"REAL Madrid showed they are a cut above the rest this week when they beat Manchester United 3-1 in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. It was like watching men against boys - or professionals against amateurs. Real Madrid really put on a show. United were not even in the same league as them and they were lucky to hold the score to 3-1. Zidane, Ronaldo, Figo and especially Raul just took United apart. In fact United's players seemed scared of Real. I can't believe how much room they gave them. You cannot give Real that kind of room and expect to do well against them. Raul was especially brilliant with his two goals. I can't see United being able to come out of this draw when the return leg is held in Manchester in a couple of weeks. But they do have a chance. That away goal from Ruud van Nistelrooy has given them a lifeline. If they can score a couple of goals in Manchester and stop Real from scoring they will win the tie. But somehow I just do not see it.

To be fair United did have a couple of chances on Tuesday night. But now Scholes and Gary Neville will both be out for the second leg (due to yellow cards) and they are going to really miss Scholes. United better hope that Veron will be fit because he will definitely be needed in midfield. He is the kind of player that can make things happen and if anyone can save United in the second leg it will be him. United will also have to stop giving Real so much room - I couldn't believe how much time on the ball they allowed Real's players to have. You just cannot do that with the likes of Figo and Zidane. United are going to have to play it very tight and physical if they are to do well.

The other Champions League matches were all pretty tight - Barcelona drawing 1-1 with Juventus in Turin, Ajax and AC Milan playing to a scoreless draw in Amsterdam and Inter beating Valencia 1-0 in Milan with Christian Vieri scoring - no surprise there. Vieri could have scored a thousand goals by now if he wasn't injured so much!! He is so big and strong.

I think that Juventus could beat Barcelona in Spain although it will not be easy. But if anyone can come away with something at Barcelona it is Juventus who are in control of the Italian League now - five points clear of Inter and eight points ahead of AC Milan.

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FA CUP

The FA Cup semifinals are being played this weekend and while one would think that Premier teams Southampton and Arsenal would beat Watford and Sheffied United (respectively) people have to remember that this is the FA Cup and anything can happen. I think that both games will be entertaining.

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PREMIER LEAGUE

Well Manchester United have drawn level at the top with Arsenal - on points that is as Arsenal have a better goal difference. As I have said before I think everything will come down to Arsenal's game against United on Wednesday - that will decide who wins the championship. But remember that United have a tough game against Newcastle on Saturday morning and they had better win that. Anything less will not do.

Last week United hit Liverpool hard beating them 4-0. They got two penalties and while I am not saying that they were not legitimate penalties it seems that United always get a lot of penalties when they play at home! I thought the sending off of Liverpool's Hyypia for the first penalty after only four minutes was a bit harsh. Playing United at home is tough enough but to have to play against them with 10 men is very hard.

I know Arsenal must have been disappointed with their 1-1 draw with Aston Villa but it certainly sets up the end of season matches.

Leeds really showed how good they can be when they beat Charlton 6-1. It showed what the players can do if they put their minds to it and I think that despite all the transfers and money problems Leeds have had this season, the players have to take some responsibility for their position.

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KENNY THOMPSON

Bermuda's youth coach Kenny Thompson was talking this week about the Under-17 team and other youth squads. But I have said before, and I will say it again - Bermuda must have something to offer the senior players. What happens after these players graduate from that Under-17 squad? Where do they go? We have to do better than this. We can't just worry only about the Under-17 team - what has happened to those kids who were in previous Under-17 teams?

I would also like to see more money put into the game - and not just football but all the sports. I see this week where the tennis (association) were talking about the lack of money. We have to get money to give these athletes a chance. It makes no sense sending them out to compete with no money. Either do it right or don't do it at all.

The country that does it right is Australia with their sports academies and financial backing for their sports teams.