Beyond perception, the real winners and losers in Champs League this week

There was one English team that tried to avoid defeat, while the other tried to win to progress to the next round of the UEFA Champions League knock-out stages. But to read the English press is to celebrate Arsenal not losing to Bayern Munich, while Manchester City lost to Barcelona, despite setting out with attacking intent.

The Gunners came with a clear game plan, to avoid humiliation, and thus were limp, especially in the first half. The line-up suggested otherwise, the midfield filled with creative and attacking players whose roles on the night were chiefly to defend deep.

Why Arsene Wenger decided to bench Mathieu Flamini is beyond reason. As a definitive anchor in midfield, his presence would have allowed the other five to join in attack with a little less risk for fear of a counter-attack.

While the blame will squarely be on Mesut Ozil's shoulders (as usual), the bungling and blundering Olivier Giroud is certainly out of his depth at this level. He couldn't trap a bag of cement, never mind hold the ball up.

And to think that Yaya Sanogo is considered good enough to wear an Arsenal shirt tells us all about the Gunners future – sadly lacking. Make no mistake, Sanogo's frame and budding athleticism is sure to be an asset in the French or Dutch leagues, but to play in a system where your control, first touch and quick movement off the ball is key, it is pretty clear that Sanogo is poor in all of the above.

So, Arsenal did not lose to the mighty Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. In other words, surgery was successful (avoiding defeat), but alas, the patient died (knocked out regardless).

Kudos to Manuel Pellegrini for being brave at the Camp Nou. The Citizens went shoulder to shoulder with Barcelona and only Victor Valdes denied them a place in the quarterfinals.

That tip-over save from Edin Dzeko's header was the turning point. The English media will harp on about Gerard Piqué stumbling onto Dzeko and a penalty that could have been given, but all will be forgotten or worse, ignored, about that clumsy intentional challenge from Joleon Lescott on Leo Messi in the first half.

And how Lescott was given the runaround by Messi and Neymar! He was in twists and bounds as Barcelona targeted him when going forward. Time and again, Lescott was left chasing shadows.

The saving grace was Vincent Kompany, clearly fresh and fit, who kept some balance in defence with timely interceptions.

Credit must be extended to AC Milan as well, as they too were adventurous against Atletico Madrid. They came, attacked and eventually bowed out with pride intact.

Score lines are basically that, score lines – they hardly ever tell the full story, but are convenient points of analysis when in-depth attention is not paid to the quality of football itself. Hence, the bravery and intent shown by Manchester City and AC Milan in situations where it is all or nothing has to be commended.

One can bow out with a whimper (i.e. Arsenal) or go down kicking and fighting as Inter Milan and Manchester City did.

Take your pick.

Getting back to the Camp Nou, the more I watch Cesc Fabregas, the more impressed I am with his intelligence and adaptability. Against Manchester City, he was deployed in the Andres Iniesta role, while Iniesta was played wide left where it is normally Pedro burning the flanks.

The way Fabregas adapts, along with his movement, seems to give Barcelona an extra man, allowing them to overload and increase pressure in every area of the pitch.

On the night, he played like a creator; his movement more akin to an attacker due to his experience deputising as a false 9. In the axis of Xavi and Sergio Busquets, Fabregas' natural defensive instincts meant less problems for the central defence, which usually had to contend with the adventurous Andres Iniesta on the left side of central midfield.

Now on to one of the best managerial brains in football, who happens to be in Munich at the moment.

There are two players in the world who will always be thankful to Pep Guardiola, as otherwise they would have been spending a lot of time on the substitutes bench.

During his time in charge at Barcelona, Guardiola deployed Javier Mascherano at centre back, much to the chagrin of the English (a Champions League winners medal later, the digs are still being had!), while at Bayern Munich, he made Javi Martinez his regular in defence.

Two of the best defensive midfielders in the world playing at centre back because of the way their Mister (that is what Guardiola's players, and indeed all across the La Masia academy, call their coaches) likes to play his football. Could this tactical switch ever work in England?

The English are struggling to find ball-playing centre halves, but Roy Hodgson could do well to employ Michael Carrick in that role as otherwise, Carrick's calmness, composure and passing ability will be worthless on the Brazilian benches; languishing behind the Internationally-illustrious Steven Gerrard and whichever poor soul who has to play "engine room" next to him come July.

It is laughable when the English start talking about a recall for John Terry when a little innovation never hurt anyone.

The England manager has but one chance to rewrite the history books. – March 14, 2014.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.