Bring it on!

Boy o boy!!! What a week!!! A week that started like ending up lopsided just got better. Thanks to some of the tough teams battling it out for various reasons...top spot, European football, top flight survival...

I've always maintained that it is tough playing the aforementioned teams in the late stages of the season. You may play someone in the group 10-15; that team could just be going through the motions of ending the season. But for the teams through 16 to the end, it's a matter of survival. Same at the top end of the spectrum.

Arsenal found, in the hard way, how tough the lure of European football would be. Spurs, according to Redknapp, has the best chance in years to seal the European place. And they did their chances no harm by crashing the party of Arsenal and Chelsea in consecutive games. Coupled with the result in which City lost in the dying stages to United, Spurs now can dream of Europe.

Who's next? United, of course. And Sir Alex, who must have thanked Harry profusely last weekend would be wishing that Spurs keep their steam at home when they visit Old Trafford. Chelsea, for all the chances it got, never could consolidate its position. How many more twists are we going to witness???

And what a rude awakening in the late hours of the night Inter deliver! Barca were left gasping anc clutching at straws. On another day, Milito's goal would have been ruled off-side and Dany Alves would have got a penalty and not a card! However, great teams take things in their stride and I sincerely hope Messi and co plan an encore at Nou Camp...after all, it is the toughest place to visit.

In the mean time, Robben continues to weave his magic and carry the hopes of Munchen around. What a lovely end to the season! Bring it on...

Is Robben gonna hurt United?

I woke up at around 2 in the morning to catch a glimpse of Chelsea facing Portsmouth. I actually wanted to see Pompey running Chelsea ragged and giving them a run for their money. But there were no signs of that. On the contrary, Pompey looked every bit the side it is - going down!

But what caught my imagination is the DFB-Pokal semi final match between Bayern Munchen and Schalke. I caught the action deep down in the second half of extra time; so, there was no first hand information on how the match went. However, the signs were clear! Bayern showed Schalke who the champions are. Probably they had the next week show down in mind and wanted to prove a point.

Arjen Robben proved every bit a thorn in the flesh of Schalke. Running in the wings as if he has nothing to fear and striking fear in the defenders', Robben looked like a predator. And his goal! A peach...an amazing piece of skill coupled with Robben's sense of the pitch. Bayern were the worthy winners, as every one in the stadium would have (even grudgingly) accepted.

But what made me think is, which Robben will turn up in the tie with United? Is it going to be this Robben who is wrecking havoc in the defences of Bundesliga? or the Robben of La Liga who was nothing more than a flop? I hope for the latter (being a red devil) but for the beauty of a wonderful contest, I wish it is the former!