The STARS came out yesterday

Oh what a night!
The Champions League first knockout stage kicked off yesterday, and with quite a bang. Heres a little re-cap.

1. Bayern Munich vs Arsenal ->
A fight between Germany's number 1 and number 2 goal keepers. Who would slip up, who would keep his wits about him? Bayern Munich, playing at home, came out attacking and their pressure showed in the very 4th minute, when an awful mistake by Toure, led to Pizarro opening the scoring for Munich. From then on, Arsenal tried to get settled and get back into the game, but Munich kept hitting them regularly with goals! Arsenal looked very weak at the back, with both Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole missing due to injury. Munich took full advantage, and romped home to a 3-1 thrashing of Arsenal. This fixture, however, is not over by any means. The return leg at Highbury should be a delight to watch. Bergkamp will play (for sure), and Campbell and Cole should be fit. All this to make for a fabulous encounter. Arsenal got a valuable away goal in the last minute of the tie at Munich, and I wonder if that would be the difference.
My prediction of the scoreline at Munich went horribly wrong, but I stick to my prediction for the Highbury clash (3-0, Arsenal to progress).

2. Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkeusen ->
I'm shocked. Liverpool somehow, without Morientes, without Gerrard managed to thrash Leverkeusen 3-1. I sincerely thought that Leverkeusen would put up more of a fight, but then don't forget that the next clash is in Germany. Liverpool's performance, without key players, has messed up my predictions. Now I fancy Liverpool to go thorugh. All they need is a draw at Leverkeusen, althought I think Leverkeusen would have something to say about that! Surely Liverpool to go through now. I predict a 2-2 or a 2-1 in the second leg, Liverpool to go through.

3. PSV Eindoven (Holland) vs Monaco (France) ->
PSV got a victory at home, but I dont think it will be enough to get them through. Monaco will win at home, probably a 2-0 or 3-0. Monaco to go through, but only till the next round.

4. Real Madrid (Spain) vs Juventus (Italy) ->

This was probably my closest prediction. Real Madrid won the game on the night 1-0. It was a very open game, and it was clear for all to see the difference that Gravesen makes to this side. He fought through the game, to win back lost balls and keep Madrid afloat. Zidane too was in scintillating form, and his partnership with Roberto Carlos was killing to Juventus. Ronaldo, however, was struggling, but it doesn't take much to get the great man back into form. Real played as a team, and even the defense looked stable. Juventus, on the other, struggled for goals. Their form all season has been great, but their inability to find the back of the net showed on the night. And after Nedved was carried off injured, there was no way back for them in the match. It was mostly Real Madrid's show, but I'm sure they would have wanted to travel to Turin with atleast one more goal under their belts. It's a tough one for coach Luxembargo, does he field all this best players in the La Liga and go chasing the title, or does he rest them till the 2nd leg in Turin. The 2nd leg will be interesting, with only a slim difference between the two giants. However, I predict a 1-0 or a 1-1 in Turin. Actually, if Real play the way they played yesterday, it could even be a Real Madrid win. Who's to say.

Today is another great set of matches.