Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan defended heroically tonight, qualifying for the Champions League final against Bayern Munich with a 1-0 loss to Barcelona. Jose’s infamous parking of the bus was reversed as they packed men behind the ball and frustrated and stymied Guardiola’s men again and again. A few key stats from the game:

• Xavi (153) made 37 more passes on his own than the whole Inter Milan team (116).
• Passes completed: Barca 555, Inter 67
• Barcelona had 86.4% possession, a Champions League record this season.
• Barcelona (1372 passes) completed 999 more passes than Inter Milan (373) over the two legs.

Just incredible levels of domination. But Inter rebuffed them and aside from Pique’s superb finish, kept them out. A triumph for Mourinho’s tactical brilliance? Or dour negativity that ruined the spectacle?

For my money, any game that can throw up such statistical anomalies is a fascinating one. I can’t pretend that I enjoyed every minute of the match (especially not the first half) but overall, as a package, it was engrossing. Not for the casual viewer admittedly, but captivating for the hardcore.

And Jose being Jose he had to provide us with a subplot – the last minute team change, the half time delay, the full time histrionics… whatever you think of the guy, you cannot deny he is entertaining. More so than the game…

For the first time in seven years, there will be no English representation in the last four of the UEFA Champions League.

To say that an era has ended would be excessive, but it is certainly notable that none of the established ‘Big Four’ have reached their usual positioning amongst Europe’s elite.

You only need to look at each side’s individual demises to know that the margins are small in these knockout battles. United go out to on away goals to a wonder strike from Arjen Robben.

Chelsea were guilty of a slight lack of energy and guile in attempting to break down the brick wall that is the Inter defence whereas Arsenal were, wholly reasonably, outclassed by a player who operates on a different planet. Only Liverpool can be seen to have seriously regressed from past endeavours, having been eliminated at the group stages.

If we go looking for wider influences behind a poor year for the English sides, can one be found in the emergence of Manchester City as a spending powerhouse?

In the summer, they swooped to relieve Arsene Wenger of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor; they enticed long-term Liverpool target Gareth Barry to Eastlands; and perhaps most significantly of all, they convinced Carlos Tevez to move from the red to blue side of Manchester.

Most pundits point to Xavi Alonso’s departure as a key influence in Liverpool’s fall from grace. Would Barry have proved a more able replacement than the brittle and under-used Alberto Aquilani?

In the face of a central defensive crisis, Arsene Wenger could have done with Kolo Toure in the Nou Camp in place of the creaking Mikael Silvestre. And surely Adebayor would have proved a more dangerous threat to the Barcelona defence than Nicklas Bendtner?

Lastly, Sir Alex Ferguson took a chance last night on a clearly under-par Wayne Rooney, not least due to the lack of dynamism offered by £30m alternative Dimitar Berbatov. How he would love to have called upon an on-fire Tevez.

As I say, the margins are small. At the business end of a season, squad depth is vital. Thanks to Man City’s mega bucks, their Premier League rivals have been weakened and now exposed by Europe’s best.

Following the inspiration of the superb Zonal Marking and the discovery of this11, a tactical analysis of United’s adjustment after Rafael’s red card with pretty diagrams and stuff…

This is how we described the adjustment in our post-match analysis…

Ferguson’s reaction to going down to 10 contributed much to United’s eventual defeat. He had numerous options and chose to remove Rooney and bring on John O’Shea. The Irishman severely lacked match fitness, one, and two, it left United with no recognised striker. Gibson went to left midfield leaving Nani haring around upfront.That left United with no outlet, no-one who could hold up the ball. Though Nani chased manfully (and could have scored once) immediately United were under seige, and it was relentless with nowhere for them to go.

Other solutions looked better. Berbatov had to come on and give United someone who could hold the ball up, supported by a midfielder (Valencia or Nani) where possible, and Fletcher to right back. A 4-3-1-1 if you like, with the other winger pushed narrow. Or a 4-4-1 with midfielders supporting the Bulgarian when they can. Alternatively, take off Rooney and Valencia/Nani, and play Giggs off Berbatov with the other narrow. Or if O’Shea has to come on, take off one of the wingers (and Rooney) and use the other winger off Berbatov with Fletcher in the midfield three. Heck, even take off Rooney, Valencia and Nani, put O’Shea to right back, and play Giggs off Berba.

Anything that gave United a recognised striker, a get out, an escape from the relentless attacks.

Nani on his own upfront against a good team who had to score just invited pressure, encouraged a bombardment, and forced United’s backs further against the wall.

So here it is diagrammatically (which will probably make much more sense). This is how United started the game and indeed the second half:

Rooney was supported by Valencia in Nani in a 4-5-1 / 4-3-3 formation, with Gibson bombing on in a Lampard stylee. This blew Bayern away initially as United raced into a three goal lead, and though Bayern nicked one before half time Ferguson’s men were almost totally dominant.

However, after the sending off everything changed. This is how Ferguson reshuffled:

As discussed above, this left Nani coming in on his own from the left upfront, running around like a headless chicken but offering nothing in terms of an outlet who could hold the ball up. Valencia tried to support him but United ended up with their backs to the wall.

This is how they should have reshuffled. Either like this:

With Berbatov the lone front man supported by Valencia and Nani, or like this:

Which would give Berbatov more support, or even, with an extra two substitutions, this:

Which leaves United looking more robust in midfield, and with Giggs playing a more natural role behind the striker. Should Fergie have preferred to reserve a sub, Nani could play the Giggs role.

Any of the above, all containing Berbatov, would have been better options for a team looking to preserve a narrow lead. It would have given them capacity to attack but also an outlet that would have helped them defend.

Just call me Sir Alex.

A dramatic game in the Champions League saw Man Utd somewhat unfortunately go out on away goals to Bayern Munich. Here is our analysis of their great first half, that red card, Fergie’s bizarre tactical adjustment, and Arjen Robben’s superb goal…

Firstly, Man United were unfortunate, if not unlucky, to go out. They played very well for the most part, and were beaten by a combination of a stupid red card, a strange decision from Sir Alex, and a superb goal from Arjen Robben.

The early big news was Wayne Rooney starting – but his influence on the game turned out to be negligible. He did set up Gibson’s opening goal, but other than that was largely anonymous, hassled and harried by Bayern’s defenders. He took another knock during the game, and was ultimately withdrawn early in the second half as a result of the dismissal.

It was United’s other attacking tyros who gave them the start they craved. Darron Gibson, a surprise inclusion, immediately justified his selection with a strike that beat Hans-Jorg Butt at his near post – and although the keeper was unsighted, he arguably could have done better.

Valencia and Nani caused havoc on the wings, unably marshalled by the German full backs, and the former crossed for the latter to put United two up in only the seventh minute. Although the flick looked good, God knows why Nani didn’t just finish with his leading right foot. Fortunately it beat Butt at his far post, and United were jubilant.

And it only got better, as the energy of the wingers plus Carrick, Gibson and Fletcher didn’t let up, gave their opponents no time on the ball, shut down and chased at 100mph, and ultimately bullied Bayern into conceding again, Valencia’s cross swept into the roof of the net for Nani’s second and United’s third.

They looked home and hosed – but never discount the Germans.

In the 43rd minute Bayern broke in what was their only real attack of the first half, Carrick slipped, and Olic scrambled the ball across Edwin Van Der Sar and into the far corner to get them back into the game. They scarcely deserved it – United fully merited a three goal and 4-2 aggregate lead at half time, and it would have significantly changed the atmosphere in the two dressing rooms.

Early in the second half came the key moment. Rafael dragged Ribery back and was shown a second yellow, adding to the foolish kick out he was punished for in the first half. He had marshalled Ribery excellently up to that point, and looked to have validated Ferguson’s decision to go with youth and vigour over the experience of Gary Neville. However, for all the energy Rafael offered, he also displayed a naivety that Neville surely would not have, and with his dismissal the game turned.

However, Ferguson’s reaction to going down to 10 contributed much to United’s eventual defeat. He had numerous options and chose to remove Rooney and bring on John O’Shea. The Irishman severely lacked match fitness, one, and two, it left United with no recognised striker. Gibson went to left midfield leaving Nani haring around upfront.

That left United with no outlet, no-one who could hold up the ball. Though Nani chased manfully (and could have scored once) immediately United were under seige, and it was relentless with nowhere for them to go.

Other solutions looked better. Berbatov had to come on and give United someone who could hold the ball up, supported by a midfielder (Valencia or Nani) where possible, and Fletcher to right back. A 4-3-1-1 if you like, with the other winger pushed narrow. Or a 4-4-1 with midfielders supporting the Bulgarian when they can. Alternatively, take off Rooney and Valencia/Nani, and play Giggs off Berbatov with the other narrow. Or if O’Shea has to come on, take off one of the wingers (and Rooney) and use the other winger off Berbatov with Fletcher in the midfield three. Heck, even take off Rooney, Valencia and Nani, put O’Shea to right back, and play Giggs off Berba.

Anything that gave United a recognised striker, a get out, an escape from the relentless attacks.

Nani on his own upfront against a good team who had to score just invited pressure, encouraged a bombardment, and forced United’s backs further against the wall.

I am in no place to criticise Sir Alex – but in my humble opinion he got it wrong. United were desperate for an outlet to relieve pressure, and had denied them one.

Berbatov eventually came on with 10 minutes to go, too late after Bayern scored, and the Germans closed the game out expertly.

But what a goal it was. Ribery’s corner was floated to the far angle of the box, and Robben – inexplicably unmarked – hit the cleanest volley you will ever see into Van Der Sar’s far corner. A superb goal, no doubt. But why was no-one on him? Even as the corner was taken and sailed towards the Dutchman, there was time to close him. But no-one got close enough.

Robben wheeled away and was soon substituted to rapturous congratulations from the Bayern bench. You sensed at that point that (despite 1999) they had the utmost confidence in their ability to hold onto that decisive goal and close out the game.

And so it proved, as United barely managed a serious attack after it.

Rafael, Ferguson and Robben had conspired to ensure there was no English team in the semi-finals for the first time in seven years.

Unfortunate for United, but not unlucky. They orchestrated their own demise, with Robben the key agent.

• Jose Mourinho is still the king of Stamford Bridge – The Special One had a remarkable record there in charge of Chelsea, and in inflicting a rare home defeat on Ancelotti’s men reminded everyone, especially Chelsea fans, just how good he is. Indeed, his favourite biscuits were put out specially for him, he has a wall dedicated to him and his achievements within the stadium, and was raucously applauded by the Chelsea fans. They wish he was still there.
• Serie A is not dead yet – Despite AC Milan’s abject defeat to Man United, there is life in the old (in Milan’s case very old) Italian dog yet. Inter fully deserved what in the end was comprehensive qualification, and particularly in the second half outplayed Chelsea. No-one will want to draw them in the next round.
• But they are no angels - Inter employed every trick in the book from shirt pulling, tugging, holding and fouling to diving, moaning, complaining and dramatising to the more sly but no less infuriating timewasting, the most cowardly form of cheating. Despite catching up in the insidious stakes English sides still have a lot to learn from cunning Italians.
• Didier Drogba is still repulsive – The Ivorian was sent off again, making 4 of his 5 dismissals in the Champions League. Clearly he has a problem with losing – not a sin in itself, but coupled with his on pitch histrionics they make him a thoroughly dislikable character despite his obvious footballing merits.
• Referees need to man up – We’ve commented on this several times before, but until referees clamp down on holding and shirt pulling in the box defenders will continue to cheat relentlessly. Drogba himself was clearly held by Walter Samuel in what was a clear foul, and there were several other potential penalties. The common argument is ‘if refs gave every one of those there would be ten penalties a match’ – no there wouldn’t you absolute spastic, DEFENDERS WOULD STOP DOING IT. It needs to happen.
• Wesley Sneijder is a great footballer – A delightful performance from Inter’s dutchman showed why he has been so crucial to Inter this term. Chelsea were linked with him months ago and must rue missing out. Particularly last night.
• The first half was one of the worst halves of football I’ve seen in a long time – Bitty, scrappy, and very low on quality. The second was better as the game opened up a bit, but this was an absorbing contest rather than a great one.

Real Madrid secured a swashbuckling 5-2 away win against FC Zurich in their last Champions League game, with world record signing Cristiano Ronaldo scoring two trademark freekicks. But their defensive frailties were again evident, despite coach Manuel Pellegrini playing them down. Can this hastily assembled team of superstars actually win the thing?

Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso, Raul Albiol, Alvaro Negredo, Alvaro Arbeloa and Esteban Granero are an incredible roll call of signings, and the quality of personnel is not in doubt. What is questionable is whether they will gel, whether they will work together, whether all these disparate individuals can blend together in the cauldron of the Bernabeu. And not over time – now, immediately, this season. There is little doubt Pellegrino will be swiftly relieved of his duties if this huge investment does not pay some sort of dividend.

Real’s biggest challengers both domestically and in Europe are Guardiola’s Barcelona. After an unprecedented treble last season it is a huge ask for them to push on – or even equal – those achievements. Especially after losing Samuel Eto’o. Whether Real can triumph over Barca over an entire season remains to be seen. Interesting also how the Spanish League has now become all about the ‘Big Two’ – there was a 20/1 bar on another side winning the title this year. It’s like being in Scotland…

Considering that, there is a (R)eal chance they could compete for La Liga. They have the players who can steamroll the likes of Almeria and Xerex on a regular basis, and realistically it could come down to their head to heads with Barca.

The Champions League, however, is a very different animal. They will be competing with the world’s best teams on a regular basis, and will have to come through a group, quarters, and semis, not to mention the final. And it’s started already, only two games into the Primera League season (admittedly with Real flying high after two wins)

Can a newly assembled team achieve that? Can individual superstars chucked together beat the likes of Man Utd, Bayern Munich, AC Milan, Inter, Chelsea… and of course Barcelona? Will Kaka, Benzema, Ronaldo et al have enough to break down the world’s best defences? More pertinently, will Real’s notoriously and evidently shakey defence have enough to repel the advances of the world’s best strikers?

Again, only time will tell. And with the quality of player they have, you cannot write them off. But Real is not where my money would be.

In full…

Group A: Bayern Munich, Juventus, Bordeaux, Maccabi Haifa
Group B: MANCHESTER UNITED, CSKA Moscow, Besiktas, Wolfsburg
Group C: AC Milan, Real Madrid, Marseille, FC Zurich
Group D: CHELSEA, FC Porto, Atletico Madrid, APOEL
Group E: LIVERPOOL, Lyon, Fiorentina, Debrecen
Group F: FC Barcelona, Inter Milan, Dinamo Kiev, FC Rubin Kazan
Group G: Sevilla, RANGERS, Stuttgart, Unirea
Group H: ARSENAL, AZ Alkmaar, Olympiakos, Standard

So where next for Man United? As Alex Ferguson graciously observed, they were outclassed and outplayed by the better side on the night. It was interesting to see him bring his players onto the pitch to watch Barcelona cavort and celebrate, and hammer home what they missed out on.

For the first eight minutes, United looked great. They were vibrant and incisive, and created four or five chances. But then Barcelona scored, and it all went wrong. United just had no ideas, no gameplan, when chasing the match. Their Plan A was to counter-attack, to sit and hit Barcelona on the break as the Catalans chased a goal. But the Spanish side scored so early that this Plan A was scuppered – and United had no Plan B.

Their defence looked uncertain (particularly O’Shea), their passing was awry, Rooney was isolated, Ji-Sung Park offered little or no cutting edge; Ronaldo was the only one who looked a threat.

Had United scored first, it could have been very different – but as it was, Guardiola out-thought Ferguson, Barca’s makeshift defence stifled United’s vaunted attack, and the Spanish midfield passed United’s into submission and beyond.

So what now? This is only one game, and the idiot who phoned ‘You’re on Sky Sports’ claiming Ferguson should be fired deserves to be put down, but nevertheless United need to have a good look at themselves. They were far inferior to Barcelona, and bearing in mind they had a poor record against the Big Four domestically, there is a definite school of thought that they are flat-track bullies who can, with ruthless efficiency, despatch the likes of Wigan, West Ham, and Sunderland.

That is enough to win the Premier League, evidently – but at the final hurdle, against a genuinely world class team, they fell short.

Remember that they did, relatively comfortably, beat Inter and Arsenal en route, though – so it’s not a glaring weakness. This is not a huge deficiency, merely one that has been exposed against the very best.

Perhaps one extra player is what they need. One who can create something against the best, someone in central midfield a cut above willing runners like Anderson, Fletcher, or Hargreaves, a cut above sideways passers like Carrick and (nowadays) Scholes. Someone like Xavi or Iniesta, like Kaka, Fabregas, Gerrard, Lampard… that is where United lack that something extra.

The likes of Fletcher and Anderson are great at grinding out results, closing down opposing midfields and letting Ronaldo, Rooney et al score the goals to fire United to vicory after victory. But they are no Iniesta or Xavi – as last night so clearly illustrated.

But who? None of the above would go to United. Who is there who can provide that missing element? I don’t know. Hopefully for United fans, Alex Ferguson does.

All four of the English sides have progressed to the Champions League quarter finals; Liverpool serenely, Man Utd and Chelsea edgily, and Arsenal by the skin of their teeth. They are joined by Bayern Munich, Porto, Villarreal and Barcelona.

Barcelona are the team everyone will want to avoid – with Villarreal or Porto the preferred draw for the Premiership sides. Despite the Last 16 second legs taking place on the 10th/11th of March, the draw itself isn’t until Friday March 20th. Don’t ask us why.

Chelsea in the end went through comfortably as Bordeaux lost to Roma, and Liverpool’s impressive 3-1 win in Holland cemented top spot in the group.

The BBC have a lovely little round up of last nights action, with all the results and scorers and who finished where in Groups A – D.

You can watch all the goals here.