There are NO more league games left. No more bouts of football that offer log position changing results or reputation creating moments for the hungriest of players. All but one is done. One final battle that all fans will be focused on, and if the club you support isn’t involved in this massive spectacle, then you’re inevitably picking a side.

Saturday, 28th May 2011. Not only is it the biggest annual club match in the world, but this years final also sported two of the biggest clubs in the world. Both sides last featured in a Champions League Final in 2009, when Barcelona claimed a comfortable 2-0 victory over Manchester United at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

In the red corner: Manchester United have sported a less convincing side this past season than what we’ve become accustomed to seeing, yet Fergie‘s men showed a top-shelf level of discipline and consistency that overshadowed teams that seemed bigger challengers on paper. This proved to be key in their haul of a record 19th Premier League title and their climb to the Champions League final.

In the blue corner: FC Barcelona have had a tremendous 2010-2011 La Liga campaign, not only winning the Spanish league for the 3rd consecutive season, but beating Jose Mourinho’s superstar-studded Real Madrid side in what was a two horse race for the title.

Almost as if the 2009 Final script was revisited, the echo of the whistle to kickoff had barely faded and the Red Devils were let loose like hunting dogs. United’s applied pressure gained them an early dominance and the Catalans struggled to create a rhythm or adequate possession of any kind. Unfortunately, closing down a team at this rate is nearly impossible to keep up for 90 minutes and it didn’t take too long for Barca to gain momentum and control of the game’s pace. Barcelona maintained 67% possession in the first half of the game, spending most of it in the devil’s half of the pitch. They produced a continuous flow of attempts to get closer into the box where they usually prove to be most dangerous, but a commendable defensive effort from United broke down the attack systematically, forcing the Catalans to gamble on a series of ambitious, but unsuccessful attempts.

It was in the 27th minute that the game was opened by a trademark Barca counterattack that allowed them space around United’s tight defence and saw Pedro net a clean shot from just outside the big box from a well-timed Xavi through ball. Seven minutes later, Wayne Rooney created, carried through and finished a beautiful run from the right flank, near midway on the pitch. Rooney’s second pass in his run was to a questionably off-side Ryan Giggs who’s touch back set Rooney up for an unstoppable shot.

The second half saw Barca pick up from where they ended the first half. Determined to regain their lead, they sped up the game pace, creating a number of dangerous opportunities with no reward until the 54th minute. During their typical predatory movement around United’s big box, Barca opened the perfect gap after Park Ji-Sung’s miss-timed attempt to intercept an Andreas Iniesta pass pulled him out of position and left Lionel Messi to pick up the pass and make use of the neglected space. A quick run at the defence dragged Patrice Evra across to overlap Nemanja Vidic, opening up a narrow gap for Messi to boot an elegant left foot shot past Edwin van der Sar.

United were unable to piece together a solid attempt at equalizing as Barca conducted the momentum for the remainder of the game. One can never write off Fergie’s men though, as they’ve proved on countless occasions in the past by turning games around at the death and creating goals from minimal possession. However, red hearts dropped and belief in a game turnaround was diluted in the 69th minute when David Villa added his name to the score sheet in a ‘stand & deliver’ fashion. Once again, Messi was involved as he made another defence-trailing run into the box and his misplaced pass was repossessed by Sergio Busquets in a shaky defensive shuffle, then laid back to Villa who placed a sublime shot into the top right corner from a near stationary position outside the big box.

United fought hard but were given little time on the ball to make any significant headway. There was much speculation by pundits prior to the match as to its final result. United had just won the league after a great run of form and the possibility of the tables turning is always more likely to be expected when two teams with similar lineups face each other for a second final in short succession (as with Liverpool and AC Milan in the 2005 and 2007 finals). United were also on English soil and the likes of Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey and Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal proved that Barcelona CAN be floored. Still, it’s no textbook task.

Acknowledging the fact that a large portion of their squad makes up much of the 2008 Euro and 2010 World Cup winning Spanish side, how does one defend against and attack a team who consist of so many players that can fill multiple roles during a match and who has players in the midfield and backline that are able to score crucial goals frequently? How does one tactically structure a team differently to counter such a side and then maintain that level of consistency for the full 90 minutes? How do you break down a team who seems to play as well in congestion as they do in space?

United may have been deconstructed in possession and control of the game, but definitely not in spirit. A hard fought display against what is arguably the best club football team in the world. In conclusion, whether you’re a fan of Barcelona or just a football fan in general, you can’t argue that in this day and age where so many teams comprise largely of foreign imports, it’s a pleasure to see a team that consists predominantly of domestic players, lift club football’s most celebrated award.

Nic Hoekstra

Pic: cdn.bleacherreport.net

First-half goals from Antonio Valencia and Darron Gibson ensured there was no way back for Schalke, who were already two goals down from the first leg, and a late double from Anderson completed a handsome victory.

For Gibson in particular it represented a fitting riposte to the critics who forced him off Twitter last week after spending barely two hours exposed to a demanding public.

And Ferguson got exactly what he wanted too, namely the chance of revenge over Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, who was watching from the stands, for that one-sided encounter in Rome.

But crucially, he also kept all his main players fresh for the visit of Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who will seize top spot with two games left if they win.

Eight changes from the weekend defeat at Arsenal was not so much a calculated gamble as a starting line-up born out of necessity from a manager who simply could not afford to risk injury.

As a result, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand found themselves in the unusual position of not being required at all for a semi-final decider in club football’s biggest competition, while four more key men started on the bench.

Ferguson must have factored into his thinking that the Germans simply could not be as bad as they were on home soil eight days ago.

They were certainly more solid in the opening stages, as was Gibson’s stomach as he took an accidental kick from Jefferson Farfan.

United had an early chance to settle the tie when Dimitar Berbatov wriggled into space with some deft skill by the dead ball line, only to allow Manuel Neuer to intercept his cross as Antonio Valencia waited for a tap-in.

Chris Smalling was similarly frustrated the next time Berbatov found himself with a crossing opportunity.

The nervousness soon disappeared though as Anderson quickly switched a stray pass into Gibson’s path.

He picked out Valencia and, unlike last week, United did not need 11 chances before finding the net as the Ecuadorian sent his precise effort through Neuer’s legs.

Ferguson celebrated with the gusto of a man who felt the tie was over, his total confidence in a squad so many have doubted vindicated once more.

Within five minutes United had their second. The same three players were involved again too as Anderson used his strength to provide Valencia with a return pass.

He rolled the ball into Gibson’s path, although the Irishman would be the first to admit he benefited from a huge slice of good fortune as Neuer inexplicably fumbled, proving he is not perfect after all given last week’s heroics.

It was simply unthinkable that United might lose a four-goal advantage, but Jose Jurado gave them something to ponder almost immediately when he profited from back-to-back errors by Smalling and Rafael.

To follow the burst of goals, three yellow cards were dished out with even greater speed, condemning United’s entire central midfield trio to walk a disciplinary tightrope for the remainder of the game.

The most vulnerable of the three was obviously Paul Scholes, who collected his caution for failing to retreat at a free-kick rather than one of his trademark wild tackles.

But tonight there was never any danger of the 36-year-old overstepping the mark.

Gibson had already made a positive impact, as had Anderson. The Brazilian is still bedevilled by inconsistent performances, but this was a good one.

He even managed to do something he has never managed during his entire time at United, score twice in a game.

His first was due to his persistence, firing home with a shot on the turn after he had been crowded out of his first attempt to finish Nani’s low cross.

The second was a tap-in thanks to Berbatov’s unselfish square ball.

With Darren Fletcher returning after two months out and no-one suspended for the final, everything had gone right for Ferguson and his team.

But the true test this week will come from another team in blue, desperate to retain their title and thirsting for revenge at being eliminated from this very competition at the quarter-final stage.

Source: football365.com

Pic: telegraph.co.uk

Real Madrid were dumped out of the Champions League by their bitter rivals Barcelona last night after an aggregate score of 3 – 1, but both games were overshadowed by the behaviour of fans, players and club officials.

Boss Mourinho was sent off in the first leg for disputing a red card and is also in trouble for later comments.

“To talk like that has been harmful for Real Madrid,” Calderon told BBC Sport.

A bad-tempered first-leg match erupted at half-time when there was a fracas on the touchline as the players were leaving the field, which resulted in Real reserve-keeper Pinto being shown a red card.

Real were later reduced to 10 men soon after the interval when Pepe was sent off for a high tackle on Dani Alves.

Mourinho was subsequently dismissed himself after being seen to sarcastically mouth “well done” to the fourth official.

“I don’t know if it’s the friendship of [Spanish football federation president Angel Maria] Villar at Uefa, where he is vice-president.”

His comments and the behaviour of both clubs led to Uefa charging the Spanish rivals.

Barcelona also said they would report Mourinho to Uefa over his comments, with the Catalan club saying: “We want to stand firm when the war of words passes certain limits and we believe Mr Mourinho crossed this line yesterday.”

Both cases will be heard by the Uefa Control and Disciplinary Body on 6 May.

Tuesday’s second leg, which Barcelona drew 1-1 to progress 3-1 on aggregate, did also not pass without incident.

This time however, Mourinho was not involved.

Madrid’s players vented their anger at the referees, after Gonzalo Higuain had a goal disallowed, and the club could now face further charges.

Real winger Cristiano Ronaldo said: “Next year they might as well give the cup directly to Barcelona.”

“The team is sad, but we knew it was an uphill battle,” Ronaldo said on the Real Madrid website.

“The name of the match is Mission Impossible IV. Once again it was the referee that didn’t allow us to dictate the outcome. We knew we could beat Barca, but the referee didn’t let us.

“Higuain’s goal was good. Pique pushed me and I landed on Mascherano. He didn’t used to fall to the ground in England, but he’s picked up the bad habit of doing it here like everyone else.”

Casillas added: “It has happened again – just like it always does.

“We feel tricked by the officials.”

And midfielder Xabi Alonso complained: “Many bad decisions were made against us and we are not happy about that.

“We think we did a good job but we feel decisions really went against us.”

But Calderon has blasted the behaviour of Real’s players and manager.

“Big clubs should not blame the referee for their mistakes or their defeats,” said Calderon.

“We invested £400m in the last two years to be a very important and strong team so if you lose you cannot blame injuries, bad luck, referees or nothing. If you lose you have to congratulate the rival and that is all.

“What he [Mourinho] did in terms of talking about Uefa and referees is not acceptable at all.”

Source: news.bbc.co.uk

Last night saw the 3rd installment to the four part mini-series that began on the 16th April this year and it more than held up it’s promise of entertainment.

The first crowd lifting chance came from the Catalans in the 10th minute when a regaining of possession in the visitors half saw some pace changing pass and run play by Lionel Messi and Xavi to David Villa on the far right of who proceeded with a strong run along the big box to end with an immensely close, but off target shot just past the far post. This was soon followed by another cheeky run by a tightly marked Messi who broke off and cut an elegant through ball to Xavi whose low but on target shot, was denied by Iker Casillas. For most of the first half the ball possession was dominated by a comfortable Barcelona, with chances created by Real Madrid, but broken down confidently by the visitors.

A classy run of football became distastefully tainted early in the first half when a simultaneous shirt tug by Mesut Ozil on Danny Alves and an unnecessary, off the ball body check by Alvaro Arbeloa (who was stationary) on a somewhat exaggerating Pedro, caused the first of many confrontations between the two sides as well as referee Wolfgang Stark. The theatrics seemed to keep then smirking Jose Mourinho amused, while Arbeloa was cautioned with a yellow card.

Barcelona continued their confident control of the game, but saw a number of well-constructed runs broken down on the last pass. Real Madrid showed a strong determination when they were able to gain possession, but were also broken down before creating any substantial opportunities. The second bout of group conflict came after Marcelo tried to screen Sergio Busquets. A nudge backward by the Madrid defender resulted in a groin contact on Busquets who subsequently and quite confusingly fell to the floor holding his face, while players from both sides exchanged heated words.

Real Madrid’s closest chance in the first half came at the brink of halftime when Cristiano Ronaldo delivered a shot on goal from a considerable distance outside the box after some hasty defending by Barcelona. The powerful shot was deflected off the chest of goalkeeper Victor Valdes before he could hold onto it , and fell into the path of off-side Ozil who followed up with another shot only to be denied by Valdes’s well timed horizontal footwork.

Halftime presented a messy bust-up between players, club staff and security at the entrance to the tunnel, which saw substitute Jose Manuel Pinto shown an embarrassing red card.

Barcelona entered the second half with an equal display of flare, while Real were left chasing harder and more aggressively to try and gain some control of what was proving to be a one-sided game. Real Madrid’s physical approach backfired when a studs-up tackle by Pepe on Alves earned him a straight red card, much to the vocal disgust of Mourinho, who was then sent off and escorted by UEFA stewards to the stands for his sarcastic remarks and actions toward the match officials. The game slowly started unraveling with a series of frustrated and negligent challenges from both sides. It was in the 76^th minute that 10-man Madrid suffered a blow when substitute Ibrahim Afellay outran Marcelo on the right line to square a precise, low cross to Messi in the 6-yard box who neatly placed it between the legs of goalkeeper Casillas to go up 1-0.

11 Minutes later Messi sped into one of his trademark runs through the Madrid defence and with his right foot placed a perfectly timed shot towards the far post to double their away goal advantage.

The animosity wasn’t reserved to the 90 minutes on the pitch alone, as a ‘disgusted’ Mourinho voiced a number of accusations and remarks in a bizarre post match interview:

“If I say what I think my career ends today.”

“Sometimes I am a little bit disgusted to live in this world, but this is the world we live in.”

“Congratulations to a fantastic football team,”

“But congratulations for all they have as well, it must be difficult to get all this power. Where does this power come from?”

He then made reference to Barcelona’s semi-final victory over Chelsea in 2009, the Inter Milan semi-final last season and now the “Scandal of the Bernabeu”, suggesting that sides who’ve faced the Catalan’s previously were issued unfair red cards.

“This thing happens in each semi-final,”

“I am here just to ask this question and I hope to get the answer one day.”

“I respect him (Barca coach Pep Guardiola) a great deal as a coach and a person… but I would like to see him win a Champions League without scandals.”

In 3 weeks the Spanish football’s biggest rivals have played their second league game (1-1 draw), the Copa Del Rey (Won by Real Madrid and dropped under a bus by Sergio Ramos who is also suspended for their next meeting) and a messy first leg of the Champions League semi-final. One can’t help but be aware of the escalating cautions and suspensions of players from the two sides over the 3 games played since the 16th of April. It would seem that when historical rivalry of such proportion is revisited too often, too soon…abrasive exchanges are unavoidable.

The final installment of the “El Clásico Show” commences on May the 3rd for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final at the Nou Camp in Barcelona. There will be little doubt of it being a dramatic and emotional conclusion to a very exciting and intense display of football by the Spanish giants.

Pic: soccernet.espn.go.com

United could have been well ahead in the semi-final first leg by half-time, denied only by a series of incredible saves from Germany keeper Manuel Neuer.

They broke the deadlock when Wayne Rooney slipped in Ryan Giggs to slot home and Rooney doubled the advantage by firing in a Javier Hernandez pass.

Edwin van der Sar saved from Sergio Escudero, but Schalke were awful.

United will welcome Schalke to Old Trafford on Wednesday 4 May for the second leg and they now know, barring a complete catastrophe, that they will once again represent English football in the showpiece of the European game.

Sir Alex Ferguson had warned his side not to underestimate Schalke prior to the match, with United the hot favourites to progress to the Wembley final on 28 May and face either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Schalke, 10th in the Bundesliga, had destroyed holders Inter Milan 7-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, but they were completely overrun from the first whistle by a United side better in every area of the pitch.

Until they got as far as Neuer, that is. The 25-year-old Schalke captain and Germany number one, who announced last week he would be leaving his hometown club in the summer after a 20-year association, produced a goalkeeping performance of the very highest order for more than an hour.

He was a one-man barrier who prevented United wrapping up the tie in the first 45 minutes, thwarting the visitors as they carved the Schalke defence open almost at will.

After Alexander Baumjohann sent a first-minute shot into the arms of Van der Sar as Schalke produced the first attempt of any note, it was all United, as they produced a display of fluent, attacking football their opponents could not live with.

Rooney’s deflected shot was wonderfully clawed away by Neuer, who then denied Park Ji-Sung low down to his right and Hernandez too – and that was all inside the opening 10 minutes.

Schalke were without key defender Benedikt Hoewedes because of injury and the gaping holes at the back suggested they badly missed him.

Neuer continued to deny United, superbly sticking out a hand to deny Hernandez again, with the Mexican wasting two more golden openings shortly after.

It seemed a matter of time before United would score but Neuer made another breathtaking one-handed save from Giggs’ downward header, denied Hernandez once more from the right-hand side of the box and then stood his ground to thwart Giggs from a cute Rooney pass.

Although it defied belief that the score was 0-0 at the break, in the second half United picked up where they had left off as Patrice Evra’s glancing header forced Neuer to tip over his crossbar.

After Giggs shot wide, Schalke had a five-minute period in which they at least competed. A dangerous Raul cross to the far post was headed away by Rio Ferdinand and Edu forced Van der Sar to save low down to his left.

But United were gearing themselves up for another wave of attacks and they eventually scored the goal their extraordinary dominance deserved.

Schalke’s generosity meant Rooney could have driven a bus through their defence, but he settled for slipping in Giggs, the Welsh veteran keeping his cool to slot between Neuer’s legs and send the travelling support into ecstasy.

In the process, at 37 years and 148 days old, Giggs became the oldest goalscorer in Champions League history, overtaking AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi when he scored against Real Madrid in November.

It got even better for the United fans two minutes later as Hernandez was given what seemed an eternity to run on to a loose ball and find Rooney in the area, his strike partner giving Neuer no chance by dispatching the ball into the bottom corner.

Schalke, bereft of ideas and the ability to hit back at United, were restricted to pot shots from distance and substitute Escudero brought a good save from Van der Sar, but they were never likely to get back into it.

A jubilant United, also six points clear at the top of the Premier League, will now pay close attention to the first leg of the Real Madrid v Barcelona semi-final at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Source + Pic: news.bbc.co.uk

Spurs were unable to produce the miracle required to overcome Real as they exited the competition with a quarter-final second leg defeat thanks to Heurelho Gomes’ second-half clanger.

Gomes has been a pillar of the club’s domestic and European campaigns this year, but his failure to hang on to Cristiano Ronaldo‘s routine 30-yard drive ensured that any chance Spurs had of coming back from the four-goal deficit they accrued in the Bernabeu were over in the 50th minute.

Spurs threw everything they had at their highly-decorated opponents in the first half and had two convincing penalty appeals turned down.

Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and Roman Pavlyuchenko all excelled, but their efforts were not enough to give Spurs fans one more memorable night to add to their collection this year and Madrid and Jose Mourinho will now get the chance to prove they are Europe’s best as they take on Barcelona in the last four.

The defeat brought to and end a dream debut season in the Champions League in which Tottenham have won the hearts of many a neutral thanks to the enterprising football which had seen them tear apart Inter Milan and brush past their neighbours AC Milan to make the last eight.

Rarely has a team making their first appearance in the Champions League had such a successful bow, and should they qualify for next year’s tournament, they will be confident of mixing it with Europe’s giants again.

There will, however, be a nagging thought at the back of Harry Redknapp’s mind that his team could have had the better of the nine-time champions had it not been for Peter Crouch’s reckless first-leg dismissal and Gomes’ error in tonight’s second leg.

Footage of Bale’s hat-trick in the club’s 4-3 defeat against Inter Milan greeted their supporters as they took their seats looking for their team to give them another historic European night.

The three goals the Welshman fired in at the San Siro would not be enough to even take this tie to extra-time though after last week’s 4-0 hammering at the Bernabeu.

Mourinho warned that his team had come to London to score and they looked as if they meant business early on, with Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and first leg hero Emmanuel Adebayor all probing the Tottenham backline.

Spurs looked equally intent on breaking the deadlock though and Bale thought he should have had a penalty in the fourth minute as he skipped by Xabi Alonso and fell to the ground. Referee Nicola Rizzoli waved play on and replays suggested he was right to do so.

Four minutes later and Alonso clipped Luka Modric in the box. The Italian referee once again denied the home side a spot-kick despite the claim looking to be legitimate.

The pace of Bale and Lennon caused Madrid problems, with Sergio Ramos and Marcelo both found floundering in the early exchanges.

The home crowd urged their side on, but Ronaldo reminded them of the threat he posed as he danced past his marker before firing wide after 20 minutes.

At the other end, Rafael van der Vaart executed a brilliant turn to unleash Lennon down the right. His pass found Pavlyuchenko but he blazed over to waste a great opportunity to break the deadlock.

The Russian made amends by gaining an inch on Raul Albiol moments later only to be tripped by the defender in the box. The referee waved play on and Spurs were denied yet another spot-kick, much to the home fans’ anger.

Tottenham thought they had the goal they craved just before half-time but Modric was correctly ruled offside after he had headed back to Bale, who smashed home into the net.

The tie was effectively over in the fifth minute of the second half when Gomes let Ronaldo’s 30-yard drive slip through his fingers. The Brazilian swivelled and tried to claw the ball away before it crossed the line but the damage had already been done. Any slim hopes Spurs harboured of salvaging the tie were gone.

Redknapp brought Jermain Defoe on for Lennon and he almost scored within moments of taking the pitch, drawing a good diving save from Iker Casillas.

The fierce atmosphere that had been prevalent before the opener had disappeared after Gomes’ error, but the keeper did well to keep out Kaka in the 65th minute after the Brazilian had come on for Ronaldo.

The chants of “we’re gonna win 6-1″ showed the Tottenham fans still had faith and they almost equalised when Defoe’s strike was blocked by Casillas from just two yards out.

Sandro collapsed inside the Madrid box under pressure from Alvaro Arbeloa as Spurs’ bid for an equaliser continued but with substitutes Karim Benzema and Kaka in full flight down the other end, the hosts were in danger of slipping further behind.

Marcelo almost made it 2-0 when his audacious chip landed on top of Gomes’ goal as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes.

Van der Vaart attempted to curl a 20-yard strike in against his old club with five minutes left, but Casillas watched his effort sail over the bar.

Bale then drifted past his marker to lay off to Defoe in injury time but a block denied Spurs the equaliser they were searching so desperately for.

Source + Pic: football365.com

United earned their place in the last four for the fourth time in five seasons with a 2-1 success over Chelsea – who ended the match with 10-men after Ramires was sent-off in the second-half – and a 3-1 triumph on aggregate which will heap the pressure on the losers’ manager Carlo Ancelotti.

United – whose goals came from Javier Hernandez and Korean Park Ji-Sung – will play either Schalke 04 or holders Inter Milan, with the Italian side requiring a miracle in Germany on Wednesday as they trail 5-2.

Barcelona – reaching the semifinals for a record fourth successive time – inflicted the first home defeat in European competition on 2009 UEFA Cup winners Shakhtar since they lost to Sporting Lisbon in October, 2008 as Lionel Messi scored the only goal of the game to seal a 6-1 aggregate victory.

Messi’s goal, his 48th of the campaign and yet another landmark for the two-time world player of the year as it is a club record for a season, sets them up for a likely semi-final with bitter domestic rivals Real Madrid, who take a 4-0 lead to Spurs in Wednesday’s second leg clash.

Ancelotti had got the better of Ferguson and United twice before in the competition when in charge of AC Milan but apart from the opening 25 minutes there was little to suggest he would make it three.

Ferguson believes that United’s form is an ominous sign for their opponents as they attempt to do the treble of the league title, FA Cup and Champions League.

“You can see the momentum that this team is building up at the moment,” said the 69-year-old Scot.

“I think we’ve hit our form. The two matches against Chelsea and the league win over West Ham (a 4-2 win) shows that.”

Ancelotti was gracious in a defeat that all but ensures barring a miraculous run of results in the league they will finish trophyless this season – not something Russian owner Roman Abramovich will appreciate.

“We had good control of the game in the first 25 minutes but failed to take our chances,” admitted Ancelotti.

“We have to move on from this and ensure we finish in the top four (a Champions League spot).”

Ancelotti’s decision to start with the misfiring Fernando Torres was an abject failure as the Spanish striker spent more time arguing with the referee than in the opponent’s penalty area and is now 11 hours without a goal since signing from Liverpool.

However, Ancelotti insisted there was no question of ditching the Spaniard, who has looked out of sorts since an underwhelming World Cup finals campaign for him personally last year.

“We have to get him to believe and to get his passion back,” said Ancelotti.

It was no surprise that Ancelotti brought on Didier Drogba for Torres at half-time but the damage had been done with Hernandez’s first-half goal after fine work by Ryan Giggs and John O’Shea having separated the sides.

Chelsea’s task became all but impossible in the 70th minute as Ramires received his marching orders for a second bookable offence after clumsily clattering into Nani from behind.

Drogba gave them hope of pulling off a remarkable win in the 77th minute but their hopes were dashed a minute later as another sublime pass by Giggs found Park and he shot past Cech into the far corner.

“It’s remarkable Park’s record of goals in important matches,” purred Ferguson.

Barcelona could afford to sit back and allow Shakhtar come at them but the hosts were punished on the stroke of half-time as Messi latched onto a fortunate rebound from a home defender and slotted the ball home.

“This fourth consecutive qualification for the semifinals is a huge achievement,” said Barca coach Pep Guardiola.

“Barcelona have never done this before. This is a huge pleasure.”

Source + Pic: sport.iafrica.com

Manchester United have not won at Stamford Bridge in almost a decade, but that all changed on Wednesday night when they took a slender lead in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final by beating Chelsea 0 – 1.

Wayne Rooney‘s foul-mouthed celebration after scoring a hat-trick at West Ham on Saturday may have landed him in hot water with the Football Association, but he carried on his fine form against Chelsea with an away goal for United to take back to Old Trafford for the return match next Tuesday.

The crucial moment arrived midway through the first half when Ryan Giggs superbly controlled a long pass from Michael Carrick and cut the ball back for Rooney to slide home a composed finish that went in off the post.

Chelsea almost equalised on the stroke of half-time as Fernando Torres guided an effort against the post and Frank Lampard’s volley on the rebound was cleared off the line by Patrice Evra.

Torres went close again in the second half but still could not open his account for the Bluesas Edwin van der Sar pulled off a magnificent acrobatic save to claw out his well-placed header.

United had to withstand spells of Chelsea pressure, particularly in the closing stages, when confident penalty appeals for a foul on Ramires by Evra were waved away, but were largely comfortable in keeping them at bay and occasionally threatened on the counter-attack.

Chelsea will nevertheless travel to Manchester with the tie still in the balance. Indeed, a repeat of the 2-1 success on their last trip to Old Trafford 12 months ago will be enough to send them through.

However, they will have to do far better in front of goal – and £50million man Torres in particular must start scoring after yet another ineffective display ended with an injury-time yellow card for diving.

At Upton Park on Saturday, Rooney completed his hat-trick, then headed straight towards a TV camera to deliver his ill-advised reaction that threatens his place in the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City.
As his first-time effort caressed the base of Petr Cech’s left-hand post and rolled gently into the back of the Chelsea net, he again ran towards the lens.

This time, he stopped short, slid to his knees and waited to be mobbed by ecstatic team-mates.
They had every right too, especially Giggs given his outrageous contribution. Now 37, Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed the veteran Welshman could go on for a couple of years yet.

How the United boss must hope that is true. Having watched Michael Carrick deliver a pinpoint crossfield pass that was sensational in itself, Ferguson could only sit back and admire Giggs’ sublime first touch, which took him careering past the stranded Jose Bosingwa, and the coolness of his second, which left Rooney with a tap-in.
Cue delirium amongst the United contingent, satisfaction for Rooney and the precious away goal Ferguson had demanded.

Carlo Ancelotti could only urge his team – who had started the brighter – into some kind of response.
It should have come in the final minute of that opening period as Didier Drogba went for goal from an acute angle but his shot lacked power.

Torres closed in, yet somehow could not make a meaningful connection on the ball from a central position on the edge of the six-yard area.

As the ball bounced back off the post, Lampard went to tap home, only for Evra to clear off the line.
Given Saturday’s draw at Stoke and Inter Milan’s stunning demise to Schalke on Tuesday, it is hardly overestimating the situation to say Carlo Ancelotti’s job hangs on reaching the final, and for that Torres needs to do what Roman Abramovich paid all that money for.

United suffered a hammer blow within minutes of the restart when Rafael went down after a seemingly innocuous tangle with Drogba.

The young Brazilian bravely tried to continue but the pain in his left knee made it impossible, the stretcher carrying him away for what looks like a lengthy period.

Ferguson’s response was typical. With no obvious right-back replacement, instead of introducing a defender, in Chris Smalling or Jonny Evans, he went for Nani, asking Antonio Valencia to plug the gap.
Chelsea were able to get up a head of steam though, with Ramires wasting an excellent chance when he glanced Drogba’s effort wide of the far post and the Ivorian himself not too far away with a speculative overhead kick.

United’s defence – which has not conceded an away goal in this competition this season – held firm and came agonisingly close to grabbing a second when Nani drilled a cross to the far post that would have allowed Javier Hernandez to head into an empty net had Cech not gambled in a desperate attempt to claw the ball away from the Mexican.

The departure of Drogba for Nicolas Anelka 20 minutes from time placed even more weight on Torres’ shoulders just after Michael Essien had gone close for the hosts.

And the Liverpool man so nearly responded when he rose to meet Jose Bosingwa’s far-post cross and sent a header curling towards the corner that Van der Sar, troubled by a groin problem, was at full stretch to claw away.
United then breathed a sigh of relief in stoppage time when Evra sent Ramires tumbling but referee Alberto Mallenco failed to award what seemed to be a clear penalty.

There was still time for a Torres yellow card for diving under Valencia’s challenge, ending yet another unhappy night for the Spain star.

Source + Pic: skysports.com

Former Arsenal man Emmanuel Adebayor took his tally against Spurs to nine in nine matches by heading home either side of half-time to rock the visitors, who had been reduced to 10 men after Peter Crouch’s 15th minute dismissal for two bookings.

Harry Redknapp’s miserable night was completed by second-half strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria, meaning that Tottenham will have to overhaul Real and stop Jose Mourinho’s chances of picking up his third winner’s medal.

Gareth Bale offered brief glimpses of hope for Spurs, but their numerical advantage, and a top-drawer performance from Real’s attack, meant they never really looked like grabbing an away goal that would have given them a fighting chance of staying in the quarter-final tie.

Before kick off, the 3,000 plus Tottenham fans filed into the Bernabeu hoping that they would witness another epic night in what has been a remarkable debut season in the competition.

They were lifted by good news from the treatment room about Bale and William Gallas, who were both passed fit despite injury worries.

Tottenham were dealt a blow before a ball had been kicked though when Aaron Lennon was replaced by Jermaine Jenas in the starting XI after falling ill in the warm-up.

The visitors came out of the blocks at a blistering pace, with Ronaldo dancing past the away defence before powering a fierce shot wide.

Just four minutes and one second had elapsed before Real opened the scoring.

Adebayor got in front of Jenas and slipped a header past Gomes. Luka Modric was at the far post but he could not the ball squirming in and Adebayor had the opener against the bitter rivals of his former employers.

A late challenge from Crouch on Sergio Ramos deep in Real’s half earned him a booking soon after.

Adebayor, buoyed by his early strike, constantly probed the Spurs back four, looking for a quick second while Mesut Ozil and Ronaldo looked dangerous.

Real’s cause was helped when Crouch was given his marching orders 15 minutes in for a second booking after a late and needless challenge on Marcelo, again deep inside the hosts’ half.

Rafael Van der Vaart was pushed up front, but he looked isolated and frustrated, earning a booking for petulantly kicking the ball away as Real prepared to take a free-kick.

It looked like only a matter of time before Real doubled their advantage as Tottenham came under intense pressure.

Ronaldo sneaked in behind the back four and fired a volley at Gomes and the brilliant Marcelo was giving Vedran Corluka a torrid time at right-back.

Bale was unleashed for the first time 28 minutes in, bursting down the left but he had three markers on him instantly.

Spurs had a golden chance to draw level just before the half hour when Bale found Van der Vaart in the box with a flat throw but he was denied by a block from Ricardo Carvalho.

Another glimmer of hope came Spurs’ way a minute later when Michael Dawson released Bale down the flank but he drove into the side-netting.

Spurs started to look more comfortable on the ball, but Real still looked far more dangerous.

Marcelo fizzed a cross to the back post which Ramos headed just out of Adebayor’s reach at the back post.

Modric threaded Bale down the left once more and he looked to have beaten Pepe but the Portuguese player slid in, clipping the Welshman’s feet and earning a booking.

Real were adamant they should have had a penalty five minutes before the break when Dawson charged down a volley with his arms raised but the referee waved play on.

Redknapp injected some pace into his attack by replacing Van der Vaart with Jermain Defoe at half-time. The striker looked lively, but Real’s ascendancy was shown when Adebayor grabbed his second after angling a header past Gomes from Marcelo’s cross to make it 2-0.

Only a brilliant tip-over from Gomes prevented Adebayor from netting his third as the hosts laid siege to the away goal.

Gomes was made to pay for punching at a cross when the ball found its way to Di Maria unleashed a beautiful 20-yard curler past the Brazilian for the hosts’ third after 72 minutes.

Defoe saw yellow for a high foot on Ramos before Adebayor received a standing ovation when he was replaced by Gonzalo Higuain with 15 minutes left.

Real’s strength in depth was shown minutes later when £56million forward Kaka came on for Di Maria towards the end while Corluka limped off to be replaced by Sebastien Bassong.

Mourinho barked orders to his players, urging to find a fourth and Ramos came close to obliging with a drive that whistled just wide.

The killer blow came three minutes from the end though when Ronaldo got the goal his performance deserved, rifling a 20-yard volley past Gomes from Kaka’s cross.

Real Madrid Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo,Di Maria (Kaka 77), Alonso, Ozil, Khedira (Diarra 61),Adebayor (Higuain 74), Ronaldo.

Subs Not Used: Adan, Granero, Arbeloa, Garay.

Booked: Adebayor, Pepe.

Goals: Adebayor 5, 57, Di Maria 72, Ronaldo 87.

Tottenham Gomes, Corluka (Bassong 80), Gallas, Dawson,Assou-Ekotto, Jenas, Sandro, Modric, Bale,Van der Vaart (Defoe 46), Crouch.

Source + Pic: football365.com

Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Huddlestone, Lennon, Pavlyuchenko,

Kranjcar.

Sent Off: Crouch (15).

Booked: Crouch, Van der Vaart, Defoe.

Att: 80,000

Ref: Felix Brych (Germany).

Barcelona dominated the match with their slick passing game which stunted anything Arsenal tried to create, and two goals from Lionel Messi and one from Xavi won the game for the Catalans with Sergio Busquets scoring an own goal for Arsenal’s consolation. However it was the controversial sending off of Robin van Persie that helped swing the game in Barcelona’s favour after the Gunners’ fortuitous equaliser.

Arsenal were given a huge boost before kick off as both Van Persie and Cesc Fabregas were declared fit and named in the starting line-up. The Dutchman had been substituted in the League Cup final with a knee problem and Fabregas injured his hamstring against Stoke City a month ago, but both men recovered quicker than expected.

Arsene Wenger made three changes from the side who won the first leg at the Emirates with Bacary Sagna, Tomas Rosicky and Abou Diaby coming in for Theo Walcott, Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboue.

Barcelona lined up without usual centre-backs Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique due to injury and suspension respectively, so Eric Abidal was partnered with Sergio Busquets in defence with Javier Mascherano taking Busquets’ place in central midfield. The Catalans only other change from the first leg saw Adriano come in for Maxwell at left full back.

The match began, as expected, with Barcelona controlling possession and Arsenal looking to break on the counter attack, and the first chance fell to the hosts in the fourth minute. Pedro made a good run in behind the Arsenal defence, he was found with a lofted pass from Xavi but Koscielny recovered well to deny the chance and concede a corner.

Arsenal survived a scare in the 13th minute after a mistake by Johan Djourou allowed Mascherano to release Messi one-on-one with Kosicelny, but the defender muscled the Argentine off the ball superbly. However, he slipped as he attempted to clear the ball but a wonderful sliding interception from Jack Wilshere stopped David Villa getting a shot on target.

With Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola permanently positioned in his technical area, marshalling his troops, the hosts were dominating possession but finding it difficult to break through the last line of the Arsenal defence.

They did test Wojciech Szczesny in the 16th minute from a long range Dani Alves free kick but the Polish keeper was able to gather the ball, but it would prove to be his last involvement in the game, as he was substituted straight away with a finger injury and replaced by Manuel Almunia.

Arsenal’s normally neat and confident passing game was nowhere to be seen as the pressure of chasing the ball seemed to affect them building up their own periods of possession. And Barcelona nearly made their constant pressure pay in the 28th minute, only for a strong tackle from Djourou to deny Messi inside the penalty area after another trademark run. The loose ball fell to Pedro but his left foot shot from the edge of the area sailed over Almunia’s goal.

Five minutes later Barcelona tested Almunia for the first time since his introduction. Xavi released Villa who had found some space between Sagna and Djourou. The Spanish international took the ball to edge of the penalty area, and despite pressure from Djourou, was able to get his shot away but it lacked power and Almunia saved easily.

And the hosts continued to be apply the pressure, and were extremely unlucky not to be awarded a  penalty after Diaby appeared to bring down Messi on the edge of the penalty area. But the referee turned down the Argentine’s appeals, and seconds later a neat passing move saw Villa release Adriano inside the penalty area on the overlap but his fierce left foot drive smashed against the post and rebounded away.

After so much possession and so much domination Barcelona finished the half the much stronger side, with Messi again going close to opening the lead. Andres Iniesta raced away from inside his own half as Arsenal pushed on for the first time in the match. The Spaniard found Messi, who jinked past Clichy but his shot was straight at Almunia who clutched onto the ball gratefully.

Nonetheless, Barca broke the deadlock a minute later after a terrible mistake from Fabregas on the edge of his penalty area. The Arsenal captain attempted to back heel a ball to Wilshere, but it fell to Iniesta, who found Messi with a delightful pass, and what followed was pure magic. Messi controlled the pass, and lifted the ball over the advancing Almunia, before firing a volley into the back of the net to give the hosts the lead at the break.

The second half started as the first had ended, with Barcelona dominant in possession but there were more forays into the hosts’ half from Arsenal to give them hope of getting back into the tie.

And in the 53rd minute they were handed a lifeline, thanks to a mistake from stand-in centre half Busquets. Samir Nasri battled hard down the Arsenal left wing to earn his side a corner, and from the resulting set-piece, Diaby was unable to reach the cross but the ball struck Busquets and the ball flew past Victor Valdes in the Barcelona goal.

A minute later Arsenal were lucky not to go behind again as Villa was released inside the penalty area, but Almunia stayed up and made a good save, before his defenders cleared the ball to safety.

Arsenal’s task was made much harder three minutes after their goal as Van Persie was controversially dismissed for a second bookable offence.

The Dutchman looked to get on the end of a ball over the Barcelona defence but he mistimed his run and was flagged offside. However, the striker controlled the ball and fired a shot wide of goal which referee Massimo Busacca deemed to be kicking the ball away to waste time, and he issued a second yellow card and a subsequent red.

Despite the protests of van Persie and his team-mates that the striker had not heard the whistle, due to the crowd noise, the Dutchman had to make his way to the dressing room and leave his team to withstand more pressure with 10 men.

With Arsenal a man short the Barcelona charge really began, and Villa had two excellent chances to put his side back in front but was denied by Almunia again. Villa’s first chance came when Xavi released him inside the penalty area but as he was about to release his shot, Almunia made a good save. Minutes later Messi released the striker inside the penalty area but again Almunia saved, this time with his body, and Sagna cleared the ball to safety.

However in the 69th minute Barcelona did get themselves back in front through their inspirational captain Xavi. The build-up to the goal was beautiful as the Catalans sliced through the middle of the Arsenal defence as Iniesta glided past two challenges before finding Villa, he rolled the ball first time into Xavi and he calmly fired past Almunia.

And just two minutes later Barcelona extended their lead further after Koscielny brought down Pedro inside the penalty area. Pedro received a pass from Xavi and touched the ball away from the Arsenal defender before being tripped; Messi stepped up to take the spot kick and calmly fired the ball into the bottom corner of the net, with nonchalant ease.

With a lead on aggregate secured, Barcelona began to keep even more possession and chances continued to be created, with two clear opportunities for substitute Ibrahim Afellay.

With seven minutes to play the Dutchman was released by Adriano down the left. He held off the challenge of Djourou but his right foot shot sailed wide of goal. Two minutes later another passing move saw Messi release the young Dutch winger, but this time he was denied by a good save by Almunia.

But it would be the Gunners who were presented with a final chance to win the tie. With three minutes left to play, Wilshere and substitute Nicklas Bendtner broke away from the Barcelona defence before the Englishman cut the ball back for his team-mate.

But the Dane was unable to play the ball away from the backtracking Mascherano, who slid expertly to snatch the ball, as Arsenal’s Champions League died, one again, in the Nou Camp.

Source: goal.com

Pic: football365.com