They’re pretty bloody good! But surely everyone has that little voice in their head after the ‘special one’s’ latest comments.

After their 2-0 away win at Real Madrid this morning, Barca put one foot in the door of what could be another UCL final with Manchester United.

However, it was Madrid’s coach, the one-in-a-million, Jose Mourinho who stole the limelight with some classic post-match quotes.

The former Inter, Chelsea and Porto man claimed that he hoped one day Barcelona would win the Champions League ‘properly’.

The comments came after a Pepe straight red card saw Barcelona take full advantage slotting two goals after the dismissal.

It must be said, it was a yellow card tackle at best.

Mourinho felt teams have next to no chance of beating Barca in the Champions League. He noted, in particularly, Chelsea’s loss in the semi to Barca a few seasons back and also Arsenal’s quarter-final exit earlier this year.

“No-one else has any chance really. Arsène Wenger. Today myself. I don’t understand why. I hope one day I will find the answer.”

He even went as far as wondering whether Barca’s shirt partner UNICEF was a reason for their ‘power’ in world football.

“It must be difficult to get all this power. Where does this power come from? I don’t know if it’s because they give UNICEF publicity (on their shirts)?”

Barca are now considering taking legal action against Mourinho as his comments start to spread.

However, when one looks back at some of the, let’s say ‘controversial’, games Barca have been involved with in the Champions League in recent times, there is a slight sense of intrigue.

2004-5: Barcelona v Chelsea (Second Round – 1^st Leg)

Barcelona defeated Chelsea 2-1 at the Nou Camp this game. However, Chelsea led 1-0 until Didier Drogba was sent off for a challenge on Victor Valdes. Replays showed he pulled out and the challenge was quite minimal. Claims emerged that Frank Rijkaard, Barca manager at the time, had met the referee, Anders Frisk, during half time of the game – something strictly prohibited in FIFA laws. The meeting was confirmed and the Frisk retired weeks later.

2008-9: Chelsea v Barcelona (Semi Final – 2^nd Leg)

As much as I enjoy seeing Chelsea lose, they were robbed hardcore in this game. They could have easily had four penalties in this game, but got none. Add Iniesta’s late strike to the occasion and Barca went through by the skin of their teeth. How the ref missed some of the decisions no one will ever know.

2009-10: Barcelona v Inter Milan (Semi Final – 2^nd Leg)

Inter actually won this game last year to get to the final, but it was Thiago Motta’s red card that nearly saw them exit the competition. A challenge on Sergio Busquets in the first half resulted in the red and some farcical scenes at the Nou Camp. Motta did raise his hand but contact was minimal. Busquets getting treatment after it was absolutely ridiculous though. Make what you want out of this one!

2010-11: Barcelona v Arsenal (Second Round – 2^nd Leg)

Arsenal held a 2-1 aggregate lead from the first leg heading to the Nou Camp. However, after Arsenal much like Chelsea got the lead, ref Massimo Busacca proceeded to send off Robin Van Persie for a second yellow card for kicking the ball away. The Dutchman pleaded his case, noting the boisterous noise inside the stadium meant he didn’t hear the whistle; there weren’t even appeals from the Barca players. But he got red and the rest is history.

Those are just some thoughts for you to chew on. Are Barcelona cheats? No. Are they lucky? Yes.

No one can deny their ability to play football, but one does wonder about their reputation after such games.

The UCL is moving on to the business stages of the competition.

Roma vs Shakhtar Donetsk

Milan vs Tottenham

Valencia vs Schalke

Inter vs Bayern Munich

Lyon vs Real Madrid

Arsenal vs Barcelona

Marseille vs Man. United

Kobenhavn vs Chelsea

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The draw for the knockout stages of the 2010/2011 Champions League tonight has provided some mouth-watering clashes as we head into the Round of 16 stage.

Arguably the two most anticipated fixtures are the replay of last season’s grand final, where Inter will take on Bayern Munich, as well as another tantalizing rematch between heavyweights Arsenal and Barcelona.

Tottenham will play their first Champions League knockout game in the red side of Milan, while Manchester United face a tricky trip to Marseille.

Lyon take on Real Madrid in another replay, the two played each other in this fixture last year, with Lyon winning.

In the other matches, Roma take on Shakhtar Donetsk, Schalke will visit Valencia, while the struggling Chelsea will play minnows Kobenhavn.

Liverpool not so lucky...

Matchday 4 was a significant round for eleven out of the thirty two competing teams, six securing their places in the knockout stages, whilst five others dropped out of qualifying, respectively. Competition has been strong throughout the group stages, and with only two rounds left, the remaining teams will be looking to book their round of sixteen places as soon as possible.

Group A

Proceedings begin in Group A where Bordeaux continue to impress with a two-nil victory away to Bayern Munich. However, the victory was not as comfortable as the score line might have suggested with Bayern coming close several times, even with talismanic Frank Ribery on the sidelines. Gourcuff made Bayern pay for some sloppy defending on 37-minutes when he got on the end of a set piece. Arjen Robben was introduced at the break and Toni should have equalised when he blazed a quite glorious chance over the bar. Things remained tense until Chamakh killed the game after an embarrassing defensive lapse between Badstuber and Butt.

The other game in the group saw Juventus win a gritty match against Maccabi Haifa. Camoranesi scored the sole goal in the one-nil win on the stroke of half time in a game which didn’t always promise much. Diego was impressive in the heart of the Juventus midfield, orchestrating much of the attack, whilst Maccabi’s best chance came when Refaelov’s 77^th-minute cross was just out of reach for the incoming players. Juventus now sit comfortably on the top of the group, whilst a goal-less and pointless campaign ensures Maccabi can only finish in the Europa League spot at best.

Group B

We turn attention to the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ as Manchester United scored two late goals to secure a dramatic three-all draw with CSKA Moscow. February 2005 was the last time United had been defeated at home, but that record was in danger when CSKA’s Berezutski scored to give the Russian side a two goal cushion. However, a Paul Scholes 84^th-minute header gave the Red Devils hope, and when Valencia tried his luck from distance in added time, a deflection helped United grab a share of the spoils. The result was good enough, though, to secure a place in the second round and meant United didn’t pay for any missed opportunities.

Meanwhile, Wolfsburg put three on the board as they beat Besiktas in a dominant performance.  A wonderful, early, Misimovic goal set the tone, as victory was confirmed by Gentner in the 80^th-minute. Džeko then iced the cake with three minutes on the clock. Injury-struck Besiktas sit bottom of the group with one point, whilst Wolfsburg have a brilliant opportunity to try and claim a spot in the knockout stages in their maiden Champions League campaign.

Group C

The AC-Madrid blockbuster was the headliner in this Matchday, the one-all draw seeing both clubs walk away with a point after an entertaining affair. First half goals from Benzema and Ronaldinho, respectively, saw the sides endure a nervous half time break. Pato looked to have brought his form from their last meeting to this match, constantly proving a danger to the Madrid goal. A wonderful opportunity popped up for Inzaghi in the 83^rd-minute who uncharacteristically wasted the chance. However, Raul might have thought he had won the match after he saw his shot fantastically saved by Dida with minutes remaining.

Marseille took full advantage of the glamour draw by hitting Zurich for six in great display of attack. There were six different goal scorers for the French club, and three goals in the last ten minutes put Zurich to the sword furthermore. Zurich although, had a chance when Alphonse scored on 31-minutes to half Marseille’s two goal lead. However, Niang scored a well crafted goal on 51-minutes to set up the second half romp. One point is the only difference now between Marseille and top spot, AC above Madrid only by goal difference.

Group D

A late Didier Drogba brace, on his return to European football, saw Chelsea grab a two-all draw with Athletico, ensuring qualification into the next round.  However, Aguero scored a brace of his own – coincidentally Athletico’s first goals in the group stage – as he equalised in the 92^nd-minute. It was not enough for Athletico though, as they no longer can qualify for the business stages of the competition.