Wayne Rooney Injury

Wayne Rooney was helped off the game against Bayern after challenging for the ball with Mario Gomez. With a huge game against Chelsea and the return leg against Bayern next Wednesday, United could be in some trouble. Full story here.

Bayern München 2-1 Manchester United

Ivica Olic scored a 92nd minute goal to lift the hosts past Manchester United by a score of 2-1. Wayne Rooney opened the game up with a nice finish from a well-placed cross assisted by Nani. Wayne Rooney then helped Franck Ribery tie the game up, when a shot off a Ribery free kick was deflected off his foot and into the goal. Olic then sealed the deal late, giving Bayern the big win, even without Robben.

Poppa's Picks: Champions League Edition

Lyon X Bordeaux - Tuesday 2:45PM ET
Bordeaux travel east to Lyon in the first leg of the "Bataille de France."  Bordeaux have been in exceptional form, sitting atop the leaderboard domestically.  However Ligue 1 is officially the hottest race in Europe with just 3 points separating the top 6 teams.  Marseille has recently brought down both these powerhouses, eliminating Bordeaux from the League Cup last week and stripping Lyon of some much needed points.  Look for Lyon to try and capitalize at home, with a lot of attacking play.  Bordeaux won't score away. 1-0 Lyon.  Bafetimbe Gomis or Lisandro will score.

Bayern Munich X Manchester United - Tuesday 2:45PM ET
Rooney and company will be relishing the opportunity to return to England with an advantage.  This Manchester team has a chip on its shoulder after being written off with no Cristiano.  They proved this in the last fixture by destroying AC Milan 7-2 on aggregate.  Not to mention a dominate 4-0 win this weekend domestically.  Bayern is still looking for someone to really step up in the Champions League.  Their top scorer is Arjen Robben in the competition with just 2 goals.  Bayern are also coming off a major loss to Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, losing their first place standing.  Robben and the Germans will get a decent result in Munich 1-1.  Nani scores for Man United.

Arsenal X Barcelona - Wednesday 2:45PM ET
Forward Nicklas Bendtner has recently stated, "Messi can be stopped."  I beg to differ...Arsene Wenger has already expressed concern over the upcoming tie, and little Arshavin has said the Gunners aren't good enough to challenge Chelsea and Manchester for the title.  Meanwhile Barce seem very focused, and a visit to London shouldn't ruffle their feathers all that much (unless you're Thiery Henry).  Andres Iniesta has already ruled himself out for the match, but I think the Spanish side will still come away with the victory 2-1 over Arsenal.  Messi, Arshavin, Xavi the scorers.

Inter Milan X CSKA Moscow - Wednesday 2:45PM ET
Inter were dazzled by Roma over the weekend, but that shouldn't hurt their confidence all that much.  After eliminating a strong Chelsea, Mourinho's side seem to have the formula down in the late stages of the competition.  With the Russian League just getting underway earlier this month, CSKA are fresh enough to challenge the Italians.  They've won 2 and drawn once thus far domestically.  But a lack of recent competition may hurt their chances.  Inter will take their home leg 2-0 in the Guiseppe Meazza.  Two for Cameroonian international Samuel Eto'o.

Premier League Weekend Highlights

Manchester United jumped back on top of the Premier League after a Wayne Rooney brace helped the red devils to a 3-0 victory over Fulham. Chelsea also put on a dominate performance against West Ham with Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda leading the way. Chelsea are currently 2 points behind Man U. but still have a game in hand. Also take a look at Adam Johnson's last minute equalizer for Man City against Sunderland. Very impressive skill set by the young English winger.

Man Utd. 3 Fulham 0

Chelsea 4 West Ham United 1

Sunderland 1 Man City 1

More Premier League Highlights

Lo Siento

What can €300 million buy you? A yacht, a mansion, a couple lambos, ferraris, bentleys, your own water park, a helicopter, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka's services, etc.

But it cannot guarantee a ticket to the Champions League quarterfinals. We saw this after Lyon held the Galacticos to a 1-1 stalemate yesterday at the Santiago Bernabeu. In response to another Real Madrid failure, Kaka has already plead for forgiveness from the Madrid faithful. Well played Kaka, make the fans love you.

Take a look at the highlights, is this as big a choke as its made out to be? I mean Real Madrid do buy the absolute best players in the world, but Lyon is not that far behind as far as talent goes...



Highlights of the AC Milan massacre after the jump

Poppa's Picks: Champions League Edition

Today's Games

Porto X Arsenal 2:45PM ET
Porto head to London up 2-1 on aggregate after a favorable 1st leg.  However the Dragons are struggling, tying their last fixture against Olhanense and dropping a goose egg in a 3-0 loss to Sporting.  Arsenal are in much better form, but they'll miss Cesc Fabregas and Aaron Ramsey along with the players that were out last leg ( RvP, Gallas).  Porto has never won in London, losing 6 times there, including a loss earlier this Champs League season at Stamford Bridge.  Everything seems to favor Arsenal which is why I'm taking Porto today to leave England with a 1-1 tie.  Goal from Falcao, and watch out for little Arshavin.

Bayern Munich X Fiorentina 2:45PM ET
The Germans will be in Florence today after tying 1-1 to a Koln goal by former Bayern forward Lukas Podolski.  Fiorentina on the otherhand just lost a heart breaker 2-1 to Juventus.  Bayern have done very well in Italy as of late, their last result a 4-1 defeat of Juventus last season.  They also tied Fiorentina 1-1 last year in Florence in the group stage.  Not to mention the Germans have 7 wins and 3 draws in their last 13 away fixtures.  I say they hang on 1-1 in Italy, with goals from van Bommel and Gilardino.

Wednesday's Games

Real Madrid X Lyon - Wednesday 2:45PM ET
No away goals for Madrid means they need to score early and often to assure their spot in the next round.  They are definitely capable of putting away 3 or 4, as we saw this past weekend in a thrilling 3-2 win against Sevilla.  But don't underestimate this Lyon squad with the likes of Michel Bastos and Bamatimbe Gomis exploding off the bench.  I believe Real Madrid will win 2-1, but lose in aggregate due to a sneaky goal from the French side.  Scorers: Higuain, Kaka, Lisandro Lopez.

Manchester United X AC Milan - Wednesday 2:45PM ET
All eyes will be on the return leg at Old Trafford.  Will Beckham get the start?  Can Rooney keep scoring?  Will Clarence Seedorf lead another Champions League title run??  Sorry, but no.  Manchester have been solid at home this season as usual.  With a 3-2 lead going into the match, I am going to tip my hat to Sir Alex and take Manchester to hold strong.  However they will lose 2-1 at the hands of Ronaldinho and Thiago Silva goals.  Rio Ferdinand will put one in for the homeside to clinch a spot in the next round.

EPL Weekend Highlights

Arsenal 3 Burnley 1
   

Everton 5 Hull City 1
   

Manchester United 1 Wolverhampton 0
   

More EPL Highlights

Carling Cup Final Highlights

Manchester 2 Aston Villa 1
   

News & Links

Pedro Mendes says Sporting is confident ahead of the Everton showdown ::chuckle:: link

Everton fans really want Landon Donovan to stay...so they made a facebook group link

Mutu's lawyers think they'll beat the doping case...their argument: Cocaine does not enhance performance!! link

English clubs make up 56% of football debt across Europe link

Rumors link Man U with a summer move for David Villa for close to $100 million link

Inter Ultras plan a "hand cuff" protest today against Chelsea on Mourinho's 3-match ban link

Manchester United X West Ham Highlights

United ahead of Milan 3-2

After a quick strike from Ronaldinho, Wayne Rooney and United fought their way back to a 3-2 win in Italy. Rooney had a brace while Paul Scholes got some help from a defection of his own leg to score the second goal. Clarence Seedorf brought the hosts back to within one but it was too little too late. Highlights: