If you are not a member yet, you can sign up here

News Archive

Champions League, quarter final, first leg

Good results for all three Spanish sides in the first legs of the quarter finals, with one win and two draws between them. Barcelona kicked things off on Tuesday evening with a 2-2 draw at Paris Saint Germain, a Messi strike and a Xavi penalty putting Tito Vilanova's side ahead twice before Ibrahimovic and then Matuidi equalized. On Wednesday Real Madrid clocked up a 3-0 victory over Galatasaray, Ronaldo, Benzema and Higuaín getting the goals to give their team a big advantage for next week's second leg. Málaga will have more problems however after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Borussia Dortmund, although a score draw in Germany next Tuesday would be enough to see them through as well. (03.04.13)

Real Madrid 3 - Galatasaray 0

Real Madrid virtually ensured their place in the semi-finals after beating Galatasaray 3-0 on Wednesday evening! Cristiano Ronaldo got Mourinho's side off to the best possible start, running on to Özil's through ball to lift a shot past Muslera with only nine minutes on the clock. Drogba and Sneijder went close at the other end, buy Özil brought a good save out of the visiting keeper, and with half an hour gone Benzema made it two after controlling a long cross from Essien, who was preferred to Arbeloa at right back. Khedira was lucky to be let off a penalty when the ball hit him on the arm soon afterwards, and Diego López did well to keep out a low shot by Eboué before the break. Ronaldo fired a free kick just over the top though, and soon after the restart Muslera had to be at his best to keep out Ronaldo and Di María. With just under twenty minutes to go, substitute Higuaín headed in a third goal from a Xabi Alonso free kick, and Madrid were cruising. Yilmaz felt himself unlucky to be booked for diving when he fell under a challenge from Ramos a few minutes later, but otherwise the Turkish side never really looked like they were going to get the away goal they needed after that. Game over one feels, and Alonso and Ramos conveniently picked up bookings late on which will keep them out of the second leg, but leave them clean for the eventual semi-finals. (03.04.13)

Málaga 0 - Borussia Dortmund 0

A good performance by Málaga against Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund, although they still have a lot to do after the first leg ended without goals. Saviola was given the striker's role up front, and he fired a shot in to the side netting early on. However only a couple of first class saves by Willy Caballero from Götze and later on from Kehl prevented the German team from taking the lead before the break, and Reus also went close with a dangerous free kick which just sailed over the crossbar. Weidenfeller had to keep out a Weligton header shortly before half time though, and the visiting keeper reacted quickly to punch clear a shot by Isco through a crowded goal-mouth midway through the second half. But otherwise Pellegrini's side were unable to break down a well ordered defence, and Lewandowski missed an easy chance when he scuffed his shot wide when free in front of goal. Málaga are still in it however, and having kept a clean sheet at home, a score draw in Germany next Tuesday would see them through to the last four. (03.04.13)

Paris Saint Germain 2 - Barcelona 2

A last gasp goal by Matuidi saved a 2-2 draw for Paris Saint Germain against Barcelona, although after scoring twice away from home the Spanish side must still be favourites to go through in next week's second leg. Tito Vilanova was back in charge for the first time since returning from cancer treatment in New York, and apart from the injured Puyol and Pedro he was able to put out a full strength side. There were a few nervous moments for the visitors, especially when Busquets tackled Lavezzi only to see the ball come back off the post, and Valdés had to be on his toes to keep out Pastore and Ibrahimovic, who had been let off a ban by UEFA only a few days ago. Iniesta went close a couple of times after that, and with seven minutes to go to the break Alves lobbed the ball over the top of the defence, and Messi was there to collect the pass and fire an angled shot across the keeper. The Argentiniain superstar limped off at half time however, and with ten minutes left on the clock Ibrahimovic levelled the scores from a clearly offside position after Thiago Silva headed a free kick against the post. Xavi restored the lead with two minutes to go from the penalty spot after the keeper brought down Alexis in the area, but with the game in the fifth minute of injury time Ibrahimovic chested back a long ball in to the area, and Matuidi fired in a shot which took a slight deflection off a defender to wrong-foot Valdés. (02.04.13)