Liverpool vs Borussia Dortmund - What Just happened?

European nights at Anfield are some of the greatest moment in the history of Liverpool Football Club. The late Steven Gerrard strike against Olympiacos which kept the reds on the way to Istanbul, Luis Garcia's 'ghost goal' against Chelsea in the Semi - Finals of the same competition, Emile Heskey's bullet header against Roma in 2002 to secure the 2-0 needed to see his side through to the next round. Steven Gerrard keeping his cool to slot in a late penalty against Arsenal in the 2008 Champions League Quarter Finals, followed by a late Ryan Babel goal to seal the game, rolling over the most successful side in the elite European competition, Real Madrid, 4-0 in 2009. You can go as far back as 1977, where a win against Saint Etienne kept Liverpool on the road to their first European Cup, but last night another famous European night was written into the record books. 

In recent years the UEFA Europa league has been seen as a competition to avoid, it simply doesn't have the same attraction of its older brother, the UEFA Champions League. However, this season the Europa League has undergone a resurrection! With sides such as Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, Seville and of course Liverpool in the knock out stages, the draw of the competition for the fans was par with the Champions league. The first competitive European meeting between two of footballs biggest clubs, in rivals Liverpool and Manchester United the tournament was creating history! A 3-1 aggregate win for the Merseyside club saw Liverpool progress, and another dream game was thrown up for the Quarter Finals with German side Borussia Dortmund, who had easily dispatched of Spurs in the round of 16, being drawn to face Liverpool. Not only was it a meeting of two of Europe's biggest sides, but the newest Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was set to take on the club he managed to consecutive Bundesliga titles and a Champions League final! 

Dortmund where seen as the favorites to win the competition, so inevitably they came into the first leg at the famous Signal Iduna Park as favorites. So when Belgian striker Divock Origi scored the opener, the under dogs had a unexpected advantage. Mats Hummels bullet header in the second half tied the first leg up and thats how it finished, 1-1, Liverpool would take an away goal advantage back to Anfield, but that is where things got... unbelievable! 

In Germany, Liverpool's center back pairing of Mamadou Sahko and Dejan Lovren had managed to keep Dortmund's attack under wraps, but within 10 minutes of last nights game they showed their class, with a fifth minute goal from Henrikh Mkhitaryan silencing the Kop, and a ninth minute goal from Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang wipping out all of the good work done in the first leg by Klopp's side. Liverpool tried to fight back but the attacking power of the German's was just too much, and Marco Reus was running rampant, nearly creating a third goal just past the half hour. As the half time whistle went, Dortmund looked like they could have gone on to score more in the second half, Jurgen Klopp had the task of his career to motivate his side at half time And he did just that. The German manager has confirmed he used perhaps the greatest night in Liverpool's history to motivate his team, reminding them about Istanbul and that Liverpool never give up! 

It appeared to have worked, when it took just two minutes of the second half for Divock Origi to continue his current vain of form and get Liverpool back into the game. But it appeared to all be in vain when Marco Reus again showed his class, scoring the away sides third goal just before the hour mark, seemingly ending the tie with Liverpool needing three goals in thirty minutes. But who do Liverpool turn to in times of need, well it was Steven Gerrard, but now its the new fans favorite, the 'little magician' as he has been dubbed by the fans, Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian hit a majestic curling effort which beat the keeper and flew into the bottom corner. There's one.

Dortmund still looked capable of scoring any time, but Liverpool looked revitalized and they started to pile on the pressure. Frustration grew around Anfield when two corners where wasted within a few minutes of each other and when another was won in the 77th minute the fans weren't happy when Coutinho's corner didn't beat the near post. But this time it didn't matter! Daniel Sturridge charged towards the ball, and despite failing to make contact the ball traveled into the middle of the box where French center back Mamadou Sahko was waiting to knock the ball in, 3-3 on the night, Dortmund where still going through on away goals, but Liverpool only needed one more! 

With 10 minutes plus added time left Liverpool where throwing everything they had into Dortmund's box, but the Germans managed to deal with it well. As the clock ticked on Liverpool became more desperate and passes where wasted. As the clock reached 90 minutes and 4 minutes added time where announced, Liverpool won a free kick just inside Dortmund's half. Liverpool unexpectedly played the ball to the edge of the box, where Sturridge collected the ball, he managed to hold it up and play a brilliant pass through the defenders legs to the overlapping James Milner who had continued his run from the free kick. Milner then went on to lift the ball to the back post, as the clock ticked on, this was the best chance the reds would have to score the decisive goal. And thats when, the man whos missed penalty saw Liverpool fall out of the Europa League last season, Dejan Lovren climed highest and with a bullet header, scored Liverpool's fourth and for the first time on the night, gave Liverpool the lead! 5-4 on aggregate, 3 minutes to go, Liverpool had done it! 

A late free kick flashed just past Liverpool's post and then the final whistle went, Liverpool had came back from the dead to pull off another European miracle, they where going through! 

With Dortmund out Liverpool are now the bookies favorites to win the competition and they have been drawn against Spanish side Villarreal for the semi finals, with the second leg once again being under the lights at Anfield. Once again this tournament has created history as these sides will meet in a competitive fixture for the first time in history. With the new rule being implemented recently stating that the Eurpoa League winners earning qualification to the Champions League for next season, we could see the five time European Cup winners in Europe's elite competition next season for only the second time in five years. Under Jurgen Klopp, could we be seeing the rebirth of a sleeping European giant! 

The World's Richest 'Guests' - Can Manchester City win England's first Champions League in 4 Years?

Thanks to Kevin de Bruyne's late strike against PSG in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter final, Manchester City have progressed to the semi finals for the first time in the history of the club. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Paris, the two away goals gave Manchester City a great opportunity to progress past the French champions. The Manchester club faithful had the England number one Joe Hart to thank for producing some incredible saves throughout the game, namely keeping out a thunderous Zlatan Ibrahimovic free kick. The luck appeared to be against City however when top goal scorer and one of the world's top strikers Sergio Aguero missed from the spot in the first half. But with fifthteen minute left on the clock, the Belgian de Bruyne scored the goal which would secure the progression to the last four, with Manchester City's only shot on target over the 90 minutes of football at the Etihad! Paris Saint Germain coach and former French center back Laurent Blanc came out after the game and congratulated Manchester City for becoming the 'guests in the semi final draw' alongside Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Now although the holders Barcelona and five time winners Bayern are yet to guarantee their progression to the semi final, with both teams playing their quarter final second legs tonight! The final four in Europe's elite competition has been subject to very little change in the last 5 years, with 2014 being the only year since 2011 where either Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Barcelona did not appear in the bracket for the semi final. In 2012 the eventual winners Chelsea joined the elite group, only to fall in the group stages in the next season. In 2013, Borussia Dortmund progressed all the way to the final, knocking out Real Madrid in the semi finals! However they fell to fellow Germans Bayern Munich in the final. During the 2014 season, Athletico Madird knocked out Barcelona on their road to the final, to be toppled by cross town rivals Real Madrid late on. And finally, Italian giants Juventus progressed to the final last year after knocking off Real Madrid in the semi Finals, however they couldn't handle the 'MSN' strike force of the Catalan giants and they lost 3-1 in Berlin. History is not on the side of Manchester City, with the big guns of European football dominating the champions league in recent years, but can Manuel Pellegrini's side bring the giant trophy back to England for the first time in four years?

Well when you look at the Manchester City side, in terms of star power, they aren't too out gunned by the sides they'll have to beat if they wish to win their first Champions League. With the likes of Yaya Toure, who can be unplayable on his day! Vincent Kompany, a man who's importance to the City team is so evident by defensive performances when he is absent costing his side. David Silva, a player who is no doubt one of the most gifted play makers on the planet. But with a very impressive record of 96 goals in only 127 league starts, the Argentine front man Sergio Aguero may be the key to City's victory! Despite missing a fair period of the last couple of seasons with injury, his goal scoring rate has not diminished, and despite missing a penalty in the win over PSG 'Kun' could go toe to toe with any player the other three semi finalists have to offer. Manchester City's number 10 has certainly got the pedigree to perform against the biggest sides, with a hat-trick against Bayern Munich last season for City and goals against Real Madrid and Barcelona in his Atletico Madrid days there is no doubt he is the man to watch out for.

Sergio Aguero will certainly have the chances to make an impact, especially playing along side club record signing Kevin de Bruyne. The Belgian has made a huge splash since returning to the Barclays Premier league and has been one of the stand out performers for City this season. Now while Aguero is Manchester City's top goal scorer, when it comes to having a hand in the goal, the £55million man is neck and neck with his Argentine team mate, with de Bruyne being involved in 27 goals this term in all competitions (15 goals and 12 assists) a figure level with that of 'Kun' Aguero. Now the Belgian has been the subject of plenty of ridicule during his career, and he was written off by many after his move to Werder Bremen was made official in 2014 but he proved himself to be every bit the player he was rumored to be and in just over a years time, he had returned to England and he hasn't looked back. The incredible talent of the young midfielder could have a big impact on Manchester City's dreams!

If the remaining fixtures in the Quarter finals go as expected it is no doubt that Manchester City will be the underdogs to reach the finals and then to win it. However their potential opponents aren't invincible! A Cristiano Ronalso inspired Real Madrid progressed past Wolfsberg last night, but a 2-0 defeat in the first leg shows if a team comes at Madird, they really can be made to look poor at the back! Despite eventually rolling over Juventus 4-2 in the second leg of their round of 16 tie, Bayern Munich appeared to be asleep at the start of the game, going 2-0 down to the Italian side, and if Juventus had shown some more 'Italian like' defending, they would have knocked the German's out! Those crazy minutes against Juventus show Manchester City that when Bayern Munich aren't at 100% they can be made to look vulnerable. Now the holders Barcelona are the closest you can get to a perfect side right now. At the start of April the Catalan giants where 39 games unbeaten! However, they have followed that historic run by losing two games in a row in the league. If there's ever a chance for Manchester City to turn over Barcelona and their unstoppable front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, this is that time!

But if i'm realistic for one moment, Manchester City would need a miracle to walk away from Milan in May with the famous trophy! No matter how many points I, or anyone else make about City's chances, you can make so many more saying their going to lose their semi-final 6-0 and get dumped out of Europe! Between Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich the most elite trophy in European football has been lifted 20 times, making them three of the four most successful teams in the competitions history (Only A.C Milan winning more then Bayern and Barcelona with 7). These sides have all the history and pedigree to back up either of them securing yet another title and in all likelihood one of them will win in Milan. However it's been done before and who's the say Manchester City wont upset the odds and turn over the biggest sides in Europe and, much like Chelsea in 2012, shock the world by winning their first Champions League title!

The Not So Special One - What Caused The Fall Of Portugal's Favourite Son?

"Please don't call me arrogant, but I'm European champion and I think I'm a special one." During his first interview with the English media, Jose Mourinho went from a newly established young Portuguese man looking to cement his legacy, to a must see commodity of the English game. When Jose, who still to this day is dubbed as the special one, won the Champions League with FC Porto, he caught the eye of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, which led to Mourinho being appointed by the Russian as the new manager of London club Chelsea in 2004. What followed was Chelsea’s first league title in fifty years, capped off with records for the least goal conceded in history for the English top flight and the most points ever recorded in a thirty eight game season. When you pair these records with a Carling Cup victory and an impressive run in the UEFA Champions League, the football fans of England and around the world, where instantly in awe of the special one. His tenure at Chelsea lasted until 2007 when he departed the club, under mutual consent with the owner. 

However this did not harm his stance as perhaps the best manager in the world and before long was the new boss of Italian giants Inter Milan. Here he continued his eye catching personality, in Italian! Speaking the language fluently in his first interview, claiming to have learnt it in less than three weeks. It was acts like this which kept the world media attracted, and it didn’t take long for the Italians to fall for Jose just as the English media had in the years prior. By the end of 2010 Jose had won all there was to with the Italians, securing a historic treble in his final game! His players had truly came to love their boss, with long standing Inter defender Marco Materazzi sobbing on camera when told of Mourinho’s departure to perhaps the biggest club side in the world. Real Madrid.

Real Madrid, Los Blancos, the galacticos, the team from the Spanish capital are perhaps the biggest in the world, but over the years there is one position where they have struggled to fill with a name deserving of the title, the manager of Real Madrid. During his first season at the Santiago Bernebeau (Real Madrid’s home stadium) Jose led his new side to a points record for the club, however despite this he could only manage his side to second place, with Catalan giants Barcelona winning the Spanish Premier Division title. For the first time in his career, the media did not instantly swoon to the special one upon his arrival in Spain, and instead they questioned his methods. However those methods next season led to Los Blancos secured the league title, finishing 9 points clear of last season’s winners Barcelona. This results led to the Madrid players actually bowing to Jose in the celebrations, showing just how strong Jose’s bond is with his players! Just as much as a group of his players adored him, the media in Spain came to hate the Portuguese manager. In the following season, the relationship between Jose and his captain Iker Casillas soured, which caused major backlash in the media.  "I am loved by some clubs, especially one. In Spain it is different; some people hate me, many of you in this (press) room." This quote was not long before Mourinho said how this season, which turned out to be his last with the club, was the worst of his career!

In the summer of 2013, Mourinho returned to Chelsea, the move the world of football had been expecting since his departure 6 years prior.  He returned to where he was adored by both the fans and the media, and all of the controversial language he had used in his first tenor came with him upon his return to the Premier League.  In his first season back in London, he moulded the current team into one which appeared to be as will to play for him as any before, and by the end of his second year back, his Chelsea team had effectively walked to the title, losing only three games all season and winning manager of the year in the process. Mourinho was as indestructible as ever, which is why what happened next makes no sense.

Just seven months after Chelsea secured the title in impressive fashion, they were placed 16^th and in the midst of a potential relegation battle! This incredible decline lead to Jose Mourinho being released from his contract, the question is what caused this?

Many miniature incidents during the beginning of their season could be the fault of Chelsea’s downfall, the poor form of star men Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas? The spine of José’s title winning team looked a shadow of their former selves. The Portuguese manager has always been controversial but the many derogatory comments made about FA representatives during his final season point to a man under pressure, and lacking support. This backlash from the English media can be pointed to something other than Chelsea’s form. The handling of Eva Carnerio, the former Chelsea physio who has since been fired.  Carnerio rushed onto the pitch during the first game of Jose’s final season at Chelsea to attend to an injury for Eden Hazard after twice being summoned by the referee. Mourinho slammed her actions as unprofessional and banned her from the dugout for the remainder of his tenor as manager.

The actions of the manager appeared to be the actions of a man trying to make an example, and this opinion of his actions where broadcast in the media, meaning for the first time since his first interview in England, Jose did not have the backing of the media.  The backlash was extraordinary and even the players, who has spent the last 24 months falling in love with their boss, had appeared to turn their back on his.  This lead to a side of Mourinho we haven’t seen before in England, a nervous, under pressure man trying to shift the attention from himself. This side of Mourinho drove his players further away from him and before long they players did not appear to want to play for the man. A combination of a barrage from the media and his own players turning a cold shoulder led to Mourinho losing his job in December of 2015.

 If you ask me, it wasn’t Chelsea’s form which led to the changing attitude of the special one. It was the changing attitude of Mourinho, the insistence on shifting the blame, the determination to make himself seem indestructible which eventually led to his destruction and to Chelsea’s incredible fall from grace.