1. Tottenham not good enough
THERE WERE plenty of questions asked as Tottenham crashed out of the Champions League in their penultimate game of the competition.
On TV3, Graeme Souness wondered why the side looked so flat in comparison with their usual energetic approach, while suggesting they may have been guilty of over-training this season.
There was criticism too of manager Mauricio Pochettino. Big names such as Kyle Walker, Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen were left out of the starting XI.
Vertonghen’s absence seemed to be particularly keenly felt as Eric Dier and Kevin Wimmer were unconvincing in his absence, as Spurs were ultimately lucky to concede just twice with Hugo Lloris having to make more than one excellent save.
Yet irrespective of tonight’s performance, the plain truth is that Tottenham haven’t been good enough on a consistent basis at this level, tactically, physically or technically, as just one win in five games attests.
2. Leicester fairytale continues
Things may not be going according to plan for Leicester in the Premier League, with the club hovering just two points above the relegation.
However, they have continued their heroics from last season in the Champions League at least.
Tonight was the icing on the cake, as the Foxes made it four wins out of five in Europe, with Club Brugge their latest victims, and Champions League qualification secured in the process.
They had the benefit of finding themselves in perhaps the easiest group in the competition, but Claudio Ranieri and the fans won’t care.
For Leicester to reach this point is as close as it comes to a sporting miracle, and given that they are now guaranteed to top their group, they have given themselves every chance of another favourable draw and further progress amid what has been an unforgettable 12 months.
3. Usual suspects set to dominate Champions League last-16
Leicester aside, there is a familiar look to the teams in the Champions League last-16 so far.
Of the 10 sides that have secured their passage, six were at the same point last season.
Moreover, if Man City and Benfica do progress as expected, that number will increase to eight.
While there are a couple of obvious anomalies, the current state of affairs is a reflection of the increasing wealth disparity between the top clubs and the rest of Europe, with the richer teams simply getting richer and the increasing sense of the also-rans being left behind.
And even at this point, most people could have a pretty good stab at guessing the identity of the likely eight quarter-finalists.
The powerful few elite clubs aside, this situation is in no one’s interest.
As the super clubs continue to prosper, the majority of fans lose out. Consequently, football becomes more predictable and far less entertaining as a result.
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