Category Archives: SPORTS

The Argentine opened the scoring with a thumping strike and then, after teeing Alvaro Morata up for a tap-in, sealed a famous win for the Bianconeri with a fine finish.

Carlos Tevez was at his brilliant best as Juventus stormed into the quarter-finals of the Champions League by beating Borussia Dortmund 3-0 at Signal Iduna Park to progress 5-1 on aggregate.

The Argentina international, who also scored in Juve’s 2-1 victory in the last-16 first-leg tie in Turin, caught goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller off guard in the early stages of Wednesday’s contest at Signal Iduna Park.

Tevez then played in Alvaro Morata, also on the scoresheet in Turin three weeks ago, to tap home the second with 20 minutes remaining.

The former Manchester City man drilled home a third in the 79th minute to cap off a fine individual performance and reward Juve’s counter-attacking masterclass, as they completed a 5-1 aggregate win.

It was no less than the Serie A champions deserved, with Massimiliano Allegri’s men excelling particularly after the break – Weidenfeller twice forced to deny Morata before his goal.

For Juve, progression to the last eight will go some way to silencing the doubters who have voiced claims that they have been largely unable to replicate their domestic form in Europe, on the back of their Champions League group-stage exit in 2013-2014.

The Champions League has provided some respite for a Dortmund side who have struggled for much of the Bundesliga this campaign, and their exit now means that participation in Europe’s premier club competition next season is highly unlikely.

Juventus opened the scoring in the third minute in some style.

Tevez collected Morata’s pass 25 yards from goal and Dortmund goalkeeper Weidenfeller was late to react as the Argentine striker’s fierce effort flew into the left-hand corner.

Having found the goal, Juve seemed content to protect their lead, although Stephan Lichtsteiner also tried his luck from range – Weidenfeller this time up to the task.

The visitors were dealt a blow just before the half-hour mark, when an apparent hamstring injury saw Paul Pogba replaced by Andrea Barzagli.

Dortmund looked more threatening after the Frenchman was taken off, but a series of set-pieces and crosses into the box were dealt with well by Juve’s defence – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s flashed shot the best the hosts had to show.

The Germans failed to register a shot on target in the first half and they were fortunate not to be 2-0 down five minutes after the restart.

Tevez evaded several Dortmund challenges before slipping Morata in one-on-one, with the Spaniard attempting a deft chip over Weidenfeller that the goalkeeper blocked.

Morata again wasted a great chance to give Juve clear daylight, the former Real Madrid man collecting Roberto Pereyra’s ball on the right of the penalty area and forcing Weidenfeller to save with his legs.

The third time proved a charm in the 70th minute, though, as Tevez sprung the offside trap before unselfishly squaring for Morata to provide the tap-in.

And Tevez was celebrating again with 11 minutes remaining, collecting Arturo Vidal’s throughball before his angled drive across Weidenfeller nestled in the back of the net to complete a comfortable win.

source: goal.com

The England goalkeeper turned in a superb performance at the Camp Nou but was eventually beaten by Ivan Rakitic, while Sergio Aguero missed a second-half penalty.

A superb performance from Lionel Messi inspired Barcelona to a 1-0 victory over Manchester City in their last-16 second leg tie at Camp Nou on Wednesday, as the Spanish giants ran out 3-1 winners on aggregate.

The mercurial Argentine led the reigning English champions a merry dance during the first half, teasing his opponents with a series of nutmegs before creating the winning goal for Ivan Rakitic.

City – who relied heavily on goalkeeper Joe Hart to keep them in the contest – were unable to complete an unlikely comeback after half-time as Sergio Aguero won and missed a late penalty, just as Messi had in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium.

Under-fire manager Manuel Pellegrini must now turn his attention back towards a Premier League title defence that has unravelled to the extent that his team face a battle to seal their return to the Champions League next term.

Vincent Kompany’s form was under the microscope before kick-off and a lapse from the City captain almost allowed Barcelona to open the scoring in the fifth minute.

Dani Alves was alert to dispossess the Belgian on the edge of his own penalty area, leaving Neymar to shoot against the base of Hart’s near post before the ball rolled agonisingly across the face of goal.

Hart reacted sharply to deny Messi after the Argentina superstar combined in typically slick fashion with Andres Iniesta, although City were offered encouragement in the 13th minute when Alves made a last-ditch tackle to thwart James Milner after Yaya Toure’s cut-back.

Messi brushed a second free-kick against the top of the net in the 27th minute having been scythed down by David Silva – the City playmaker rightly following team-mates Fernandinho and Aleksandar Kolarov into referee Gianluca Rocchi’s notebook.

The opening goal arrived four minutes later at the end of clinical counter-attack, as Messi brilliantly picked out Rakitic and the midfielder – allowed ample room by the City defence – controlled the ball on his chest before lifting a calm finish over the on-rushing Hart.

Samir Nasri was the next City player booked for a petulant kick on Neymar and the visitors’ evening threatened to collapse entirely under relentless and dazzling pressure before the interval – Suarez hitting the post having raced clear of a thoroughly disheveled defence.

The game resumed in similar fashion, with Hart in regular action to deny Iniesta, Jordi Alba and Messi inside four minutes of the restart.

Barcelona’s concentration levels then appeared to slacken, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen grateful for a clutch of defenders flooding his box having been robbed of possession by Aguero outside the area.

Suarez fired into the side netting after 63 minutes, shortly before City failed to capitalise on a scramble inside the Barca area when Jesus Navas – introduced at half-time for Nasri – pulled a poor cross behind his colleagues.

Immediately Barca sprung down field and, not for the first time, Pellegrini was grateful for Hart continuing his personal duel against Messi in admirable fashion.

Hart added to his catalogue of brilliant saves by trumping Neymar in a one-on-one and deserved to see Aguero throw his team a lifeline – but the striker’s 77th-minute spot-kick was comfortably saved by Ter Stegen after a combination of Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique brought him down in the area.

Suarez then hit the crossbar and Hart provided more heroics to deny Messi the goal he richly deserved as the clock ticked down on a night when Barcelona’s superiority was not reflected in the scoreline.

source:goal.com

Σε θρίαμβο της Γιουβέντους μέσα στο «Βεστφάλεν» εξελίχθηκε η ρεβάνς με τη Ντόρτμουντ, καθώς οι Ιταλοί όχι μόνο πήραν το «εισιτήριο» για τους «8» του Champions League, αλλά πέτυχαν και δεύτερη νίκη επί των Γερμανών και μάλιστα με 0-3, έχοντας πρωταγωνιστή τον Τέβες.

Στο άλλο ματς της βραδιάς, η Μπαρτσελόνα, αν και όχι το ίδιο επιβλητικά, κατάφερε να επικρατήσει 1-0 κόντρα στη Μάντσεστερ Σίτι με γκολ του Ράκιτιτς. Ετσι, οι «Μπλαουγκράνα» που έχασαν άπειρες ευκαιρίες, σημείωσαν και δεύτερη νίκη επί των Βρετανών. Ωστόσο, οι «Πολίτες» σπατάλησαν τεράστια ευκαιρία να ξαναμπούν στο «κόλπο» της πρόκρισης, χάνοντας πέναλτι με τον στο 78′ με τον Αγουέρο.

Την Παρασκευή η κλήρωση

Η κλήρωση για τη φάση των «8» θα γίνει το μεσημέρι της Παρασκευής (13:00) στη Νιόν και θα πρέπει να σημειωθεί πως σε αντίθεση με την προηγούμενη φάση, πλέον δεν υπάρχει περιορισμός, καθώς είναι δυνατό να τεθούν αντιμέτωπες ομάδες από την ίδια χώρα ή που συνυπήρχαν στη φάση των ομίλων. Οι πρώτοι αγώνες θα γίνουν 14-15 Απριλίου και οι ρεβάνς 21-22 Απριλίου, με τις ομάδες που βγαίνουν πρώτες από την κληρωτίδα να αγωνίζονται αρχικά στην έδρα τους.

Στις 24 Απριλίου θα γίνει νέα κλήρωση για την ανάδειξη των δύο ζευγαριών των ημιτελικών, οι οποίοι έχουν προγραμματιστεί για τις 5-6 και 12-13 Μαΐου, ενώ ο τελικός του Champions League στις 6 Ιουνίου στο Ολυμπιακό Στάδιο του Βερολίνου.
ΝΤΟΡΤΜΟΥΝΤ – ΓΙΟΥΒΕΝΤΟΥΣ 0-3

Εντυπωσιακή η Γιουβέντους, νίκησε 3-0 τη Ντόρτμουντ στο «Ζίγκναλ Ιντούνα Παρκ» και προκρίθηκε στους «8» του Champions League, καθώς είχε επικρατήσει (2-1) και στο Τορίνο και μάλιστα με τους ίδιους σκόρερ.

Ενας κεραυνός του Κάρλος Τέβες από περίπου 25 μέτρα, στο 3ο λεπτό της αναμέτρησης, άλλαξε από νωρίς τα δεδομένα. Η Ντόρτμουντ αποσυντονίστηκε εντελώς, δεν μπόρεσε σε κανένα σημείο του αγώνα να επανέλθει στη διεκδίκηση ενός θετικού αποτελέσματος και η «Γιούβε» πήρε την πρόκριση πιο εύκολα από το αναμενόμενο.

Στο β’ ημίχρονο και αφού έχασε δύο πολύ καλές ευκαιρίες, ο Αλβάρο Μοράτα αξιοποίησε την ασίστ του Τέβες και έγραψε το 0-2 στο 70΄. Εννέα λεπτά αργότερα (79΄) ο Τέβες διαμόρφωσε το τελικό σκορ.

Ο Αργεντινός σε μια από τις καλύτερες βραδιές της καριέρας του, έφτασε τα 4 γκολ στους τελευταίους τρεις αγώνες της Γιουβέντους στο Champions League, περισσότερα δηλαδή απ΄όσα είχε στους προηγούμενους 28 (3)!

ΔΙΑΙΤΗΤΗΣ: Μίοντραγκ Μάζιτς (Σερβία)

Κίτρινες: Ρόις

ΝΤΟΡΤΜΟΥΝΤ (Γιούργκεν Κλοπ): Βαϊντενφέλερ, Παπασταθόπουλος, Σούμποτιτς, Χούμελς, Σμέλτσερ (46΄ Κιρχ), Μπέντερ (64΄ Ράμος), Γκιουντογκάν, Καμπλ, Μχιταριάν (64΄ Μπλατζικόφσκι), Ομπαμεγιάνγκ, Ρόις.

ΓΙΟΥΒΕΝΤΟΥΣ (Μασιμιλιάνο Αλέγκρι): Μπουφόν, Λιχτστάινερ, Μπονούτσι, Κιελίνι, Εβρά, Μαρκίζιο, Πογκμπά (27΄λ.τρ. Μπαρτσάλι), Βιδάλ, Περέιρα, Τέβες (81΄ Πέπε), Μοράτα (78΄ Μάτρι).

ΜΠΑΡΤΣΕΛΟΝΑ – ΣΙΤΙ 1-0

Με παρακαταθήκη τη νίκη με 2-1 στο «Έτιχαντ» από τον πρώτο αγώνα, η Μπαρτσελόνα προκρίθηκε και φέτος στα προημιτελικά του Champions League, καθώς επικράτησε με 1-0 και στο «Καμπ Νου» της πρωταθλήτριας Αγγλίας.

Ο Λιονέλ Μέσι ήταν αρκετά… ορεξάτος απόψε και με τις εμπνεύσεις του οδήγησε τους «μπλαουγκράνα», καθώς μόλις στο 4ο λεπτό πάσαρε στον Νεϊμάρ που «σημάδεψε» το δεξί δοκάρι του Χαρτ, ενώ στο 31΄ έβγαλε εκπληκτικά τον Ράκιτιτς απέναντι στον Χαρτ, με τον Κροάτη μέσο να περνά την μπάλα από πάνω του και να σημειώνει το μοναδικό γκολ της αναμέτρησης.

Η Μπαρτσελόνα είχε δεύτερο δοκάρι, με τον Σουάρες στο 44΄, ενώ στο δεύτερο ημίχρονο ο αγώνας απόκτησε τρελό ρυθμό, με την μπάλα να ανεβοκατεβαίνει στις περιοχές, τον Χαρτ να κάνει… υπερωρίες για να σταματήσει τους Μέσι, Νεϊμάρ και τον Αγουέρο να χάνει τη μάχη από τον Τερ Στέγκεν στο πέναλτι που εκτέλεσε στο 78΄, πέναλτι που είχε κερδίσει ο ίδιος από τον Πικέ.

ΔΙΑΙΤΗΤΗΣ: Τζανλούκα Ρόκι (Ιταλία)

ΚΙΤΡΙΝΕΣ: Ντάνι Άλβες – Φερναντίνιο, Κολάροφ, Νασρί, Σίλβα, Ντεμικέλις

ΜΠΑΡΤΣΕΛΟΝΑ (Λουίς Ενρίκε): Τερ Στέγκεν, Πικέ, Μασεράνο, Ζόρντι Άλμπα, Ντάνι Άλβες (90΄+ Αντριάνο), Ματιέ, Ράκιτιτς (84΄ Ραφίνια), Μπουσκέτς, Ινιέστα, Σουάρες, Μέσι, Νεϊμάρ.

ΜΑΝΤΣΕΣΤΕΡ ΣΙΤΙ (Μανουέλ Πελεγκρίνι): Χαρτ, Σανιά, Κομπανί, Κολάροφ, Ντεμικέλις, Μίλνερ (87΄ Λάμπαρντ), Νασρί (46΄ Νάβας), Σίλβα, Φερναντίνιο, Γιάγια Τουρέ (72΄ Μπονί), Αγουέρο.


Τα αποτελέσματα (σ.σ. με bold οι ομάδες που προκρίθηκαν), έχουν ως εξής:

Ατλέτικο Μαδρίτης (Ισπανία)-Λεβερκούζεν (Γερμανία) 1-0 (0-1)
* Προκρίθηκε η Ατλέτικο με 3-2 στα πέναλτι
Μονακό (Γαλλία)-Άρσεναλ (Αγγλία) 0-2 (3-1)
Μπαρτσελόνα (Ισπανία)-Μάντσεστερ Σίτι 1-0 (2-1)
Ντόρτμουντ (Γερμανία)-Γιουβέντους (Ιταλία) 0-3 (1-2)
Ρεάλ Μαδρίτης (Ισπανία)-Σάλκε (Γερμανία) 3-4 (2-0)
Πόρτο (Πορτογαλία)-Βασιλεία (Ελβετία) 4-0 (1-1)
Τσέλσι (Αγγλία)-Παρί Σεν Ζερμέν (Γαλλία) 2-2 (παρ.) (1-1)
Μπάγερν Μονάχου (Γερμανία)-Σαχτάρ Ντόνετσκ (Ουκρανία) 7-0 (0-0)

Πηγή:in.gr

Kerem Bulut, right fights for the ball with Lee Woong-hee.

BRISBANE Roar scored late to draw their six-goal thriller against Suwon Bluewings while a fatigued Wanderers grabbed a crucial point away to FC Seoul.  

The Wanderers have again made a point in Asia and taken one, but at the cost of more injury worry. A goalless draw against FC Seoul in Korea means Western Sydney are still very much alive in their group, but defender Matthew Spiranovic limped off in the first half with an apparent recurrence of his hamstring trouble.

The result means the Wanderers have four points from three games, two of them on the road, and remain second in their group ahead of Seoul and Kashima Antlers.

Earlier, Devante Clut netted a memorable brace as Brisbane Roar drew 3-3 with Suwon Bluewings in a thrilling clash on the Gold Coast.

Clut had the huge job of filling the shoes of Roar marquee man Thomas Broich, who was rested as part of Brisbane’s squad rotation.

The 19-year-old did not disappoint scoring twice, including a late equaliser to ensure the points were shared in a result that took both teams to four points in Group G, five behind runaway leaders Beijing Guoan.

source: theaustralian.com

Cup gone? Tim Cahill celebrates after scoring against the Netherlands during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The spiritual home of football on Australian television, SBS, is in advanced plans to cut ties with the sport as part of a dramatic programming overhaul.

While the decision has not been finalised, Fairfax Media understand the network’s content division recently concluded that SBS’s 35-year relationship with football – among Australian television’s most iconic – should be scaled back dramatically.

The government broadcaster has the rights to show the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League and one A-League match on free-to-air television each Friday night.

Tentative discussions have been held with other free-to-air broadcasters about offloading their A-League commitments for the next two seasons. SBS and Fox Sports signed a four-year, $160 million agreement to share the rights until 2017. On Wednesday Channel 7 indicated they would be interested in televising Socceroos matches when the current agreement with SBS and Fox Sports runs out in 2017.

However, in what may be seen as a significant step backwards for the game, no broadcaster is likely to show the Friday night match on their primary channel, instead shuffling the match to their digital off-shoots.

After gaining the free-to-air rights to show A-League matches from 2013, SBS surprisingly opted to initially show live games only on SBS 2.

Despite an upgrade to the primary channel this season, the residual impact of the original decision remained, with ratings hovering either side of 100,000 viewers nationally.

The network has also been frustrated by a lack of access to premium games, with primary broadcaster Fox Sports requesting the FFA schedule big matches – like most derbies and traditional clashes – on Saturday nights.

But perhaps most shocking is the thought that the next World Cup may not be on SBS, which has broadcast each tournament since 1990.

The rights are a highly prized asset and SBS could make a huge sum of money by on-selling the broadcast agreement for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

While rival networks are still considering their options, they have all shown interest in broadcasting football during the past two years.

Fellow government broadcaster ABC took secondary rights to this year’s Asian Cup and broadcast all of the Socceroos’ matches live.

SBS is undergoing a major shift, triggered by the federal government’s decision to cut funding to the ABC and SBS.

SBS is under significant pressure from Canberra to boost ratings and lose its “niche” perception in order to maintain future funding.

Chief content officer Helen Kellie and TV and online content director Marshall Heald are believed to have identified football as an expendable part of the programming schedule.

They recently presented their recommendations – the “project shape” – to the SBS board, who offered a tentative green light. The next few months will be critical in determining how deep the proposed cuts run.

Staff have been widely unimpressed at what they believe is a rapidly morphing culture, described by one member as “increasingly corporate” and “commercial-driven”. An unpopular round of redundancies was recently undertaken on the advice of government-hired consultants.

Many inside the organisation believe the SBS company charter, which “sets out the principal functions of SBS and a number of duties it has to fulfil”, is being blatantly ignored.

“There is a very fundamental change occurring at SBS. Those in charge at the network have made it clear to everyone they intend on taking a new path,” one insider said. “They want to increase ratings by any means and appear prepared to stray from the charter, if necessary.

“If it wasn’t for SBS, football would never have found a home on Australian television all those years ago. But those in charge of content have come in from outside and have dismissed its importance.”

The rights to broadcast Champions League matches expires in two months and it is believed SBS will make no more than a token bid to secure the rights for the next three years.

Earlier this month, British broadcaster BT Sport paid £900 million (A$1.73 billion) for the next three years of European football’s elite league.

In Australia, that leaves ESPN (who have part of the existing rights), Fox Sports and Al-Jazeera’s beIN Sport to wrestle over SBS’s Champions League share.

Channel Seven recently latched onto the visits of Manchester United, Liverpool and Juventus, while Channel Nine has bought the rights to showcase Tottenham Hotspur’s clash with Sydney FC in May.

source:smh.com.au

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have now both scored 75 times in the UEFA Champions League proper. UEFA.com lists every one, charting their record-breaking feats.

A riveting subplot has developed in this season’s UEFA Champions League. The two greatest forwards of the age have both surpassed Raúl González’s total for goals in the competition and are now level on 75 each.

UEFA.com has listed all Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s strikes since they first found the net at this level and picked out some noteworthy stats from all the numbers.

• Messi has only been on the losing side twice when he has scored
• Ronaldo has netted twice or more on 20 different occasions
• Messi has registered five hat-tricks
• Ronaldo did not score until his 30th game in the competition; he has since hit 73 goals in 88 appearances
• Both players have scored two goals across two finals

All stats are group stage to final only; Ronaldo also scored once in qualifying, v Debreceni VSC 3-0 (h) 09/08/05.

Please note that the player’s club is always mentioned first in the scorelines, even if they are away from home.

source:uefa.com

ESPN FC’s Alejandro Moreno believes Barcelona have a real chance to win the treble this season with the trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez leading the charge.

Barcelona have two season-defining matches in the space of four days that will go a long way in deciding how many trophies they end up with this campaign. And with 16 wins from 18 matches so far this year, the signs are promising.

However, while all the talk is of the Clasico at the top of La Liga on Sunday night, Barcelona can’t afford anything other than 100 percent professionalism against Manchester City on Wednesday.

The players appear to have taken that on board with Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba and Lionel Messi all in for extra training Monday on their day off, but you would expect nothing less ahead of two huge games from players who have won so much.

The warning signs are there. Mid-table teams such as Real Sociedad and Malaga have recently shown this Barca side can be shut out while enjoying success at the other end of the pitch and opponents such as City and Real Madrid are capable of turning over any side on their day.

To reach the Champions League quarterfinal for an eighth consecutive year, Barca must not get involved in a high-scoring game with the Premier League champions, but this side does not have the game for shutting up shop and will undoubtedly go out to improve on the 2-1 lead with which they left northern England last month.

Luis Suarez, who got both that night, and the omnipotent Messi (who hit a double on Saturday in Eibar) are always in the mood for goals but it is at the back where mistakes must be kept to a minimum. The big decision for Luis Enrique is whom to choose as a partner for Pique in the centre of that defence.

That comes down to a straight choice between Marc Bartra and Jeremy Mathieu with Mascherano destined to deputise in midfield for the injured Sergio Busquets. The performance on Saturday from the young Bartra may get him the nod ahead of the experience of the Frenchman.

Bartra already has played five games in the group stages of this competition and should be the better option to deal with Sergio Aguero. With Dani Alves and Alba returning to the full back positions, the flanks will be well marshalled and Marc-Andre ter Stegen will again take over from Claudio Bravo in goal to continue his steady progress in the cup competitions.

While all the plaudits have recently gone to the attacking trident of Messi, Suarez and Neymar, only three opposition sides have managed to score more than once in those 18 games since the turn of the year and Barcelona won all those games.

City are in shaky form coming into the tie but when the referee’s whistle is blown for kickoff that will be quickly forgotten, and last week’s Champions League ties proved anything can happen.

A crazy end to end match like the 4-3 win Schalke took from Real Madrid is not in Barca’s interests, but there is no team in the world better at controlling the pace and rhythm of a game from the start so expect a repeat of the first half in Manchester with the home side dominating possession.

A midfield made up by Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic alongside Mascherano will provide that control, meaning the only change from the side that won the first leg would be Mathieu or Bartra in for Busquets.

This is all guess work, of course, and Enrique may spring a surprise with Real Madrid’s Sunday visit in mind.

Enrique’s strategy all season to rotate his squad and rest players at specific intervals should find his men at peak fitness to face two big games in four days. Only Messi could complain about playing too much but he would not have it any other way.

source:espnfc.com

Κοντά σε μία ιστορική ανατροπή έφτασε η Άρσεναλ στο «Λουί Ντε» του Μονακό, αλλά το 3-1 υπέρ των Γάλλων στο «Εμιρέιτς» αποδείχθηκε αξεπέραστο εμπόδιο για τους Λονδρέζους που έμειναν με τη νίκη με 2-0 στο Πριγκιπάτο.

Η Ατλέτικο Μαδρίτης προκρίθηκε καθώς επικράτησε 3-2 στα πέναλτι της Λεβερκούζεν. Η κανονική διάρκεια και η παράταση στην ισπανική πρωτεύουσα, βρήκε τους γηπεδούχους να προηγούνται 1-0 (Σουάρες 27΄), το σκορ δηλαδή με το οποίο είχαν ηττηθεί στον πρώτο αγώνα.

Tην Τετάρτη  η Γιουβέντους ταξιδεύει στο Ντόρτμουντ για να υπερασπισθεί το 2-1 με το οποίο επικράτησε στο Τορίνο, ενώ η Μπαρτσελόνα που θα υποδεχθεί την Μάντσεστερ Σίτι μετά την νίκη της με 2-1 επί αγγλικού εδάφους.

Μονακό – Άρσεναλ 0-2 (3-3)
Κοντά σε μία ιστορική ανατροπή στο Τσάμπιονς Λιγκ έφτασε η Άρσεναλ στο «Λουί Ντε» του Μονακό, αλλά το 3-1 υπέρ των Γάλλων στο «Εμιρέιτς» αποδείχθηκε αξεπέραστο εμπόδιο για τους Λονδρέζους. Η ομάδα του Αρσέν Βενγκέρ νίκησε 2-0, αλλά στην κλήρωση των προημιτελικών της διοργάνωσης θα βρεθεί το συγκρότημα του Λεονάρντο Ζαρντίμ, παρότι δέχτηκε αφόρητη πίεση ιδιαίτερα σττο τελευταίο 20λεπτο.

Το ματς ήταν μοιρασμένο στο πρώτο 20λεπτο, αλλά στη συνέχεια η Άρσεναλ ανέβασε… στροφές και κυριάρχησε στον αγωνιστικό χώρο. Η ομάδα του Αρσέν Βενγκέρ κατάφερε να προηγηθεί στο 36΄ με τη διπλή προσπάθεια του Ζιρού, ενώ στο 38΄ μετά το βολέ του Γουέλμπεκ η μπάλα είχε πορεία προς το κέντρο της εστίας του Σούμπασιτς αλλά βρήκε στον πεσμένο Αμπντενούρ κι έφυγε κόρνερ. Ακριβώς στην εκπνοή του πρώτου μέρους ο Ζιρού έχασε τεράστια ευκαιρία για το 0-2.

Με υπομονή και πειθαρχία στο παιχνίδι της η Άρσεναλ έφτασε στο δεύτερο γκολ, στο 79ο λεπτό με το σουτ του Ράμσεϊ μέσα από την περιοχή και το παιχνίδι πήρε… φωτιά. Στο 83΄ ο Σούμπασιτς έκανε την απόκρουση του αγώνα σε προσπάθεια του Σάντσες από πολύ κοντά, κρατώντας «όρθια» τη Μονακό.

Διαιτητής: Μόεν (Νορβηγία)

Κίτρινες: Κοντογκμπιά – Σάντσες

ΜΟΝΑΚΟ (Λ.Ζαρντίμ): Σούμπασιτς, Φαμπίνιο, Κουρζάβα, Αμπντενούρ, Γουάλας, Ντιράρ (86΄ Έλντερσον), Ζοάο Μουτίνιο, Κοντογκμπιά, Τουλαλάν, Μπερμπάτοφ (70΄ Μπερνάρντο Σίλβα), Μαρσιάλ (59΄ Καράσκο)

ΑΡΣΕΝΑΛ (Α.Βενγκέρ): Οσπίνα, Μερτεζάκερ, Κονσιελνί, Μονρεάλ (83΄ Γκιμπς), Μπεγιερίν, Οζίλ, Καθόρλα, Κοκλέν (63΄ Ράμσεϊ), Ζιρού, Σάντσες, Γουέλμπεκ (72΄ Γουόλκοτ)

Ατλέτικο Μαδρίτης-Λεβερκούζεν 1-0 (3-2 στα πέναλτι)

Στο 27΄ ο Μάριο Σουάρες με ένα τυχερό γκολ, έδωσε το προβάδισμα στους “ροχιμπλάνκος” ισοφαρίζοντας τοο σκορ του πρώτου αγώνες. Οι γηπεδούχοι έδιωξαν το άγχος αρκετά νωρίς κι αυτό είχε ως αποτέλεσμα να κυριαρχήσει η σκοπιμότητα, καθώς καμία από τις δύο αντιπάλους δεν ήταν διατεθειμένη να ρισκάρει. Ετσι, μόλις μία μεγάλη χαμένη ευκαιρία (Αρντά Τουράν στο 80′ – απέκρουσε ο Λένο) το ματς οδηγήθηκε στην παράταση. Ιδια “γεύση” και εκεί…

Η πρόκριση θα κρινόταν στα πέναλτι και στη διαδικασία αυτή πιο ψύχραιμοι αποδείχθηκαν οι “ροχιμπλάνκος” και πήραν την πρόκριση με 3-2, με τον Κίσλινγκ να αστοχεί στο τελευταίο από τα δέκα πέναλτι και να τερματίζει άδοξα την ευρωπαϊκή πορεία της ομάδας του.

ΔΙΑΙΤΗΤΗΣ: Νικόλα Ριτσόλι (Ιταλία)

ΚΙΤΡΙΝΕΣ: Χιμένες, Γκάμεθ, Σουάρεθ. Τόρες – Σπάχιτς, Τοπράκ, Τσαλχάνογλου, Γουέντελ, Κίσλινγκ, Παπαδόπουλος

ΑΤΛΕΤΙΚΟ ΜΑΔΡΙΤΗΣ (Ντιέγκο Σιμεόνε): Μόγια (23΄λ.τρ. Ομπλακ), Γκάμεθ, Χουανφράν, Μιράντα, Χιμένες, Σουάρεθ, Κόκε, Γκριζμάν, Τουράν, Κάνι (46΄ Ραούλ Γκαρθία), Μάντζουκιτς (83΄ Τόρες)

ΜΠΑΓΕΡ ΛΕΒΕΡΚΟΥΖΕΝ (Ρότζερ Σμιντ): Λένο, Σπάχιτς, Χίλμπερτ, Γουέντελ, Τοπράκ, Μπέντερ (104΄ Κυρ. Παπαδόπουλος), Τσαλχάνογλου, Κάστρο, Μπεραλαμπί, Σον Μιν (77΄ Ρόλφες), Ντρμιτς (69΄ Κίσλινγκ)

Το πρόγραμμα (σ.σ. σε παρένθεση το σκορ του πρώτου αγώνα), έχει ως εξής:
Ατλέτικο Μαδρίτης (Ισπανία)-Λεβερκούζεν (Γερμανία) 1-0 (0-1)
* Προκρίθηκε η Ατλέτικο με 3-2 στα πέναλτι
Μονακό (Γαλλία)-Άρσεναλ (Αγγλία) 0-2 (3-1)
Μπαρτσελόνα (Ισπανία)-Μάντσεστερ Σίτι 18/3 (2-1)
Ντόρτμουντ (Γερμανία)-Γιουβέντους (Ιταλία) 18/3 (1-2)

Εχουν γίνει οι αγώνες:
Ρεάλ Μαδρίτης (Ισπανία)-Σάλκε (Γερμανία) 3-4 (2-0)
Πόρτο (Πορτογαλία)-Βασιλεία (Ελβετία) 4-0 (1-1)
Τσέλσι (Αγγλία)-Παρί Σεν Ζερμέν (Γαλλία) 2-2 (παρ.) (1-1)
Μπάγερν Μονάχου (Γερμανία)-Σαχτάρ Ντόνετσκ (Ουκρανία) 7-0 (0-0)

The Clásico is coming up for FC Barcelona but Luis Enrique is looking no further than the second leg against a Manchester City FC side confident they can compete with 11 men.

Possible lineups
Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Alves, Piqué, Mascherano, Alba; Xavi, Rakitić, Iniesta; Suárez, Messi, Neymar.
• Out: Vermaelen (hamstring), Busquets (ankle)

Manchester City: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov; Fernando, Fernandinho; Milner, Touré, Silva; Agüero.
• Out: Clichy (suspended)

Luis Enrique, Barcelona coach
There’s only one match on our minds and that’s the one against City. Not the Clásico. It would be dangerous to play a cagey match. Our objective is to win and play better than our opponents. A place in the next round is at stake. You play the whole season for these games and that’s why the press room is full today.

I don’t think last season’s game is anything to go by because both sides have changed players. You can’t qualify just by playing one of the two games very well. We need to play well [in the second leg] too and see if we can beat City again.

I don’t think City look physically tired at all. I am sure they will fight to qualify for the next round – I’m positive of that. We don’t take anything for granted and this match is very important.

Manuel Pellegrini, Manchester City manager
We need to play like we did in the second half of the first leg. For part of the first half Barça controlled the game but in the second half we had chances. We need to play 11 v 11 and then we have a team that can play like we did in the second half.

It’s important to fight Barcelona for the ball but they dominate possession against all opponents. We have to keep the ball once we gain control of it. We want to give Barcelona problems regaining the ball once we have it.

It is important for us to prove that we are one of the best teams in Europe by beating Barcelona and that must be our test. We must strive to win.

We are not facing an easy team but if it’s 11 v 11 the game could be different [to the first leg]. When you against Barcelona it’s almost impossible to do well when it’s 11 v 10 [as it has been for the teams’ last three meetings] – I am not pointing at the referee because it was a fair decision.

Weekend results
SD Eibar 0-2 Barcelona (Messi 31pen 55)
Burnley FC 1-0 Manchester City (Boyd 61)

source:uefa.com

Club Atlético de Madrid reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals by eventually seeing off the challenge of Bayer 04 Leverkusen on penalties in an engrossing tie in Spain.

Atlético drew level on aggregate midway through the first period thanks to Mario Suárez’s deflected effort, yet despite controlling the majority of the remainder of the game last season’s runners-up were unable to force a second goal. Extra time could not separate the sides either, and in the shoot-out Raúl García blazed Atlético’s first kick over the bar.

Hakan Çalhanoğlu was promptly denied by Atlético’s substitute goalkeeper Jan Oblak, however, and when Ömer Toprak fired over, it was advantage Atlético. Bernd Leno saved the next kick from Koke, but Fernando Torres converted the home side’s fifth kick and Stefan Kiessling missed the target with Leverkusen’s final penalty.

Defending a 1-0 lead from the first leg, Leverkusen had cause for optimism having won their previous five matches without conceding a goal. Indeed there was disruption in the Atlético rearguard before a quarter of the match had elapsed as goalkeeper Miguel Ángel Moyà limped off to be replaced by Oblak.

Leverkusen had had the best chance up to that point, Karim Bellarabi’s shot deflected wide, but Atlético gradually upped the pressure on the visiting defence and 27 minutes in they were rewarded. The visitors seemed to have dealt with Koke’s free-kick but cleared only as far as Cani; he headed square for Suárez and, though Leno looked to have had the shot covered, a deflection off Ömer Toprak took it beyond him.

From the same source, Atlético came close to an aggregate advantage from a similar route; this time Suárez’s deflected effort looped a metre wide. It took a timely tackle from Miranda to cut out Wendell’s dangerous low pass at the other end, a reminder of Leverkusen’s threat.

Atlético continued to look the more likely to claim a second goal as they pressed Leverkusen back from the early stages of the second period, but without carving out clear chances. The home side forced a steady stream of corners without reward and Antoine Griezmann’s fine low cross gave Arda Turan a sight of goal; the first-time shot flew wide.

Koke then curled a free-kick centimetres past Leno’s left-hand post, while Arda Turan tried to flick in Griezmann’s cross only to be foiled. Arda Turan was then denied by the goalkeeper, who dived to his left to push away the low effort.

Chances proved equally rare in the additional 30 minutes, although Simon Rolfes’ long-range shot had Oblak scrambling while Leno kept out Raúl Garcíá’s attempt. Torres’ diving header was straight at Leno with five minutes remaining, setting the stage for the penalty drama that followed.

source:ueafa.com