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Fan Football - by Ross CarpenterFirst competitive fixtures of the season!June 28th 2011 23:18
Champions League first qualifying round results 28th June 2011 First leg: Tre Fiori (San Marino) 0-3 Valletta FC (Malta) FC Santa Coloma (Andorra) 0-2 F91 Dudelange (Luxembourg) You would not believe how pleased I am to see these first twinkles of a season... even if one of the teams sounds like a fighter plane (F91 Dudelange) 
UEFA CL: Champions' stutter in opening gameSeptember 18th 2008 03:55
Wed, September 17: Man Utd 0 - 0 Villarreal Celtic 0 - 0 AaB Steaua Bucuresti 0 - 1 Bayern Munich Lyon 2 - 2 Fiorentina FC Porto 3 - 1 Fenerbahce Dynamo Kiev 1 - 1 Arsenal Real Madrid 2 - 0 BATE Borisov Juventus 1 - 0 Zenit St Petersburg SUMMARY: Reigning champions Manchester United started their defence of the European crown with a disappointing draw at home to Villarreal. Despite dominating for large periods of the game, United failed to convert their chances and not even the 62nd minute introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo could inspire the team to victory. As a result, the Red Devils' 12-game winning streak on home soil in the competition was brought to an end by the Spanish club known affectionately as the "Yellow Submarines" who came close to stealing all three points when Guille Franco hit the woodwork. United, missing several key players - new signing Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes - through injury or suspension forced manager Sir Alex Ferguson to field a second-string midfield of Jonny Evans, Owen Hargreaves, Ji-Sung Park and Nani. But the biggest problem remains United's inability to find the back of the net this season. Unless they solve that, which they will with Ronaldo gradually reaching peak fitness and Berbatov fully adapts to his new club, the club will have a tough second half of the season. Meanwhile, Arsenal captain William Gallas rescued the Gunners with a late equaliser in their Champions League Group G game against Dynamo Kiev in the Ukraine. Ismael Bangoura scored from the penalty spot to give the home side the lead in controversial circumstances but the Gunners had themselves to blame for surrendering the lead with Adebayor, Van Persie and Fabregas all missing good chances. The visitors had to wait until two minutes from full-time for their captain to bundle the ball over the line courtesy of a low cross from England forward Theo Walcott. Elsewhere, wins were recorded for Bayern Munich, Porto, Juventus and Real Madrid.
CL: Champions League proper kicks-offSeptember 17th 2008 04:55
Tue, September 16: Chelsea 4 - 0 Bordeaux Roma 1 - 2 CFR Cluj-Napoca Panathinaikos 0 - 2 Inter Milan Werder Bremen 0 - 0 Anorthosis Famagusta FC Basel 1 - 2 Shakhtar Donetsk Barcelona 3 - 1 Sporting Lisbon PSV Eindhoven 0 - 3 Atlético Madrid Marseille 1 - 2 Liverpool SUMMARY: The group stages of the prestigious UEFA Champions League competition for 2008-09 kicked off overnight with Chelsea, Cluj, Inter, Shakhtar Donetsk, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Liverpool securing wins. Last season's finalists Chelsea romped to an emphatic victory over French side Bordeaux, firing 4 unanswered goals to earn new boss Luiz Felipe Scolari his first ever Champions League victory. England midfielders Frank Lampard and Joe Cole opened the scoring for the home in the first half with new signings Deco and Bosingwa particularly impressive on their Champions League debut for the London club. As the visitors tired late in the second half, Chelsea added further gloss on the scoreline with two late goals from Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka in the 82nd and 90th minute respectively. Meanwhile, Liverpool returned to their favourite hunting ground - the Stade Vélodrome - to beat Marseille 2-1 away from home with inspirational captain Steven Gerrard taking his goal tally to 99 with a well-timed brace. Marseille skipper Lorik Cana opened the scoring for the home side after beating Reina one-on-one but parity was restored within minutes as the Liverpool skipper replied in emphatic fashion with a superb, curling right foot shot from just outside the box. The visitors went ahead shortly afterwards after Ryan Babel was judged to have been fouled in the box. Up stepped the talismanic captain to fire his side ahead with a twice-taken penalty. [Video Source: Blip.tv]
UEFA Champions League draw 2008-09August 29th 2008 03:55
Reigning European champions Manchester United have been drawn against fellow British side Celtic while Liverpool and their prolific Spanish striker Fernando Torres will come up against his former club Atletico Madrid for the first time since his switch to Anfield last summer. Big spenders and last season's runners-up Chelsea had the best draw of the four English clubs with Roma, Bordeaux and Romanian minnows CFR Cluj in Group A while Arsenal were drawn in Group G with Porto, Fenerbahce and Dynamo Kiev. The group stages of the 2008-09 season Champions League will kick off on September 16 & 17. UEFA Champions League draw 2008-09: Group A Chelsea Roma Bordeaux CFR Cluj Group B Inter Milan Werder Bremen Panathinaikos Anorthosis Famagusta Group C Barcelona Sporting Lisbon Basel Shakhtar Donetsk Group D Liverpool PSV Eindhoven Marseille Atletico Madrid Group E Man Utd Villarreal CELTIC Aalborg Group F Lyon Bayern Munich Steaua Bucharest Fiorentina Group G Arsenal Porto Fenerbahce Dynamo Kiev Group H Real Madrid Juventus Zenit St Petersburg Bate Borisov [Source: UEFA]
Champions League (Qualifying Third Round) ResultsAugust 28th 2008 03:55
Wed, August 27: BATE Borisov* 1 - 1 Levski Sofia Dinamo Zagreb 1 - 3 Shakhtar Donetsk* FBK Kaunas 0 - 2 AaB* Olympiacos 1 - 0 Anorthosis Famagusta* Steaua Bucuresti* 1 - 0 Galatasaray Marseille* 2 - 1 SK Brann Dynamo Kiev* 4 - 1 Spartak Moscow Atlético Madrid* 4 - 0 Schalke 04 Fenerbahce* 2 - 1 Partizan Belgrade Arsenal* 4 - 0 Twente Enschede FC Basel* 2 - 1 Guimaraes Liverpool* 1 - 0 Standard Liege Slavia Prague 0 - 0 Fiorentina* *denotes qualifiers for the group stages of 2008-09 UEFA Champions League. SUMMARY: English Premier League giants Arsenal cruised through to the group stages of Europe's premier club competition with a comfortable 4-0 (6-0 agg) win over Dutch side FC Twente but five-times European champions Liverpool only just managed to scrape through with an extra time winner against Standard Liege at Anfield. The Gunners were just too classy for FC Twente, a side managed by former England boss Steve 'Brolly' McLaren, and the home side controlled the tempo of the game from start to finish, such was there dominance all over the park. Arsene Wenger's men completely passed the visitors off the pitch with some imaginative football which resulted in four different players getting on the scoresheet - Samir Nasri (27), William Gallas (52), Theo Walcott (66) and Nicklas Bendtner (89). It wasn't so easy for Rafa Benitez's at Anfield as Liverpool's woeful early season form continued but once again, they were left off the hook by Belgian champions Standard Liege. The visitors gave the five-time European champions a torrid time at home with a spirited and organised performance which highlighted Liverpool's lack of width on several occasions. Both sides had chances to win the game - the first leg ended with a draw - and it took until the 118th minute for Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt to find the winner to send the Reds through to the lucrative group stages of the competition. [Video Source: YouTube & DailyMotion]
UEFA CL: Man Utd Kings of EuropeMay 22nd 2008 06:20
Wed, May 21: UEFA Champions League Final 2008 Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (Manchester United wins 6-5 on penalties) SUMMARY: Manchester United and Chelsea played out a thrilling Champions League Final tie in Moscow overnight with the Red Devils emerging victorious to secure their third European cup with a 6-5 win on penalties after extra-time. United dominated the first half and deservedly went ahead through Cristiano Ronaldo's brilliant header - his 42nd goal of the campaign - in the 26th minute. They continued to press and Carlos Tevez had two glorious chances to put the game out of reach for Chelsea but they held on to equalise from a goal out of nothing. An attempted shot from Michael Essien 25-yards out took two deflections before landing sweetly into the path of Lampard, who duly supplied a left-footed finish from six yards. Chelsea were back in it and it was the perfect time to equalise just before the break. The London club came out rejuvenated in the second half and dominated proceedings much like their opponents did in the first half. Drogba saw a shot hit the woodwork as United held on and had chances of their own when late substitute Ryan Giggs saw a shot cleared off the line by John Terry. Both teams were even in extra-time before drama unfolded. Drogba was shown a straight red for slapping Nemanja Vidic but his sending off came too late for United to make full use of their numerical advantage and penalties ensued. Decisive misses by John Terry and Nicolas Anelka handed the trophy to United despite Ronaldo missing his second successive penalty but it did not matter as United marked the 50th anniversary of the Munich air crash with their third European crown. [Source: YouTube]
UEFA CL: Third-time lucky for ChelseaMay 1st 2008 04:50
Wed, Apr 30: UEFA Champions League (Semi-Final 2nd Leg) Chelsea 3-2 Liverpool (Chelsea wins 4-3 agg) SUMMARY: It was a case of third-time lucky for Chelsea as Roman Abramovich's multi-million dollar squad finally ended their Liverpool jinx in Europe by reaching the final of the Champion's League for the first time in the history of the club. On a rainy night in the capital, Chelsea ran out 3-2 winners - and 4-3 on aggregate - over Liverpool courtesy of a brace from Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard penalty while Liverpool ended their barren run of goals at Stamford Bridge through Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel. The match ran into extra-time between the closely-matched sides after Drogba opened the scoring with a thunderous drive in the first half before Fernando Torres hauled the five-times European champions level with a slotted finish in the 64th minute. With neither side willing to give in, extra-time loomed and Michael Essien thought he had scored the winner for the hosts with a 20-yard effort that was correctly ruled offside. Rather than feeling sorry for themselves, the Blues continued to attack and were awarded a penalty just moments later when Reds defender Sami Hyypia brought down Michael Ballack just a fraction inside the box. Up stepped Lampard - who returned to the side after the death of his mother last week - to send Pepe Reina the wrong way to spark emotional celebrations. A 2-1 scoreline was never going to be safe against a never-say-die Liverpool team and the home side knew that the visitors only had to equalise to go through on the away goal rule so Drogba made sure of victory in the 105th minute after good work from ex-Liverpool striker Nicolas Anelka. There was more drama though as Ryan Babel conjured a goal out of nothing in the second half of extra time with a rasping 35-yard shot that caught Petr Cech off guard, It was, however, a mere consolation for the Reds as Chelsea held onto win the match and book a place in the showpiece final in Moscow on May 21. [Video Source: blip.tv]
CL: Manchester United through to the finalApril 30th 2008 06:15
Tue, Apr 29: UEFA Champions League (Semi-Final 2nd Leg) Man Utd 1-0 Barcelona SUMMARY: English Premier League leaders Manchester United will play in the Champions League final for the first time since 1999 after knocking out Spanish giants Barcelona with a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford last night. Veteran midfielder Paul Scholes, who missed the famous 99' final victory over Bayern Munich through suspension, scored a rocket of a goal in the 14th minute to win the tie 1-0 on aggregate for the Red Devils. A strong defensive display from the United back-line thwarted wave after wave of offensive play by the Catalan giants with Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown (in place of the injured Vidic) marshalling the equivalent of a brick wall. United have reached the final 50 years after the Munich air disaster and will face either Liverpool or Chelsea - the game will be played tonight - in Moscow on May 21. [Video Source: blip.tv]
CL: Ronaldo fluffs penaltyApril 24th 2008 06:21
Wed, Apr 23: UEFA Champions League (Semi-Final 1st Leg) Barcelona 0-0 Man Utd SUMMARY Manchester United wasted a glorious opportunity to take a 1-0 lead - and a crucial away goal - into the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash with Barcelona as a missed penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo in the third minute meant the score finished nil-all at the Camp Nou. Ronaldo's admirers will probably point to those hideous red boots he was wearing as the cause for the fluffed penalty kick but his detractors will say the player that has terrorised Premier League defences all season failed to show up in a big game yet again. Perhaps Ronaldo's performance last night ended the debate as to who is the world's best player once and for all. Barcelona's Lionel Messi, the other major contender for the prized accolade, returned from five weeks out with injury to spark his team into life and terrify the United defence with every touch of the ball. Ronaldo, on the other hand, failed to inspire his teammates or showcase his famous skills on the biggest stage yet again. Perhaps he was still ruing his miscued spot kick? Nevertheless, the best players gets over those sorts of disappointments quickly. All in all, the Red Devils will be relieved to be leaving Spain with a goalless draw when the result could have been so different had Barca converted the many chances they had created. [Video Source: DailyMotion]
CL: Riise's 94th minute own goalApril 23rd 2008 05:50
Tue, Apr 22: UEFA Champions League (Semi-Final 1st Leg) Liverpool 1 - 1 Chelsea SUMMARY Liverpool were on the brink of securing a thoroughly deserved 1-0 win over Chelsea at Anfield overnight before disaster struck in the fourth minute of extra-time when a John Arne Riise own goal gave the visitors a vital away goal in the 1st leg of the first semi-final. So dominant were Liverpool's display throughout the match that the mighty Reds could have scored at least four goals without reply on a night when several players were on brilliant form. Unfortunately, Chelsea keeper Petr Cech chose last night to reaffirm his position as arguably the best goalkeeper in the world with a string of impressive saves to deny both Steven Gerrard and Fernando on countless occasions throughout the match. The hosts took the lead in the 43rd minute through Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt who had robbed Frank Lampard of the ball before forcing it past the inspirational Cech. Buoyed by the breakthrough, the Reds went all out thereafter for the killer blow but time and time again, Cech was able to thwart the efforts of the home side. With the match ticking away and Chelsea clearly bereft of ideas, the Blues fans amongst the crowd at Anfield were anxiously waiting for the final whistle before the sucker punch was delivered. Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou curled a hopeful cross into the box from wide on the left which was headed in by Liverpool sub John Arne Riise and the Kop were stunned. The vital away goal means that the London club are now in pole position to reach the Champions League final for the first time on May 21 with the return leg of the semi-final to be played at Stamford Bridge next week. [Video Source: DailyMotion]
UEFA CL: Man Utd and Barcelona throughApril 10th 2008 04:15
Wed, Apr 9: UEFA Champions League (Quarter-Final 2nd Leg) Man Utd 1-0 Roma Barcelona 1-0 Schalke 04 SUMMARY: Manchester United and Barcelona pulled off 1-0 home wins over Roma and Schalke 04 respectively in the Champions League overnight to setup a mouthwatering semi-final clash in a fortnight's time. United's 2-0 cushion from the first leg prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to drop the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes to the bench (in anticipation of the EPL clash with Arsenal this weekend) but still managed a narrow 1-0 win over the Italian side. The home side was let off the hook in the first half when Daniele De Rossi skied a penalty in the first half and were made to pay the price when Owen Hargreaves crossed for Argentina striker Carlos Tevez to score a diving header in the 70th minute to seal a 1-0 win on the night and 3-0 on aggregate. Barcelona shrugged off their recent woes in La Liga with a hard fought 1-0 win (2-0 agg) over German side Schalke 04 at the Camp Nou. Despite missing the likes of the injured Ronaldinho and Messi, Barcelona just had too much class for Schalke as Yaya Toure scored the winner with a scuffed shot late in the 1st half to send the Catalan giants through to the semi-final in a competition they last won in 2006. The first leg of the semi-final clash between Manchester United and Barcelona will take place at the Nou Camp on April 23.
UEFA CL: Chelsea and Liverpool through to SFApril 9th 2008 03:41
Tues, Apr 8: UEFA Champions League (Quarter-Final 2nd Leg) Liverpool 4 - 2 Arsenal (Liverpool through on 5 - 3 Agg) Chelsea 2 - 0 Fenerbahce (Chelsea through on 3 - 2 Agg) SUMMARY: Liverpool and Chelsea have been reunited in the Champions League semi-final for the third time in four years courtesy of wins over Arsenal and Fenerbahce overnight. Liverpool went into the return leg with a slender away goal advantage but it was Arsenal who started the brighter of the two sides and it came as no surprise when they went in front in the 13th minute through an Abou Diaby strike. The Kop was silenced but not for long as defender Sami Hyypia restored parity on the half hour mark with a trademark headed goal and the home side began to dominate with new found confidence. The Reds then took the lead in the second half when goal machine Fernando Torres gratefully latched onto Peter Crouch's flick on to fire a shot into the top corner. But with just seven minutes left, Arsenal stunned the hosts with an equaliser through Emmanuel Adebayor to make it 2-2 and it was advantage Gunners on the away goals rule. A minute later, Liverpool were awarded a penalty when substitute Ryan Babel was adjudged to have been brought down by Toure. Up stepped captain marvel Steven Gerrard to fire the spot kick into the top corner to restore the home side's lead. But the action was not over yet. Arsenal surged forward in search of the equaliser that would send them through to the next round but were caught out by a Ryan Babel breakaway goal which sealed a 4-2 victory on another famous European night at Anfield. In the other quarter-final clash of the evening, goals from midfielders Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard gave Chelsea a 2-0 win at home over Turkish side Fenerbahce to book a place in the semi-final for the fourth time in five years. [Video Source: DailyMotion]
UEFA CL: All-square for Arsenal and LiverpoolApril 3rd 2008 03:07
Wed, Apr 2: UEFA Champions League (Quarter-Final 1st Leg) Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool Fenerbahce 2 - 1 Chelsea SUMMARY: Last season's Champions League finalists Liverpool hold a slender away goal advantage heading into next week's return leg at Anfield after a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the quarter-final first leg overnight. The home side took the lead through Emmanuel Adebayor's header only for the visitors to equalise just three minutes later after a moment of genius from captain marvel Steven Gerrard. Bursting his way past three Arsenal defenders, the England midfielder then crossed for Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt to bundle the ball home for a crucial away goal. Both sides had opportunities to take the lead thereafter including a strong penalty claim for the Gunners after Alex Hleb appeared to have his shirt tugged by Kuyt as he made his way inside the box only for referee Pieter Vink to wave play on. Arsenal and Liverpool face off again on Saturday in a Premier League clash before meeting for the return leg at Anfield next Tuesday. Meanwhile, Chelsea suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Turkish giants Fenerbahce at the Sukru Saracoglu in the second Champions League quarter-final match last night. The London club took the lead in the 13th minute courtesy of an own goal by Deivid but the home side kept at it and were rewarded for their efforts when substitute Colin Kazim-Richards equalised on the 64th minute. Own goal villain Deivid then made amends for his earlier error by scoring the winner in the 80th minute with a spectacular 35-yard shot that gave Cudicini no chance. Chelsea will need to go all out for a win at home in the return leg to reach their fourth semi-final in five years. [Video Source: DailyMotion]
UEFA CL: Man Utd & Barcelona close in on SF berthApril 2nd 2008 04:00
Tue, Apr 1: UEFA Champions League (Quarter-Final 1st Leg) Schalke 04 0 - 1 Barcelona Roma 0 - 2 Man Utd SUMMARY: Barcelona earned a vital 1-0 away win in their quarter-final 1st leg clash against Germany's Schalke in Gelsenkirchen overnight to ease the pressure on under-fire coach Frank Rijkaard. On the back of a run of poor form in La Liga, Barcelona were too classy for the home side in the 1st half and were duly rewarded with an early goal in the 12th minute from Bojan Krkic after good work from France striker Thierry Henry. Schalke retaliated in the second half but it was a case of too little too late as the visitors held on for the win and a precious away goal ahead of next week's second leg at the Camp Nou. Meanwhile, English giants Manchester United are in firm control of their quarter-final tie against Roma with a convincing 2-0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico. Portugese winger Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with his 36th goal of an amazing season - a powerful header - before the break to give his side the lead. In the second half, it was the other half of United's dynamic duo, Wayne Rooney, who gave his side a two-goal cushion with a simple tap in to put Sir Alex Ferguson's men firmly in the driving seat for the return leg at Old Trafford. On current form, Manchester United are one of the favourites to win the competition they last won in 1999. If they manage to do so, it will be a special cup triumph for the club in the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster. [Video Source: YouTube.com]
UEFA CL: Liverpool through to Quarter FinalsMarch 12th 2008 04:05
Tue, Mar 11: UEFA Champions League (Round of 16 2ND Leg) Inter Milan 0 - 1 Liverpool SUMMARY: 2004-05 Champion's League winners Liverpool are through to the quarter finals of the 07/08 competition after a convincing 3-0 (agg) win over Serie A leaders Internazionale. After taking a 2-0 lead in the first leg at Anfield, Liverpool visited the Italian giants' own backyard to win 1-0 at the San Siro courtesy of a brilliant Fernando Torres goal to make it four English sides in the last eight of Europe's premier club competition. Inter had yet another player sent off after Nicolas Burdisso picked up two offences and was given his marching orders in the 50th minute. The visitors, who had been playing beautifully up to that point, seized the opportunity to take the game beyond the home side with Spanish sensation Fernando Torres scoring his 26th goal of the season in the 63rd minute Receiving the ball from Fabio Aurelio with his back to goal, Torres turned and unleashed in one swift motion to send the ball in the right hand corner. From then on, it was game over as the Reds snuffed out whatever little chance Inter had to claim the 12th European Cup quarter-final place in their history. [Source: DailyMotion]
UEFA CL: Chelsea through, Real Madrid outMarch 6th 2008 05:00
Wed, Mar 5: UEFA Champions League (Round of 16 2ND Leg) FC Porto 1 - 0 Schalke 04 Real Madrid 1 - 2 Roma Chelsea 3 - 0 Olympiacos SUMMARY: Nine-times European champions Real Madrid were bundled out at the first knock-out stage of the Champions League by Serie A side Roma while Chelsea cruised and Schalke stumbled into the quarter-finals. AS Roma visited the intimidating Santiago Bernabeu and came away with a gutsy 2-1 win to progress through to the quarter-finals 4-2 on aggregate. The match came to life 19 minutes from time when Real defender Pepe was sent off for a second yellow card. Roma quickly pounced and found a way past 10-man Real through Taddei's header. Just two minutes later, the home side was back on level terms through captain Raul after good work from Brazilian striker Robinho. Despite leveling the match, Real knew they needed to score a second a goal to level the score on aggregate and left too much space at the back for Roma substitute Mirko Vucinic to score with a diving header just before the final whistle. Chelsea crushed Greek side Olympiacos comprehensively with a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge to book a QF berth. Germany captain Michael Ballack opened the floodgates with an early goal in the 5th minute before Frank Lampard scored the home side's second goal in the 25th. Shortly after the break, Salomon Kalou killed off the match as a contest with the third goal in the 48th minute as Chelsea strolled to a comfortable win. Meanwhile in Germany, Schalke beat 10-man Porto 4-1 on penalties to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time after drawing 1-1 on aggregate. [Video Source: DailyMotion]
UEFA CL: Arsenal 2-0 AC MilanMarch 5th 2008 03:40
Tue, Mar 4: UEFA Champions League (Round of 16 2ND Leg) AC Milan 0 - 2 Arsenal Barcelona 1 - 0 Celtic Sevilla FC 3 - 2 Fenerbahce Man Utd 1 - 0 Lyon SUMMARY: English Premier League leaders Arsenal became the first English side to defeat AC Milan at the San Siro with a brilliant 2-0 victory to knock out the reigning champions. After missing a glorious chance to win at home against the Italian giants a fortnight ago, many had predicted that the young Gunners would pay a heavy price for it in the return leg on Italian soil. However, Arsene Wenger's young charges shrugged off any nerves and intimidation to produce a virtuoso display to send the nine-times winner and reigning champions out of Europe's elite club competition. The Gunners left it late until influential midfielder Cesc Fabregas picked up the ball, sidestepped Gennaro Gattuso and unleashed a 25-yard strike for the first goal in 174 minutes of football between the two sides. Milan poured forward in search of an equaliser that inevitably left extra space at the back for Adebayor to add a second in added time, following a fine run and low cross from Walcott along the goal-line, to cap a magnificent night for the London club. Arsenal will be joined in the quarter finals by Barcelona who completed a comprehensive defeat of Celtic in the second leg of their last-16 clash in the Nou Camp to go through on 4-2 aggregate. Manchester United are also through to the QFs with a 2-1 aggregate win over Lyon courtesy of a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford in the 2nd leg. Portugese winger Cristiano Ronaldo carried on his rich vein of form by scoring the winner and his 30th goal of the season. [Video Source: DailyMotion]
Strachan accepts defeatFebruary 21st 2008 09:16
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan was both honest and realistic after his side's 3-2 defeat at home to Barcelona. "We were playing against one of the best teams in the world, and when we had the ball, we were not keeping it," he said. "At any level the team that passes the ball well usually wins, but we were up against the best squad in the world. We needed nine or 10 players at their best and that didn't happen. But it was a great experience for the players even though the result was disappointing." Asked about Celtic's chances of reversing the result at the Camp Nou, Strachan said with a wry smile, "I wouldn't put my house on it, it took me 35 years to get it. But we will go over there and give it a go." Two goals by Messi and one from Thierry Henry were enough to beat Celtic who had twice taken the lead. It was a brave effort by the Scottish club, but Barcelona showed why they are one of the favourites for the tournament. Strachan will do what he can to produce a miracle for Celtic, but he may well need his famed sense of humour for the second leg.
UEFA CL: Reigning champions held by ArsenalFebruary 21st 2008 04:30
Wed, Feb 20: UEFA Champions League (Round of 16) Arsenal 0 - 0 AC Milan Celtic 2 - 3 Barcelona Fenerbahce 3 - 2 FC Sevilla Lyon 1 - 1 Man Utd SUMMARY: Reigning European champions AC Milan were held to a goalless draw by Arsenal at the Emirates overnight. The home side dominated for large periods of the game with 57% possession and 17(6) shots on goal and made the Italian giants look ordinary at times but failed to make any inroads to the Milan defence marshalled by the great Paolo Maldini. The young gunners were cruelly denied a last gasp winner when Emmanuel Adebayor's header came back off the crossbar in injury time which may come back to haunt them in a fortnight's time at the San Siro. Meanwhile at Celtic Park, Scottish leaders Celtic fought valiantly against a classy Barcelona outfit boasting the likes of Ronaldinho, Henry and Messi in a three-pronged attack. The home side went ahead on two occasions but Argentine Messi and Frenchman Henry both found ways of equalising before Messi popped up once again in the 79th minute to seal the win for the visitors. Celtic will now have their work cut out with an intimidating trip to Camp Nou in a fortnight's time. French champions Lyon looked set to record a famous win over Manchester United until Argentine striker Carlos Tevez stepped off the bench to grab a late equaliser for the visitors and a slender advantage heading into the second leg. Highly rated youngster Karim Benzema proved worthy of his tag has one of Europe's finest prospects by opening the scoring with a little piece of magic. But United were determined not to ruin captain Ryan Gigg's 100th Champions League appearance and pressed for an equaliser until Tevez lost his marker in the 87th minute to score a vital away goal. [Video Source: YouTube]
UEFA CL: Liverpool finds form against Inter MilanFebruary 20th 2008 06:15
Tue, Feb 19: UEFA Champions League (Round of 16) Schalke 04 1 - 0 FC Porto Liverpool 2 - 0 Inter Milan Roma 2 - 1 Real Madrid Olympiacos 0 - 0 Chelsea SUMMARY: Rafa Benitez's Liverpool has a knack for playing their best football in Europe and it was the same case overnight as the Mighty Reds came back from an embarrassing 2-0 loss against Barnsley to beat Italian giants Inter Milan 2-0 at Anfield. The most ardent of Liverpool fans would have been worried by the prospect of facing the form side in Europe in the middle of a horrendous form slump, but Benitez's men had other ideas as Inter collapsed spectacularly in the last five minutes. Dutchman Dirk Kuyt made it two goals in two games with his 85th minute opener, a deflected right-foot shot before talismanic captain Steven Gerrard took possession on the far right corner of the box and fired the second home off the far post in injury time. While life was made easier for the Reds after the sending off of Marco Materazzi for two bookable offences on the half hour mark, the Italians defended bravely for almost an hour until the home side did enough to finally make a breakthrough. There is still plenty to play for in the second leg of this intriguing tie. Elsewhere, Roma were fourth time lucky as they beat Spanish giants Real Madrid 2-1 at home at the fourth attempt. Spanish striker Raul opened the scoring the visitors in the 8th minute, but Roma equalised through Pizarro in the 24th minute before Mancini sealed the game with a 58th minute winner. Real, with a precious away goal, will fancy their chances when the return leg takes place at the Bernabeu. Schalke 04 played admirably in their first appearance in the knockout phase of the Champions League, beating FC Porto 1-0 while English Premier League side Chelsea were held to a bore draw by Greek side Olympiacos. [Video Source: YouTube]
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