2011/2012 Uefa - Champions League & Europa League

[joew2005]

http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/cent...8--soccer.html

Chelsea 'happy to win ugly': Di Matteo

Roberto Di Matteo signalled a break with Chelsea's recent past by insisting his team must adopt a stronger winning mentality.

Di Matteo oversaw a 1-0 victory over 10-man Stoke in his 1st Premier League game since being placed in caretaker control following the dismissal of Andre Villas-Boas.

Villas-Boas maintained the importance of playing with style during his 8-month stay @ the club.

But Di Matteo conceded the victory over Stoke -- tat came courtesy of Didier Drogba's 100th Premier League -- had been hard-fought.

And he insists Chelsea must maintain tat approach during the final games of the season as they attempt 2 force their way into the top 4.

"2day was a step in the right direction & sometimes u hv 2 win like tis 2 get 3 points," he said.

"It's not easy & sometimes u hv 2 win scrappy. There r 10 league games 2 go & Tottenham could be drawn back in2 the fight 4 4th."

Asked whether tis approach marked a change in direction fr tat set in place by Villas-Boas, Di Matteo added: "I'm looking 4ward & getting the team in the right frame of mind."

Drogba proved 2 be his side's saviour aft Ricardo Fuller was sent off in the 25th minute 4 a stamp on Branislav Ivanovic.

The Ivory Coast striker is out of contract in the summer & Di Matteo refused 2 be drawn on whether the club should offer the 4ward a new deal.

"It was a big goal 4 him & a winning goal 4 the team.

"His contract is a matter 4 the club. It's not 4 me 2 discuss. He has been a great player here."

Chelsea's focus now switches 2 the midweek Champions League tie with Napoli @ Stamford Bridge when Di Matteo's side will attempt 2 overcome a 3-1 1st leg deficit.

"They r a very good team with some exceptional players, but they will face a good team & we will make it difficult 4 them," Di Matteo said.

Juan Mata will return 2 the starting line-up 4 tat game aft being left on the bench 4 the visit of Stoke.

The Spaniard was introduced as a 1st half substitute & provided the assist 4 Drogba's goal in the 68th minute.

And Di Matteo said: "I thought it was going 2 be physical against Stoke, that's why I left him out."

Florent Malouda, meanwhile, was again left out of the squad but Di Matteo insisted there was a still a way back 4 the France international.

"I hv 25 players & they r all fit @ the moment," he said. "It was a case of picking 18 for the game but he is a good player & his chance will come."

Stoke manager Tony Pulis condemned Fuller 4 his dismissal & admitted tat had cost his side any chance of getting anything fr the game.

"I hv watched it again on television & it is a ridiculous reaction fr Ric," Pulis said.

"He has been @ the club for 6 years or so & has been a fantastic player but he is prone 2 over-reaction & tat was unacceptable.

"He is a good lad & was the 1st 2 apologise in the dressing room. I haven't spoken 2 him yet but will do next week. I'll tell him whether he will be disciplined or not.

"It was his 1st league start 4 a long time which makes it doubly disappointing. It was going 2 be difficult enough with 11 men @ Chelsea."



http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/real...8--soccer.html

Real bank on red-hot Ronaldo for CSKA visit

MADRID (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo's red-hot run of form & La Liga leaders Real Madrid's almost perfect home record makes them favourites 2 see off CSKA Moscow in their Champions League last 16 2nd leg on Wednesday.

Ronaldo is Real's leading scorer with 40 goals in all competitions & he has scored 9 in his last 6 outings, including 2 in their 3-2 win @ Real Betis on Saturday.

He netted the opener against CSKA last month when Real were pegged back 2 a 1-1 draw on the artificial pitch @ an ice-cold Luzhniki stadium - a result which ended Jose Mourinho's perfect start 2 the competition.

"Ronaldo is mentally very strong, has a burning desire 2 succeed & is very ambitious," former Real striker & current director Emilio Butragueno was quoted as saying in the Spanish media.

"He always 1s 2 do the very best, 1s 2 score more goals & always 1s the team 2 win. He is an example 4 every1."

Only Barcelona hv beaten Mourinho's team @ the Bernabeu tis season, otherwise they hv won every other game.

They lead the European & Spanish champions by 10 points in La Liga with 12 matches left 2 play, & the 2 sides remain favourites 4 a possible Champions League final showdown in Munich.

"In Europe u hv 2 be very careful, u cannot afford any slip ups," Butragueno warned. "The team are in good form & I hope in front of our own fans we will progress."

CSKA looked below par in Friday's Moscow derby against Dynamo, which ended in a 1-1 draw, keeping the army team 2nd, 6 points behind Premier League leaders Zenit St Petersburg with 10 games remaining.

CSKA's Ivory Coast striker Seydou Doumbia opened the scoring with his league leading 25th of the campaign aft just 2 mins, b4 Dynamo came back 2 level.

"I hv 2 be disappointed with the result as well as the quality of our game," said CSKA coach Leonid Slutsky.

Influential fullback Sergei Ignashevich was also highly critical of his team's performance.

"We only played @ a high tempo 4 abt 5 minutes, then we allowed our opponents 2 dominate us," the Russian international said on his personal website.

"If we play like we did 2day against Real we will hv zero chances in tat match."

With 1st-choice goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev & Chile winger Mark Gonzalez still out with long-term injuries, Slutsky was expected 2 make few changes fr the 1st leg, bringing back defensive midfielder Pavel Mamayev, who missed the Moscow match thru suspension.

[joew2005]

2011/2012 Champions League

Round of 16
Arsenal 3-0 Milan (Milan won 4-3 over 2 legs)
Zenit St. Petersburg 0-2 Benfica (Benfica won 4-3 over 2 legs)
Lyon 0-1 APOEL (It was 1-1 agg over 2 legs. APOEL won 4-3 on penalties)
Bayer Leverkusen 1-7 Barcelona (Barca won 10-2 over 2 legs)
Basel 0-7 Bayern Munich (Bayern Munich won 7-1 over 2 legs)
Marseille 1-2 Internazionale (Marseille won on away goal over 2 legs, with the agg score @ 2-2)
Napoli 1-4 Chelsea (Chelsea won 5-4 over 2 legs)
CSKA Moscow 1-4 Real Madrid (Real won 5-2 over 2 legs)



Quarter-finals Draw date - 16 March 2012
1st leg - 27/28 March 2012
2nd leg - 3/4 April 2012

Teams thru 2 the QF r Benfica, AC Milan, APOEL, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Marseille, Real & Chelsea.


Semi-finals Draw date - 16 March 2012
1st leg - 17/18 April 2012
2nd leg - 24/25 April 2012

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

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

[joew2005]

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

Chelsea battle through, Real cruise
March 14, 2012

Chelsea beat Napoli 5-4 on aggregate 2 progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. A thrilling game ended 4-1 on the night in a tie tat was only decided in extra-time by a thunderous strike fr Branislav Ivanovic.

The west Londoners came in2 the return leg on the back of a 3-1 defeat in Italy & took a 1st-half lead thru Didier Drogba.

Chelsea doubled their advantage 2 mins into the 2nd period thanks 2 a John Terry header, which would hv been enough 2 put the home side thru on away goals.

The tie turned back Napoli's way after Gokhan Inler netted 8 mins later, although Frank Lampard struck fr the spot 2 force extra-time in which Ivanovic hit a 105th-minute winner.

Real Madrid secured their passage 2 the quarter-finals with a comfortable 4-1 win over CSKA Moscow.

Seydou Doumbia missed a glorious chance 2 give the visitors the lead inside 10 mins as he fired over when clean thru, but Real slowly started 2 take control of the game & deservedly took the lead as Gonzalo Higuain slotted home fr Kaka's pull-back.

A howler fr Sergei Chepchugov allowed the hosts 2 double their advantage as he spilled Cristiano Ronaldo's long-range shot in2 his own net 10 mins aft half-time & Karim Benzema slotted home the 3rd @ the 2nd attempt with 20 minutes remaining.

Zoran Tosic got a consolation 4 CSKA with a wonderful strike 5 mins later, but Ronaldo sealed the victory with a tap-in aft an unselfish pass fr Benzema in stoppage time.

[joew2005]

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

Jose would 'love' to face Chelsea
March 15, 2012

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho would relish a Champions League final meeting with his 4mer club Chelsea.

Real & Chelsea secured their places in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday night, with the former cruising 2 a 5-2 aggregate win over CSKA Moscow.

Chelsea, meanwhile, played out a thrilling encounter with Serie A side Napoli, as their 2nd leg went 2 extra-time b4 Branislav Ivanovic netted a winner 2 seal a 5-4 aggregate triumph.

Mourinho, who has been linked with a return 2 Stamford Bridge in the summer following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, has admitted he would "love" 2 take on the Blues @ the Allianz Arena in May.

He told Sky Sports: "People can't understand how much I love Inter & Chelsea & how much I love the boys & how much I wish them well.

"I know, if I get them in the quarters, or semis, or final, they will be a great opponent. I m so happy 4 the boys [Chelsea players], becos they hv incredible character. They hv had a hard time, but now happiness is coming."

Asked if he wanted 2 face Chelsea in the final, he said: "I would love [it]."

Real's Xabi Alonso would also welcome a meeting with Chelsea, although the Spaniard is suspended 4 the 1st leg of the next round aft picking up a booking against CSKA.

The 4mer Liverpool midfielder said: "We will see wat happens in the draw. If we meet them, it is going 2 be exciting, becos it is always good 2 be back playing in England.

"With the change of manager, they r getting good results. There is still a long way 2 go."

[joew2005]

2011/2012 Europa League

Round of 16
Metalist Kharkiv 0-1 Olympiakos (Metalist Kharkiv won on away goals with the score @ 2-2 over 2 legs)
Sporting 1-0 ManC (Sporting won on away goals with the score @ 3-3 over 2 legs)
FC Twente 4-1 Schalke (Schalke won 4-2 over 2 legs)
Standard Liege 0-4 Hannover (Hanover won 6-2 over 2 legs)
Valencia 1-1 PSV Eindhoven (Valencia won 5-3 over 2 legs)
AZ Alkmaar 1-2 Udinese (AZ Alkmaar won 3-2 over 2 legs)
Atletico Madrid 3-0 Besiktas (Atletico Madrid won 6-1 over 2 legs)
ManU 1-2 Athletic Bilbao (Athletic Bilbao won 5-3 over 2 legs)


Quarter-finals Draw date - 16 March 2012
1st leg - 29 March 2012
2nd leg - 5 April 2012

Teams thru 2 the QF r Metalist Kharkiv ,Sporting, Schalke, Hanover, Valencia, AZ Alkmaar, Atletico Madrid & Athletic Bilbao.


Semi-finals Draw date - 16 March 2012
1st leg - 19 April 2012
2nd leg - 26 April 2012

Final
9 May 2012 @ National Stadium, Bucharest.

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

[joew2005]

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

Manchester clubs head out
March 15, 2012

Both Manchester clubs headed out of the Europa League on Thursday night in a thrilling night of action.

ManC were knocked out on away goals by Sporting, despite a spirited comeback tat saw them win 3-2 on the night as they came close 2 scoring the 4 goals in 30 mins they needed 2 progress.

Having lost the 1st leg in Portugal 1-0, Sporting appeared 2 be home & dry when they scored twice thru a sublime Matias Fernandez free-kick & then Ricky van Wolfswinkel 2 grab a 3-0 aggregate lead b4 half-time.

However, City fought back manfully in the 2nd half thanks to 2 goals fr Sergio Aguero either side of Mario Balotelli penalty. In the dying seconds of injury time, goalkeeper Joe Hart was denied by opposite number Rui Patricio & City's comeback ended in failure.

ManU were taught a rare footballing lesson by a rampant Athletic Club in Bilbao on Thursday, as they were dumped out of the Europa League in impressive fashion.

A lacklustre campaign in European football tis season was brought 2 an end with no little emphasis by the entertaining Basque side, who completed a 2-1 victory @ San Mames 2 secure a comfortable 5-3 aggregate victory aft winning @ Old Trafford last week.

Fernando Llorente got the opener 4 the hosts with a spectacular 1st-time volley beyond David De Gea, b4 Oscar De Marcos subsequently put the contest beyond doubt with a thumping finish shortly aft the hour-mark. Wayne Rooney scored a beautiful curling effort with 10 mins remaining, but it proved 2 be nothing more than a consolation.

AZ Alkmaar survived a major scare 2 book their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League following an incident-packed 2-1 2nd leg win against Udinese.

AZ led 2-0 fr the 1st leg but saw that advantage wiped out in a nightmare opening 15 minutes where Antonio Di Natale netted twice 4 Udinese & the visitors reduced to 10 men following Nick Viergever's early sending off.

However, just as things were looking bleak 4 the Dutch side, Erik Falkenburg made it 2-1 in the 31st minute 2 give his side a priceless away goal & leave Udinese needing 2 net twice more 2 go thru.

That proved 2 be beyond the hosts, who could not make the most of their man advantage or the 2nd-half penalty miss by AZ midfielder Rasmus Elm as they exited the competition.

Valencia advanced 2 the quarter-finals with a 5-3 aggregate win over PSV aft an entertaining 1-1 draw in the Netherlands.

Ola Toivonen nearly gave the hosts the early goal they needed but was denied by a fine save by Diego Alves, b4 an even better stop fr Przemyslaw Tyton prevented Valencia going in ahead @ the break as he tipped Jordi Alba's attempted lob wide of the post.

The visitors did go in front 2 mins aft half-time as Sofiane Feghouli's shot deflected in off the head of Adil Rami, but Toivonen gave PSV hope when he coolly slotted past Alves fr close range 15 minutes later.

The Brazilian goalkeeper denied PSV victory on the night with a stunning save fr Kevin Strootman b4 Valencia had 2 see out 6 mins of stoppage time with 10 men as Rami was shown a straight red card following a collision with Toivonen.

Hannover booked their place in the quarter-finals with a comfortable 4-0 win over 10-man Standard Liege.

2 goals in the 1st 21 mins put the German side on course 4 the last 8, with Standard then having 2 play the last half an hour a man down following Serge Gakpe's dismissal.

And 2 more goals in the closing stages sealed a 6-2 aggregate success 4 Mirko Slomka's side in front of a crowd of 43,000.

The home side were always favourites 2 progress aft claiming a 2-2 draw in Belgium in the 1st leg, & they made the ideal start tis evening.

[joew2005]

2011/2012 Champions League

Quarter-finals

1st leg - 27 March 2012
APOEL vs Real
Benfica vs Chelsea

1st leg - 28 March 2012
Bayern Munich vs Marseille
AC Milan vs Barcelona


Semi-finals
Bayern Munich/Marseille vs APOEL/Real
Benfica/Chelsea vs AC Milan/Barcelona


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

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

[joew2005]

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

Milan draw holders Barcelona
March 16, 2012

AC Milan hv been drawn 2 face holders Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League while Chelsea hv been paired with Benfica.

Barca hv lifted the trophy 3 times in the last 6 seasons, while Milan hv been European champions 7 times in total. The 2 teams met in the 1993-94 final of the same competition, with Milan running out resounding 4-0 winners.

Pep Guardiola's side will hv home advantage in the 2nd leg, & also in the semi-finals should they be victorious & will face the winner of the tie betw Benfica & Chelsea.

Chelsea overturned a 3-1 1st-leg deficit 2 knock out Napoli in order 2 reach the last 8 of the competition while Benfica advanced fr the last-16 by knocking out Zenit St Petersburg.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho faces a trip 2 Cyprus aft Real Madrid were paired with Apoel FC. If Real win, they would then meet the winners of Marseille & Bayern Munich, who hammered Basel 7-1 on aggregate in the last 16

That means the prospect of an all-Spanish Champions League final betw giants Barcelona & Madrid exists.

The quarter-final 1st-leg ties will be played on March 27 & 28, with the return legs scheduled 4 April 3 & 4. The semis begin 2 weeks later on April 17 & 18, b4 a quick turnaround 4r the decisive encounters on April 24 & 25.

Tis year's Champions League final, which will be hosted in Munich, takes place on May 19.

[joew2005]

2011/2012 Europa League

Quarter-finals
1st leg on 29 March 2012 & 2nd leg on 5 April 2012
Atletico Madrid vs Hanover
AZ Alkmaar vs Valencia
Metalist Kharkiv vs Sporting
Schalke vs Athletic Bilbao.


Semi-finals
Atletico Madrid/Hanover vs AZ Alkmaar/Valencia
Metalist Kharkiv/Sporting vs Schalke/Athletic Bilbao.
1st leg on 19 April 2012 & 2nd leg on 26 April 2012


Final
9 May 2012 @ National Stadium, Bucharest.

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

[joew2005]

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

Athletic take on Schalke
March 16, 2012

Athletic Bilbao, conquerors of ManU, will face German side Schalke in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Athletic overcame Premier League leaders United over 2 legs in convincing fashion, with Marcelo Bielsa's men claiming a well-earned 5-3 aggregate triumph.

Sporting Lisbon, who held off ManC 2 clinch their place in the last 8, will play Ukrainian side Metalist Kharkiv.

Sporting were given a scare in their meeting with City on Thursday night when a late header fr goalkeeper Joe Hart came close 2 nestling home, with another goal fr Roberto Mancini's men enough 2 knock out the Portuguese club.

Athletic & Sporting could face each other in the semi-finals - their quarter-finals hv been paired 2gether.

2 other Spanish sides r also still in the Europa League - Atletico Madrid play Bundesliga side Hannover in 1 quarter-final with the winners facing the victors of the other betw Dutch side AZ Alkmaar & Valencia.

The final shall be held @ Bucharest on 9 May 2012.

[joew2005]

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

Rummenigge hails 'historic day'
March 22, 2012

FIFA & UEFA hv signed a new agreement with the most powerful clubs in Europe tat will last until 2018, as European Club Association chairman Karl Heinz Rummenigge described it as "an historic day".

At the UEFA Congress in Istanbul, Turkey, a renewed Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Rummenigge & UEFA President Michel Platini,1 tat "paves the way 4 a fruitful relationship betw Europe's football governing body & the association of European football clubs".

Rummenigge added: "2day is a historic day 4 European club football. With tis agreement, UEFA clearly recognises the importance of clubs & the significant contribution they make 2 the success of national team football.

"The agreement reflects an improved balance betw national team & club football & is a great success 4 the European football family.

"I sincerely thank UEFA President Platini 4 his willingness 2 reach such an agreement with the clubs. Not only ECA, but all clubs in Europe should be proud of tis great achievement. We all look 4ward 2 continue building the future of European football 2gether with UEFA."

UEFA President Michel Platini also said: "I m delighted tat tis memorandum of understanding is bringing together key stakeholders of the football family.

"UEFA, its national associations & the clubs hv shown unity on several important matters which affect international football. Tis demonstrates the excellent working relationship we hv with clubs & represents a true success in further strengthening the unity of the football family."

The new agreement will run fr March 22, 2012 until May 30, 2018 & includes the following points, as released in a media statement:

Insurance: Pending FIFA's takeover of such package on a worldwide level, UEFA will establish an insurance covering the injury risk of players while on international team duty.

Tis insurance is valid 4 all players registered with a European club, irrespective of their nationality, & 4 all matches mentioned in the international calendar, including both official & friendly matches as fr June, 4 the start of the UEFA EURO 2012 in Poland & Ukraine.

Participation of clubs in the benefits of the Euro 2012: Clubs will now receive an increased amount of €100 million fr the UEFA EURO 2012 revenues, as recognition of the significant contribution of clubs 2 the success of the tournament.

Tis will be further increased 2 €150 million 4 the UEFA EURO 2016 in France.

Good Governance / club representation in decision-making process: In the future, the Club Competitions' Committee, composed essentially of club representatives, will hv a "Referral Right" on all decisions affecting club competitions. Tis reinforces the involvement of clubs in UEFA's decision-making process.

International Calendar: 2 support the proposed future international calendar (so-called Status Quo Plus) tat will be presented 2 the FIFA Executive Committee next week 4 approval. Tis calendar should basically be made up of 9 double-headers over a 2 year period with no single friendlies. The August friendly match date would be removed.

[joew2005]

2011/2012 Champions League

Quarter-finals

1st leg : APOEL 0-3 Real / Benfica 0-1 Chelsea

1st leg - 28 March 2012
Bayern Munich vs Marseille
AC Milan vs Barcelona


Semi-finals
Bayern Munich/Marseille vs APOEL/Real
Benfica/Chelsea vs AC Milan/Barcelona


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

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

[joew2005]

2011/2012 Champions League

Quarter-finals

1st leg : APOEL 0-3 Real / Benfica 0-1 Chelsea
1st leg : Marseille 0-2 Bayern Munich / AC Milan 0-0 Barcelona


Semi-finals
Bayern Munich/Marseille vs APOEL/Real
Benfica/Chelsea vs AC Milan/Barcelona


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

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

[joew2005]

2011/2012 Champions League

Quarter-finals - 2nd leg
3rd April - Bayern Munich vs Marseille (Bayern Munich won the 1sg leg 0-2)
3rd April - Barcelona vs AC Milan (1st leg ended 0-0)
4th April - Real vs APOEL (Real won 1st leg 3-0)
4th April - Chelsea vs Benfica (Chelsea won 1st leg 1-0)


Semi-finals
1st leg on 17/18 April, & 2nd leg on 24/25 April
Bayern Munich/Marseille vs APOEL/Real
Benfica/Chelsea vs AC Milan/Barcelona


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

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

[joew2005]

2011/2012 Europa League

Quarter-finals - 2nd leg on 5 April
Atletico Madrid vs Hanover (Atletico Madrid won the 1st leg 2-1)
AZ Alkmaar vs Valencia (AZ won the 1st leg 2-1)
Metalist Kharkiv vs Sporting (Sporting won the 1st leg 2-1)
Schalke vs Athletic Bilbao (Athletic Bilbao won the 1st leg 4-2)


Semi-finals - 1st leg on 19 April & 2nd leg on 26 April
Atletico Madrid/Hanover vs AZ Alkmaar/Valencia
Metalist Kharkiv/Sporting vs Schalke/Athletic Bilbao.
1st leg on 19 April 2012 & 2nd leg on 26 April 2012


Final
9 May 2012 @ National Stadium, Bucharest.

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