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Champions League

John KluempersMarch 5, 2008

Two English clubs, Arsenal and Manchester United, move on to the quarterfinals. The Gunners knocked out AC Milan in the process. Barcelona and Fenerbahce Istanbul also make it to the final eight.

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AC Milan will not be defending their title in the Champions League after surrendering two late goals to Arsenal and go on to lose 2-0 in a dramatic match at San Siro. What would be the matchwinner came six minutes from time, stunning 80,000 mostly partisan Milan fans, including club president Silvio Berlusconi. Carlo Ancelotti’s defence, which had made more than a few uncharacteristically bad passes during the match, allowed Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas too much room outside the penalty box. The Spanish midfielder accepted the invitation and rifled home a shot from 25 meters past a diving Zeljko Kalac inside the left post. It was appropriate that Fabregas scored after he said before the match that Arsenal had nothing to fear at San Siro.

A final Milan push at the end never materialised and Emmanuel Adebayor made sure there would be no miracles when he scored from close range in injury time. Arsenal, known more for its offensive prowess, kept Milan at bay over 180 minutes. In the first game, German national keeper Jens Lehmann shut out the Italians. Manuel Almunia did it in the second leg.

The second Premiere League club playing on Tuesday, Manchester United, qualified for the quarter-finals after defeating French league winners Olympique Lyon 1-0 at Old Trafford. Cristiano Ronaldo scored his sixth Champions League goal this season shortly before the interval.

Penalties decide it for Fenerbahce

2006 title holders Barcelona probably had the easiest task of the evening after their 3-2 win at Celtic Glasgow two weeks ago. At Nou Camp stadium, coach Frank Rijkaard’s side built the one goal lead early when Xavi slotted home a sublime pass from Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho already in the 3rd minute. After that, Barca handled an all too harmless Celtic squad to book their ticket to the final eight with a 1-0 win.

The real nailbiter on Tuesday evening was in Sevilla, where Fenerbahce keeper Volkan Demirel was the hero after holding three penalty shots against the Spaniards. The tie had ended 5-5 on aggregate.

On Wednesday, the Bundesliga’s only representative, Schalke, play at Porto. Coach Mirko Slomka is under extreme pressure after the Royal Blues poor league performance of late. But with a 1-0 victory two weeks back, Schalke's chances to move ahead are good.