The Champions League draw is in and the luck some teams were hoping for didn’t bounce in their favor.  While Chelsea seeming got the easiest draw in the Final 8, the fun for English Premier League supporters will begin with Arsenal drawing Liverpool.

Champions League quarter-final draw:
1 Arsenal v Liverpool
2 AS Roma v Man Utd
3 Schalke 04 v FC Barcelona
4 Fenerbahce v Chelsea Champions League semi-final draw:
1 Arsenal/Liverpool v Fenerbahce/Chelsea
2 Schalke/Barcelona v AS Roma/Man Utd

image via Maakhir

After being knocked out (and deservedly so) of the Champions League at the hands of Liverpool, head coach and Italian great Roberto Mancini dropped a bombshell to the press.

Much to the surprise of everyone, including Inter Milan President Massimo Moratti, Mancini publicly declared that he would be leaving the Italian giants at the end of the season.  After he had addressed the team in the locker room and his announcement to the press, Moratti angrily confronted Mancini about the timing.

image via Sport

I sure do miss the Special One, AKA Jose Mourinho. In an article that came out in the Guardian, the Portugeezer refers to Chelsea and states that “If I play them in the Champions League, I want to go there and kill them - that’s my message.” Yikes! That’s some heavy talk my man. Although he goes on to say that he has love for the club, and he’s still down with Roman (my personal favorite Russian oligarch / gagillionaire) and Peter Kenyon, there clearly seems to be some juvenile “you broke up with me so I’m going to talk behind your back” type of thing going on. I guess that’s understandable and all. If I was one of the most successful managers in the world and I got replaced by some dude who doesn’t even have his qualifications to be a manager in England, I might be hot and hold some contempt too. I’m just saying…

We’re starting to see the fallout from AC Milan’s startling Champions League knockout at the hands of Premiership side Arsenal with todays announcement that 39 year old Paulo Maldini might not retire at the seasons end.

Today he acknowledged that Milan President Silvio Berlusconi and Chief Executive Adriano Galliani have been pushing for the left back to carry on with his historic career.  Maldini is widely expected to renege on his self imposed decision once the season is over.

image via RaiSport

During yesterdays Champions League clash at Stade Gerland, Manchester United’s Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo was twice hit with a “Laser”, once during warm ups and another during the run of play.  Although he felt no effects from the “Laser”, Sir Alex Ferguson was none too pleased and the “Laser” incident was reported.  With UEFA now looking at Referee Luis Medina Cantalejo’s reports and it’s own representative (Jan Damgaard) to see if there was any “Laser” mention, Lyon could face punishment due to lack of crowd control, ie: someone bringing a “Laser” into the stadium.  After drawing 1-1 on the road despite the use of “Lasers” and scoring the all important Carlos Tevez away goal, United looks to stay on track for the second leg at home and the friendly confines of Old Trafford.

image via RossClurman

When Marco Materrazi earned his second bookable offense in only the 36th minute of Tuesday’s Champions League Match at Anfield, Inter Milan’s hopes were pinned on the play of their other centerback, athletic Colombian Ivan Cordoba.  After holding the defense together through the end of the first half and well into the second, Cordoba jumped to head the ball clear and when he came down, his left knee couldn’t absorb the force.

Today Inter’s medical staff confirmed the worst for the 31 year old, a torn his ACL in his left knee.  Inter’s return to home will not be any easier as they are now struggling with being down 2-0 to Liverpool and are without any of their regular centerbacks as Materazzi (Red Card) and Walter Samuel (Injured) are out as well.

image via PhotoBucket 

In honor today’s Celtic v Barcelona match, I thought I would post this to up the excitement level. I’m sure they are going crazy up in Glasgow right now! Wait until the track stops and the crowd kicks in…

After losing 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico yesterday in the first leg of their Champions League Match to Roma, Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster was not happy. So unhappy it seems that he had a go at his German compatriot, referee Herbert Fandel calling him a “Homer”. Calling him a homer is so classic that FIFA better not fine or suspend him, just on the basis of using such a great word. By the way, Fandel was the ref for last years Champions League Final so if you don’t think this comment will have repercussions, think again.

[image via LiverpoolPies]