It's a big couple of weeks for futbol fans. Tuesday marks the beginning of the MLS season, with Seattle Sounders hosting LA Galaxy. Also on Tuesday, Manchester United will host Marseille in the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League. Last week was the first round of second leg games in the Champions League, and the two English clubs involved experienced very different results.
On Tuesday, it was Arsenal traveling to Barcelona. Arsenal had won the first leg in London, 2-1, and there was much anticipation about the return leg. The match was tight in the first half, with Barcelona enjoying the majority of possession. In added time, Lionel Messi drew Barcelona level with a great individual effort. Barca continued to control the ball in the second half, but an own goal by Sergio Busquets in the 53rd minute put Arsenal ahead, even though they had not attempted a shot. Only 3 minutes later, Arsenal's Robin Van Persie was given a dubious second yellow for kicking the ball away after he was ruled offsides. Still, Arsenal looked like going through. Xavi scored in the 69th minute, however, and then Messi again in the 71st, and Barcelona were well on there way to the Quarterfinals.
Alternatively, Tottenham Hotspur had won their first leg game on the road to AC Milan, 1-0. Milan also enjoyed possession, 63% by the end of the match, but both teams failed to score, and Tottenham are though.
Elsewhere in Europe, Schalke 04 defeated Valencia 3-1 at home, after a 1-1 draw in Spain two weeks ago. Shakhtar Donetsk routed AS Roma 3-0 in Ukraine, winning 6-2 on aggregate and advanced as well.
Unlike Arsenal and Tottenham, Man United and Chelsea will both be favored in thier Champions League matches this week, facing Marseille and Copenhagen, respectively. Also gunning for the Quarterfinals will be Real Madrid, who host Lyon with the sides even at 1-1, and Bayern Munich, who lead Inter Milan 1-0 after the clubs met in Italy.
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