All said and done, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid deserve to be the semi-finalists of this edition of the UEFA Champions League.
How they got there can be debated long into the night, but they were quite simply ruthless and clinical in how they performed over two legs.
The atmosphere at the Vicente Calderon was unlike any other. Atleti were calm, composed and steady with an air of confidence usually reserved for sides like FC Barcelona.
Playing without star striker Diego Costa did not weaken them. The absence of Arda Turan made no difference whatsoever. The maestro conducted the orchestra.
Surely, for what has been achieved, Diego Simeone deserves a medal. He could yet end up empty handed but Atleti go into the semi-final draw as the team to avoid.
A sidenote, Leo Messi looked curiously sluggish and out of shape. Shades of Ronaldinho in his latter days at Barca? Let’s hope not.
At the Allianz Arena in Munich, time stood still as Wayne Rooney missed his lines by completely scooping Danny Welbeck's cutback wide.
One of those moments that tell you how careless you have been when the necessary sharpness of mind and limb go awry.
Being the highest paid footballer in Manchester United history, his finishing on the night was akin to a lower league centre-forward – capable of goals, but far more capable of gaffes.
Patrice Evra’s strike was something to behold, but his defending for Bayern’s first and second less impressive.
The German champions eventually played Manchester United to a standstill, but it certainly was hard work.
Pep Guardiola can be pleased with the manner in which his side came from behind, though surely he will expect more consistency and ruthlessness in the remaining matches. Will Bayern Munich want to avoid Atletico Madrid and Chelsea in the semis? You bet!
Two teams that can defend deep and defend well with more guile than Manchester United, Bayern will hope they get the more open Real Madrid.
Besides, the epic battles between both sides in previous European competitions have the potential of being topped this season, Carlo Ancelotti offering up a Real Madrid side openly embracing their traditional high-intensity, fast-pressing attacking roots.
Spain's Los Blancos looked ponderous at times against a rejuvenated Borussia Dortmund, but will thank their lucky stars at making the hat for the draw.
Real, too, will want to avoid their Madrid neighbours and their former coach over at Stamford Bridge.
No prizes for guessing which team Jose Mourinho would love to face. A chance to put one over your former team is the kind of challenge that Jose always relishes.
Finally, Chelsea resorted to power play and bashed PSG into submission. Taking the long ball route in the latter stages of the game paid dividends for Chelsea. And PSG proved once again that good players don’t necessarily make a team good!
Roll on 6pm and the draw for the Champions League semi-finals! Tune in to Astro SupertSport (810, 831) for the live telecast of the draw from Nyon, Switzerland. – April 11, 2014.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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