It is the Champions League

Now some of you may not know this about your boy S. Beamin is a huge Football fan. Now you may say what’s the deal, but I’m talking about European Football yes soccer. Today just happens to be the first day of the 2nd leg ties in the round of 16 in the Champions League. Now if you’re new to the game this is where you should start the best teams from the best leagues going head to head to crown the Champion of the world. Now this stage of the competition is called the knockout stage as one of the teams from each tie will be spending their last night in Europe this week. So it is my duty to now breakdown each of the important ties and what you should be looking for.
The first European night this week will be today and we’ll start with the crown jewel of the night Liverpool vs. Real Madrid. Both clubs are storied franchise with multiple European championships, but Liverpool go into this game with a one goal advantage. Not only a one goal advantage but an away goal now you may ask why is this important an away goal is counted twice if the tie ends in a draw so they are precious. Liverpool have been without star striker Fernando Torres for two weeks now, but may be on course to appear today. Real Madrid though have plenty of striking power, with a shaky defense. This game might seem like a attacking affair, but Liverpool may just park the bus as their manager Rafa Benitez is known for his European tactics. This game will be on at 3:30 est on ESPN.

The second big game of the night is Chelsea vs. Juventus in Turin, with Chelsea leading 1-0. This game has nil nil draw written all over it as the Italians seemed to have no fire power against the stingy English side in the first leg. Chelsea have been on fire under new care taker manger Guus Hiddink and seem to have enough in the back with Terry, Alex, and Cech to keep Juve at bay.

On Wednesday you have the biggest tie of the entire round in Manchester United defending European and English Champions vs. Inter Milan the two time defending Italian champions. Manchester United is lead by Sir Alex Fergueson and the last years player of the year. Inter Milan are manged by the special one and Ferguson nemesis Jose Mourinho who bring the silky yet mercurial skill of one Zlatan Ibrahimovic with him. All the pundits say this one is MANU’s to lose as the score is 0-0 going into the home leg for MANU. Inter Milan is without it’s two central defenders against one of the most potent strike forces in the world. Remember though a 0-0 and the game will go to Penalty kick where anything can happen, or if the game ends in a score draw Inter goes through on away goals. This one is the big one and will be seen at 3:30 est Wednesday on ESPN Classic.

Finally the game closets to my heart sees my Arsenal take on AS Roma in Rome, which just happens to be the home of this years Champions League Final. This tie goes to Rome with Arsenal 1-0 ahead thanks to a Robin Van Persie penalty kick at the Emirates. This tie should for all accounts be over as Arsenal spurned three clear goal scoring opportunity in the first leg. Roma looked extraordinarily poor on the night and cannot be expected to show up in the same form at home. Roma will be lead from the front by injury worry Totti who might not make the game, they are lucky to have their top defense man Phillipe Mexes as he could have seen red in the first leg. Arsenal on the other hand have finally over come their goal scoring drought scoring 3 goals in each of their last two games. Arsenal also saw the return of Eduardo da Silva and England International Theo Walcott on Sunday adding to their attacking prowess. The big worry for Arsenal will be the fitness of defender Kolo Toure and the strength of their young central midfield. This game will have me sweating bullets, but Roma must win by at least 2-0 to advance over Arsenal. You can catch this battle on Setanta with coverage starting at 3:00 est on Wednesday.

So their you have it a proper introduction to European Football the way it should be played. There are other ties going on this week as well including Athletico Madrid vs. Porto, Barcelona vs. Lyon, and Villareal vs. Panathinaikos. So grab a Heineken the sponsor of the Champions League and enjoy.