I made a prediction last week that even though the first leg semi finals of the European Champions’ League produced only one goal after more than three hours of football, the second leg would produce a lot of magical goals. The writing is very clear on the wall.

Last Saturday the four clubs vying for the European title rattled in a total of 14 goals in their respective local league assignments to signal their readiness to roar on the European circuit.

Top of the charts was Barcelona who destroyed close rivals Real Madrid 6-2 in front of Madrid fans , followed by Arsenal who trounced Portsmouth 3-0 also in front of a crest fallen home crowd. Manchester United were the third side to score an away win beating Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Riverside and Chelsea completed the story with a neat 3-1 home win over Fulham at Stamford Bridge to whet up the appetite of fans for the cracker against Barcelona next Wednesday.

With Barcelona and Chelsea on a goal scoring spree, you don’t need any further evidence to expect a thriller when the two sides clash in the champions league semis. Barcelona’s destruction of Real Madrid was the fifth time this season that they had scored six goals in a game. There is no doubt that Chelsea would need to produce another scintillating defensive effort if they mean to reach the final for the second time in succession.

It’s going to be a battle of wits from the bench between Gus Huddink and Pep Guardiola of Barcelona. The latter is so pleased with the performance of his Nou Camp scoring machine that he is predicting a safe landing in the Champions League final. It won’t be easy though; you lets wait and see.

Now to the all- English semis. Arsenal have scored at least three goals in each of their last five away league games and it would be interesting to see how they would fare against Manchester United who always win even if they perform below the standards they are used to. Arsene Wenger has a lot of confidence in his young team but United boss Alex Ferguson thinks his players big match temperament would give them the edge.

Ferguson was not too pleased with the timing for the league fixture against Middlesbrough remarking that it is a worry that any team should play early on Saturday after a midweek European tie. He made an indirect reference to those who draw up the fixtures saying “you think people in offices think about it’ and concluded thus “when you shake hands with the devil you pay the price.” This last sentence really tickles me. I have never known Sir Alex speaking in parables and I would plead with readers who understand where Alex is coming from to explain this to me.

No matter how you look at it, the 2009 Champions League semis promise to be one of the most exciting in recent times and Rome is really privileged to host the final that will assemble an array of international football talents.

Cheers everybody and keep loving sports.