This week in sport: 5-11 April 2010

This week saw the return of Tiger Woods to competitive golf at the Masters, the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the Grand National and a busy league schedule around Europe.

GOOD WEEK

Phil Mickelson: One of the most popular golfers on tour, Mickelson has endured a difficult year as his wife Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite all this, Mickelson returned to form at Augusta, playing some breathtaking shots on his way to a -16 total. This put him 3 ahead of his closest challenger Lee Westwood and sealed an emotional third green jacket for Lefty.

Barcelona: This could well be a season-defining week for Barça as they hit imperious form in their 2 biggest games to date. First, Arsenal were swatted aside in the Champions League with unbelievable performances from Leo Messi and Xavi. These 2 players attracted untold amounts of praise in the press and carried their form to the clásico on Saturday night. Real Madrid were beaten 2-0 without Barça ever really hitting their stride, to leave them effectively 4 points adrift of Pep Guardiola’s side.

Claudio Ranieri: Cast aside by European powerhouses Chelsea and Juventus, it looks like the softly-spoken “Tinkerman” may well have the last laugh this season. His Roma side are currently on a fantastic 23-match unbeaten run in Serie A and usurped long time leaders Inter yesterday with a 2-1 victory over Atalanta. Inter continue to be distracted by the Champions League and the Coppa Italia, meaning the league title could be Roma’s for the taking.

Honourable mentions: Portsmouth, Manchester City, Matteo Manassero, the FA Cup and Fabian Cancellara.

BAD WEEK

Real Madrid: Before Saturday, they had a perfect home record with 45 points from a possible 45. However, they came up against a Barcelona side that thoroughly outclassed them, showing all the money in the world can’t buy success. Real’s crown jewel, world record signing Cristiano Ronaldo, typified everything wrong with their approach, trying to win the game by himself and making badly rushed decisions. And all this on a Champions League week when they could only sit and watch, knowing they won’t make a triumphant return to the Santiago Bernabéu on May 22nd.

Manchester United: The current English champions had a week to forget as they were knocked out of the Champions League and were held to a 0-0 draw at Blackburn. One time Manchester United target Arjen Robben scored a sumptuous volley to put out the 2009 finalists on away goals. On Sunday, they put in an insipid display against Blackburn to miss their chance of going top, making a trophyless season a distinct possibilty.

Sergio García: The serial Major-flaker was at it again this week at Augusta as he finished in an embarrassing tie for second-last. The Spaniard carded the worst round of the day to finish +10 for the tournament. With Tiger on his way back, who knows if Sergio will ever realise his talent and win an elusive Major? St. Andrew’s in July looks a more realistic target.

Honourable mentions: Tottenham, Wembley, Howard Webb, Bordeaux and Hull City.