2011/2012 Uefa - Champions League & Europa League

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...helsea?cc=4716

Iniesta bemoans Barca's 'unjust' defeat
April 19, 2012

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta labelled his side's Champions League defeat 2 Chelsea "unjust" but admitted the Catalans were the architects of their own downfall becos of a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.

A Didier Drogba goal was enough 2 give Chelsea a 1-0 semi-final 1st-leg victory @ Stamford Bridge as Pep Guardiola's side squandered a host of a chances.

Barca enjoyed their customary lion's share of possession, with Iniesta & Xavi @ their instrumental best, but Alexis Sanchez, Cesc Fabregas & Sergio Buquets all missed glit-edged opportunities 2 score an away goal.

"The result is unjust but we knew tat Chelsea r a team tat take advantage of their opportunities,'' Iniesta told Barcelona's official website. "We were off target in front of goal but we still hv the return leg @ home.

"We hv the feeling tat we created alot of clear chances, the only thing we were lacking was the final touch. Sometimes tis happens. We'll try 2 be more effective in the return leg, we hv confidence in our ability 2 overturn 2day's scoreline.

"We hv had an adverse result & we hv 2 work harder seeing tat we're capable of doing it. It's not an issue of luck.''

Before the 2nd leg @ Camp Nou next Tuesday, Barca welcome Real Madrid 2 Catalonia tis weekend in a showdown tat will help decide the destination of tis season's La Liga title.

[joew2005]

2011/2012 Europa League

Semi-finals
Atletico Madrid vs Valencia
Sporting vs Athletic Bilbao.

2nd leg is on 26 April


Final
9 May 2012 @ National Stadium, Bucharest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2..._Europa_League

[joew2005]

2011/2012 Europa League

Semi-finals
Atletico Madrid 4-2 Valencia
Sporting 2-1 Athletic Bilbao.

2nd leg is on 26 April
Valencia vs Atletico Madrid
Athletic Bilbao vs Sporting


Final
9 May 2012 @ National Stadium, Bucharest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2..._Europa_League

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...bilbao?cc=4716

Falcao stars, Sporting stun Bilbao
April 19, 2012

Colombian striker Radamel Falcao continued his amazing goalscoring record in the Europa League with a brace as Atletico Madrid claimed a 4-2 victory over Valencia in their semi-final 1st leg @ the Vicente Calderon.

Falcao, who scored 17 goals 2 help Porto win the competition last season, netted aft just 17 mins but his strike was cancelled out by Brazilian 4ward Jonas as the scores remained level @ half-time.

But Madrid were much the better side & they moved ahead thru Miranda & Adrian aft the break, b4 Falcao scored a wonderful solo effort. The €40 million summer signing is now level with Schalke's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar as the top scorer in the main phase of tis season's Europa League, with 10 goals.

Madrid looked set 4 an easy 2nd leg but Ricardo Costa's header deep in2 injury-time handed Valencia a lifeline. However, La Liga's 3rd-placed side still hv plenty 2 do when they host Atletico @ the Mestalla.

Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon, the only team tat can prevent an all-Spanish final in Bucharest on May 8, fought back fr a goal down 2 beat ManU's conquerors Athletic Bilbao 2-1 @ the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Athletic, looking 4 their 1st major trophy since 1984, took a 54th-minute lead thru Jon Aurtenetxe but Sporting drew level thru Emiliano Insua b4 the impressive Diego Capel - a Spain international - drilled home the match-winner 10 mins fr time 2 down his countrymen.

The Portuguese outfit pushed hard 4 a 3rd goal late on but Athletic managed 2 keep them out 2 leave the tie firmly in the balance ahead of next week's 2nd leg in the Basque country.

[joew2005]

2011/2012 Champions League

Semi-finals
2nd leg : Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea (Chelsea won 3-2 agg over 2 legs)

2nd leg 2nite : Real vs Bayern Munich (Bayern Munich won the 1st leg 2-1)



Final
19 May 2012 @ Allianz Arena, Munich in Germany.
Chelsea vs Real/Bayern Munich


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2...ampions_League

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...helsea?cc=4716

Fabregas bemoans 'unjust' defeat
April 24, 2012

Cesc Fabregas decried Barcelona's shock Champions League semi-final defeat 2 Chelsea as "unjust" & insisted his team must now switch their focus 2 the Copa del Rey.

Leading 1-0 fr the 1st leg, Chelsea saw the tie levelled on aggregate when Sergio Busquets tapped home Isaac Cuenca's cross & their task became even greater when John Terry was sent off 4 kneeing Alexis Sanchez in the back.

But Ramires grabbed a goal right on half time 2 put Chelsea in the ascendancy 1s more, & a gargantuan rearguard effort fr Chelsea saw them hold on 4 the 2nd half with 10 men until Fernando Torres broke away 2 score in injury time & seal the defending champions' exit.

"Football is unjust sometimes," Fabregas said. "If there's 1 way u 1 2 lose, it's like tis, being true 2 our style.

"I'm 24 years old, & I've never seen the Camp Nou react like tis aft a defeat. Tis is a great team, we'll be back next year.

"Now we hv 2 think abt the 4 last Liga games & then the cup final. Tis team, tis club, has always risen again."

Barcelona's president Sandro Rosell said it was important 2 take the defeat in the right manner.

"We hv fought for 90mins, we stayed true 2 our game," he said. "I m proud of the team & the fans. Now we must prepare 4 cup final.

"We've shown tat we can win, & now it's the time 2 show tat we can lose 2. It has been a hard blow, but u can only congratulate Chelsea. You should be able 2 accept defeat."



http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=340835&cc=4716

Chelsea's miracle at the Camp Nou

Chelsea produced 1 of the greatest escapes in the history of European football 2nite as they survived the sending off of John Terry 2 win an astonishing Champions League semi-final with Barcelona.

On a night of unparalleled drama @ the Nou Camp, Terry looked 2 hv pressed the self-destruct button on the Blues' hopes of glory on the continent when he saw red 4 kneeing Alexis Sanchez fr behind.

But the 10 men were simply magnificent 4 the rest of the 2nd leg, fighting back fr goals fr Sergio Busquets & Andres Iniesta with a stunning chip fr Ramires b4 half-time.

And aft surviving a Barca siege fr start 2 finish tat saw Lionel Messi miss a penalty, Fernando Torres came off the bench 2 score a stoppage-time breakaway goal as Chelsea avenged their 2009 defeat in the most dramatic manner possible.

Reaching their 2nd final came @ a huge cost, with Terry's red card & yellows 4 Ramires, Branislav Ivanovic & Raul Meireles ruling them out of the final.

But they will worry abt tat in the morning aft celebrating arguably the greatest result in the club's history & 1 which may finally convince Roman Abramovich 2 make Roberto Di Matteo's appointment as manager permanent.

Disaster struck 4 Chelsea as early as the 6th minute, Gary Cahill eventually forced off aft slipping & pulling his hamstring, with Jose Bosingwa coming on & Ivanovic forced 2 move 2 centre-back.

It was soon 1-1 on the injury front, Gerard Pique lasting just 26 mins of his recall aft failing 2 recover fr a sickening collision with the backside of Victor Valdes tat appeared 2 leave him briefly unconscious.

That failed 2 alter the pattern of a game which was a carbon copy of the 1st leg as Chelsea parked the bus 1s more.

Messi rippled the side-netting inside 3 mins &, aft both sides' injury woes, he should hv opening the scoring in the 20th minute, firing a 1-2 with Cesc Fabregas against Petr Cech's leg.

Fabregas also volleyed in2 the sidenetting & Cech tipped over Javier Mascherano's drive but there was hope 4 Chelsea b4 Pique's departure when Didier Drogba shrugged him off but could himself only find the side-netting fr the tightest of angles.

The 1st sign of Chelsea's discipline wavering came when John Obi Mikel was booked 4 chopping down Alexis Sanchez in the 32nd minute.

And when they went 2 sleep 3 mins later, they were behind, their failure 2 close down allowing Isaac Cuenca 2 square 4 Busquets 2 tap into a virtually unguarded net.

The build-up 2 tis tie was dominated by talk of refereeing meltdowns in previous clashes but Terry simply gave Cuneyt Cakir no choice but 2 dismiss him less than 2 mins later.

Sanchez over-reacted 2 the swipe, bringing back memories of David Beckham's 1998 World Cup sending-off, & Terry initially refused 2 walk.

But Cech made him listen 2 reason b4 picking the ball out of his own net again 2 mins b4 half time, Chelsea carved apart as Messi teed up Iniesta 2 stroke the ball home.

Chelsea looked dead & buried but, as @ Stamford Bridge, they struck a dagger blow with their 1st shot on target in 1st-half stoppage-time.

Frank Lampard was again the creator as Ramires burst thru & floated a glorious finish over Valdes - moments aft picking up a booking tat would rule him out of the final.

The cascade of noise tat had filled the Nou Camp turned 2 silence @ half-time but they were soon cheering again aft the restart when Drogba conceded a penalty.

Cakir adjudged the striker had tripped Fabregas & pointed 2 the spot, with Ivanovic cautioned 4 his protest.

It looked certain Messi would end his Chelsea hoodoo but, incredibly, he smashed his effort against the crossbar.

Lampard was fortunate 2 escape punishment 4 a flare-up with Fabregas, Sanchez nodded substitute Daniel Alves' cross wide, & Cech was booked 4 timewasting having already been warned b4 saving well again fr Cuenca.

Ivanovic almost capitalised aft Drogba helped Chelsea win a rare corner but he was warned himself aft going down theatrically, while Lampard was lucky 2 only see yellow 4 cutting down Fabregas aft Messi was booked 4 tugging him back.

The visitors were hanging on & were given 2 lifelines in 60 seconds in the final 10 minutes when Sanchez had a goal ruled out 4 offside & Messi hit the post fr 20 yards.

With time running out, Meireles was ruled out of the final aft being booked 4 fouling Mascherano, who Cech saved fr again in the final minute.

And then, in stoppage-time, a long clearance found substitute Torres with 50 yards of space in which 2 run.

Unlike most of his Chelsea career, he made no mistake, rounding Valdes & slotting home 2 jubilant scenes.

[hoosdathu]

good riddance to barcunt

for once, even the referee can't help them... lol

[joew2005]

2011/2012 Champions League

Semi-finals
Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea (Chelsea won 3-2 agg over 2 legs)
Real 2-1 Bayern Munich (The agg score was 3-3 over 2 legs, Bayern Munich won 3-1 on penalties)


Final 19 May 2012 @ Allianz Arena, Munich in Germany.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2...ampions_League

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=340833&cc=4716

Shootout woe for Madrid

Bayern Munich will meet Chelsea in the Champions League final next month aft beating Real Madrid 3-1 on penalties.

Bastian Schweinsteiger scored the decisive spot-kick aft Manuel Neuer had made 2 stunning saves 2 deny Cristiano Ronaldo & Kaka.

David Alaba & Mario Gomez had sent Iker Casillas the wrong way 2 put Bayern in control of the shootout, but Real were handed a lifeline as the Spanish captain saved fr Toni Kroos & Philipp Lahm.

However, aft Sergio Ramos had blasted his attempt over the bar, Schweinsteiger was calmness personified as he slammed the ball home 2 send Bayern in2 their 2nd final in 3 years.

Real had erased their 2-1 deficit fr the 1st leg within 5 mins as Alaba was somewhat harshly punished 4 handling Angel Di Maria's shot & Ronaldo slotted home the resulting penalty.

The visitors responded positively though & should hv been level within minutes as Alaba nearly made amends 4 conceding the penalty with a brilliant run & cross but somehow Arjen Robben scuffed the ball over the bar fr only yards out.

Franck Ribery was then denied by a brilliant saving challenge fr Sami Khedira aft Casillas had spilled a Gomez shot fr 20 yards, but only 15 mins had passed when Ronaldo doubled his tally & Madrid's advantage on the evening as he raced on 2 a brilliant thru-ball fr Mesut Ozil & stroked the ball past Neuer fr the edge of the area.

The tie was back on a knife-edge 12 minutes later though as Pepe was penalised 4 a push on Gomez as he tried 2 get on the end of Kroos' cross into the box.

Robben had missed a significant penalty in the Bundesliga title decider against Borussia Dortmund a fortnight ago, but the former Real player stepped up again & his spot-kick just sneaked past Casillas who got a hand 2 the ball.

The chances continued 2 flow @ both ends 2wards the end of an engrossing 45 mins as 1stly Karim Benzema's curling effort floated just over the bar b4 Gomez was again found by Kroos but the man who had scored 12 goals in his previous 10 European appearances could not find a way past Casillas.

The Real captain was called in2 action again in the final action of the 1st-half as he palmed away Robben's free-kick & the visitors came close again right @ the start of the 2nd period as Gomez's header fr Philipp Lahm's cross crept inches wide.

Generally though both sides tightened up significantly in the 2nd half & opportunities were far harder 2 come by at either end.

Benzema brought a smart save fr Neuer b4 the Frenchman wasted Real's clearest opening aft the break as he fired over fr the edge of the area aft being fed by Ronaldo.

Gomez then had the chance 2 send Bayern into the final with 5 mins remaining of normal time as Robben found him free inside the area but he took 2 many touches & allowed the Real defence 2 recover & block his effort.

The home side regained the initiative @ the start of extra time but tiredness seemed 2 affect their decision making in the final 3rd as Ronaldo dallied 2 allow Lahm 2 make a crucial last-ditch challenge b4 the break & Kaka did likewise when presented with the ball in the area with just 8 mins remaining.

Real had claims 4 a 3rd penalty of the evening turned down moments later as instead Esteban Granero was booked 4 going down under pressure fr Neuer.

And tat decision was 2 prove vital as Ronaldo, Kaka & Ramos all failed fr the spot 2 hand the Germans a place in the final on May 19.

[dk1903]

WTF man! back in Mar when the draw was made, I was so sure that I will be watching a Madrid v Barcelona Final. it will be truely great as we can see the world's top two players pitting against each other once again! boy, a Ronaldo v Messi is a dream final for football fans all around the world.

but, as usual! the fricking ball is round!! chelsea threw a spanner into the plan and sabo barca. who would have known, bayern would accomplish the same miracle!?

well, now at least don't need to waste time to watch the final liao. Ex-Chelsea player Robben is certain to deliver the fatal blow. this sort of one-sided game is not worth the time at all.

who knew that football is as kelong as our politics! the better side lost, while the jiat liao bi still hold on to power.

[joew2005]

2011/2012 Europa League

Semi-finals
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Valencia (Athletic Madrid won 5-2 over 2 legs)
Sporting 1-3 Athletic Bilbao.(Athletic Bilbao won 4-3)


Final
9 May 2012 @ National Stadium, Bucharest.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2..._Europa_League

[joew2005]

2011/2012 Champions League

Final 19 May 2012 @ Allianz Arena, Munich in Germany.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2...ampions_League


2011/2012 Europa League

Final 9 May 2012 @ National Stadium, Bucharest.
Atletico Madrid vs Athletic Bilbao

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2..._Europa_League

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...ust-up?cc=4716

Robben future up in the air
April 30, 2012

Arjen Robben's alleged punch-up with Franck Ribery could force him 2 leave Bayern Munich, with the Dutchman claiming "recent developments" hv led him 2 reconsider his situation @ the Bundesliga club.

Bayern's president Uli Hoeness has confirmed tat negotiations with Robben over a new contract hv broken down & the forward's future @ the Allianz Arena is now in doubt.

Hoeness said: "All I know is tat he was just abt 2 put pen to paper, & now tat has all been postponed."

Robben & Ribery r reported 2 hv come 2 blows in the dressing room aft a discussion over who shld hv taken a free-kick during their Champions League semi-final victory against Real Madrid.

Sport Bild magazine claimed Ribery punched Robben in the face & pictures appeared aft the game with latter sporting a cut under his right eye.

Bayern closed ranks regarding the alleged incident @ the time. Media director Markus Horwick said "whatever happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room" & manager Jupp Heynckes refused 2 confirm or deny the incident.

However, on Monday Robben told Kicker magazine: "Franck knows tat he cannot do wat he did. These r all things which r not positive & not pretty, therefore I need 2 consider everything really well."

On the possibility of signing a new contract with Bayern, Robben said: "We will hv 2 wait & see - there hv been lots of recent developments."

Netherlands international Robben has a year left 2 run on his current deal but has admitted he is now considering his future.

"There r a few different options," he said. "Tat is normal when u r @ a top club & ppl knw wat I m capable of."

Meanwhile, Daniel van Buyten has signed a 1-year extension 2 his expiring contract 2 keep him with Bayern until 2013.

The Belgian, who is set 4 a place in Bayern's starting XI in the Champions League final due 2 the suspension of Holger Badstuber, has been with the club since 2006, although he has only made 13 appearances tis season, the last of which came in January.

Since then, he has been sidelined with a broken toe, but he is now on the road 2 recovery. He has played a total of 133 games 4 the Bundesliga club & can now expect 2 add more 2 tat tally next season.

"We r pleased tat Daniel will still be playing 4 Bayern Munich next season,'' said Bayern's director of sport Christian Nerlinger on his club's website. "We know wat we get with him. His qualities & experience will remain an important component of our squad in future.''

The 4mer ManC defender has won the league & cup double twice during his 6 years with Bayern & is set 2 take part in his 2nd Champions League final against Chelsea on May 19.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...-blues?cc=4716

Ballack backs Bayern to beat Blues
May 1, 2012

Michael Ballack believes Bayern Munich hv an "emotional advantage'' over Chelsea & has made them fav 2 win the Champions League final later tis month.

The showpiece match will be played @ the German side's home ground the Allianz Arena on May 19 & Ballack, who left Bayern 2 join Chelsea in the summer of 2006, recognises tat is a difficult obstacle 2 surmount 4 the Londoners.

He told German tabloid newspaper Bild: "I think Barcelona would hv been the only team capable of contesting a final abroad & winning it.

"It is a huge advantage when u r @ home in a final, where alot of emotions play a role. Tis is an emotional advantage tat Chelsea cannot compensate 4.''

Ballack insists, though, tat he is entirely neutral, adding: "I hv my fingers crossed 4 both sides.''

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...signed?cc=4716

New Robben deal 'as good as signed'
May 2, 2012

Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is confident tat Arjen Robben will stay @ the club "long-term" & believes tat the Bavarians will hold on 2 all their key stars tis summer.

Robben, 28, has stalled over agreeing a new contract in recent months & has cast doubt on his Allianz Arena future by refusing 2 publicly commit 2 the club.

On Monday, the Dutchman said: "We will hv 2 wait & see - there hv been lots of recent developments. There r a few different options. Tat is normal when u r @ a top club & ppl know wat I m capable of."

Bayern president Uli Hoeness recently admitted tat Robben "was just abt 2 put pen 2 paper, & now tat has all been postponed", but Rummenigge insists the penning of a new deal is now imminent, with Robben thought 2 be ready 2 extend his contract thru to 2015.

"I guarantee tat no stars will leave," he told Bild. "The agreement [with Robben] is as good as signed. Arjen will stay @ Bayern in the long-term."

Robben has contributed 17 goals & 9 assists 4 Bayern tis season, including a crucial penalty in the Champions League semi-final 2nd leg against Real Madrid @ the Bernabeu last month.