Impressions are still fresh, which makes it easier to indulge in hyperbole, but during the first 45 minutes against Schalke, Gladbach delivered some of the finest team football the Bundesliga has seen this season. On top, there was a goal for every personal preference in football artistry anyone could have: a great individual goal by Marco Reus, an even greater team goal finished off by Mike Hanke and a beautiful goal from a free kick by Juan Arango.

We were in our places a few minutes earlier than usual, standing not sitting, hopping around not so much to stave off the bitter cold, more in excited anticipation. Even the veterans haven't seen anything like this.

The players had a prematch kickabout, the mascot's nervous pride shone through as they found a hero to play with, but all eyes were on the tunnel.

I may have a few crumbs of comfort for the Bolton fan who rang 606 last night to bemoan his side's lack of application and effort. The same thing happens after every game these days, the fans of the opposing side making a similar complaint, and the common denominator is Spurs. Rather than your team not trying, it's because they couldn't get near us.

Tough to answer. Many people will be upset to see a Mexican goal against the U.S. in a championship as goal of the year and possible best goal ever, but it is what it is. It's controversial to say, but, there is an argument to be made.

Nothing breaks the heart like a candle whose flame is blown out by the wind. Noted actor Joey Lawrence's career burned with promise and brimmed with energy. From the very first episode of the late 90′s TV show Blossom, audiences fell in love his "whoa" and looked forward to decades of avant grade artistry.

Dempsey proves his worth in energy

Clint Dempsey knows he's not the most ­spectacular player in the Fulham team. The recent scoring ­exploits of Andrew Johnson, emergence of Bobby Zamora as an ­England player and wing artistry of Damian Duff have tended to hog the ­headlines.

Champions League: Legendary Football With Heineken - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

The Champions League (sponsored by Heineken) represents competition between the finest football sides in Europe (and the best footballers in the world). Winning the domestic league is undoubtedly important, and it is the bread and butter of any football club but participating in the most prestigious, world-renowned and toughest club competition in the world is another matter entirely.

Sponsored Video: Legendary Football

Heineken presents the finest football in the world. Enjoy the artistry of the greatest players producing the most legendary moments of the UEFA ChampionsLeague — the pinnacle of club football. http://on.fb.me/nEIza7 . And now you can play live, legendary football with Heineken Star Player.

Paul Gardner sums up the UEFA Champions League Final perfect in his rent piece on 'The Barcelona Way'-
Barcelona 3 Manchester United 1. How can a game between the champions of England, the legendary ManU, and the champions of Spain, the equally esteemed Barca, possibly turn out to be a mismatch?

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that in his 25 years in the United hot seat, Barcelona are the best team he has ever had to face.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men were thoroughly outplayed and outclassed by a mesmeric Barcelona side who eventually triumphed 3-1 courtesy of goals from Pedro, Messi and a superb curling effort by David Villa.

The end of another trophyless Arsenal season has gooners everywhere wondering how this Arsenal team can get out of its rut and move forward. It's obvious that a couple of quality signings would no doubt improve the team, but I thought I would look at our current resources to see if there is something new or different we could try next season.

- Maxi Rodriguez

"When I watch Barcelona, it is art."

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Football presents us with plenty of 'proper' ways to play the game. The Brazilians emphasize creativity and rhythm. The English, a direct game based on precedent.

Paul Gardner of Soccer America writes of the artist that is Lionel Messi, and the comparisons between Messi and Mozart.
The most poetic reference in the article is how Messi describes what soccer means to him (see below in BOLD).

Watching Lionel Messi play soccer gives me an intense delight.

The byline for Paul Hayward's article runs 'after a week when Real Madrid and Barcelona beat Europe 9-1 the prospect of four Clásicos in 18 days enters thrilling view'. Hopefully that'll be the case, rather than a mass of overhype and overkill.
Artistry and anger vie as Real and Barça stage world series

Monday morning, the doom and gloom can stay back in yesterday ... and last week ... erm ... and the week before. This is a new dawn, it's new day, it's a new life ... well, no, it's not a new life but I'm bang on with the dawn and day stuff.

Anyway, it would be easy to mope this week. To take all the crushing, soul destroying, heart wrenching, brain killing moments and spin them out in a not at all melodramatic way until we got a chance to look forward to the West Brom game at the weekend.

Life's most pleasant surprises come in our greatest moments of weakness. The romantic triangle, the hermaphrodite rabbit, Ben Aguero's lack of a left foot except for the recent pk, this series has focused on all aspects of Junito's life but one, his soccer talents. That is about to change.

First, allow me to paint over painful recent Real Madrid memories with a bit of nostalgia.

Known throughout the world for their artistry on the pitch, the Brasilian National Team combine a unique flair with technical excellence and blinding speed.

With five stars emboldened across the most feared jersey in world football, their legendary style of play is only matched by an unrivaled passion to win.