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What happened at Celtic Park was cruel, with Juventus running out 3-0 winners thanks to an early goal, two late ones and some supine refereeing; what follows will be crueller for Neil Lennon's side, who had much of the play and none of the luck.
A winter month doesn't last longer, it just seems that way - even in the case of 28-day February. This phenomenon is often blamed on the shortness of days leading to long nights, on pre-Christmas anticipation and then the post-Christmas come-down, but you shouldn't overlook UEFA's role. Never slow to look for a chance to increase the sum of human misery, Michel Platini and friends took the perfectly serviceable last 16 of the Champions League and stretched it out over four midweeks, with a gap at halfway.
Juve face a tantalising few weeks: the Italian club had 1.9 feet in the last eight by 10.40pm Turin time on February 12 but will not find out their quarter-final opponents until gone noon on March 15. Celtic's Catholic support may notice that they begin Lent facing 22 days in the wilderness: not until March 6 will they be put out of their misery.
Valencia's position is not quite so desperate, 2-1 down from the home leg against Paris Saint-Germain, but without Adil Rami's late goal the second-leg night would be close to an exercise in futility and may become one quickly if David Beckham's new friends get a good start at the Parc des Princes.
This can happen. Quarter-finals or semi-finals can also be over after the first leg. But that is unavoidable. UEFA's desire to split the last 16 rather than having four ties a night - somehow we cope with eight matches per evening during the group stage - increases the likelihood of dead or dying rubbers.
Meanwhile, after two games per night on Tuesday and Wednesday, we will have 16 on Thursday as the Europa League returns. There are staggered kick-offs at 6pm and 8.05pm but the concentration remains.
The Champions League sells itself. Since they took the brave step of overruling the clubs and ditching the second group stage, UEFA have a great combination of league and knockout football in their elite competition. The same cannot be said of the Europa League, and UEFA are looking at ways to enhance the second-tier event.
Here's an easy one: rather than stretching the Champions League last 16 out interminably, give the bigger clubs a longer break and let European competition return with a showcase for the Europa League's last 32.
Just imagine, if they had done that for this season, then Celtic would still have hope, and in the long run at least a week's less misery...
Philip Cornwall
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