UEFA Champions League: Manchester United Hosts Bayern Munich, Lyon Goes to Bordeaux

An aspect of Lionel Messi's four goals few have talked about:  their variety.  Self-created or running onto the ball.  Left foot.  Right foot.  Strikes.  Lobs.  Important equalizers or late match insurance.  From the right, left, or the middle of the box.

It's not that Messi is great.  It's how many different ways he's finding to be great.  Yesterday, he was so great, people forgot the other match was even played.

On Wednesday, there again is an element of featured match, other match.

The "other match" is taking place in Bordeaux, where Lyon takes a 3-1 lead into the Stade Chaban Delmas.  Lyon will be without Lisandro Lopez and Sidney Govou, but one round removed from holding Real Madrid to one goal over 180 minutes, they've shown they can keep a score down.

Bordeaux is in a free fall.  They've lost three matches in a row and allowed eight goals in the process.  Normally a measured, conservative side, they will be pressed to stay ambitious throughout.  It's not the type of game they want to play.

In Wendesday's other match, Manchester United also returns home trailing, but without Wayne Rooney, it is unclear where they will find goals.  I say goals because it's been five months since Bayern Munich have been shut out.  Manchester United should plan for the event that they allow a goal (though they are capable of keeping a clean sheet).

United's only weekend goal came controversial, with late substitute Federico Macheda appearing to guide the ball in with his arm/hand.  That goal came late, after United was already down 2-0 in a poor performance against Chelsea.  Contrasted with Munich's 2-1 win at Schalke while playing a man down, you see two teams going in different directions.

Recent history has not been kind to Champions League visitors at Old Trafford, the likes of Barcelona, Inter, Milan, Arsenal, Roma, and Lyon having met their end in Manchester.

Today though?  Something feels different.