Daily News Channel
European champions Barcelona began the defense of the Spanish Primera Liga title with a 3-0 demolition of Sporting Gijon in the Camp Nou on Monday night. Barca were missing Lionel Messi, who is on international duty with Argentina, and injured key midfielder Andres Iniesta, but it made little difference against the visitors, who narrowly avoided relegation last season.
Manchester United will carry a slim 1-0 lead into their second leg of their all-English Champions League semifinal against Arsenal. A John O’Shea goal after 18 minutes was all the defending champions had to show despite dominating Wednesday’s first leg at Old Trafford. But the manner of their performance will encourage them to believe they can book a place in the final in Rome on May 27 and remain on course to repeat their feat of last season in winning the Champions League and English Premier League