News Archive

Champions League, quarter finals, first leg

Bayern Munich 1 - Real Madrid 2

Defending champions Real Madrid are on track for a place in the semi-finals after they came from behind to beat Bayern Munich 1-2 on Wednesday evening. Benzema came close to opening the scoring in the twentieth minute when Neuer pushed his header on to the bar, but soon afterwards Vidal ran in to head a Thiago corner past Keylor Navas, the keeper getting a hand to the ball but unable to stop it entering the net. With half time approaching Vidal had a good chance to add a second when the referee ruled that the ball had hit Dani Carvajal on the arm in the penalty area, but the Chilean midfielder fired his spot kick in to the stands. And just two minutes after the restart Madrid were level, Cristiano Ronaldo turning a Carvajal cross wide of the keeper. Soon afterwards Neuer tipped a powerful header from Bale over the top, and with an hour on the clock the German side were left with ten men when Javi Martínez picked up two bookings in three minutes for fouls on Ronaldo. Madrid pushed forward, and Neuer had to produce a string of saves from Benzema, Asensio, Ronaldo and Casemiro before Ronaldo got on the end of Asensio’s cross to poke home the second. Benzema and Ramos had strikes ruled out for offside after that, and Neuer kept out Modric to prevent the Spaniards from winning by a bigger margin. (12.04.17)

Atlético Madrid 1 – Leicester City 0

Atlético Madrid won 1-0 against Leicester City on Wednesday to take a slight advantage in to next Tuesday’s return match. Koke hit the post with a long shot early on, and Carrasco, Griezmann and Saúl all went close as the locals dominated the opening minutes. With just under thirty minutes gone Griezmann picked up the ball in his own half and ran forward, Albrighton bringing him down as he advanced in to the area. The referee pointed to the spot and, after the protests died down, Griezmann drilled home the resulting penalty. After that though neither keeper was particularly troubled, Mahrez, Fernando Torres and Correa all failing to find the target when presented with chances in the second half. A typical Atlético performance, and everything will be decided in the return leg next Tuesday. (12.04.17)

Juventus 3 - Barcelona 0

For the second time in a row Barcelona lost heavily in their first leg match, and once again they need a near miracle to continue on in the competition after a 3-0 defeat at Juventus. The Italian side were looking for revenge for their final defeat two seasons ago, and Ter Stegen had to save from Higuaín before Dybala beat the keeper with a shot on the turn. Soon afterwards Buffon produced the save of the night to keep out Iniesta, but just a minute later Dybala connected with Mandzukic’s pass to make it two. Luis Suárez, Messi and Neymar all went close either side of half time, but Higuaín tested Ter Stegen a couple of times once again, and some ten minutes in to the second half Chiellini got on the end of a Pjanic corner to head in the third. A massive advantage for Juventus to take in to next Wednesday’s return leg in the Nou Camp, but Luis Enrique’s side came back against Paris Saint Germain, and who is to say that they can’t do it again? (11.04.17)