who can fill in the creative role of this side.
Last 8 in Europe
So the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals draw has been made and here is how they line up – Manchester United (England) v Bayern Munich (Germany), Paris St Germain (France) v Chelsea (England), Real Madrid (Spain) v Borussia Dortmund (Germany), and Barcelona (Spain) v Atletico Madrid (Spain).
As the draw was made, my initial thoughts were on Barcelona versus Atletico Madrid. Two teams that have found each other difficult to play against and one can expect the same over two legs.
There is not much for Atletico to fear as they have become a very compact, defensively disciplined team with a monster in attack. Hence, I think Diego Costa could very well decide this tie.
The revenge tie of Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund could well be lopsided and favour the Spanish team. The Dortmunders have been a pale shadow of themselves and the heroics of last season are not likely to be repeated. Will Ronaldo go missing again? If he does there is Gareth to Bale him out!
Another love-in is on the cards as Jose Mourinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic meet. The PSG striker will be accorded the same bromance as Didier Drogba was in the last Round of 16 matches between Chelsea and Galatasaray.
Should UEFA not throw the book at Chelsea for bringing the game into disrepute by honouring their former striker with some much at stake? Acknowledge Drogba's contribution and completely make a fool of him on the pitch! He downed arms! Disgraceful!
Then comes the big one... poor David Moyes. The Gods certainly love him. Can't coach, can't manage and now Bayern Munich? – March 22, 2014.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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