Tuesday, January 02, 2007

Party Like It's 1989

If you're feeling a little Champions League homesickness, set your DVR for early Sunday morning (see details below). FSC, through it's affiliation with AC Milan Channel, will be showing the second-leg of the 1989 semifinal. It was known as just the European Cup/European Champion Clubs' Cup back then, and for a two year stretch, it was dominated by the Dutch-influenced Milan.

This match, played on April 19th, 1989, is truly one of the greatest demolitions ever seen in the tournament's illustrious history. After a 1-1 first-leg draw at the Bernabeu (Hugo Sanchez and Marco van Basten scoring), Real Madrid were destroyed within the hour in the return leg. All three Dutch superstars would find their way onto the scoresheet, as would current boss Carlo Ancelotti.

The aggregate victory over the Spanish giants propelled Silvio Berlusconi's team to the final that year against Steaua Bucharest, played at Barcelona's majestic Camp Nou. A 4-1 win over Ajax in 1969 had been their last finals appearance. Milan would go on to make quick work of their Romanian opponents before winning the following year against Sven-Goran Eriksson's Benfica.

In other eye-numbing news:
  • If the Blues v. Reds fixture does get moved, what kind of viewership numbers do you think it'll get? [Talk EPL]
  • This broadcast could be worth a look. [Live Soccer TV]
  • Darren Fletcher just can't catch a break. [Soccernista]
  • This article makes me think of that Puma commercial about the kid from Cameroon. Who'll be the next teenager flying off to Europe? [Live Soccer TV]
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Here are the games I'll be keeping an eye on through Sunday.

Today
Arsenal v. Charlton Athletic
2:40pm ET, LIVE
Setanta Sports USA
Arsene and Alan meet again, a little fist-pumping/chest-bumping anyone?

Aston Villa v. Chelsea
3pm ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel
Surely Jose will be able to field some defenders who can handle Villa, right?

Saturday
Liverpool v. Arsenal
12pm ET, LIVE
Setanta Premium - Closed-Circuit TV
Unless it's foggy again, this could be the best game of the week.

Real Zaragoza v. Sevilla
4pm ET, LIVE
GolTV
Look for Sevilla to be focused coming out of the winter break and ready to put some pressure on Barca, who play tomorrow.

Sunday
AC Milan v. Real Madrid
2am ET
FOX Soccer Channel
See above.

Manchester United vs Aston Villa
9am ET, LIVE
Setanta Premium - Closed-Circuit TV
A repeat of the 3-0 whipping in the EPL?

Getafe v. Barcelona
10:58am ET, LIVE
World Sport HD
Anyone interested in seeing what a little time off has done for Barca?

Cardiff City v. Tottenham
11am ET, LIVE
FOX Soccer Channel
Possibly a tricky trip to Wales for Spurs.

As always, check your local listings for dates and times in your area.

-ac

1 comment:

Linda said...

ManU v Villa is Larsson's (potential) first game, if I'm not mistaken? Exciting stuff.

I'm a bit afraid to see what the break has done for Barca, actually, since they only get back on the 3rd, Getafe are no mugs, we have a tradition of losing the first post-Christmas fixture and we'll be missing Ronaldinho, Deco, Zambrotta and Thuram. At the very least. Depressing.