ESPN Soccer

Lluis Gene/AFP/Getty ImagesXavi says that Spain must "keep fighting, maintain that thirst for a title" in Poland and Ukraine.

Lionel Messi earns the plaudits for Barcelona, but much of what he does wouldn't be possible without the man in the engine room, Xavi Hernandez. Watch as he controls the midfield: head in constant motion, swiveling as if on a pivot, to find a weakness in the defense and pick out the perfect pass. Whether it's maintaining possession or helping to launch an attack, Xavi arguably has been the most valuable to both club and country, as Spain has won the past two major international tournaments. Even Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has given Xavi the big up as the best player in the world.

"If you see a guy like Xavi, who controls the ball and manages the pace of the game, he is also a great player," Cruyff said. "It is very hard to tell who is the best. [In my eyes,] the most spectacular is Messi, but the best is Xavi."

We had the opportunity to chat with Xavi this week. Talking points included Xaxi's new summer football camp. For 13 years, he's directed a camp in Catalonia; this summer, he brings the camp outside Spain for the time, to the U.S. at Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale, Fla., July 10-14 and July 15-19. It's the first Campus Xavi to take place outside of Spain.

We also chatted in-depth about Barcelona's season, which will conclude Friday with the Copa del Ray versus Athletic Bilbao, his future and fitness and, of course, Spain's defense of the Euro 2012 title.

Let's talk a bit about Campus Xavi Hernandez. I'd like to know why you chose the United States as the first destination outside of Spain.

The idea was born through my brothers. For many years, we'd been holding the Campus here in Catalonia for children of all possible ages and now we're going on 13 or 14 years, since I started as a professional inside Barcelona. This opportunity came through Aguilera, through friendships he has in the U.S. We were delighted; truthfully, we like it and it's a pleasure to hold the Campus here.

I hope many kids sign up. I have a lot of fun with them and, well, teaching the Barca values, which is a "school of life" for me, and teach them all the secrets of this school and the soccer values that I've been taught [is rewarding]. Delighted to be able to go there [U.S.] and we are really looking forward to it -- not only me, but the entire family and the entire Campus "Xavi" family, too.

What advice do you give a youngster who wants to become a professional player?

Well, enjoy [playing] and don't think about becoming a professional. To enjoy and play every possible hour and minute, all his spare time, when he comes out of school, when he's off on weekends. He should play, enjoy, have a good time and, most importantly, make contact with the ball. What I used to like as a boy was to take the ball, touch it, pass the ball, be in constant contact with the ball.

And then, at the Campus, with the coaches or with me -- since I will be present -- we will teach them the concepts that we deal with here in Catalonia or specifically at "Chez Barca." Above all the goal is that they enjoy, learn, listen. Everything related to this age. And then later on, if they have the talent to become professionals, then, hey, even better, right?

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LLuis Gene/AFP/Getty ImagesXavi on Guardiola leaving Barca: "No, I didn't get to talk to him personally, because he is a very reserved and introverted person. His role is as a manager and we want the best for him."

Changing the subject to a pure and tough sports topic: With the Copa del Rey final near, is there a sense of added urgency to win the Copa due to the disappointments in La Liga, the Champions League, and, well, since it will be Pep's last game?

We want to finish the season well. It started fantastically well with the two Supercopas, the Spanish and European. Then we went to the FIFA Club World Cup, where we competed well against Santos. And then, yes, there were two disappointments. La Liga slipped away from us at home versus Real Madrid. Also, the bad luck we had in the Champions League against Chelsea, as everyone saw, because we were superior in both games, but soccer has those peculiarities. Chelsea won the final also with that strong dose of luck in terms of penalties and the game we all saw in general. In the end, we did not have the luck necessary to reach that Champions League final, where we would have liked to face Bayern. We were not able to win those two titles, but we have this Copa final against Athletic, which is a team that has been a revelation and is playing well under [Marcelo] Bielsa.

And we want to finish well, also, obviously for [Eric] Abidal, the illness and surgery he had ... and for Pep as well, because he deserves it after these four years, for the joys and for having helped us become a champion team once again, so that we may say goodbye to him as he deserves and we hope to take the Copa to Barcelona again.

How do you look back at the season's shortcomings? And how important has Guardiola's role been?

We competed until the end in all of the competitions. We reached the Champions League semifinal while we really deserved to advance to the final. Everyone saw that we were superior to Chelsea, but the ball did not want to go in, above all, in Stamford Bridge. Even here at home, up 2-0 and them playing with a man less, we still suffered the misfortune of losing the game -- in this case, the knockout game.

In La Liga, we had the misfortune that during the month of January and February, we distanced ourselves by 10 points from Madrid, which weighed on us. Even so, we competed until the end and had the possibility at the Camp Nou of turning those 10 points into just one point, but the game slipped from our hands. We didn't have that dose of luck that we had the last three years, so perhaps we let this year go a bit.

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Lars Baron/Getty ImagesXavi reflects on winning Euro 2008, and he'll play a key role once again this summer. But Spain will be without both David Villa and Carles Puyol.

And so, Pep's role has been fundamental for us. He has given us order, discipline, marvelous tactical concepts to be able to compete and to win the 14 out of 18 titles that we have won and, well, now 15 out of 19 if we win this one. It truly has been a wonderful era under Pep and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves with him. And we hope it can continue being like this, now with Tito Vilanova. Let's hope there is continuity after Guardiola since he will not change much and we will try to compete as we have up to now. The team has not lost the hunger, just that this year we did not have that necessary and essential dose of luck so as to compete until the end.

Did you get to speak with Guardiola personally to persuade him not to leave?

No, I didn't get to talk to him personally, because he is a very reserved and introverted person. His role is as a manager and we want the best for him. I was convinced that he could continue one more year, but he gave his explanations for leaving. He knows the locker room is behind him to the death and that we would all like for him to stay one more year, but he did not think it so and we must respect his decision. He believes that is best for him and for the club, and we are also delighted with him and this decision.

Do you visualize Pep Guardiola as a national team manager in the future?

With the prestige he has, I imagine he could coach any club and any national team; he will receive many offers. I would think he'd want a sabbatical year to rest after the tension of these four years and then see what the future holds for him. We wish him all the best and no doubt it will go very well for him, because he is a meticulous and different manager who is very well respected in the soccer world.

How do you assess the fact that Jose Mourinho will remain in charge of Real Madrid until 2016?

Well, it doesn't change anything. It is our eternal rival. Mourinho has been there two seasons. The truth is we don't pay much attention, because obviously it is our eternal rival, but we try not to look elsewhere. Things have gone well for us looking inside our own doors and we must continue this line. Thinking about ourselves, the team we have, the team chemistry, our philosophy, that Tito is coming in, that he has been Pep's right-hand man and I imagine the chemistry will be the same. We have everything to continue winning titles next year and we will fight for that.

Do you think it's possible that Tito wins as many titles as Guardiola?

Hey, obviously I'd like to think so. I know it is very complicated because no team in history has ever achieved this [under Guardiola], even the six titles in one year was historic, but we will fight. We cannot guarantee titles, but we can promise that we will fight and give our maximum effort and our will to keep on winning titles for Barcelona. Logically, what we did under Pep Guardiola will be very hard to duplicate, but we have a strong team to keep fighting towards the goals, which is to win titles by the end of the year.

How do you see yourself physically and mentally heading into Euro 2012 as compared to the World Cup or the previous European championship?

Good, very good. I am very hopeful, to tell you the truth. First, the Copa final and then, I arrive well physically. The last few months I had muscle problems in the calf, in my left leg, but right now I am doing great, really. I have been training for 15 days at top level and I played against Betis in the last Liga game and truthfully, I feel very well. In truth, I am excited about this Copa final and also the Euro, where we would like to make history as a national team. We would like to make history and repeat the European title from 2008, which would signify the best historical phase for a national team, to win the World Cup and the European championship. We very much look forward to going there, competing and making it far.

Del Bosque has a tough decision to make at forward: Fernando Torres, Fernando Llorente, Roberto Soldado, AlvaroNegredo up top, with David Villa out. But also, do you think Raul merits consideration after the season he had?

Yes, [Del Bosque] will surely consider him. In fact, there is much competition not only at forward, but in every area of the field. Even at goalkeeper, on defense, at midfield. It's true that one tends to always look at forward. There are many qualified players who can make the national team. They have all proven this. Raul himself, Soldado, Negredo, Llorente. They play at a very high level; now there is also Atletico Madrid's Adrian. There are many, many very good forwards and that is good for Spain and for the manager -- he has options. In that sense, the competition and competitiveness of the Spanish soccer player is good, that he is so gifted technically, physically; we have a great team and it will surely be difficult for Vicente to chose the 23 who will go, but it is something Spain welcomes.

Going to the Euro as defending champions, does that change a player's mentality and preparation?

I think it is a positive because before it was more so -- the sense of urgency. Spain had not won practically anything since the European championship in '64; we had not made the semifinals in any important tournament. And now our team is at peace. At peace in terms of winning an important title. We've been winning everything the past four years, the European championship and the World Cup and the team goes ready to compete.

Well, with that peace and tranquility we mustn't let it confuse us. We must keep fighting, maintain that thirst for a title. And we'll see what's in store for us, whether we have the same stroke of luck as in both events we won -- the European championship and the World Cup -- and we will try to reach the final and win it. It will not be easy, that's for sure.

Speaking of difficulties, who are -- in your eyes -- the favorites along with Spain?

Barring any surprises, I'd say the traditional ones. There's Germany, there's Holland, there's France, there's Italy, there's England, then there's also Portugal, who are very competitive. There are many national teams. Nowadays any team ... and it's not to deflect the topic, but that's how it is. They complicate your existence and it is very hard to beat them. Everyone prepares, they work well on defense and it will be hard for us to break through and score the first goal in many games. I picture Spain dominating, but they will really make things difficult for us. But there are many favorites this year, honestly. There are seven, eight teams who need to win, whether it be for historical reasons or due to an urgent nature. It will be very difficult, for sure.

Is there any team you fear more than others?

Spain has no fears. We simply play soccer, not changing our philosophy nor speculating about any rival, but obviously Holland itself, right? If we meet in the final, they are very strong; and Germany is also very tough. Perhaps they are the two teams ... but also, I don't want to disrespect anybody. France, Italy, even Portugal as well have a very good team, they are competitive.

Does Carles Puyol's absence on the defensive line worry you?

Yes, because he is a player who, beyond what he contributes on the field, is a leader, a reliable and established presence inside the locker room. As a person, he is very concerned about the rest of the teammates, the youngsters. He is one of the captains, with a lot of history behind him. It is an important loss for the group which we must overcome, and, well, let us see who comes.

ESPNDeportesLA.com's writer Gonzalo Aguirregomezcorta contributed to this report.

Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty ImagesIn a fitting end to this dramatic European club season, Chelsea defeated Bayern Munich to win its first Champions League.

The classic horror genre is predicated on the concept that a monstrous creature refuses to die despite being left for dead over and over again. Chelsea Football Club turned that concept on its head Saturday at the Allianz Arena -- and, really, has been flipping the script right from when Roman Abramovich hired Andre Villas-Boas to start this long, arduous and unpredictable season. Of course, the Blues were hardly a monster in Munich; they set up to defend against the powerful threats of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery & Co., but they didn't die. Instead, they rescued the match in the 88th minute thanks to a Didier Drogba goal against the run of play to level the match at 1-all and eventually went on to win the contest on penalties 4-3 with Drogba applying the finishing touch.

The ghosts of Moscow '08 are officially banished, while the shadow of Franz Beckenbauer, who led Bayern to a hat trick of European Cups in the 1970s, continues to loom large over the German side.

The match playing out the way most predicted, Bayern Munich maintained the bulk of possession in regulation time, while Chelsea defended in numbers like it did against Barcelona in the semifinals. While it worked a few weeks back, the tactic appeared doomed Saturday night.

Bayern missed three key chances in the first half (Robben, Thomas Muller and Mario Gomez, who appeared to choke on more than one shot in the match) but finally broke through in the second half. In the 83rd minute, on a Toni Kroos cross from the left, Muller -- who was likely starting only because defensive midfielder Luiz Gustavo was suspended -- headed the ball into the ground. Petr Cech attempted the save, but the ball bounced over his head, hit the underside of the crossbar and went in.

Cue the celebrations -- and perhaps the game's most important tactical decision. Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes decided to ride out the match, taking Muller off for more defensive help in the name of Daniel van Buyten.

But really, after everything we've seen this season in general and from this Chelsea side in particular, should we be surprised at what happened next? Bayern was dominating possession and proving that attack is the best form of defense. And so it was that in the 88th minute, on a Juan Mata corner, Drogba raced across the goal to hit a powerful header into the upper right corner. Maybe Manuel Neuer could have done better, but nonetheless, this was the first sign that this was shaping up to be the night of Drog.

In extra time, Drogba looked to make minimal contact on Ribery, who's not exactly known for staying on his feet when a light breeze blows through the penalty box. Down he went, and although as innocuous as it looked, that was it for Ribery -- he went off injured. Former Chelsea player Robben stepped up to take the penalty, and his powerful, low drive was saved by former teammate Cech.

It was a more even affair from then on, with tired legs and minds shaping the affair. As commentator Gary Neville said, "This isn't about football anymore."

No, it turned out to be all about Chelsea, with more ironic twists than can be recounted in this space. But when we reached the penalty shootout, you had to favor the Germans, right? Chelsea famously lost the 2008 final in Moscow on PKs, with John Terryslipping on the turf. And Bayern staked itself to an early lead after Philipp Lahm converted the night's first penalty and Mata missed Chelsea's first attempt.

Bayern had victory close in hand, a 3-2 lead, when Ivica Olic (playing his last competitive match for the club) chummed his kick from the spot. Then, a weary Bastian Schweinsteiger made his stop-and-start run-up more awkward to watch than an episode of "Life's Too Short," his effort saved by Cech. Finding itself one kick from Abramovich's holy grail, just like in '08, Chelsea's man for the big occasion stepped up. In Moscow, Drogba was unable to participate in the shootout after being sent off, and Terry had to step in. This time, the captain was the spectator due to suspension and Drogba the hero as he cooly took what could be his last kick for the Blues.

Chelsea's night of destiny

Rich with irony, this game of football, and rich with drama, too. Chelsea came to Munich in an all-or-nothing scenario. It had finished sixth in the Premier League, its worst finish in 10 years, and while it won the FA Cup, a loss here would have sent the club into the footballing purgatory otherwise known as the Europa League. Instead, the Blues have ended what is undoubtedly the most successful season of the Abramovich era. It could have been a disaster; instead, it turned into a borderline miracle.

Much of the credit must go to interim head coach Roberto di Matteo. When he took over for AVB -- can anyone even remember those tortured times, with the young coach crouched in psychic pain on the sidelines? They seem a lifetime ago -- the Italian righted the ship. Di Matteo, whose Chelsea blue blood is almost as strong as his instinct to play a defensive setup, played to the strengths of this squad, propping up the old guard of Frank Lampard, Drogba, Terry and Ashley Cole, all of whom appeared miffed at the younger AVB. And in turn, the players repaid their manager with spirit and a willingness to go all-out for the cause.

You saw that against Bayern. Cole, who had a superb game in terms of effort and position, blew past David Luiz in the 59th minute to block a shot by Robben. In the 75th, with Cole far up the pitch, Drogba played the role of left back and stopped Robben. Just two of many examples of a team playing as a unit, with Gary Cahill also putting in a blood-and-sweat shift at the back after returning from a hamstring injury. Even in extra time, he did just enough to put Gomez off what looked to be a certain goal.

One for all, all for one -- that was the Chelsea ethos in Munich. Bayern, on the other hand, played the better football for most of the 120 minutes, with Robben being the team's standout. But erratic shot-making got the better of the side, with the pressure of playing at home, in the shadow of Beckenbauer, perhaps too much to handle after all. Plus, with Bayern having lost the German league and getting tonked in the cup final, this match was a similar all-or-nothing affair for this side. The moment maybe got the better of them. Instead of starting a dynasty with a well-rounded squad, which was being talked about before this match, Schweinsteiger & Co. will have to wait another year.

In contrast, no one is talking about building anything with this Chelsea team. If anything, it could be torn asunder during the offseason as Abramovich looks to rebuild his "aging" squad and perhaps find a new manager.

True enough, the Blues will have to rebuild at some point. But if this was Drogba's last kick of a football for CFC, what a way to go out.

The ghosts of Moscow have finally been exorcised.

ESPNsoccernet Press Pass: 18 May 2012

Champions League countdown

ESPNsoccernet Press Pass: 18 May 2012

It's the last hurrah of the European club season, the Champions League final. Bayern Munich will be looking to polish its already shiny CV in Europe (four European Cup titles and nine final appearances), while Chelsea will hope to win its first title in only its second appearance in the final. So as we count down to the match at the Allianz Arena, we asked a number of football analysts to give us their impressions of the final. Here's what they had to say, in alphabetical order.

Roger Bennett, ESPN columnist

This final promises to be a rollicking tactical battle. Bayern Munich will employ the width that allowed them to shock Real Madrid. Chelsea will seek to press relentlessly and suffocate Bayern's passing game, while pounding the ball through the middle.

Much has been made of Bayern's home-field advantage. I believe it may turn out to be anything but. Playing at home can create a crushing pressure born of expectation. The Germans may be heavy favorites but Chelsea's Champions League odyssey has been giddily odds-defying. Just ask Barcelona and Napoli fans how difficult it was to kill Chelsea off. On the European stage, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard & Co. have proved to be as tenacious as ragweed.

The fact that Chelsea is shorn of so many first-choice starters will only increase its backs-to-the-wall, us-against-the-world mentality. With all the pressure on its hosts, I would not bet against Chelsea. Spurs fans should be afraid. Very afraid.

John Brewin, Soccernet senior editor

And so to Munich, where Chelsea has the chance to achieve Roman Abramovich's heart's desire with possibly the worst squad he has paid for since Claudio Ranieri was manager at Stamford Bridge.

Home advantage clearly favors Bayern, and it has thrown much at getting to a final at its own home. But the record of teams in their own backyard on such occasions is mixed. Real Madrid's all-conquerors of the European Cup's early years lifted the trophy in the Bernabeu in 1957, and Helenio Herrera's Inter won at San Siro in 1965, but Roma lost to Liverpool in the Stadio Olimpico in 1984.

Aside from its obvious gravitas, this will be no normal home game for Bayern. The "UEFA Family" of sponsors, media and neutrals will make up a high proportion of the attendance in the Allianz Arena, and those home fans lucky enough to get a ticket are bound to be racked by nerves. And one of football supporting's great cliches is that the away fans make the most noise anyway. Chelsea fans, there by hook or by crook perhaps, have the chance to roar their depleted heroes to an unlikely victory.

Michael Cox, Zonal Marking, freelance contributor, ESPN.com

Bayern is clearly the stronger team, but tactically this might suit Roberto Di Matteo's side. Dortmund comfortably defeated Bayern at the weekend by staying compact and then breaking quickly past the Bayern full backs, and that's essentially what Chelsea did so effectively against Barcelona, so I expect Di Matteo's strategy to be similar.

Of particular interest is the fact that, without the suspended Luiz Gustavo, Jupp Heynckes will be forced to field Toni Kroos and Bastian Schweinsteiger deep in midfield together. They're both ball-playing midfielders and intelligent passers, which has both positive and negative consequences. With Chelsea sitting deep, Bayern will have two clever playmakers able to penetrate Chelsea's defensive lines -- but it's likely to be vulnerable to Chelsea counterattacks without a proper tackler in that zone. It's certain that Bayern will dominate the ball, but it has to be very careful at defensive transitions, for Chelsea has the right ingredients to spoil the party in Munich.

David Hirshey, ESPN freelance columnist

I mean, isn't this just a classic "Lesser of Two Evils" match for me? On one hand, I'm constitutionally incapable of rooting for a team whose midfield general's nickname is "Schweini" -- or Piggy. It's not that I'm a militant vegan, it's just that anything German not named "Heidi Klum" (and, beginning next season, "Lukas Podolski") has always given me the willies.

On the other hand, there's John Terry.

Just because he's not allowed to humiliate himself again in a Champions League final doesn't obviate my lifelong loathing of the Blues and their odious captain. I suppose if I had my way, the earth beneath the Allianz Arena would open up and swallow both teams. But even that has a downside, because it would mean Spurs would automatically qualify for next year's tournament. Since keeping the Lilywhites from defiling the CL is for the planet's greater good, I'm forced at Bud Light-point to hope that the Blues roast Schweini & Co. this weekend, but that Terry slips off the podium while lifting the trophy and suffers a concussion that keeps him out of the Euros.

Chelsea 1-0.

James Horncastle, freelance writer

A lot has been made about the home advantage Bayern Munich will supposedly enjoy in this year's Champions League final. Historically speaking, this has happened on only three other occasions. Real Madrid overcame Fiorentina at the Bernabeu in 1957, Inter conquered Benfica at San Siro in 1965, and more recently Roma held Liverpool to a draw at the Stadio Olimpico in 1984 only to lose agonizingly in a penalty shootout.

The omens aren't good for Chelsea. "Having the fans behind us and being encouraged at every street corner since our qualification in Madrid gives us confidence," insists Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. "Knowing the place is an advantage because we have our habits like staying in the same hotel, taking the same bus route to the stadium, the dressing rooms … " The question is: Will Bayern make it count, or will it get too comfortable?

Graham Hunter, freelance contributor

There have been three previous Champions League or European Cup (as was) finals in Munich, and on each occasion the competition ended up celebrating a first-time winner -- Nottingham Forest in 1979, Marseille in 1993 and Borussia Dortmund four years later.

Football fans being the superstitious lot that they are, there is much talk of how Chelsea, never having won the Champions Cup, is now somehow "fated" to lift it against serial winners Bayern Munich this weekend. Go figure.

However, despite the fact that only Milan and Benfica have lost more European Cup finals than Bayern (five compared to four) since the competition was inaugurated in 1955, Jupp Heynckes' side deserves to be called the favorite. Not just for home advantage but because, on form, they have a frightening array of goal power, while the Blues are defensively troubled (no John Terry or Branislav Ivanovic, and Gary Cahill and David Luiz seeking to get fit).

But I have a sneaking suspicion that the experience and determination of football warriors like Petr Cech, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba might -- just might -- produce a surprise.

An open game, goals, fun and a surprise winner. There you are. And I'm not even superstitious!

Simon Kuper, co-author of "Soccernomics" (get an updated version here)

Amid all the fuss over Barcelona and Madrid these past couple of years, not many have noticed which is the only club to have reached two of the past three Champions League finals. Bayern Munich is the rising silent force of European soccer.

The Bundesliga's lucrative new television deal will propel German clubs even higher: From 2013-14, Sky TV will pay 628 million euros a year to broadcast Bundesliga games. That's 52 percent more than it pays now. Throw in the best generation of German players since 1990 and you've really got something. Already Germany has taken third place from Italy in the UEFA coefficients rankings, based on their clubs' performances in European competitions these past five years. Southern Europe's economic crisis is hitting all Italian and Spanish clubs except perhaps Barcelona and Madrid, which are too global to notice.

When the world works logically, Western Europe's biggest and richest country should house Europe's best soccer teams. We're starting to move that way.

James Tyler, ESPN.com

I have a funny feeling that Chelsea will sneak this. Where this weird premonition came from is unclear, though let's face it, we've been spoiled rotten this season across Europe, what with Montpellier's PSG-busting brilliance, Real's first La Liga win in four seasons, Borussia Dortmund's phenomenal counterattacking verve and Juve's unbeaten Serie A season. Yet looking deeper, there are a number of factors that make me think the Blues are likely to sneak a Champions League victory.

For one, there's the pressure. The Blues largely tanked in the EPL down the stretch, being brushed aside by Newcastle and then decimated by Liverpool, because for Roberto "Low Expectations, High Rewards" Di Matteo & Co., the goal was obvious: Get the FA Cup, and get the Champions League. As for Bayern, it was undressed by Borussia Dortmund (for the fifth time on the trot) in the German Cup final Saturday, and having already lost the league weeks ago, the struggling Bundesliga demigods are in danger of finishing without a trophy this season. In short, Di Matteo's living a charmed life, while Jupp Heynckes is wound very tight.

Form-wise, neither side is in tremendous shape, and English sides tend to thrive in nervy, physical dogfights. That half the Bayern side will have one eye on remaining fit for the Euros also might come into play.

Then there's the storyline. It would be so Istanbul '05 of the Blues to heroically overcome a superior (on paper) side, even though both will be without key players -- you sense that Chelsea's lack of Ramires in the middle will be hardest-felt on both sides -- and after seeing what the soccer gods rolled out for us on the final day of the Premier League season, I wouldn't be surprised to see something equally jaw-dropping at the Allianz Arena.

So: pressure, form, the impending specter of the Euros (in which Germany will surely be expected to succeed, if not outright dominate) and the power of a good narrative.

Chelsea 2, Bayern 1 after extra time. Make it a game winner after the 115th minute for good measure.

Ravi Ubha, ESPN.com

Chelsea fans, either way, won't soon forget the date May 19, 2012. If Chelsea beats Bayern Munich, the club lands its maiden Champions League title, the piece of silverware billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has desperately craved. There's no way the Russian would be able to sack interim manager Roberto di Matteo.

But if Chelsea loses to Bayern, as the bookies expect, di Matteo is likely gone, and the Blues could turn into a team battling for third or fourth spot in the Premier League in the years to come instead of challenging for top honors. Which star players would want to join Chelsea next season without the promise of Champions League football?More is at stake for Chelsea than Bayern.

Bayern to win, 2-1.

AP Photo/Dave ThompsonManchester City won its first league title in 44 years.

The result was what everyone expected, but the way in which Manchester City won the Premier League title -- its first in 44 years -- could never have been scripted. Well, it could have, but the script would have been thrown out of any Hollywood studio for being unbelievable, ridiculous even. You're having a laugh? Win the Premier League title in the fourth minute of stoppage time after throwing away a 1-0 lead in what was shaping up to be a monumental choke job? Get out of here. But that's exactly what Roberto Mancini's side did in beating a 10-man QPR team 3-2 in what was the most exciting finish to the league title race perhaps ever, and certainly since Liverpool versus Arsenal in 1989.

The surreal scenes that played out at Etihad Stadium were a microcosm of this crazy, oft-times inexplicable campaign that, as ESPN's Steve McManaman correctly pointed out, keeps making fools of all of us. Predictions? Good luck with that.

At Etihad Stadium, the team with the best home record in the league was going up against the team with the worst away record -- so, naturally, when Pablo Zabaleta scored his first goal of the season in the 39th minute to put City ahead 1-0, you assumed that it would be all academic from there. Riiiight.

But the Sky Blues started to choke, no two ways about it. In the 48th minute, ex-City man Shaun Wright-Phillips lofted a ball forward. Joleon Lescott, who had a subpar game and clearly a brain cramp in this instance, saw Djibril Cisse making a run off him and so headed the ball … right into the path of Cisse, who promptly blasted a volley past keeper Joe Hart.

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Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesJoey Barton went mental in the match, first elbowing Carlos Tevez to earn a straight red card, then attacking Sergio Aguero.

The plot thickened when Joey Barton went postal in the 55th minute. Yes, Carlos Tevez took a swipe, but the notorious anger-management candidate then elbowed the Argentine in the face. The linesman saw the infraction, giving referee Mike Dean no choice -- straight red. Barton proceeded to chop down Sergio Aguero from behind and almost threw down with Mario Balotelli, who came out from the sidelines to join the fracas. The pinched-up, weasel-like face Barton made when he brought down Kun showed that no matter how deep down you lock your demons, they never truly go away.

Down to 10 men, though, QPR defended amazingly well. It'll be lost in City's miracle on grass, but the likes of Clint Hill, Anton Ferdinand, Taye Taiwo, keeper Patrick Kenny and Shaun Derry were all among the heroes, with the zero of Barton thrown in for good measure.

One of the key turning points in the match was when Yaya Toure came off at the end of the first half due to injury, replaced by Nigel de Jong. Mancini's men sorely missed the leadership and explosive game-changing runs of the Ivorian, and continued to show signs that they were snatching defeat from the claws of victory when, in the 66th minute, an unmarked Jamie Mackie got on the end of an Armand Traore cross. From there, City was in meltdown mode: Mancini was crouching on the sidelines a la Andre Villas-Boas, the horrors playing out in front of him. Missed chances, players snatching at balls, some bad luck -- all while United clung to a 1-0 lead at Sunderland.

This, truly, was what picture-in-picture was invented for.

Was this to be another United day to remember? Before the day's fixtures, Sir Alex Ferguson had hoped that something "stupid" would happen -- and it did, twice, for City by conceding two poor goals for a side that boasts the best defense in the league. And by the time it was announced that there would be five minutes of stoppage time, that had to be it, didn't it? Five minutes of funeral procession. City fans were in shock; some took out their frustrations on whatever they could grab (one young man laid the beatdown on his shirt a few times) while others stood there, silent.

But then Balotelli just missed a header on a cross, Kenny making another of the many top-class saves of the game, before Edin Dzeko, brought on shortly after QPR's second goal, headed home on another corner. The emotion in Etihad Stadium turned from dread to hope, as City restarted as quickly as possible. Then, in Minute 4 of stoppage time, Aguero wrote himself into the team's history books by winning the Premier League title. Thankfully, given the way QPR fought, clawed and grinded out on the pitch, Mark Hughes' side, while gutted, was not relegated. The "honor" went to Bolton.

The number of emotional twists and turns in this match were absurd. United fans' hopes were dashed, then buoyed -- after throwing away an eight-point lead on Easter weekend, the Red Devils looked to improbably, impossibly nip the title in the end -- and finally, crushed. Stomach-wrenching stuff, and City fans felt the same for most of the match. Fans needed Dramamine to get through the ups and downs.

The last time the Sky Blues won, in 1968, they entered the final match day tied on points (56) with Manchester United before besting their rival. And no one, really, can argue that they were the better team for this season, a more powerful, dynamic side. At the same time, no one can really argue that Ferguson got the most out of his players, who were well below vintage United and will have to do some fairly considerable rebuilding for next season.

In the mind games heading into Sunday's matches, Ferguson warned that if City threw away this opportunity to win the league, it would end up haunting the club for ages, undoing all the good that some 800 million pounds of investment has done to rebuild this team. And for 94 minutes, SAF was getting his wish. But as the United players milled about the pitch at Sunderland, waiting for the result in Manchester, City staged a comeback for the ages. It had 81 percent possession to QPR's 19 percent; 19 corners to zero. But it's only the three goals that matter.

Check that, the number 44 matters most -- to City fans, anyway, while United supporters seethe at what almost was, and what may not be for a long time as the Sky Blues build toward a dynasty rich in talent and British pounds.

Now, after weeks of saying United were the favorites to win the title, Mancini can finally ditch his poker face and revel in a truly monumental achievement.

So it's down to this, the final day of the 2011-12 Premier League season Sunday. We've seen it all -- as Fugazi once sang, "Tell me something I don't know, is there anything left to know?"

A few things, actually -- a final relegation spot still beckons for one unfortunate side, while qualification for the Champions League is still up for grabs, as Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle battle for two spots (or one, if Chelsea wins the Champions League final). At the top, based on the reactions of pundits and over-the-blue-moon supporters this past weekend at Etihad Stadium, Manchester City is already champion for the first time since 1968.

While Roberto Mancini's team has dominated for large stretches of the season, the lead atop the table among various teams has changed 11 times. Will there be one more twist?

Until we get closure on City versus QPR and United versus Sunderland, let's take a look back at some key turning points and talking points that have gotten us to where we are now, in no particular order.

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Andrew Yates/Getty ImagesReferee Mark Clattenburg showed Jonny Evans red, but the 10-man United kept attacking City -- which led to the 6-1 drubbing in October.

1. Game of goal difference

In "The Italian Job," Gianluca Vialli points out that in Italy when a team is losing by a couple of goals or more, it sets up shop in damage-limitation mode. As for England? Sir Alex Ferguson said it best: "We always try to come back. We don't have that rational way of thinking you have in France and Italy. It's not our way."

Indeed -- live by the sword, good knight. After falling behind 1-0 to City at Old Trafford in October after a first-half Mario Balotelli goal, Jonny Evans started the second half by pulling Balotelli down just outside the 18-yard box. Straight red, but the 10-men Red Devils kept attacking. "It was hard to believe we were 1-0 down, but that's retrievable," Ferguson said afterward. "The sending off was the killer blow. After that, we kept attacking. It's all right playing the history books, but common sense has to come into it. When we went to 3-1, 4-1 we should have settled for that. We kept attacking … that was suicidal, crazy."

More than anyone could know at the time. The 6-1 match represented a goal-difference swing of 10 that is roughly equivalent to United's deficit in the GD column. Mancini's postmatch words have turned out to be even more eerie: "But in the end there are only three points -- we don't take six points." True; this massive result may have taken much, much more.

2. Stomach for the fight

This isn't a single turning point, per se, but a troubling trend for United. The Red Devils failed to win a single match after conceding the first goal: 1-1 away to Liverpool; 1-6 home to City; 2-3 home to Blackburn; 0-3 away to Newcastle; 3-3 away to Chelsea; 0-1 away to Wigan; 4-4 home to Everton; and 0-1 away to City. Three points from a possible 24.

Compare that to City's efforts from losing positions. On March 22, at the Britannia Stadium, Peter Crouch went all Papiss Demba Cisse on Mancini's side, striking one of the season's wonder goals, which you can relive here, or the absolutely hilarious "FIFA 12" version in which Martin Tyler's screamo rendition almost tops Gary Neville's real-time, real-match reaction to that Fernando Torres goal that potentially threw light on Neville's (shall we say) private side. The scoring sequence was incredible, kicked off by Asmir Begovic hoofing the ball upfield; it never touched the grass before landing on Crouch's foot. Crushing blow, but City was saved by the man who has become synonymous with being the team's big-game savior, after Yaya Toure unleashed a bomb from 30 yards out -- yes, it look a wicked deflection off Ryan Shawcross, but there was no mistaking the big man's intent.

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Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty ImagesCity players haven't always gotten on -- there have been training-ground bust-ups and this, an argument between Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure. But it hasn't stopped them from winning.

Less than a week later, at Etihad Stadium, City once again fell behind 2-1 to Sunderland (and then, with less than a half-hour to go, 3-1) after Sebastian Larsson and Nicklas Bendtner scored in the first half. City appeared to be falling to bits: Balotelli and Toure got into a heated discussion while Micah Richards was being treated for an injury. Deep into the second half, after Aleksandar Kolarov won a free kick, why-always-him Balotelli and the left back were in each other's grills, with Vincent Kompany (aka the mature one) pushing Balotelli away. But the frustrations galvanized City, because Balotelli would strike in the 85th minute and Kolarov in the 86th minute, proving once again that a team doesn't have to get along to win.

Given that we head into this weekend with City and United tied on points, these two matches represent key results (and crucial points) for Mancini -- and the kind of fight back that United is typically known for.

3. Out of Europa League

Yes, we know -- no one cares about the Europa League (well, try telling that to Atletico Madrid), and certainly United and City didn't seem to prioritize it. Still, it was a dark day in March when both City and United were eliminated from the competition: Ferguson's side lost 5-3 on aggregate to Athletic Bilbao and Mancini's side on away goals with a 3-3 aggregate score to Sporting Lisbon. City showed more passion for the (ultimately losing) fight, but what about the fallout? Not being in Bucharest was no biggie, but you could make the argument that being out of the tournament was quite critical for the Premier League title race. After all, both United and City were eliminated from the FA Cup and Carling Cup (oh, the humanity) and were long booted from the Champions League. That left one trophy to play for -- and on that score, City held a decided advantage given the depth of talent on its squad.

In 2012, United had to bring back Paul Scholes to help beef up the team, and the old veteran was brilliant -- heading into the final weekend, he was fourth in the league in passes completed in the attacking half of the field. But Ferguson's side was always going to be up against it when City could pour all of its prodigious resources into the Prem.

4. Addition by subtraction

On April 8, against Arsenal, Balotelli was sent off for collecting two yellow cards, thus incurring a three-game suspension -- though it could have been more had the FA decided to mete out further punishment for a reckless tackle on Alex Song. It was perhaps the nadir for City, as the 1-0 loss to the Gunners saw Mancini's side fall eight points behind United on Easter weekend, prompting what became a mantra for the Italian -- the title is lost. He also suggested Balotelli was finished at the club: "With Mario, it's always a big risk. Every time we risk one [man] being sent off, even if he can also score in the last minute."

But losing Super Mario turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it opened the door for want-away Carlos Tevez. Having spent a chunk of the season on holiday in Argentina after that night in Munich, he had found himself back into the side from March 21 to April 8, serving out his purgatory as a late-game substitute and trying to regain his fitness. But with Balotelli gone, Mancini brought Tevez back into the starting XI -- and hasn't looked back since. Munich row? What row? Tevez scored in a 4-0 win over the Baggies, delivered a hat trick and assist in a 6-1 rout of Norwich and had an assist in a business-like 2-0 victory over Wolves.

Balotelli was back on the bench for the United match as an unused substitute, and wasn't even on the bench against Newcastle in the vital win at St James' Park.

Mancini came into the season trying to sell Tevez, and looks to be ending it with the Argentine as a key component rather than a throwaway. In the end, Balotelli turned out to be the bigger risk.

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Michael Regan/Getty ImagesCity fans show their support against United on April 30, a 1-0 win for Roberto Mancini's side.

5. Eight wasn't enough

United's eight-point lead vanished in about four weeks, an epic slide. Of course, every match counts the same over the course of the season, but two during this period stick out. One was the 1-0 loss to Wigan, the first time the club avoid defeat in 15 meetings with its northwest neighbors. If not for referee Phil Down mysteriously disallowing a Victor Moses goal, the far-superior Latics -- who have done their best to personify Barcelona of late -- would have heaped more embarrassment against Ferguson's side.

Then, two matches later, came the inconceivable: United threw away a two-goal lead in the final seven minutes against Everton at Old Trafford.

6. The substitution

Mancini has been raked over the proverbial coals for his often conservative substitutions. Because he has so much attacking flair in the side this season, however, we've seen more champagne football than last season -- for players such as Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Balotelli, attacking is in their DNA.

But during the spring, City did hit a tough patch and struggled to create goals. So when the dapper Italian took out Samir Nasri for Nigel de Jong in the 62nd minute at St James' Park, you could practically hear the groans from critics -- yet as we all saw, it was precisely this move that freed up Toure to play more aggressively and score twice in a match that was billed as the one that would win or lose City the title.

Now it's up to Mancini & Co. to do United one better one more time, on Sunday against QPR before this wild ride comes to an end. Then, the victor can celebrate and the loser can see where it all went wrong. Put another way, since we started with a bit of Fugazi, "Provisional":

"Somewhere in these prying hearts
Conflicting histories tear us apart
And we hope we don't get what we deserve,
Hide behind the targets in front of all the people we serve
Now lie in it."

Ian Kington/AFP/GettyImagesIn a game Chelsea largely controlled, it took a superb late save from Petr Cech to secure victory.

Gone in 52 minutes -- that's how long it took for Liverpool to lose the FA Cup final to Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday. Of course, the Blues' goals didn't come as quickly as Roberto Di Matteo's famous strike inside the first minute of the 1997 FA Cup final against Middlesbrough, but Ramires' in the 11th and Didier Drogba's in the 52nd were enough to see their team to victory, 2-1.

The first half may as well have been sponsored by Red Bull, because you needed an energy drink to stay awake. It brought back memories of the battles between the two sides in the mid-2000s in the Champions League. Indeed, most of us had probably put those turgid times behind us … until this.

The opening goal came after Juan Mata, awarded official Man of the Match honors, latched on to the ball in Chelsea's half and slipped it through to Ramires. The Brazilian midfielder, heroic for his goal against Barcelona in a Champions League semifinal, is starting to forge a real reputation for being another Blues player for the big occasion (along with Drogba), and his goal was proof, muscling past Jose Enrique and charging into the box, where he smashed the ball past Pepe Reina at the near post. Credit to Chelsea, but terrible defending for the Reds: Enrique was caught out, Daniel Agger couldn't get across in time and Reina -- himself admitting it's been an underwhelming season for him -- had his body shape all wrong as he was beaten on the short side.

Not much happened for the rest of the half. Liverpool failed to get service to Luis Suarez, Steven Gerrard had to drift deeper to get the ball, and while Kenny Dalglish's side passed the ball, it didn't go anywhere with it, perfectly suiting a Chelsea side that has shown it can grind out the results under Di Matteo.

Chelsea appeared to execute the death blow in the 52nd minute. It was an "Old Boys" goal. First, John Terry came racing out from the back to intercept a ball intended for Craig Bellamy at the halfway line, and the captain's delightful touch found teammate John-Obi Mikel. After a few passes, Frank Lampard -- who helped shut down the midfield with wily defending and positioning in the first half -- slotted a sweet pass to Drogba, who was positioned between Martin Skrtel and Glen Johnson. The big Drog turned and fired between Skrtel's legs to the far post, thus becoming the first player to score in four FA Cup finals.

"I love the FA Cup," Drogba said. "A fourth win in eight seasons. It's fantastic for the club."

In the stands, the devastated look on Liverpool legend Ian Rush's face said it all.

Carroll changes the game

A minute later, Dalglish substituted Jay Spearing -- decent first half, dreadful second, including losing Lampard on the winning-goal sequence -- for Andy Carroll, and with the ex-Newcastle striker partnering Suarez up top, the Reds finally came alive. It was a microcosm of the team's season: underachieving in the first half, then showing signs of life for the final 30 minutes.

Carroll was a real beast, winning headers, bringing down balls, holding up play -- everything Fenway Sports thought it was getting when it purchased him for all those millions of pounds. He was also responsible for scoring Liverpool's only goal, in the 64th minute. Suarez raced down the left and tried to pick out Stewart Downing. In an attempt to make a tackle, Jose Bosingwa kicked the ball, which deflected off Downing to fall to the feet of Carroll in the box. He tip-toed to the right before getting the ball on his favored left foot and smashed a shot past Terry into the top of the net.

From there, Liverpool was on the front foot while Chelsea -- showing clear signs of attrition for a club that has been battling on three fronts -- lost its shape, energy and endeavor.

What will be debated for seasons to come is what happened in the 80th minute. Suarez hit a finesse chip to find Carroll open on the far post. His header appeared to cross the line before Petr Cech cleared the danger, palming the ball into the inside of the crossbar before seeing the danger away. The linesman adjudged the ball not to have fully crossed the line; most replays suggest the call was correct, but nothing was conclusive. Cech knows that all too well. "I had a lot of luck," he said after the match.

Bad luck for Liverpool, but amazing reflexes by the veteran Cech. Somehow, Chelsea regrouped. Drogba did his usual feigning of injuries -- including a comical falling to the pitch when going in for a challenge against Jordan Henderson. Really, the big guy, who is brilliant at holding the ball up, could be felled reading a menu in a restaurant.

In the end, it is Chelsea's sixth FA Cup win since Di Matteo scored that stunning 1997 goal, and fourth in six seasons. (And seven for Ashley Cole, if you keep track of that sort of thing.)

Kings of England

The doomsday scenario for Chelsea, of course, was quite clear: Lose this match against Liverpool, then fail against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. Without much chance of finishing fourth, the Blues would end this season trophy-less and start the next one without top-flight European football. Now, though, they've bagged a title and head into Munich riding high on confidence.

With fourth place all but a distant hope, Chelsea knows May 19 will remain an all-or-nothing match if it wants to stay in the Champions League -- a match in which it will be without two key players in Terry and Ramires, along with Raul Meireles and Branislav Ivanovic.

Questions, questions, and more questions

The match will also serve to raise more questions than answers at this point.

Should Di Matteo, the interim manager, stay on in a full-time capacity? Does he still need to win the Champions League? The players clearly love him -- he's one of the guys, and genuflects to them, which is a key component to what is now a very symbiotic relationship. But is he the man to rebuild this squad? Talking about the "aging" Chelsea players seems a bit silly at the moment; the much publicized problems still exist, but right now, there is no mistaking that Chelsea is cobbling together what could be an incredibly special, if bizarre season.

Another question: Is Dalglish the best manager for Liverpool, or has his magic runs its course? Given the way he was changing systems (three, by the looks, just in the first half) and failed to find the side's mojo until it was too late, Reds fans may be thinking it's time for King Kenny to get a "promotion" upstairs and bring in a manager with a bit more tactical acumen.

Was Liverpool's season a success? Only if you consider the league cup the measure of quality, while languishing in the league -- especially since after the new year. On the other hand, Carroll has in the past few matches raised hopes of his own that he may be the man to lead the line next season, while Suarez continues to be a bit of an enigma. As for Downing, Henderson and Charlie Adam, well ...

We'll have to wait to see how it all shakes out. For now, Chelsea could end up proving virtually all of us wrong by ending this 2011-12 season as the most successful club in England. Winning the FA Cup and the Champions League would trump winning just the Premier League.

Oh, and this just in: Somewhere, Andre Villas-Boas is fitting himself for a straitjacket.

AP Photo/Press AssociationCarlos Tevez and the Sky Blues defeated United 1-0 to go atop the Premier League table with just two league games remaining.

If you were to play a drinking game a few hours before the start of the United-City derby, whereby you had to take a shot of your chosen poison every time someone said "massive," you'd have been absolutely hammered well before kickoff. But, in truth, this was the one match where the hype was justified. At one juncture not too long ago, United was eight points clear of its noisy neighbors, but going into the clash at Etihad Stadium, its lead was down to three. Roberto Mancini had been spending most of the past couple weeks telling everyone that the league was all but lost and that there was no chance of catching United, while Sir Alex Ferguson remained cagey in his comments.

Well, Mancini can stop the rhetoric, because after a 1-0 win at home, City is atop the table on goal difference. Then again, Vincent Kompany, who scored that significant goal, told Sky right after the match, "We've been waiting for it, but it's definitely not over yet."

So in the meantime, what have we -- some 650 million viewers from around the world -- learned from this "massive" match? Well, United's dominance on Monday nights is over: Since 2007-08, the Red Devils have won all eight of their Monday evening encounters.

Ferguson has also met his match in Mancini, who has now outwitted the Scot in both league encounters. The Italian was also only too happy to get into a war of words on the touchline after Nigel de Jong fouled Danny Welbeck. With the dapper Mancini motioning with his hand to suggest that Ferguson was running his mouth to get the Dutchman red-carded, Ferguson -- unaccustomed of late to having his authority challenged -- shot back. The two still shook hands at the end, but it was a scene that will live long in the memories of both sets of fans.

But it's the future where this match's significance really lies. If City does go on to win the league, it could be the equivalent of plate tectonics, a fundamental shift in the balance of power in which the Sky Blues come to dominate the Premier League for the foreseeable future. That's what former United legend Gary Neville was suggesting in the buildup to the match.

That's down the road, of course. For now, here are three thoughts from this match.

1. You could see this coming

Given the way United set up, with Wayne Rooney alone up top and Ryan Giggs, Park Ji-Sung, Paul Scholes and Nani across the midfield (from left to right), Ferguson clogged the center of the pitch. It's the tried-and-true formation used by the gaffer in Europe this season, and we all know how well United's Champions League and Europa League campaigns turned out. The script was written from there: City would wage most attacks and dominate on the ball, Rooney would inexorably drift into midfield to get possession, his frustration building, and United would fail to create many chances.

But formations aside, what's even more baffling is Ferguson's decision to start Park -- his first start since January. It's well-known that the manager has long relied on Park on the big nights, but the South Korean hasn't had a strong campaign and couldn't be considered match sharp or fit. At what point does habit become half-witted? That's one of the questions United fans will be asking themselves, knowing that Park's inclusion meant the exclusion of Antonio Valencia, the pacy right winger who could have helped trouble Gael Clichy a bit more and stop him from getting forward, not to mention provide more service into the box. Then again, that was never United's game plan. Even on breaks, there weren't enough players to support Rooney or whomever else was fortunate enough to get forward and trouble Joe Hart.

2. It's the simple things

Read any football book, and one of the golden rules is don't be beaten during stoppages of play -- free kicks, throw-ins, after injuries are treated and, of course, the most basic of plays, corner kicks. And so it was that in stoppage time in the first half, David Silva swung the ball into the box. Rio Ferdinand was ball-watching and Chris Smalling -- who did defend well on the night -- lost his mark, Kompany, who made no mistake on his free header. With the net bulging, City's hopes were on the rise.

And, point of fact, Mancini's men played the better match. United had a few spells here and there (especially at the very start of the game and pockets in the second half) but found themselves defending for their lives toward the end of the match, lucky at that point that Samir Nasri didn't add a second goal. Carlos Tevez didn't make all of United supporters' worst nightmares come true by scoring against his former team, but he was still influential -- and physical, very, very physical -- in the attack. And with his father-in-law Diego Maradona in the stands, Sergio Aguero was threatening throughout the match, while Clichy and Pablo Zabaleta gave City width it usually lacks, while United, which typically depends on its wing play, looked like a narrow and dull arrow. For that, blame Fergie.

3. Advantage, City

The Sky Blues haven't won their first league title since 1968 just yet, but with two games to play they are primed for the (OK, let's say it) massive breakthrough. First, they are away to Newcastle, and then home to QPR. The Newcastle match is supposed to be the final difficult hurdle, though the way the Magpies were thrashed by Wigan this past weekend, don't be so sure they'll stop City. Ironically, though, the last time City clinched the top-flight league, in '68, was after a 4-3 win against Newcastle.

United, meanwhile, are home to Swansea City and away to Sunderland.

But Mancini's men are now the odds-on favorite to win the league, which conjures a scene telecast on Sky Sports before the match when a United supporter, drinking a pint, was asked how he'd feel if City won the league. "Worst day of my life," he said.

The reverse will be true among the blues of Manchester.

When is the last time you can remember Jose Mourinho brought down to his knees, succumbed to the gravitas of the occasion? Yet there he was, at the Santiago Bernabeu, kneeling pitchside as Sergio Ramos was about to take his penalty kick in extra time. Real Madrid had missed its first two attempts -- more on that in a bit -- and yet Bayern Munich had then also missed two of their own. But Ramos stuttered in the buildup, and his kick flew about 10 yards over the crossbar -- a shot that made even John Terry's famous miss, or even Roberto Baggio's in the 1994 World Cup, pale in comparison. (And at least Terry had a soggy pitch to blame.)

A few moments later, Bastian Schweinsteiger sealed Madrid's fate: Bayern Munich went through 3-1 on penalties after tying 3-3 on aggregate to reach the Champions League final.

It was a thrilling match, one of many differing rhythms; full-out attack in the first half, followed by a more conservative second half and an exhaustive extra-time period in which both sides looked weary in mind and body. Now, we wait as Bayern gets to host the final in Munich against Chelsea on May 19 in the hopes of winning its fifth European Cup (the side last won the competition in 2001), while Real Madrid will have to be content with winning La Liga over its bitter rival Barcelona -- and that's about it. Los Blancos have been eliminated from Europe's premier competition in 2006, '08, '09, '10, '11 and '12 after a first-leg defeat. When does a pattern become a curse? Madridistas must be asking themselves that question.

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Christof Stache/AFP/Getty ImagesBastian Schweinsteiger and Bayern Munich celebrate an epic win over Real Madrid.

Tale of two halves

The first half was brilliant stuff, with both sides going all out. Mourniho said prematch that Bayern would attack, and it did, adding to the spectacle. Real Madrid had two early chances and took both of them. In the fifth minute, Marcelo -- who, it must be said, had a more than commendable game in winning balls, getting forward and being one of the few players who had enough gas left in the tank in extra time -- hit a cross-field ball to Angel di Maria, whose volley struck David Alaba on the hand. It didn't look intentional and it was at close range to boot. But referee Viktor Kassai, perhaps swayed by Di Maria's and the crowd's partisan reaction, awarded a dubious penalty, which Ronaldo slotted home.

Even more dubious was Bayern's back line when, in the 14th minute, Mesut Ozil played in Ronaldo between Philipp Lahm (who was on a walkabout) and Luis Gustavo Dias for an easy score.

Two chances, two goals. Bayern, meanwhile, didn't take full advantage of their chances: Arjen Robben had an awful miss in front of goal; Mario Gomez, maybe thinking he was offside, didn't put enough mustard on a close-range shot that was saved by Iker Casillas; and Franck Ribery saw his attempt blocked by a scrambling Sami Khedira. It wasn't until the 27th minute that the German side got back into the match when Pepe was penalized in the box for pushing Gomez. Was it a harsh call? Let's just say it'll be filed under the category of "soft penalty," though Madrid supporters may have more creative ways to describe it. The penalty, taken by Robben, came moments after Karim Benzema failed to take advantage of more poor Bayern defending with what should have been a routine poke home from a Ronaldo cross.

At halftime, you can only imagine that Mourinho and Jupp Heynckes reminded their players what, exactly, was at stake. Because, from then on, as the prospect of the Champions League final became more palpable and fatigue set in, the match started to gradually grind to a safety-first approach. There were chances, of course, including one by Gomez late in the second half, but the sense of a penalty shootout loomed large -- as did the inevitability of the German side's superiority in such a contest. In the end, Madrid, which had to play the Clasico this past Saturday, seemed to wear down a bit more while Bayern was able to rest players over the weekend. That showed torward the end, with Bayern creating more chances and deservedly going through.

UEFA's rules need addressing

FIFA changed its rules so that players who accrue yellow cards in the semifinals aren't suspended for the big show. It's time UEFA does the same. The Champions League final is the crown jewel of club football, so why deprive fans of the chance to watch each team's best players. We will be without Chelsea's John Terry, Ramires, Branislav Ivanovic and Raul Meireles. And Bayern, which had six players on the precipice in Wednesday's match, will be without Holger Badstuber, David Alaba and Luis Gustavo

Don't underestimate motivation

Heading into the semifinals, most people had already penciled in another Clasico. But Chelsea rode its luck and showed great heart to knock off the defending champion. And Bayern? It could have easily been rattled after giving up two quick goals at Madrid -- especially after the handball call -- but it remained composed, maybe got a bit of luck of its own, tightened up its defense by closing down spaces behind the full backs and saw the match through. Hosting a Champions League final is a special moment, something Heynckes' side never lost sight of.

Heartbreak for C-Ron and Special One

United fans will remember Ronaldo's missed penalty in the shootout against Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League final. And he missed another one on this day, a rather poor attempt low to the left. Manuel Neuer made a good save, but for someone who had converted his last 25 from the spot, Ronaldo should have done better. Oddly, though, the next Real penalty taker, Kaka, hit the ball in almost the exact spot, with the exact same result. And even though Toni Kroos and Lahm then missed Bayern's next two attempts, both of which were also sub-par, Ronaldo's miss will be the one most people remember. He didn't play well in the first leg, then rebounded to net the winner in the Clasico. But against Bayern, he missed when it mattered most. Then again, Lionel Messi came up short on the spot yesterday, surprising for the game's two best players in such quick succession.

It was also heartbreak for Mourinho, who vanished almost immediately after the final whistle. In the buildup to the clash, he had talked about how his team has had bad luck, about the off-side not given in the first leg and all his usual mind games. Yet, again, we'll remember him on his knees, trying to will the ball into the net when Ramos addressed it. For as good a tactician and motivator the Special One undoubtedly is, the luck and fortune of a penalty shoot-out is the one element of the game he simply can't control.

Will the season be regarded as a success for Mourinho? Winning the league over a Barcelona side that lacked depth and motivation for the fight -- especially on the road this season -- is an achievement given Barca's recent dominance, but it's the European Cup that Mourinho was ultimately brought on board to win, and he has come up short yet again in the final four. He has pledged his future to the Madridistas, and vice versa, but in this fickle world of football, the Special One will have to wait another season to try to become the first manager to win the Champions League with three different clubs.

Meanwhile Heynckes, who won a European title with Real Madrid in 1997-98, now gets a chance for his second.

AP Photo/Tom HeveziAndy Carroll's 87th-minute header earned Liverpool a 2-1 win -- and an FA Cup final berth -- at rival Everton's expense.

Heading into this weekend's fixtures, Arsene Wenger was doing what all managers are required to do -- the painful process of addressing the press. In Wenger's case, he was holding court about how the Gunners would rebound next season without diverging from their financially prudent transfer policy. When asked if he was resigned to the fact that at least two clubs (City and United) would outspend him, he said "of course," and then reminded his audience that there are only two trophies -- "real trophies that are a sign of the quality of the team," in his words -- worth winning, the Premier League and the Champions League.

FA Cup? Not on the list for Wenger, not worth caring about, not a "real" trophy. But tell that to Liverpool and Everton as they clashed in the cup semifinals at Wembley, where plenty of emotion was on display: Everton manager David Moyes pumping his fists with vigor after the Toffees went ahead; Reds gaffer Kenny Dalglish jumping in the air after his side replied with two second-half goals; Andy Carroll going from agony, head buried in embarrassment in his shirt, to rapture after scoring the winning goal; and 87,231 fans who experienced each and every one of the fervent highs and lows of being a football fan.

In this, a Merseyside derby in London, Liverpool edged its archrival Everton 2-1 to reach the final, where it has a chance to pull off a cup double, having won the league cup in February. It's been a bizarre season for the Reds -- they could potentially win two cups and yet finish in the bottom half of the Prem for the first time since the 1950s -- and while this victory was hardly a masterpiece, it'll gloss over those shortcomings (at least for a time) for Dalglish & Co.

The first two goals of the game could have been written into the script for the new "Three Stooges" movie. In the 25th minute, Everton keeper Tim Howard hoofed a long ball that bounced off Tim Cahill's back, falling between Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger. At that point, the two defenders both balked at clearing the danger -- it's yours! No, you take it! No, you take it! -- before Carragher finally kicked the ball right at Cahill. The ball broke for Nikica Jelavic, who slotted it past Liverpool third-string keeper Brad Jones.

Why Carragher was in the side is the first question. With Jose Enrique available on the bench, Dalglish could have played his stronger center back pairing of Agger and Martin Skrtel with Enrique out left. Instead, you sense that the manager was giving Carragher one of those for-old-time's-sake run-outs. Nice gesture, but it cost Liverpool.

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Press Association/AP ImagesLuis Suarez, along with Carroll, helped lead Liverpool to victory.

You also wondered if it was going to be one of those days for Dalglish's team when at the start of the game Steven Gerrard tried to play Luis Suarez into the box, only to smash referee Howard Webb in the head with the ball. Another comedic moment came when Stewart Downing literally outran a ball that he should have crossed.

To be fair, Everton came out the better side in the first half, looking brighter in attack and more organized in defense. And you can only presume Dalglish lit a fire under his players during the halftime (let's call it) talk, because they came out much stronger. Yet, it was another gaffe of epic proportions that allowed the Reds back into the match in the 62nd minute. Carroll won a header, pushing the ball out wide. Sylvain Distin raced in front of Suarez and could have kicked the ball up field, out of play or back to his keeper. The defender chose the last option, but his back pass had all the pace of a turtle, and Suarez was able to run onto the ball and toward goal. John Heitinga hurried across to try to stop him, but Suarez, using the outside of his right foot, cooly slotted the ball home.

While Distin should hang his head in shame (after the match, the crestfallen center back walked over to Everton supporters to apologize), Suarez deserves credit -- it was not an easy finish, he only made it look so. What's more, he has now scored in all three of his appearances in the FA Cup for Liverpool, unlike the profligacy in front of goal we've seen from him at other times.

Moyes tried to make adjustments, moving Cahill into the middle of the field and Marouane Fellaini forward to help out Jelavic, who seemed to lose steam and also lacked much endeavor to run onto long balls. Leighton Baines wasn't his usual dangerous self going forward, either. Overall, Everton lost their way for much of the second half and didn't have an answer as Liverpool continued to pressure.

And what of Liverpool's Carroll? The man in the ponytail has been pilloried for months for not living up to his 35 million pound price tag, which has hung around his neck like an albatross. And the striker missed some gilt-edge chances in this match, too. In the 47th minute, Downing -- who after his switch to the left side of midfield actually hit two, count 'em, two, decent crosses -- flung the ball into the box. At the far post, Carroll jumped up on a free header four yards from goal yet somehow contrived to miss wide. The camera panned to former Liverpool striker Ian Rush, as if to say, He wouldn't have missed that.

Two other attempts in the second half -- shots at Carroll's feet -- also missed the target.

At the same time, Carroll was Liverpool's most threatening player in the first half and continued to play well in the second. His work rate was excellent, he tracked back, won balls both on the ground and in the air. Of course, strikers aren't remembered (or necessarily paid) for these sorts of things. It's those nanoseconds in front of goal -- success or failure -- that are indelibly burned into the harddrive of our minds. And after winning the game against Blackburn in stoppage time with a header mid-week, Carroll again came through. On a free kick outside the box, the always chirpy Craig Bellamy (on for Downing, who put in a reasonable shift) put up a sublime curving ball from the left into the box, where Carroll outjumped Jelavic to head home. Fellaini, who had been marking Carroll for most of the match, was on the wrong side of the ball and didn't even bother to jump and challenge.

"It's a great feeling," Carroll told reporters. "I've had some criticism but I've just kept on going. I get the winner here and it's a great feeling. I believe in myself every day."

Added Jones about his teammate: "The media knock him but … he works hard, does extra training and deserved this goal at Wembley."

That's two matches now where Carroll has come up big. I'm reminded of the night of Dec. 30, when Liverpool took on Newcastle. It was supposed to be a big match for Carroll against his former club, as he was starting up top for the suspended Suarez. On a free kick in the 67th minute, Bellamy shot from about 25 yards from goal, and Carroll ran toward the near post. In a flash, the ball had gone into the back of the net and for a split second it appeared that Carroll had helped it along. He ran toward his teammates with a sheepish, almost apologetic smile. Was he taking credit? He knew, of course, that he had ultimately had nothing to do with the shot -- it was all Bellamy, and a rather strange and awkward moment for Carroll. In the end, the press predictably pounced on him for another failed outing.

The same could have been said of him at Wembley, the pitch half bathed in sun and half in shadow. For all his effort, if not for his goal, Carroll would have been cast in the dark half, with the focus being on his missed chances. And, indeed, the striker still has a long, long way to go before he's living up to his multimillion pound billing. But for now, with Liverpool in the FA Cup final, Carroll can smile -- and this time mean it.

Getty ImagesPop quiz: Which players would make your best starting XI in Europe? Before you answer, here's a caveat -- you can pick only one player per team to avoid a Barca/Real love-fest.

From the sublime to the ridiculous -- which is to say, from Lionel Messi to Mario Balotelli -- we've been mightily entertained this European season as it winds down across the continent. So what better time to engage in that time-honored (and, if you're at work, time-wasting) tradition of picking your best starting XI?

But let's not take the path of least resistance and select anyone we want. Do that, and most of us will end up with a mutant hybrid of Barcelona and Real Madrid, perhaps with a token player from further afield -- best get your boots on and join us, Peter Crouch, for your wonder goal this season.

Instead, taking a look at the best or most promising players throughout Europe, pick your dream team with the caveat that you're allowed only one player per team. It's an exercise that sends your mind into paroxysms of paranoia. Because the moment you decide on, say, Messi, you immediately rule out Xavi, Andres Iniesta and any other Barca player you covet. The dominoes fall and you begin to wonder, Wait, was this the right choice? Should I start by picking the best midfielder, and go from there? Work from the back?

You're at war with yourself, leaving you to lament that the Bad Brains never recorded "I Against I … the Football Edition."

In the end, as any devotee of Football Manager will know, concessions must be made, and some positions won't necessarily be filled with your first-choice player. It's all about taking calculated risks based on your preferred system, stats, observations and a good old hunch to put together a group of players who could be the ultimate world beaters.

So who are you going with? (Aside: If anyone knows how to code the formations more accurately, please let me know.)

If you go the tried-and-true 4-4-2 route, try this XI for size:

                      Gianluigi Buffon
Philipp Lahm    Vincent Kompany  Javi Martinez    Taye Taiwo
Antonio Valencia   Scott Parker    Xavi    Cristiano Ronaldo 
                    Edinson Cavani      Robin van Persie 

Up top: The man who all but ended Manchester City's dreams of reaching the knockout stage of the Champions League this season by scoring a brace, Cavani has been the most dynamic player of Napoli's three-headed attack. He terrorizes defenses with his movement and finishing ability, and as the City match demonstrated, he can raise his game for the big occasion. "Cavani is a good player, a good striker, he scores goals and works for the team," Roberto Mancini said after that fateful match. El Matador has 19 goals and three assists in the league so far this season, and will be one of the most coveted transfer targets this summer.

Slightly behind him is Robin van Persie. The best striker in England, RvP -- 27 goals and 10 assists in the Prem so far -- is the main reason Arsenal is in contention for a Champions League spot next season (the Gunners can even dare to dream of third place) and is not imploding amid fans baying for Arsene Wenger's blood.

Together, Cavani and RvP could wreak havoc up top, executing runs off the ball and finishing from all angles to leave defenses in a befuddled heap.

In the midfield, it has to be Xavi. Yes, that means no Messi, but with the Spaniard, you're talking about the most creative force in world football. Xavi pulls off passes that mere mortals can't execute in "FIFA Soccer 12," his head always moving left and right like a mechanical turret searching for its target (you half expect it to unscrew and fly away).

Whom do you pair him with? Given that this is an attacking lineup, safety first should be the policy -- a player who cleans up the messes others leave behind. Bayern's Bastian Schweinsteiger would be a welcome addition to any midfield, but knowing the right-back position will be Lahm, another solution is needed. His name: Scott Parker. He's not going to turn heads or create many goal-scoring chances, but you won't find a more prolific tackler or someone more willing to put his body on the line for the cause.

On either side of Xavi and Parker you've got the out-and-out winger Valencia, arguably Manchester United's most important player of the season, and Real's Ronaldo, who takes a backseat to only one player on this planet and who, it might be added, has netted 40 goals and 11 assists of his own in La Liga so far. His performances have been so outrageously good that Jose Mourinho has said that wherever he goes next, he wants Ronaldo to come with him.

Anchoring the center of defense is Kompany, one of City's most consistent and consistently superb players who has competed with his head held high while others have divided the dressing room. Last season, he was on the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, and should be on it again. From tackling and heading to knowing when to play the ball out of the back versus controlling with his feet, Kompany is money. Joining him is Bilbao's Martinez. He's a defensive midfielder with excellent ball skills, and some may argue that long-term he's wasted at the back, but mad scientist Marcelo Bielsa converted him from defensive mid to center back this season with great fanfare -- and great results. So for now, Martinez stays at the back on this team.

At right back is Lahm, Bayern's versatile fullback who can play on either flank. Possessed of excellent pace in the attack and ball-controlling skills for passing and clearing, Lahm is one of those constants when the lineup is made. And, at 28 years old, he possesses a wealth of experience for both club and country.

The clamors for Ashley Cole at left back will no doubt be loud from EPL fans, but the Chelsea player has had a down season. Leighton Baines is perhaps one of the most underrated in the position with his ability to get forward and send in the crosses, though his positional awareness (as we saw even this past weekend) continues to be suspect. Lyon's Aly Cissokho is tempting -- he's been a reported target for both Liverpool and Arsenal -- but having not seen enough of him, the choice is the powerful Taiwo. He was having trouble getting regular starts at AC Milan, but the talented defender is finding his groove on loan at QPR, where he's netted one goal and two assists in 10 league matches.

Between the sticks: An oldie, Buffon, where at a resurgent Juve this season he has made 76 saves and kept 17 clean sheets in 30 league matches.

So there you go, a dream starting XI.

But if you want to throw a wrinkle into the equation, let's go with a more attacking formation -- 4-1-3-2. We can keep many of the same players, with some tweaks.

                    Gianluigi Buffon
Maxi Pereira    Vincent Kompnay  Javi Martinez    Taye Taiwo
                      Bastian Schweinsteiger  
    Luka Modric    Xavi    Cristiano Ronaldo 
                    Edinson Cavani      Robin van Persie 

Here, due to the lack of natural width, any attacks would be routed primarily through the center of the pitch. Therefore, the addition of Benfica wing back Pereira on the right would provide some attacking skills from deep to keep defenses honest, while Bayern's midfield general Schweinsteiger would provide steel and skill in an otherwise stacked side, allowing Modric and Xavi to be the principal playmakers.

Ah, but no Messi. So far, Xavi has been the choice from Barcelona. That said, if we want to include the Wee One, let's go with a 4-1-2-3, a system Messi can thrive in (OK, he'd probably be the world's best in a 9-0-1). Bringing in Messi means adios to Xavi. We'd also take out one Bilbao player, Martinez, and bring in an even more dynamic one, Iker Muniain, who has excelled on the left wing of a front three this season. In the middle: City's David Silva and Real Madrid's "Avatar Eyes" Mesut Ozil controlling the game's pace and unlocking defenses. Joining them would be Andrea Pirlo, the deep-lying midfielder who has proved (along with Paul Scholes) to be one of the smartest signings of the season, in his case for Juve.

To accommodate this world-class defensive midfielder, we'd have to lose Buffon and in his place would be Bayern's Neuer. At 25, he's already the best keeper in Germany, and this season he has 54 saves and 16 clean sheets in 30 league games. Beyond the stats, he's handled his move to his new club this season with aplomb.

                              Manuel Neuer
Maxi Pereira    Thiago Silva  Neven Subotic    Gareth Bale
                               Andrea Pirlo
                      David Silva        Mesut Ozil      
       Lionel Messi     Robin van Persie      Iker Muniain 

At the back, Pereira would be joined by AC Milan's Thiago Silva. He's currently out with an injury to his right thigh, and hasn't been helped this season playing in so many different pairings -- including Alessandro Nesta, Daniele Bonera, old man Mario Yepes and Philippe Mexes -- but the Brazilian, who is sought by Barcelona, would be a terrific defensive anchor on any team. Joining him? Why not a bit of youth, and quite possibly the game's next Nemanja Vidic (out for the season), Serbia defender Neven Subotic. The 6-foot-3, 23-year-old Borussia Dortmund center back shows the kind of body-on-the-line defending that has made him a favorite of, among others, Sir Alex Ferguson.

At left back, to spice things up, let's go with Gareth Bale at the position where he started his career at Southampton. But, in practice, he'd be more of a wing back here -- think the Dani Alves of the left -- who'd rush down the flanks to link up with Messi.

Three options, and yet plenty of great players left out (to all you Arjen Robben fans), and making those highly subjective decisions the stuff of, well, dreams.