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MARCH 19, 2007 VOL. 20. NO 23

Bowing Before Minnows

**Sam Eto**

The failure of top European clubsides to qualify for the quarter-finals of the prestigous European Champions League, jolts football fans across the globe
By Bayo Bernard
Many upsets were created as football fans all over the world, watched with shock as foremost European clubsides lost to their opponents who were initially not given any chance to advance to the quarter- finals of the European chamions league second leg matches played last week.
Barcelona Football Club of Spain was the first to bow to the superior English-Premiership side, Liverpool, which had on February 23, coasted to victory at the Nou Camp home ground of the Spanish side. The two- time European champions could not defend the title they won in April 2006, despite defeating Liverpool by 1-0 at Anfield; Barcelonaltrashed out on away goals rule despite securing a 2-2 aggregate score against the English side.
At another match played the Emirate Stadium, London, famours English side, Arsenal also crashed out of the championship, having suffered a loss to PSV Eindhoven of Holland, which has now advanced to play among the last eight clubsides.
Other unsuccessful clubsides were Lille FC of France, FC Porto, Valencia FC of Spain, Lyon of France, Celtic FC of Scotland and seven-time winner of the championship, Real Madrid of Spain.
The top eight successful clubsides include Liverpool FC, PSV, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Roma, Manchester United and the English Carlin Cup Champions, Chelsea Football Club.
The inability of the current title holder of the UEFA cup, FC Barcelona, to qualify for the quarter- finals, jolted many football fans who before the commencement of the championship, had tipped the Spanish side as strong enough to have a smooth ride in the campaign. All efforts by the Nou Camp club to repeat it’s sterling performance in the 2006 campaign, when Arsenal lost to it in the finals became a herculean task.
Aware of their fans disappointment during the first leg, the reigning champions were on a revenge mission, as the stiff resistance from Liverpool proved hard to crack. Barcelona also wanted to prove to its teeming fans all over the world, that they had survived the crisis of confidence that rocked the team recently. Notably, a disagreement between three-time African Footballer of the Year, Samuel Eto’o and his Brazilian teammate, Ronaldinho, a few weeks ago nearly ripped the team apart.
Barcelona FC won the title twice, first in 1992 and in 2006, after the former Dutch international, Frank Rijkaard, took up job at the Nou Camp as coach of the side.
Earlier in the season, Barcelona’s resolve to defend the title had suffered a setback, when some of its top players were confined due largely to injuries.
For instance, its top striker, Argentine Lionel Messi and Cameroun’s Samuel Eto’o, whose knee injury put on the bench for five long months, were uncertain to play. Their inclusion, however, could not save the team. Many believe that Barca’s recent poor performance was as a result of the feud between two of its star players, Eto’o and Ronadinho but the club's captain, Puyol disaggrees.
Puyol: “In the squad, I can see that we all want what is best for Barca. We have to be even more together now as there are so many hard games coming up. The two of them – Eto’o and Ranaldinho – have a good relationship and it was a one-off thing.”
The duo of Ronaldinho and Eto’o were mostly instrumental to Barca's string of victories, which saw the team's successful campaigns both at home and many away matches last season. Ronaldinho had accused Eto’o of selfishness, after the latter refused a substitute’s appearance in the line-up against Racing Santander.
Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool coach had promised the visiting Barca a run for its money.
Benitez: “When the draw was made, people were saying Barcelona is the best team in the world. After two months, we are a lot better and they have had some problems."
An away win for his team had apparently demystified Barcelona, which were not in the habit of losing home matches.
Although the 62nd minute goal from Gud Johnson, had managed to restore the Frank Rijkaard team’s pride, it was a memorable victory for the Liverpool manager, who had led another European clubside, Valencia, to three unsuccessful outings.
Notably, the Spanish giants have played a total of 22 finals against various English clubsides in the past, losing 12, drew seven and won only five. Considering this background, the team looked vulnerable against English clubside, which has history in its favour.