Well, we looked good at times in this repeat of the first leg, also a two-goal loss. But it was hard to avoid the impression that Barça was toying with us at times. Our opponents seem to sense that we are not going to finish our chances and we are going to give them plenty of chances, so they play with confidence and do precisely what they want to do.
At least Elneny finished one of the gorgeous setups he keeps getting. I like him a lot. He's putting his game together and will help us down the stretch.
And there's plenty to play for. We're highly unlikely to challenge for the title and we're out of all the cup competitions, so it's back to that "fourth place trophy" again. Forget about Spurs; they have six points and +13 GD on us (we do have a game in hand). We'll survive a year without a St Totteringham's Day. It may even do us some good. City is one point back and +5; they will pass us unless we start playing. So 4th means staying above Man U (5 points back and -6) and West Ham (3 back and -4). We make our last visit to Upton Park on April 9, so that's a pivotal game. The Manchester Derby happens this Sunday, so one or both of those teams has to lose points. West Ham and Man U play the same weekend we play City, which could prove to be the day some hearts are broken.
I get the sense that changes are coming this summer, big ones. Maybe a new manager; probably some important departures and arrivals. Ozil and Alexis have decided that their Arsenal years are not going to help their reputations and will want to go to a club with ambition. Our talented midfielders who spend as much time on a training table as they do on the pitch may have to make way for guys who are available on matchday for their £60,000 a week. All these negotiations will be easier and cheaper if we are playing in Champions' League next year.
It is too painful to relate how Juventus lost to Bayern today, so I won't.
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