Only one winner and three finalists in the 22 year history of the Champions League have not been from the power group of G14(18) clubs.
When there appears to be systemic corruption, it is little wonder that clubs and individuals lower down the food chain also wish to feed at the trough of greed.
This is the fifth season where Manuel Pellegrini has managed a Champions League team - Villarreal (twice), Real Madrid, Malaga and Manchester City.
His 'error of judgement' in Munchen on Tuesday has been put down to a lack of knowledge regarding the rules of qualification.
Notwithstanding the fact that a meticulous mathematician of a manager would not make such an 'error of judgement', Pellegrini has been in very similar positions twice before going into the final round of Champions League group games...
... and on each occasion, he was strategic in the need for a particular result.
In 2009/10, Real Madrid had to win their final match away to Marseille, otherwise Milan could have finished above them due to their head-to-head matches (1-1 and a 3-2 win to the Italians).
If goal difference had been the issue then a draw would have been enough as Madrid had a 6 goal advantage in this department.
Real Madrid won and finished top of their group.
The previous season at Villarreal, Pellegrini was in a similar position going into the final match except that, on this occasion, although the team were level on points with Manchester United and both head-to-head games between the teams had finished 0-0, United's two goal difference advantage plus the Mancunians home advantage against Aalborg of Denmark resulted in Pellegrini resting 8 first team members with the outcome being a 2-0 defeat at Celtic.
Each of these structures would suggest that Sr Pellegrini is well aware of the rules of qualification for the Champions League 2nd Phase.
We are aware that Interpol and Europol have been informed regarding
this match but don't hold your breath as corruption must only be seen to
occur in eastern Europe and the Balkans.
But what exactly was going on in Munchen on Tuesday?
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