This may shock a few people, but I was not surprised at all by this week’s Champions League results.

The favourites, in my opinion — Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid — got the job done and have put themselves in relatively strong positions to advance to the semi-finals of the competition.

The way Barca dismantled a very good Man City side was just terrific to watch — it was the football week’s highlight for me.

So much for Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho’s somewhat mischievous claim that Gerardo Martino’s side are the worst Barca side in recent memory. We all know Mourinho is the king of the mind games and this was just another attempt of his to rattle some cages.

To be honest, I didn’t really think Barca got out of second gear during their 2-0 win at the Etihad Stadium. They didn’t need to! They were simply outstanding and showed that they remain one of European football’s most devastating sides. I certainly wouldn’t rule then out lifting the Champions League trophy in Lisbon in May.

It’s been suggested that defender Martin Demichelis’s dismissal for City after a foul on the mesmerising Lionel Messi was a little harsh, but I didn’t think so. I was a clear red for me — and it was a definite penalty. The contact did start fractionally outside the area but it continued inside the box when Messi was subsequently tripped again, so I don’t really think there’s too much room for debate in that one.

Had City managed to hang on for a 1-0 defeat, then I reckon they would have been pretty satisfied with that. However, the second goal from Daniel Alves really knocked the stuffing out of Manuel Pellegrini’s side. I just can’t see them getting anything at the Nou Camp. For me, the tie is pretty much over.

As for Arsenal, I thought they were a little hard done by with the sending-off of their goalkeeper, Wojciech Szczesny. I thought there was minimal contact, I really did. Plus, if you look closely you can see Arjen Robben, the Bayern winger, look at the referee as he is in mid-flight.

I’m not the referee, however, and he made the call, so you have to respect his decision.

I’m already looking forward to Manchester United’s Champions League clash against Olympiacos next Tuesday. They have actually been in very good form in the Champions League, despite having a pretty shocking season domestically.

It will be a tricky task for United in Greece, though, but I back them to get a result for their manager, David Moyes, who will be desperate to extend his team’s run in Europe. It’s all they have to play for, really.

A win would set them up nicely, as their next league game is away to Crystal Palace, a team United should be able to do a number on.

Don’t get me wrong, Palace have been very impressive since Tony Pulis took charge and I believe he will keep them up. But a team with United’s quality, with the likes of Rooney, Van Persie and Mata, should have enough to go to places like Selhurst Park and win easily.