The Hot List

Will he stay or will he go?

Perhaps it was a weekend where the focus of most sports fans was not what it might have been. The weekend directly before a Saturday featuring not just the Heineken Cup Final, but also the Champions League decider can have that effect. But it was still noteworthy on many levels nonetheless. Check out this weeks hot list to see who’s making the sporting headlines for all the right reasons and those for whom it was a weekend to forget.

10 conclusions from Inter v Barcelona

Advantage Inter

What a compelling game just finished in the San Siro. Inter were worthy 3-1 winners on the night and once again not only did Jose Mourinho get his tactics spot on, but his players gave their all in the pursuit of victory. The tie is a long way from being over, it’s not hard to envisage Barca scoring twice in El Camp Nou after all, but tonight’s win for the Nerazurri will leave their outstanding captain Javier Zanetti and his team mates dreaming of a date with destiny in Madrid on May 22nd. Here are some thoughts from tonight’s action.

Who’s Hot & Who’s Not

Unstoppable at present

No I haven’t started writing for FHM, I’m just trialling a new format which I have to fess up straight away and admit I’ve “borrowed” from Sports Illustrated’s golf scribe Alan Shipnuck. The Hot List is a weekly feature he writes  and I like the punchy, entertaining way in which the column’s delivered. So without further ado here’s this week’s Hot or Not list…and don’t worry –  I’ll be covering a lot more than golf.

Football round up

Under serious pressure

1 – Another false dawn for Liverpool after a shambolic defeat at Craven Cottage. Two red cards, 3 goals conceded, Torres a major doubt for Wednesday’s crunch game at Lyon and Gerrard definitely out. How much worse can things get for Rafa Benitez? His power base within the club is secure after he saw off Rick Parry and negotiated a huge contract with the American owners last season. But Benitez knows the sack won’t be as distant as it appears now if a majority of Liverpool fans decide enough is enough. When that line is crossed Rafa will most definitely start to hear the Fat Lady clearing her throat.