FC BARCELONA 3 MANCHESTER UNITED 0 | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULT

UEFA Champions League Quarter Final 2º leg match tonight with FC BARCELONA hosting MANCHESTER UNITED in a 0-1 away goal advantage & victory from the 1º leg away game. Here is a brief summary of the main events along with the goalscorers & the final result.

FC BARCELONA started with the above 11 names.

MANCHESTER UNITED started with the above 11 names.

Manchester United started well dominating the first 5 minutes but from then things went terribly wrong. An 11 th min penalty called on Rakitic but disallowed by the "VAR" was the "alarm bell". This was followed shortly by a horrible attempt to get the ball out of defence by Young that allowed MESSI to take possession of the ball, escape defenders & score for FC Barcelona in the 16th min. Things got even worse when a shot at goal by MESSI went beneath the body of Manchester United goalie DAVID DE GEA in the 19th min. A shocker, & its not the first time DE GEA has sinned in this manner, one recalls against Portugal while goalkeeping for Spain in the last World Cup when a Ronaldo shot & it also went beneath the body.

With a 2 - 0 scoreline things were uphill for Manchester United while FC Barcelona calm things down to a pace that was more suitable to their style . Barça continued looking for more goals & nearly found a 3rd when Messi again did his magic & found Sergi Roberto whose shot was this time saved by De Gea. 

The second half was a copy of the first. Man Utd started more intensely looking to create some opportunities & find some luck. However, their efforts faded in the 61st min when Barça midfielder COUTINHO shot from outside the area into the net for Barça´s 3rd goal. There was nothing De Gea could do about it. Manchester United Coach Ole Solskjær moved the bench with Kukaku & Alexis coming on with the latter having a clear occasion in the 90th min which Barça goalie Ter Stegen stopped brilliantly. Just not Manchesters United´s night.

FINAL RESULT: FC BARCELONA 3 - MANCHESTER UNITED 0 (4-0 AGGREGATE)

Conclusions, Barca too strong tonight, neutralized Manchester Utd & a was steps above in quality. The English team made some terrible mistakes & paid dearly as habitual at this level of Football. Midfielder POGBA disappointed greatly & puts a question mark over his head about why all the fuss with Real Madrid wishing to sign the Frenchman.

LIONEL MESSI was the key, the man of the match & the driver of his team, two goals & just brilliant. Great match from Rakitic, Lenglet, Jordi Alba, Pique & company.

FC Barcelona now moves onto the Champions League semi-finals stage & are looking good. 

Tweet

Share

MANCHESTER UTD 0 FC BARCELONA 1 | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULT

UEFA Champions League moves into the Quarter Final phase & continues tonight with the only Spanish Football representative FC BARCELONA travelling to "Old Trafford" to play MANCHESTER UNITED in the 1º leg away game. Here is a brief summary of the main events along with the goalscorers & the final result.

As we can see above FC BARCELONA starts the match with the 11 mentioned names. No surprises here really, goes in with their "big guns".

As in the image we can see the starting 11 team for MANCHESTER UNITED. 

A 1ºst half relatively comfortable for FC BARCELONA which showed their habitual ball domination style Football. Manchester United waited more in their own area to attempt to find a counter-attack or force errores in the midfield on the Barça players.

Barça struck first on the 12th min when LUIS SUAREZ headed in his teams goal & opener that was later given by UEFA as an own goal by defender SHAW. The English Team had some occasion from Rashford who was active but not dangerous at all. The contrary from the Barça perspective which nearly got a second goal had Man Utd goalie DE GEA not stopped magnificently a Coutinho effort.

FC Barcelona would have been pleased with their first 45 min as they managed the prized & advantageous away goal that assures some ease for the second half of the game.

The second half saw a more intense & determined Manchester United looking to equalize the encounter. They created  a few occasions but without true effectivity, plus the English team did manage to put Barça on the back foot until Barça Coach Valverde decided to make some moves. Barça took of two attacking midfielders (Coutinho & Artur) to put muscle in their place with Vidal & Sergi Roberto which helped Barça regain control.

The rest of the game was Man Utd placing long balls & looking for some luck, while Barcelona neutralized the English efforts & accepted the away goal win to take back to Barcelona.

FINAL RESULT: MANCHESTER UNITED 0 FC BARCELONA 1

Good game for the Spaniards who have the advantage although the tie is far from shut.

Tweet

Share

AC ROMA ELIMINATES FC BARCELONA FROM CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Historical result for AC ROMA in the UEFA Champions League after turning around their Quarter Final tie to defeating FC BARCELONA 3 - 0 & eliminating Barça to move onto the semi-final stage. The overall result was 4 - 4 aggregate with the goal scored away by Roma at Barcelona worth double & being the key.

FC BARCELONA went to Rome with a 3 goal advantage that beforehand looked enough. However, AC Roma managed the "miracle" with intense, determined & at times desperate Football that neutralized the Barça play-makers & boxed in the Barça defence. This occurred all night with an extraordinary psychical effort from players like Kolarov, Schick, Fazio, De Rossi & Dzeko, the last putting in a "blinder". The result could have been even greater for AC Roma which failed half a dozen clear goal opportunities & Barça goalie Ter Stegen was working full out attempting to avoid the "disaster".

FC Barcelona was nothing compared to their 1º leg performance or their level in La Liga. Barça Coach Valverde had warned against over confidence & that this could be a "trap game". His predictions came through tonight with a very quiet & with an unusually low performance from key Barça players like Iniesta, Suarez & Lionel Messi. The Spanish Team looked slow, frustrated & out of ideas tonight as the Italians managed to maintain a super human effort for 90 minutes. In the end their tremendous hard work bore fruits with victory & a semis birth in Champions League. 

Goals tonight:

• Dzeko 6th min
• De Rossi (penalty) 58th min
• Manolas 82nd min. 

Huge surprise an element that keeps supplying to game called Football.

Tweet

Share

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | FC BARCELONA 4 - AC ROMA 1

UEFA Champions League tonight with the last remaining Spanish Club scheduled for its Quarter-final 1º leg match. FC BARCELONA hosted AC ROMA with a positive end result for Barça while the Italians won´t be happy with some of the decisions & the lack of finishing upfront to their numerous goal opportunities.

FC Barcelona won 4 - 1 AC Roma & go into the 2º leg return match with a handy goals advantage, however Barça was not in top gear tonight & AC Roma gave them some "push & shoving". The Italians played well & were "demoralized" by two own goals: ROSSI in the 38th min & defender MANOLAS in the 55th min. FC Barcelona then took advantage of the drop in the Roma moral & PIQUE scored Barça´s third in the 59th min. AC Roma pulled from spirit & grit to continue creating chances & they continued missing "sitters". Barça goalie Ter Stegen made two excellent saves but was finally beaten by DZENKO in the 87th min. But yet again, FC Barcelona steadied & reacted with LUIS SUAREZ scoring his teams fourth goal in the 87th min.

AC ROMA will claim two possible penalties not called (at least the first on Dzenko looked clear), but they missed some clear goals that they will kicking themselves flying back to Rome. One to highlight was a clear header by Perotti at the start of the 2º half which could have altered things if scored. As the "general rule" indicates the mistakes in Champions League are dearly paid & Roma paid dearly tonight for their in front of goal ineffectiveness. 

FC Barcelona was not at their best but were effective & cool under pressure, added with some luck, they currently have a foot in the door to the semis of Champions.

Tweet

Share

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | MIXED RESULTS FOR SPANISH CLUBS

Two Spanish Clubs were down tonight for CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 1º leg Quarter Final matches with mixed results. Here is a brief summary of events along with final results & all the goalscorers.

REAL MADRID defeated JUVENTUS 0 - 3 away to take a healthy & very advantageous situation back to Madrid for the 2º leg return match. Real Madrid was superior even when Juventus has pressuring upfront & creating goal chances in the 1º st half. However, Real Madrid turned the game totally around in the 2º half with CRISTIANO RONALDO doing some magic & the red card (second yellow) to DYBALA which left Juventus at a serious numerical disadvantage.

Real Madrid hit the bar twice ( Kroos & Kovacic) & missed some other great opportunities, while Juventus had some "killer" opportunities in front of goal in the 1º st half that Real Madrid goalkeeper Kaylor Navas stopped in tremendous fashion.

But the differential factor tonight was again CRISTIANO RONALDO who since has changed position to Centre Forward & adapted his style has become a total "goal scoring machine". Perhaps at this moment CR7 is the most inform, effective & lethal player in the goal square on the Planet. The Portuguese forward put Real Madrid in front in the 3rd min with a flick-touch from an Isco wing pass that silenced the Italians. Juventus reacted with grit & spirit to regain their stance & created many interesting & close goal opportunities. The Italians could not convert their chances while the Real Madrid defence with their goalkeeper did their job to minimise the possible damage.

But in the 2º nd half while Juventus was still pounding away at the Spanish defensive line a counter-attack by Real Madrid gave witness to an incredible overhead goal from CRISTIANO RONALDO in the 64th min that sank the Italian moral. The frustration was transferred onto midfielder Dybala who was sent off with a second yellow card & sank further the Italian endeavour to stay floating. It was not long after that Real Madrid found their third goal through MARCELO in the 72nd min to virtually shut things for tonight. Juventus managed to pull from spirit to attempt to find at least a goal but was foiled by Real Madrid defence & goalkeeper again. 

Excellent win away to Real Madrid which will lift their confidence levels further.

SEVILLA FC lost 1 - 2 to BAYERN MUNICH in a historic night for the Spanish Club in Champions League. Sevilla played well especially the 1º st half but was unlucky with the two German goals while Bayern pulled from their much greater experience in this competition. The Bayern Munich quality players came to light in the critical moments of the match to steer them onto victory & with two important away goals.

Sevilla got ahead first in the 32nd min when SARABIA scored but Bayern Munich managed the equalizer in the 37th min when Sevilla winger JESUS NAVAS managed an own goal. The Germans maintained the calm & withstood the Spanish pressure until THIAGO scored the second & definite goal for the Germans in the 68th min.

Sevilla will travel to Munich for the return match with hopes still active but at some disadvantage. Not all is lost. 

Tomorrow the remaining Spanish Club in Champions League FC BARECLONA will play AC ROMA at the "Camp Nou".

Tweet

Share

ZENIT 2 SEVILLA FC 2 (SEVILLA FC WINS 4 - 3 AGG) | EUROPA LEAGUE

Near scare in St Petersburg (Russia) for Sevilla FC in the Europa League 2º leg return match against Zenit. But the Spanish Football Club managed to get itself together & steer themselves into the semi-finals after eliminating the Russian tonight on a 4 - 3 overall aggregate. 

Sevilla Fc took to Russia a 2 - 1 result in their favour from the 1º leg game. The Spanish team could not have started tonights return encounter better after Carlos Bacca converted a penalty in the 6th min. However, Zenit began turning things around & progressively put Sevilla FC on the back foot.

The second half started with Zenit scoring in the 48th min through Rondon after a Sevilla FC goalie mistake from Beto. Things then got real interesting when Zenit Brazilian player Hulk saw Sevilla goalie Beto off his line & scored from 30 mts, another goalkeeping mistake that put Zenit ahead & the match into extra-time. 

Sevilla goalie Beto then turned from "Villain" into "Savoir" making a couple of incredible saves to keep his team alive. Sevilla Coach Emery reacted & put on Gameiro, & in the 85th min the Frenchman turned a counter-attack into a goal to qualify Sevilla FC. 

Close call for the Spaniards were anything could have happened tonight. Final result tonight  Zenit 2 - Sevilla FC 2 (Sevilla wins 4-3 on aggregate).

Tweet

Share

REAL MADRID 1 ATLETICO MADRID 0 | REAL MADRID THROUGH TO SEMI-FINALS

Real Madrid managed in extremis to qualify for the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League after defeating Atletico de Madrid 1 - 0 (1-0 aggregate). Hard game of Football with extreme intensity, solid positioning on the tactical front & towards the end controversy after Atletico was left with 10 men. The added blemish was perhaps the last 10 minutes when Atletico put on the physical play that was not up to their image.  

Said this, with hindsight Real Madrid always put forward the initiative while Atletico de Madrid perhaps sinned of being too speculative. Risky strategy that was paid dearly when Mexican & Real Madrid forward Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez broke the grid lock after a CR7 - James Rodriguez play that found Hernandez who tapped in the ball in the 87th min for the winner. 

Other stats to bear in mind are 66% ball possession by Real Madrid with more than 16 goals attempts (At Madrid around 5) & Atletico de Madrid goalie Olbak their best player with numerous saves. This should give you an idea that Real Madrid deserved the victory solely on the basis that they looked for it from the kick-off. 

The controversial moment was the sending off in the 76th min for a double yellow card Atletico Madrid midfielder Turan Arda after dangerous play on Sergio Ramos. The video reply shows that it was not as bad as it looked in "real-time" & perhaps the second yellow card was harsh & not necessary at all. With Atletico de Madrid down to 10 men Real Madrid did have more spaces & later did come the winning goal. Atletico was overcome by "emotion" & lost control "mentally" of the match. 

Although Chicharito had scored his teams goal, a goal from Atletico Madrid in the remaining time ( +5 extra time) would have been enough to get them through with the away goal rule. Instead of concentrating on this fact, the visitors poured out their frustration with psychical Football that was counter productive.  

Real Madrid Coach Ancelotti half surprised us all before the match lining up Sergio Ramos as a midfielder. The experiment worked today - due to the win - & was effective not for the Football displayed by Ramos but by his leadership pulling his team onward to find the win. In this aspect the "Ancelotti Experiment" worked well. Other names to mention are James Rodriguez, Kroos & Isco who ran their hearts out along with Varane who was simple spectacular as usual.

Lastly, a dream moment for Mexican Chicharito who has not had the best season & has spent most of his time in Madrid on the bench. The man is a hard worker, humble & tonight is the hero of Real Madrid with his winner. Football once again creates stars & dreams when you least expect, or when you believe in yourself enough. 

Atletico de Madrid go out of the competition with their heads high as they put in a brave & noteworthy show. However, as mentioned, they speculated too much & paid the price. 

Real Madrid joins fellow Spanish Football Club FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich & Juventus as the last four remaining teams only awaiting now to know their match ups in semi-finals. At this stage-phase of Champions League all 4 are the "creme de la creme" of European Football & its all up for grabs.

Tweet

Share

POSSIBLE TEAM LINE UPS REAL MADRID - AT MADRID | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE qUARTER FINAL

The 1º st leg UEFA Champions League quarter - final finished 0 - 0. Tonight Real Madrid hosts city rival Atletico de Madrid in the 2º leg return match with everything still open. Mayor game for both sides, Real Madrid has not the Liga title assured & Champions League is the only current viable title left for them in this season. While Atletico de Madrid sits fighting for third spot on the Liga table & remembers how the Champions League title slipped from their fingers in the last second in last years Final precisely at the hands of Real Madrid.

Real Madrid goes into this game "technically" weakened. They have lost key players like Modric, Bale & Benzema to injury, plus Marcelo to yellow card accumulation. For Atletico de Madrid it is all the contrary & goes in with their "Gala team" & with all men available. Atletico de Madrid are slightly favourites.

The speculation on the starting line-ups, especially Real Madrid, are big talking points pre-match today both in media & on the street. Real Madrid Coach Ancelotti has to practically reorganize the team & everyone has an opinion. The decision by Ancelotti is super important for a super important match as not only is the Clubs continuation in the competition in play tonight but perhaps the job of Ancelotti as Real Madrid Coach.

Spanish Sports paper "Sport" has elaborated the above infograph & speculates on the most probable starting 11 line-ups for Real Madrid & Atletico de Madrid tonight. 

The Atletico de Madrid starting 11 seems clear:

Oblak, Juanfran, Miranda, godin, Siquiera, Gabi, Tiago, Koke, Arda, Griezmann & Mandzukic.

The Real Madrid starting 11 has been deduced with what Ancelotti has available at hand:

Casillas, Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Coentrao, Kroos, Illaramendi, Isco, James, Chicharito & Cristiano Ronaldo.

There is debate pre-match if this is the definite 11 as some think Khedira could go in for Illaramendi or Pepe could take a midfield position as done under Mourinho in past occasions. Either way it is speculation & rumour with the final 11 players of each teams announced officially 45 mins before the match.

Top match, perhaps the most important of the season for both Clubs where there can only be one winner. May the better team win.
Tweet

Share

FC BARCELONA 2 PSG 0 | BARÇA INTO SEMIS WITH 5-1 AGG Q/FINAL WIN

Spanish Football Club FC Barcelona defeated 2 - 0 Paris St Germain tonight in their 2º leg UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE return quarter-final match, thus eliminating PSG with a total aggregate score-result of 5 - 1. Its the 8th time in the last 10 years that Barça reaches the semi-final stage of the European competition & they look optimum. 

Above is a team photo of the FC Barcelona starting 11 tonight & it is their "Gala line-up" - with exception of goalie Claudio Bravo who is for La Liga. 

Paris St Germain went into this 2º leg return game with Ibrahimovic & Veratti back & with some hope that they may be able to turn around the 1 - 3 result from Paris. But after the kick-off it became clear that things would be difficult for PSG as Barça took control. Pressure Football, rapid passing & an inspired Andres Iniesta broke through in the 14th min to find Neymar who scored the opener. It was demoralising for the French. 

PSG gave Barça goalie Stegen little work & it was not long until Dani Alves hooked a pass into the goal square to find Neymar who headed the second in the 33rd min. This was the definite final nail in the PSG "coffin" & put things into the "almost impossible realm".

FC Barcelona changed & rested Iniesta in the second half to give Xavi Hernandez a run & extend his record games in Champions League. With this it was business as usual for Barça which control PSG in the 2º half & could have scored some more goals. As a spectator Paris St Germain was somewhat disappointing, however the early Barça goal must have solidly hammered their spirits.  

Tomorrow the other Champions League Q/Final is on show with Real Madrid playing Atletico de Madrid after the 1º st leg gave a 0 - 0 result. Top match which could give the next opponent that Barça could face in the semis. Stay tuned!

Tweet

Share

SEVILLA FC 2 ZENIT 1 | FINAL RESULT EUROPA LEAGUE 1º LEG Q/FINAL GAME

Europa League 1º leg quater-final action tonight with with current Champions Spanish Football Club Sevilla FC hosting Russian Club Zenit. The final result 2 - 1 to Sevilla FC making a huge comeback in the second half after Zenit went ahead first in the 1º half of the game.

Entertaining, intense & a very tactical match that we saw tonight. The Russians were solid & very concentrated in the first half & were rewarded scoring first in the 29th min through Ryazantser. Zenit blocked & kept out the Sevilla attempts to equalize & looked more like scoring a second.

However, Sevilla FC Coach made some changes in the second half - M´Bia, Denis Suarez & Bacca - that revolutionized the side & lifted their Football. Zenit paid for their efforts in the first 45 min physically & dropped in intensity.

Denis Suarez took on the responsibility & began to call the plays making Sevilla arrive more & more at the Zenit goal. The opportunities began to appear & it was not long before the equalizer came through a Bacca header in the 72nd min. Sevilla kept up its momentum & the second goal ( & winner) arrived in the 87th min when Denis Suarez shot from outside the box. The goal lifted the "roof" off the "Ramo Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium".

Deserved win for Sevilla FC after a memorable & excellent second half showing Football, courage, heart & pride. The Russians however do take a valuable away goal back to Russia & this quarter-final tie is not yet closed & still wide open for both sides.

Tweet

Share

PSG 1 FC BARCELONA 3 | FINAL RESULT CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 1º LEG Q-FINAL

Spanish Football Club FC Barcelona travelled to Paris for their UEFA Champions League 1º leg  quarter-final match against Paris St Germain & come back home with a comfortable advantage for the return leg game. The final result was 1 - 3 in favour of Barcelona with most of the damage being done by the Spaniards in the second half.

Strange game at times with favourable swings to both sides & moments of frustrating balance. The French had important players out like Motta, Veratti & Ibrahimovic, but were again badly hit tonight when Captain Thiago Silva had to leave in the 20th min due to injury. His replacement David Luiz lasted what he physically could & in the second half was "danced" around in the Barça goal occasions. It was clear the Brazilian defender was not 100 % recovered from his injury.

FC Barcelona went ahead first when Neymar scored in the 19th min.  It seemed Barça would run away but PSG managed to put its Football together to created clear opportunities. The French had chances to equalize but both Pastore & Cavani were imprecise & off target. Opportunities that the French would pay for dearly later in the match.

Paris St Germain started the second half well with Barça looking somewhat tired & "offbeat". Again PSG failed to consolidate their dominance & in a brilliant 67th min play by Luis Suarez - nutmeg included on Luiz - the Uruguayan scored the second for Barça. A moral punch in the PSG face which gave wings to the Spanish team.  

However, PSG persisted & Cavani nearly responded with a power driver that Barça goalie Ter Stegen stopped through pure reflex. The third came in the 79th min when Luis Suarez again "danced" David Luiz & fired home into the right top corner. 

It looked like a "song & dance" session was to end the match in favour of Barça, but PSG defender Van Der Weil let loose a shot that deflected off Barça defender Mathieu to score the French teams only goal in the 83rd min. A goal that manages to allow a small glimpse of some hope for the return leg match in "Camp Nou" next week. 

To conclude, Barça goes away in the drivers seat with a huge advantage, while PSG was unlucky with injuries & missed chances they failed to convert. Said this,  the end result is just & Barça deserve to go away with the win.

Tweet

Share

PSG - FC BARCELONA | POSSIBLE STARTING 11 TEAM LINE-UPS | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

UEFA Champions League action continues tonight with the other Spanish Football representative FC Barcelona on show tonight. Barça travel to Paris to play their 1º leg Quarter-final match against Paris St Germain.

As habitual pre-match there is plenty of talk on what will be the starting 11 line-ups of both teams. Spanish Sports paper "Mundo Deportivo" put forward a diagram (above) where they speculate on the possible starting teams for tonights game:

Paris St Germain: Sirigu, Van der Weil, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Maxwell, Rabiot Cabaye, Matuidi, Lavezzi, Pastore & Cavani.

FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Adriano, Pique, Mascherano, Alba, Busquets, Ratikic, Iniesta, Neymar, Messi & Suarez

On paper Barça looks the more formidable & perhaps is favourite for this game. Paris St Germain has two important players missing,  in midfield Veratti & forward Ibrahimovic. Said this, PSG could have a card up its sleeve after we saw yesterday the supposedly injured David Luiz appear in training. 

Top match assured. 
    Tweet

Share

AT MADRID 0 REAL MADRID 0 | FINAL RESULT CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 1º LEG Q-FINAL

The UEFA Champions League 1º leg quarter-final - & city of Madrid derby - between Atletico de Madrid & Real Madrid ended in a 0 - 0 final result. Bit of a anti-climax perhaps but lets not forget that it is a 2º leg affair, that is 120 mins of Football. In hindsight it is a just result as Real Madrid dominated the first half & Atletico de Madrid the second half.  

Intense 90 mins with plenty of battles & the occasional physical knock between players that may have gone a bit far. Ramos & Mandzukic had their moments with the latter receiving an "accidental" elbow that caused the Atletico forward to bleed from the eyebrow. Real Madrid players Carvajal also received some "loving attention" from Mandzukic & later team-mate Raul Garcia continued to pick away at the Real Madrid defence. Normal stuff from these two rival teams both with high stakes at play. 

Two players stand out for me & each from a team. Atletico de Madrid goalkeeper Oblak was outstanding & made 4 crucial saves in the first half to keep his team alive during the best performance from the visitors. The second player who was colossal was Real Madrid defender Rafael Varane, flawless tonight in defence & dangerous in attack. 

Real Madrid goalkeeper Casillas had little to do up till the 80th min when Atletico de Madrid lifted gears & attacked a tired Real Madrid. Casillas made two - three saves that kept out Atletico de Madrid & managed to maintain things even till the end. 

Yellow cards to Atletico de Madrid Suarez & Real Madrid Marcelo, both will miss next weeks 2º leg return game due to yellow card accumulations. 

In conclusion, entertaining game where the only thing missing were the goals. However, both teams were thinking more the 120 mins than the 90 mins & the game was very strategic with plenty of tactical & physical Football on show. 

Tweet

Share

AT MADRID - REAL MADRID | POSSIBLE STARTING LINE-UPS | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

It is a replay of the last UEFA Champions League Final in Lisbon, Spanish Football Clubs Atletico de Madrid & city rival Real Madrid play tonight the 1º leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. 

Apart from last years Final where Real Madrid scored via Sergio Ramos in the last second to force extra-time & later win 4 - 1, Atletico de Madrid has not lost to Real Madrid this season & one can say that Coach Simeone has the "psychological" upper-hand on Coach Ancelotti.

However, lets be realistic, Football has´nt a past & anything could occur in the present. One of the pre-match talking points & speculations is the possible starting 11 team line-ups.

courtesy of Mundo Deportivo

Spanish Sports daily "Mundo Deportivo" gives us today an info-diagram where they speculate on the possible starting 11 players for each teams:

Atletico de Madrid : Oblak, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Gamez, Mario, Gabi, Koke, Arda, Griezmann & Mandzukic.

Real Madrid: Casillas, Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos, Modric, James, Bale, Benzema & Cristiano Ronaldo

On paper the speculated line-ups look reasonable with perhaps a doubt in Atletico if Tiago is more suited to Mario.

We will all be out of any doubt 45 mins before kick off when teams hand in their official starting line-ups list.

Huge match not to be missed, with a quick reminder that we are talking about a 2 leg quarter-final.

Tweet

Share

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | ATLETICO-REAL MADRID | PSG-BARÇA | QUARTER FINALS 2015

The Club match ups for the upcoming UEFA Champions League Quater-Finals were drawn this midday at the UEFA HQ in Nyon (France). The below graph gives the results:

ATLETICO DE MADRID hosts city rival REAL MADRID for the 1º leg away clash: 14/4, while
FC BARCELONA travels to PARIS ST. GERMAIN: 15/4.

The Quarter-final playing dates are:
1º leg 14 th & 15 th of April 
2º leg 21 st & 22 nd of April

Bayern Munich will be relatively happy, although Porto has quality, while Juventus - Monaco is a very open affair. 

All top matches at this stage of the competition.

Tweet

Share

ATLETICO DE MADRID 1 FC BARCELONA 0 | AT MADRID WINS 2 -1 ON AGGREGATE

Epic, a match that went to the highest level of European Football with two Spanish Football Teams that could have claimed the right to win & pass into the semi finals phase of the UEFA Champions League. However, tonight & after this particular game ( & Q/Final tie ) Atletico de Madrid knocks out FC Barcelona from the competition after winning 1 - 0 the 2º leg return match & taking the Q/Final tie 2 - 1 on aggregate.

Atletico de Madrid joins fellow Spanish Club Real Madrid along with Chelsea FC & Bayern Munich in next Fridays draw for the semi-final match-ups. 

The game was intense, with a tremendous physical effort shown by both teams that witness punch after counter-punch until the end. The home crowd of 55.000 screaming Atletico fans was an important factor as they gave wings to their side in the difficult moments. It was simply an extraordinary game of Football, World Class stuff.

Atletico de Madrid started firing with all their ammunition right from the start. Adrian starting for the injured Diego Costa was fully revved up from the first minute. Atletico pressured Barcelona in the midfield & in defence causing mistakes that Atletico converted into goal opportunities. Adrian & David Villa were the main players causing problems for Barça & Villa got onto a ball that KOKE found & headed home for the opener in the 5th min. Atletico de Madrid had Barça rattled & David Villa hit the "wood-work" 3 times in the first half.

However, in front was FC Barcelona & they were not going to give in without a fight. Slowly they took back control of the ball & began looking for their opportunities. They came,  but the Atletico defence was solid along with their outstanding goalkeeper Courtois.

The second half saw Barcelona lift in their game & created during the last 45 minutes three clear occasions take could have equalized the match. Xavi nearly had it & Neymar missed a header that skinned the post. But the physical effort from Barcelona paid its price & they too began "weakening" allowing Atletico de Madrid to lift & get to the goal area. Here Barça goalkeeper Pinto made two outstanding saves ( one in the last moment stopping Cristian Rodriguez) to keep his team in the match & in the quarter-final tie.

With the clock ticking Atletico de Madrid spurred on by the chants of their fans found the extra energy to manage the match & defend every Barça attack thrown at them.  The final whistle came & Atletico was the overall winner. 

To end, a worthy mention to the Atletico de Madrid defence that was outstanding. They stopped virtually everything & the physical effort shown was super-human. The term "team effort" had another definition added tonight in the name Atletico de Madrid. 

Great game of Football, with FC Barcelona losing,  but they too could have been victors if they had taken their chances. Pity only one can only win, tonight the winner was Atletico.

Tweet

Share

REAL MADRID 3 BORUSSIA DORTMUND 0 | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Q/FINAL 1º ST LEG RESULT

The last of the three Spanish Football Clubs in the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Finals phase, Real Madrid, had its turn tonight. Real Madrid hosted German Club Borussia Dortmund with the home team winning an "undermanned" visting team 3 - 0. Beforehand, one may think Real Madrid has the road to the semi-finals clear, however the return match could be complicated & one must never underestimate Dortmund which will have back from suspension its star forward Lewandowski.

Real Madrid lost Di Maria before the match to a stomach complaint which allowed Isco to start in the starting XI. Borussia was without half dozen players that knocked out Real Madrid from the semis last year, they were not the same.

Real Madrid went full steam ahead from the beginning to pressure the Germans & were rewarded with an early goal in the 3rd min when Benzema & Carvajal combined to find Gareth Bale who toe-poked the opener.

Real Madrid controlled the match & created more opportunities & got their second goal in the 27th min when Isco placed the ball far from the Borussia goalie. In fact, Weidenfeller (the Dortmund goalkeeper) made 3 - 4 vital saves to keep the scoreline down to only 3 - 0. He have a great game.

The second half saw a more paced Real Madrid keep at bay a more determined Borussia Dortmund which wanted a goal at least to take back to the 2º leg return match. They tried hard & created chances but an inspired Real Madrid defender Pepe acted as the "Goal Guardian" along with his defending team-mates.

The third goal came in the 57th min when Cristiano Ronaldo fired home after a German defensive mistake. The Portuguese star scored his 14 Champions League goals this season equalling the competitions record held by Lionel Messi. The Real Madrid forward later left the field with a annoying pain in his knee that will leave the fans waiting until the medical team check it out. Cristiano Ronaldo has been carrying a knee inflammation condition these last matches & tonight his knee may have said "enough", rest is needed. 

Borussia Dortmund finally did better than anyone thought & leaves the tie open with some hope back in Germany. Their second half performance leads one to think that they could complicate & attempt a "turn-around". Until then, Real Madrid has a big & almost decisive advantage.

Tweet

Share

FC BARCELONA 1 ATLETICO DE MADRID 1 | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Q/F 1º LEG RESULT

The UEFA Champions League Quater-Final phase kicked off tonight with two Spanish Football Clubs matched, none other than FC Barcelona & Atletico de Madrid. The 1º leg match finished in a 1 - 1 draw result leaving the tie wide open for the return 2º leg game next Wednesday in Madrid. 

The match was as all the other encounters between these two teams this season very even in all the aspects with high levels of intensity & physical efforts that leads eventually to the habitual stalemates seen between both.

The first half was a overall draw including with the injuries. Barça lost defender Gerard Pique (substitituted with Bartra) in the 10th min when he landed awkwardly on his back disputing a header with Atletico de Madrid forward Diego Costa. Then later around the 30th min mark Atletico de Madrid lost Diego Costa (substituted with Diego Ribas) to an apparent leg muscle injury.

Atletico de Madrid had two clear chances missed by David Villa, along with Barça which had minor opportunities.

The action lifted in the second half with Atletico de Madrid putting the pressure on Barça & looking for the forced mistakes to steal the ball. In one of those occasions Diego Ribas found a ball & surprised everyone with a 25 mt crack at goal that found the back of the Barça net. A brilliant 56th min goal that put Atletico in front with an important away goal.

Minutes later Atletico de Madrid Coach Simeone took off David Villa (will talk about this latter) to secure the result which handed over the initiative to FC Barcelona. This allowed Andres Iniesta to take over further & in one of his magical plays he found Neymar with a pass that turned into the equalizer in the 71st min.

From here FC Barcelona poured all their efforts into finding the winner but Atletico de Madrid goalkeeper Courtois made three match savers that once again consolidates his "current Best Goalkeeper in World Football" tag. His efforts along with his team-mates defending on the limits managed to hold out the late Barça charge & managed to secure a valuable draw away from home.

This may sound OK from an Atletico de Madrid perspective but its is not so good if you look closer. Atletico de Madrid received 6 yellow cards tonight, that is 6 players conditioned for the return match, plus lost their in-form top goalscorer Diego Costa who may not play the return game.

But the big mistake tonight was the decision by Atletico de Madrid Coach Simeone to leave his team without a forward for the last 25-30 minutes after getting ahead. Taking off David Villa for a midfielder gave the signal to Barcelona that Atletico would retreat to defend 100% handing over the initiative of the match. I thought that Football is about scoring goals, but it was like Atletico decided to throw the ball over to Barça & told them attack all you want. A very risky, & I believe unnecessary precedent, that tonight came off only because Atletico goalkeeper Courtois was outstanding. A decision that may be seen as genius only because it ended in a 1-1 draw, but could be absolutely valid to call stupidity if Courtois had not stopped either of the three clear goal chances for Barça.

The men to mention tonight are Andres Iniesta who was simply magical & Atletico de Madrid goalkeeper Courtois who saved his team & his Coach from his ridiculous & risky tactical end of match decisions.

Tomorrow it´s the turn of the other Spanish Football Club in Champions League, Real Madrid which hosts German Club Borussia Dortmund.

Tweet

Share

URUGUAY 1 - SPAIN 0 | QUARTER FINAL FIFA U-20 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RESULT

The Spanish U-20 National Football Team was knocked out by Uruguay 1 - 0 in extra-time in the quarter-final of the FIFA U-20 World Championship being held in Turkey. The "knock-out" blow came in the 102 th min from a free-kick that found the head of giant Uruguayan Avanatti who put his team ahead & scored the goal that was to be the winner.

In fact this mentioned fixed play was the difference that tipped the match between two rugged & even teams. Spain also paid the price for not taking & converting their numerous goal opportunities. The "Iron Law of Football" was again evident, if you miss your chances you will lose. 

Spain now fly off home but give an impressive image of future talents. The Atletico de Madrid midfielder Oliver Torres ( in photo ) has tantalized everyone & some are going as far as labelling the "kid" the "New Xavi Hernandez". Whether or not it is premature to put so much pressure on the "boys shoulders" we are in for some wonderful Football from Torres if he is looked after at his Club & by Spanish Football.

Goalkeeper Sotres also played well & saved Spain in the end of normal time with a hand that stopped a goal but in the process fractured his nose against the post. The player illustrated the "Spanish U-20 spirit" but everyone fell short in the end to a more accurate Uruguayan team.

Congratulations to Uruguay & I wish them luck for the rest of the tournament.

There will be more Spanish Football Internationals in coming days with the UEFA U-19 European Championships. Here to people expect to see big things from the Spanish U-19 squad. 

Details:
URUGUAY 1: De Amores; Varela (Velázquez, 110’), Giménez, Silva, Rodríguez; País, Acevedo (Rolán, 79’), Cristóforo (Avanatti, 98’), Laxalt; De Arrascaeta & Nico López

SPAIN 0: Sotres (Yáñez, 90’); Manquillo, Puerto, Derik, Bernat; Saúl, Campaña (Alcácer, 68’); Deulofeu (Denis, 86’), Óliver, Suso; & Jesé.


Goals: 1-0 (102’) Avenatti.

Tweet

Share

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE | REAL MADRID INTO SEMI FINAL - MALAGA ELIMINATED IN LAST MINUTE

Champions League at the quarter-final stage is serious business. The veterans will tell you that if you slip just an inch you will be punished severely. This occurred to all four teams that participated tonight in their 2º leg return games. In the Spanish case, the experienced & Champions League regular Real Madrid CF suffered & received a good scare, while the never before into quarter-final stage Malaga FC experienced the above old man´s wisdom in the cruellest of fashions that will leave scares.

Here are brief summaries of both events, final results ( scores ) & goalscorers in tonight's Champions League games.

The above photo is a momentary instant of the Real Madrid starting 11 against Galatasaray in their 2º leg return clash. A historical photo as they helped once again to get the Spanish Football Club into a semi-final of the Champions League. Real Madrid lost 3 - 2 to Galatasaray tonight but won with an overall 3 - 5 aggregate result.

This match was suffered for Real Madrid as it complicated itself mid-way through the second half that put a real scare throughout the Spanish teams body. With a difficult & uneasy surface that made things difficult,  the Turks had less Football but was more aggression & this unbalanced their initial objectives. Real Madrid via Cristiano Ronaldo took advantage of the Turkish erratic play & scored first in the 8th min from a Khedira pass that served as the important calming away goal & seemed to shut firmly the door on the Turks.

However, the pressure & the aggressive attitude slowly grind down Real Madrid which missed goal opportunities that did not allow for the final knock-out. The contender picked itself up & surprised Real Madrid with a Eboue "screamer" in the 57th min that lifted & gave hopes to Galatasary. So much so,  that Real Madrid was put onto the back foot & lost the ball to concentrate on only defending. Then in the 71st min Sneijder put the Turks ahead & this allowed Galatasaray to "dream on". With Real Madrid discoordinated the alarm bells rang when a minute later Galatasaray got the third goal thanks to Drogba & this turned the almost impossible into a real possibility.

Real Madrid Coach Mourinho, put on Benzema & defender Albiol with the latter to contend the Turkish offensives. The plan worked, Benzema stabilized the forward-line & the midfield was reconquered. A Benzema attack down the right flank found Cristiano Ronaldo & he scored in the 90+2 min to shut the door this time & knock-out any hopes for the Turks.

Madrid won but they felt the Champions League oath of "to get far you have to suffer". Real Madrid lost Arbeloa to a red card in the last minutes & Essien was taken off earlier with leg muscle problem. Real Madrid sweated blood, but every European Champion has had to pass this "test of fire" its part of the road.

A worthy mention to Galatasaray which nearly pulled it off. Brave & spirited they made proud their Clubs name & was unlucky not to have gone further.

Borussia Dortmund rose from the dead, while Malaga FC already making history tasted the sweet nectar of the semi-finals to see it disappear in minutes & in extra-time in front of their faces. Here the Spanish Football Club lacked experienced & was severely burnt tonight by the cruelness that is European Football. Perhaps the bright lights blinded & allowed the opponents the opportunity to snatch the victory & a semi-finals berth at their expense. So close, yet so far maybe are the words for Malaga, but they are just one of a long list of past contenders that fell at the doors of glory. Final result 3 - 2 

Fierce match as expected with an almighty Malaga playing as never before & perhaps never again. In the 25th min Malaga player Joaquin scored a magnificent away goal that rattled the Germans & allowed the Spaniards to dream.

Like a wounded animal Dortmund reacted & Lewandowski equalized in the 39th min, but with this scoreline Malaga was still qualified & further rocked the Germans with a 83rd min goal by Malaga player Eliseu that had them into the semi-finals. The Spanish goal was off-side but the tragedy was to came later in minutes in an ironic twist of Soccer fate. 

Into extra-time & with Malaga qualified Dortmund scored in the 91st min by Reus. Malaga was still in the semi-finals until 2 minutes later Borussia Dortmund scored a third via Santana that was off-side & knocked out Malaga to put the Germans into the semi-finals of the Champions League. A miracle.

Unbelievable if your Spanish , a miracle if your German. The cruel lesson was learnt with fire for Malaga; the mistakes in Champions League are paid in elimination blood.

As for the Germans, outstanding for their "never say never" attitude which alone was worthy of being qualified. Simply superb by Borussia Dortmund.

Tomorrow another Spanish Football Club enters the arena. FC Barcelona will face Paris St Germain equalled in aggregate. 

Tweet

Share