CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Semifinals, leg 2
20:45 -- real madrid - borussia d. 2-0, 3-4 on aggregate
Tuesday 30 April 2013
Monday 29 April 2013
2013.04.29 - The Result
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
21:00 -- Maritimo - Benfica 1-2 highlights
[0-1] 5' Lima (pen.)
[1-1] 41' Igor Rossi
[1-2] 72' Igor Rossi (o.-g.)
Current standings:
1 Benfica 27 23 4 0 72-16 +56 73p
2 Porto 27 21 6 0 63-12 +51 69p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 27 13 11 3 40-26 +14 50p
4 Braga 27 14 4 9 55-39 +16 46p
5 Estoril 27 11 5 11 41-34 +7 38p
21:00 -- Maritimo - Benfica 1-2 highlights
[0-1] 5' Lima (pen.)
[1-1] 41' Igor Rossi
[1-2] 72' Igor Rossi (o.-g.)
Current standings:
1 Benfica 27 23 4 0 72-16 +56 73p
2 Porto 27 21 6 0 63-12 +51 69p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 27 13 11 3 40-26 +14 50p
4 Braga 27 14 4 9 55-39 +16 46p
5 Estoril 27 11 5 11 41-34 +7 38p
Sunday 28 April 2013
2013.04.28 - The Results
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
17:00 -- Gil Vicente - Olhanense 2-0 (1-0)
17:00 -- Guimaraes - Pacos de Ferreira 2-2 (0-0)
17:00 -- Rio Ave - Beira Mar 2-1 (0-1)
19:00 -- Sporting - Nacional 2-1 (1-0)
21:15 -- Academica - Moreirense 1-0 (1-0)
Current standings:
1 Benfica 26 22 4 0 70-15 +55 70p
2 Porto 27 21 6 0 63-12 +51 69p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 27 13 11 3 40-26 +14 50p
4 Braga 27 14 4 9 55-39 +16 46p
5 Estoril 27 11 5 11 41-34 +7 38p
BULGARIA: A PFG
14:45 -- Botev Plovdiv - Litex Lovech 1-0 (0-0)
16:00 -- Cherno More - Pirin Gotse Delchev 5-1 (2-0)
16:00 -- Etar - Minyor Pernik 0-3 (0-1)
16:00 -- Slavia Sofia - Lokomotiv Plovdiv 2-0 (1-0)
16:00 -- Montana - Lokomotiv Sofia 2-3 (1-1)
17:00 -- Chernomorets Burgas - Beroe 0-1 (0-0)
Current standings:
1 Ludogorets 24 17 6 1 43-10 +33 57p
2 Levski Sofia 24 17 4 3 48-17 +31 55p
3 Botev Plovdiv 24 15 5 4 41-18 +23 50p
17:00 -- Gil Vicente - Olhanense 2-0 (1-0)
17:00 -- Guimaraes - Pacos de Ferreira 2-2 (0-0)
17:00 -- Rio Ave - Beira Mar 2-1 (0-1)
19:00 -- Sporting - Nacional 2-1 (1-0)
21:15 -- Academica - Moreirense 1-0 (1-0)
Current standings:
1 Benfica 26 22 4 0 70-15 +55 70p
2 Porto 27 21 6 0 63-12 +51 69p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 27 13 11 3 40-26 +14 50p
4 Braga 27 14 4 9 55-39 +16 46p
5 Estoril 27 11 5 11 41-34 +7 38p
BULGARIA: A PFG
14:45 -- Botev Plovdiv - Litex Lovech 1-0 (0-0)
16:00 -- Cherno More - Pirin Gotse Delchev 5-1 (2-0)
16:00 -- Etar - Minyor Pernik 0-3 (0-1)
16:00 -- Slavia Sofia - Lokomotiv Plovdiv 2-0 (1-0)
16:00 -- Montana - Lokomotiv Sofia 2-3 (1-1)
17:00 -- Chernomorets Burgas - Beroe 0-1 (0-0)
Current standings:
1 Ludogorets 24 17 6 1 43-10 +33 57p
2 Levski Sofia 24 17 4 3 48-17 +31 55p
3 Botev Plovdiv 24 15 5 4 41-18 +23 50p
Saturday 27 April 2013
2013.04.27 - The Results
BULGARIA: A PFG
15:00 -- Levski Sofia - CSKA Sofia 2-1 highlights
[1-0] 40' Hristo Yovov
[1-1] 70' Marcinho
[2-1] 90' Joao Silva
17:00 -- Ludogorets - Botev Vratsa 4-1
[1-0] 20' Miroslav Ivanov
[2-0] 30' Dimo Bakalov
[3-0] 42' Mihail Aleksandrov
[4-0] 82' Ivan Stoyanov
[4-1] 85' Choco (o.-g.)
Current standings:
1 Ludogorets 24 17 6 1 43-10 +33 57p
2 Levski Sofia 24 17 4 3 48-17 +31 55p
3 CSKA Sofia 24 14 6 4 42-15 +27 48p
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
21:30 -- Porto - Setubal 2-0 highlights
64' Luis Gonzalez
87' Steven Defour
Current standings:
1 Benfica 26 22 4 0 70-15 +55 70p
2 Porto 27 21 6 0 63-12 +51 69p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 26 13 10 3 38-24 +14 49p
4 Braga 27 14 4 9 55-39 +16 46p
5 Estoril 27 11 5 11 41-34 +7 38p
15:00 -- Levski Sofia - CSKA Sofia 2-1 highlights
[1-0] 40' Hristo Yovov
[1-1] 70' Marcinho
[2-1] 90' Joao Silva
17:00 -- Ludogorets - Botev Vratsa 4-1
[1-0] 20' Miroslav Ivanov
[2-0] 30' Dimo Bakalov
[3-0] 42' Mihail Aleksandrov
[4-0] 82' Ivan Stoyanov
[4-1] 85' Choco (o.-g.)
Current standings:
1 Ludogorets 24 17 6 1 43-10 +33 57p
2 Levski Sofia 24 17 4 3 48-17 +31 55p
3 CSKA Sofia 24 14 6 4 42-15 +27 48p
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
21:30 -- Porto - Setubal 2-0 highlights
64' Luis Gonzalez
87' Steven Defour
Current standings:
1 Benfica 26 22 4 0 70-15 +55 70p
2 Porto 27 21 6 0 63-12 +51 69p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 26 13 10 3 38-24 +14 49p
4 Braga 27 14 4 9 55-39 +16 46p
5 Estoril 27 11 5 11 41-34 +7 38p
Important Step for Levski
Levski Sofia succeeded in a very hard encounter today.
Sure, CSKA may not have had chances to win the Bulgarian league title, even if they had gotten the draw, but they are Levski's bitter rivals through the years so they were hoping to see Levski drop important title points.
Ludogorets, the real current challenger, won 4-1 on the day, but Levski's 2-1 win is worth significantly more.
Because, looking ahead, the Levski - Ludogorets derby will take place at the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium in Sofia.
Highlights (from Levski - CSKA):
Sure, CSKA may not have had chances to win the Bulgarian league title, even if they had gotten the draw, but they are Levski's bitter rivals through the years so they were hoping to see Levski drop important title points.
Ludogorets, the real current challenger, won 4-1 on the day, but Levski's 2-1 win is worth significantly more.
Because, looking ahead, the Levski - Ludogorets derby will take place at the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium in Sofia.
Highlights (from Levski - CSKA):
Friday 26 April 2013
2013.04.26 - The Result
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
21:00 -- Estoril - Braga 2-1 (0-1) highlights
Current standings:
1 Benfica 26 22 4 0 70-15 +55 70p
2 Porto 26 20 6 0 61-12 +49 66p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 26 13 10 3 38-24 +14 49p
4 Braga 27 14 4 9 55-39 +16 46p
5 Estoril 27 11 5 11 41-34 +7 38p
21:00 -- Estoril - Braga 2-1 (0-1) highlights
Current standings:
1 Benfica 26 22 4 0 70-15 +55 70p
2 Porto 26 20 6 0 61-12 +49 66p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 26 13 10 3 38-24 +14 49p
4 Braga 27 14 4 9 55-39 +16 46p
5 Estoril 27 11 5 11 41-34 +7 38p
Thursday 25 April 2013
Benfica in Trouble?
Fenerbahce played well better than the Portuguese outfit, but were frustrated time and time again until their goal.
Luckily, with so many refereeing errors in the Champions League, Europa League referees went the other way and judged Korkmaz's effort correctly. They gave the goal, and the Turkish team went on to win.
It's going to be very hard for Benfica to overturn the result.
Previously, they had not lost in this year's Europa League. 5 wins and 1 draw, was Benfica's tally prior to today's game.
Highlights:
Luckily, with so many refereeing errors in the Champions League, Europa League referees went the other way and judged Korkmaz's effort correctly. They gave the goal, and the Turkish team went on to win.
It's going to be very hard for Benfica to overturn the result.
Previously, they had not lost in this year's Europa League. 5 wins and 1 draw, was Benfica's tally prior to today's game.
Highlights:
At Least One
After being eliminated of the FA Cup by Manchester City, at least Chelsea performed well in the first leg of the Europa League semifinal against Basel.
Taking a very early lead (in the 12th minute, after a goal scored by Victor Moses), Chelsea seemed in control right until the very end, when Basel got a lucky penalty and equalized.
But Chelsea showed remarkable spirit after their heartbreak at the weekend, and still won the match, courtesy of a last-gasp free kick expertly placed by the Brazilian David Luiz.
Advantage Chelsea, with the next leg at home.
Highlights:
Taking a very early lead (in the 12th minute, after a goal scored by Victor Moses), Chelsea seemed in control right until the very end, when Basel got a lucky penalty and equalized.
But Chelsea showed remarkable spirit after their heartbreak at the weekend, and still won the match, courtesy of a last-gasp free kick expertly placed by the Brazilian David Luiz.
Advantage Chelsea, with the next leg at home.
Highlights:
2013.04.25 - The Results
EUROPA LEAGUE: Semifinals, leg 1
21:05 -- Basel - Chelsea 1-2 highlights
[0-1] 12' Victor Moses
[1-1] 87' Fabian Schar (pen.)
[1-2] 90' + 4' David Luiz
21:05 -- Fenerbahce - Benfica 1-0 highlights
71' Egemen Korkmaz
BULGARIA: Cup (Semifinal, leg 2)
16:30 -- Beroe - Slavia Sofia 1-0, 1-0 on aggregate
87' Georgi Andonov
21:05 -- Basel - Chelsea 1-2 highlights
[0-1] 12' Victor Moses
[1-1] 87' Fabian Schar (pen.)
[1-2] 90' + 4' David Luiz
21:05 -- Fenerbahce - Benfica 1-0 highlights
71' Egemen Korkmaz
BULGARIA: Cup (Semifinal, leg 2)
16:30 -- Beroe - Slavia Sofia 1-0, 1-0 on aggregate
87' Georgi Andonov
Wednesday 24 April 2013
2013.04.24 - The Results
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Semifinals, leg 1
20:45 -- borussia d. - real madrid 4-1
[1-0] 8' Robert Lewandowski
[1-1] 43' Cristiano Ronaldo
[2-1] 50' Robert Lewandowski
[3-1] 55' Robert Lewandowski
[4-1] 66' Robert Lewandowski (pen.)
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Final, leg 1
04:00 -- Santos Laguna - Monterrey 0-0
BULGARIA: Cup (Semifinal, leg 2)
Lokomotiv Sofia - Levski Sofia 0-0, 1-3 on aggregate
20:45 -- borussia d. - real madrid 4-1
[1-0] 8' Robert Lewandowski
[1-1] 43' Cristiano Ronaldo
[2-1] 50' Robert Lewandowski
[3-1] 55' Robert Lewandowski
[4-1] 66' Robert Lewandowski (pen.)
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Final, leg 1
04:00 -- Santos Laguna - Monterrey 0-0
BULGARIA: Cup (Semifinal, leg 2)
Lokomotiv Sofia - Levski Sofia 0-0, 1-3 on aggregate
The Curse of the Idiot Player
What the fuck happened with that pathetic player Pepe today? How come Mourinho couldn't tell that pepe was going to play for Borussia Dortmund today?
And, even if Mourinho couldn't anticipate that pepe was going to throw the game (- 'cause, I mean, there's no point in denying that he was at fault in pretty much all of the german goals -), why didn't he sub off the traitor after the first goal he let Lewandowski score?
There must be huge problems behind the scenes, at Real Madrid, when the leadership and the fans cannot even count on Mourinho, who usually runs a pretty tight ship.
And pepe is one of his people, a Portuguese guy. Surely Mourinho knows him a little better than other players.
If I was a Real Madrid player, I would probably start a fight with Pepe in the locker room. I'm surprised there was no such outburst after that guy facilitated a Dortmund win that is very very likely to oust the Spanish giants.
It's kind of a pity, too, because Real Madrid - Bayern would have probably been the dream final. And Real would certainly play well in such a final, regardless of their internal problems. Whereas Borussia has about as many chances of beating Bayern as Malaga would have had of beating Real or Barcelona.
No Real - Barca final, again!!! (Curses! And too bad!...)
P.S. To conclude, I'm willing to bet pepe will not be playing official football for Real Madrid ever again. He shat where he eats. So, he's going to have to eat elsewhere.
And, even if Mourinho couldn't anticipate that pepe was going to throw the game (- 'cause, I mean, there's no point in denying that he was at fault in pretty much all of the german goals -), why didn't he sub off the traitor after the first goal he let Lewandowski score?
There must be huge problems behind the scenes, at Real Madrid, when the leadership and the fans cannot even count on Mourinho, who usually runs a pretty tight ship.
And pepe is one of his people, a Portuguese guy. Surely Mourinho knows him a little better than other players.
If I was a Real Madrid player, I would probably start a fight with Pepe in the locker room. I'm surprised there was no such outburst after that guy facilitated a Dortmund win that is very very likely to oust the Spanish giants.
It's kind of a pity, too, because Real Madrid - Bayern would have probably been the dream final. And Real would certainly play well in such a final, regardless of their internal problems. Whereas Borussia has about as many chances of beating Bayern as Malaga would have had of beating Real or Barcelona.
No Real - Barca final, again!!! (Curses! And too bad!...)
P.S. To conclude, I'm willing to bet pepe will not be playing official football for Real Madrid ever again. He shat where he eats. So, he's going to have to eat elsewhere.
Tuesday 23 April 2013
Old and Cheated
Maybe the Barcelona team is getting old.
The players of the Spanish team seemed like they couldn't play too well when they didn't have the ball at their feet for 65%-70% of the playing time. Maybe some coach should analyze different styles of play, too, not just always one style.
Or maybe they just grossly underestimated Bayern.
Well, in any case, even with Barcelona being second best, the 0-4 scoreline is a joke.
And most of it is due to the referees.
The second bayern goal was clearly scored from an offside position.
And the third goal was preceded by a clear foul by the Germans, which the referees either stupidly or blindly decided to ignore.
You kind of wonder, after such decisions, is Bayern management as obsessed with winning the Champions League as to follow the Inter Milan example and pay everybody they can, in order to get it?
The players of the Spanish team seemed like they couldn't play too well when they didn't have the ball at their feet for 65%-70% of the playing time. Maybe some coach should analyze different styles of play, too, not just always one style.
Or maybe they just grossly underestimated Bayern.
Well, in any case, even with Barcelona being second best, the 0-4 scoreline is a joke.
And most of it is due to the referees.
The second bayern goal was clearly scored from an offside position.
And the third goal was preceded by a clear foul by the Germans, which the referees either stupidly or blindly decided to ignore.
You kind of wonder, after such decisions, is Bayern management as obsessed with winning the Champions League as to follow the Inter Milan example and pay everybody they can, in order to get it?
2013.04.23 - The Result
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Semifinals, leg 1
20:45 -- bayern - Barcelona 4-0
25' Thomas Muller
49' Mario Gomez
73' arjen robben
82' Thomas Muller
20:45 -- bayern - Barcelona 4-0
25' Thomas Muller
49' Mario Gomez
73' arjen robben
82' Thomas Muller
Monday 22 April 2013
2013.04.22 - The Result
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
21:00 -- Olhanense - Guimaraes 1-2 (0-2)
Current standings:
1 Benfica 26 22 4 0 70-15 +55 70p
2 Porto 26 20 6 0 61-12 +49 66p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 26 13 10 3 38-24 +14 49p
4 Braga 26 14 4 8 54-37 +17 46p
5 Guimaraes 26 10 6 10 31-42 -11 36p
21:00 -- Olhanense - Guimaraes 1-2 (0-2)
Current standings:
1 Benfica 26 22 4 0 70-15 +55 70p
2 Porto 26 20 6 0 61-12 +49 66p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 26 13 10 3 38-24 +14 49p
4 Braga 26 14 4 8 54-37 +17 46p
5 Guimaraes 26 10 6 10 31-42 -11 36p
Sunday 21 April 2013
2013.04.21 - The Results
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
17:00 -- Beira Mar - Gil Vicente 1-0 (0-0)
17:00 -- Nacional - Maritimo 2-1 (0-0)
17:00 -- Setubal - Estoril 1-0 (0-0)
21:15 -- Benfica - Sporting 2-0 highlights
36' Eduardo Salvio
75' Lima
Current standings:
1 Benfica 26 22 4 0 70-15 +55 70p
2 Porto 26 20 6 0 61-12 +49 66p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 26 13 10 3 38-24 +14 49p
4 Braga 26 14 4 8 54-37 +17 46p
5 Estoril 26 10 5 11 39-33 +6 35p
BULGARIA: A PFG
13:00 -- Minyor Pernik - Ludogorets 1-2 highlights
[0-1] 1' Dimo Bakalov
[0-2] 75' Lubomir Guldan
[1-2] 83' Aleksandar Aleksandrov
14:45 -- CSKA Sofia - Slavia Sofia 2-1 (0-0)
16:00 -- Pirin Gotse Delchev - Montana 4-2 (1-1)
18:45 -- Beroe - Cherno More 1-0 (1-0)
Current standings:
1 Ludogorets 23 16 6 1 39-9 +30 54p
2 Levski Sofia 23 16 4 3 46-16 +30 52p
3 CSKA Sofia 23 14 6 3 41-13 +28 48p
17:00 -- Beira Mar - Gil Vicente 1-0 (0-0)
17:00 -- Nacional - Maritimo 2-1 (0-0)
17:00 -- Setubal - Estoril 1-0 (0-0)
21:15 -- Benfica - Sporting 2-0 highlights
36' Eduardo Salvio
75' Lima
Current standings:
1 Benfica 26 22 4 0 70-15 +55 70p
2 Porto 26 20 6 0 61-12 +49 66p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 26 13 10 3 38-24 +14 49p
4 Braga 26 14 4 8 54-37 +17 46p
5 Estoril 26 10 5 11 39-33 +6 35p
BULGARIA: A PFG
13:00 -- Minyor Pernik - Ludogorets 1-2 highlights
[0-1] 1' Dimo Bakalov
[0-2] 75' Lubomir Guldan
[1-2] 83' Aleksandar Aleksandrov
14:45 -- CSKA Sofia - Slavia Sofia 2-1 (0-0)
16:00 -- Pirin Gotse Delchev - Montana 4-2 (1-1)
18:45 -- Beroe - Cherno More 1-0 (1-0)
Current standings:
1 Ludogorets 23 16 6 1 39-9 +30 54p
2 Levski Sofia 23 16 4 3 46-16 +30 52p
3 CSKA Sofia 23 14 6 3 41-13 +28 48p
Saturday 20 April 2013
2013.04.20 - The Results
BULGARIA: A PFG
14:00 -- Litex Lovech - Levski Sofia 1-2
[0-1] 30' Garry Mendes Rodrigues
[0-2] 62' Hristo Yovov
[1-2] 80' Iliya Milanov
16:00 -- Botev Vratsa - Chernomorets Burgas 0-2 (0-1)
16:00 -- Lokomotiv Sofia - Botev Plovdiv 1-2 (0-1)
18:45 -- Lokomotiv Plovdiv - Etar 3-0 (1-0)
Current standings:
1 Levski Sofia 23 16 4 3 46-16 +30 52p
2 Ludogorets 22 15 6 1 37-8 +29 51p
3 Botev Plovdiv 23 14 5 4 40-18 +22 47p
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
19:15 -- Pacos de Ferreira - Rio Ave 2-1 (0-0)
21:30 -- Moreirense - Porto 0-3 highlights
34' Jackson Martinez
52' Fernando
55' Jackson Martinez
Current standings:
1 Benfica 25 21 4 0 68-15 +53 67p
2 Porto 26 20 6 0 61-12 +49 66p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 26 13 10 3 38-24 +14 49p
4 Braga 26 14 4 8 54-37 +17 46p
5 Estoril 25 10 5 10 39-32 +7 35p
FRANCE: Coupe de la Ligue
21:00 -- Saint-Etienne - Rennes 1-0 highlights
18' Brandao
14:00 -- Litex Lovech - Levski Sofia 1-2
[0-1] 30' Garry Mendes Rodrigues
[0-2] 62' Hristo Yovov
[1-2] 80' Iliya Milanov
16:00 -- Botev Vratsa - Chernomorets Burgas 0-2 (0-1)
16:00 -- Lokomotiv Sofia - Botev Plovdiv 1-2 (0-1)
18:45 -- Lokomotiv Plovdiv - Etar 3-0 (1-0)
Current standings:
1 Levski Sofia 23 16 4 3 46-16 +30 52p
2 Ludogorets 22 15 6 1 37-8 +29 51p
3 Botev Plovdiv 23 14 5 4 40-18 +22 47p
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
19:15 -- Pacos de Ferreira - Rio Ave 2-1 (0-0)
21:30 -- Moreirense - Porto 0-3 highlights
34' Jackson Martinez
52' Fernando
55' Jackson Martinez
Current standings:
1 Benfica 25 21 4 0 68-15 +53 67p
2 Porto 26 20 6 0 61-12 +49 66p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 26 13 10 3 38-24 +14 49p
4 Braga 26 14 4 8 54-37 +17 46p
5 Estoril 25 10 5 10 39-32 +7 35p
FRANCE: Coupe de la Ligue
21:00 -- Saint-Etienne - Rennes 1-0 highlights
18' Brandao
Friday 19 April 2013
2013.04.19 - The Result
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
21:00 -- Braga - Academica 1-0 (1-0)
Current standings:
1 Benfica 25 21 4 0 68-15 +53 67p
2 Porto 25 19 6 0 58-12 +46 63p
3 Braga 26 14 4 8 54-37 +17 46p
4 Pacos de Ferreira 25 12 10 3 36-23 +13 46p
5 Estoril 25 10 5 10 39-32 +7 35p
21:00 -- Braga - Academica 1-0 (1-0)
Current standings:
1 Benfica 25 21 4 0 68-15 +53 67p
2 Porto 25 19 6 0 58-12 +46 63p
3 Braga 26 14 4 8 54-37 +17 46p
4 Pacos de Ferreira 25 12 10 3 36-23 +13 46p
5 Estoril 25 10 5 10 39-32 +7 35p
Thursday 18 April 2013
Wednesday 17 April 2013
Surprising Elimination
Surely, many people anticipated that PSG would be eliminated from the Champions League. After all, they were playing mighty Barcelona.
But when PSG faced Evian Thonon Gaillard FC, in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France, even though they were playing in Gaillard, few expected the Parisian outfit to bow out.
Bow they did, though, because Evian were not pushovers in this one.
Although Paris Saint-Germain opened the scoring, in the 8th minute, through Javier Pastore (with a beautiful volley shot), Evian stroke back 2 minutes before half-time, through a nicely-worked attack sequence that allowed Saber Khelifa to simply push the ball over the line, into an empty net.
PSG did not employ a few crucial players, and one of the main players who did play, Thiago Motta, was sent off for losing his cool and kicking an opponent in the abdomen, close to the end of extra time.
Ancelotti's team had Ibrahimovic on the pitch, but was without main goalkeeper, Sirigu.
And penalties eventually came.
Wouldn't you know it, Ibrahimovic was the first PSG player to take a PK, and he missed! The second PSG penalty taker also missed.
Meanwhile, the Evian takers were smashing the ball, at mid-distance and to their right. All the time. And all four of their shots went in.
Yes, four, not five, because even though Lavezzi scored the third PSG penalty, the fact that Evian had converted all of their four chances made the last two PSG PK kicks irrelevant.
So, PSG has been eliminated again. It's been a dark eight-day period for Carlo Ancelotti and his men, following their Champions League exit.
Only Ligue 1 remains, for them, but luckily they have by far the best chance to win that tournament.
Highlights:
But when PSG faced Evian Thonon Gaillard FC, in the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France, even though they were playing in Gaillard, few expected the Parisian outfit to bow out.
Bow they did, though, because Evian were not pushovers in this one.
Although Paris Saint-Germain opened the scoring, in the 8th minute, through Javier Pastore (with a beautiful volley shot), Evian stroke back 2 minutes before half-time, through a nicely-worked attack sequence that allowed Saber Khelifa to simply push the ball over the line, into an empty net.
PSG did not employ a few crucial players, and one of the main players who did play, Thiago Motta, was sent off for losing his cool and kicking an opponent in the abdomen, close to the end of extra time.
Ancelotti's team had Ibrahimovic on the pitch, but was without main goalkeeper, Sirigu.
And penalties eventually came.
Wouldn't you know it, Ibrahimovic was the first PSG player to take a PK, and he missed! The second PSG penalty taker also missed.
Meanwhile, the Evian takers were smashing the ball, at mid-distance and to their right. All the time. And all four of their shots went in.
Yes, four, not five, because even though Lavezzi scored the third PSG penalty, the fact that Evian had converted all of their four chances made the last two PSG PK kicks irrelevant.
So, PSG has been eliminated again. It's been a dark eight-day period for Carlo Ancelotti and his men, following their Champions League exit.
Only Ligue 1 remains, for them, but luckily they have by far the best chance to win that tournament.
Highlights:
2013.04.17 - The Results
ITALY: Coppa Italia (Semifinal, leg 2)
20:45 -- Inter - Roma 2-3, 3-5 on aggregate highlights
[1-0] 21' Jonathan
[1-1] 55' Mattia Destro
[1-2] 69' Mattia Destro
[1-3] 74' Vassilis Torosidis
[2-3] 81' Ricardo Alvarez
FRANCE: Coupe de France (Quarter-Finals)
19:00 -- Lens - Bordeaux 2-3
[1-0] 11' Cedric Carrasso (o.-g.)
[1-1] 59' Gregory Sertic
[1-2] 81' Cheick Diabate
[1-3] 85' Cheick Diabate
[2-3] 90' + 2' Zakarya Bergdich
20:55 -- Evian - PSG 1-1, 1-1 after extra time, 4-1 on penalties, 5-2 total score (including penalties scored) highlights
[0-1] 8' Javier Pastore
[1-1] 43' Saber Khelifa
BULGARIA: Cup (Semifinal, leg 1)
16:45 -- Levski Sofia - Lokomotiv Sofia 3-1 (0-0)
TURKEY: Cup (Semifinals, leg 1)
18:00 -- Sivasspor - Trabzonspor 2-1
[1-0] 44' Aatif Chahechouhe
[2-0] 75' Erman Kilic
[2-1] 90' Marek Sapara
20:15 -- Eskisehirspor - Fenerbahce 1-1 highlights
[1-0] 13' Erkan Zengin
[1-1] 20' Mehmet Topal
PORTUGAL: Taca de Portugal (Semifinal, leg 2)
21:00 -- Guimaraes - Belenenses 1-0, 3-0 on aggregate
14' Marcio Matias
20:45 -- Inter - Roma 2-3, 3-5 on aggregate highlights
[1-0] 21' Jonathan
[1-1] 55' Mattia Destro
[1-2] 69' Mattia Destro
[1-3] 74' Vassilis Torosidis
[2-3] 81' Ricardo Alvarez
FRANCE: Coupe de France (Quarter-Finals)
19:00 -- Lens - Bordeaux 2-3
[1-0] 11' Cedric Carrasso (o.-g.)
[1-1] 59' Gregory Sertic
[1-2] 81' Cheick Diabate
[1-3] 85' Cheick Diabate
[2-3] 90' + 2' Zakarya Bergdich
20:55 -- Evian - PSG 1-1, 1-1 after extra time, 4-1 on penalties, 5-2 total score (including penalties scored) highlights
[0-1] 8' Javier Pastore
[1-1] 43' Saber Khelifa
BULGARIA: Cup (Semifinal, leg 1)
16:45 -- Levski Sofia - Lokomotiv Sofia 3-1 (0-0)
TURKEY: Cup (Semifinals, leg 1)
18:00 -- Sivasspor - Trabzonspor 2-1
[1-0] 44' Aatif Chahechouhe
[2-0] 75' Erman Kilic
[2-1] 90' Marek Sapara
20:15 -- Eskisehirspor - Fenerbahce 1-1 highlights
[1-0] 13' Erkan Zengin
[1-1] 20' Mehmet Topal
PORTUGAL: Taca de Portugal (Semifinal, leg 2)
21:00 -- Guimaraes - Belenenses 1-0, 3-0 on aggregate
14' Marcio Matias
Tuesday 16 April 2013
2013.04.16 - The Results
FRANCE: Coupe de France (Quarter-Finals)
18:00 -- Troyes - Nancy 3-0
52' Jeremie Brechet
75' Julien Faussurier
81' Fabien Camus
20:50 -- Saint-Etienne - Lorient 1-2
[0-1] 44' Maxime Barthelme
[1-1] 75' Pierre Aubameyang
[1-2] 90' + 2' Jeremie Aliadiere
18:00 -- Troyes - Nancy 3-0
52' Jeremie Brechet
75' Julien Faussurier
81' Fabien Camus
20:50 -- Saint-Etienne - Lorient 1-2
[0-1] 44' Maxime Barthelme
[1-1] 75' Pierre Aubameyang
[1-2] 90' + 2' Jeremie Aliadiere
Monday 15 April 2013
2013.04.15 - The Results
PORTUGAL: Taca de Portugal (Semifinal, leg 2)
21:00 -- Benfica - Pacos de Ferreira 1-1, 3-1 on aggregate highlights
[1-0] 54' Oscar Cardozo
[1-1] 80' Cicero Semedo
BULGARIA: A PFG
17:00 -- Ludogorets - Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1-0
87' Juninho Quixada
Current standings:
1 Ludogorets 22 15 6 1 37-8 +29 51p
2 Levski Sofia 22 15 4 3 44-15 +29 49p
3 CSKA Sofia 22 13 6 3 39-12 +27 45p
21:00 -- Benfica - Pacos de Ferreira 1-1, 3-1 on aggregate highlights
[1-0] 54' Oscar Cardozo
[1-1] 80' Cicero Semedo
BULGARIA: A PFG
17:00 -- Ludogorets - Lokomotiv Plovdiv 1-0
87' Juninho Quixada
Current standings:
1 Ludogorets 22 15 6 1 37-8 +29 51p
2 Levski Sofia 22 15 4 3 44-15 +29 49p
3 CSKA Sofia 22 13 6 3 39-12 +27 45p
Ending of Bulgarian League 2012-2013 Season
Currently 28th in the UEFA country coefficient rankings, the Bulgarian league is not the greatest in Europe, that's for sure.
But with so many great European football leagues having already (almost certainly) determined their winners, the Bulgarian A PFG stands out as arguably the most interesting league left.
Ludogorets, last year's surprise champions, and Levski Sofia, one of the two most successful team in Bulgaria, are separated only 2 points at the present time. (Levski was up by one after winning on , but Ludogorets' win today put the Razgrad team back on top.) And even CSKA Sofia, the other one of the top two most successful Bulgarian football teams, has an outside chance to win the league, six points behind the leaders.
With 8 matchdays left, Levski still has to play both CSKA and Ludogorets, at home, in do-or-die encounters, no doubt.
But with so many great European football leagues having already (almost certainly) determined their winners, the Bulgarian A PFG stands out as arguably the most interesting league left.
Ludogorets, last year's surprise champions, and Levski Sofia, one of the two most successful team in Bulgaria, are separated only 2 points at the present time. (Levski was up by one after winning on , but Ludogorets' win today put the Razgrad team back on top.) And even CSKA Sofia, the other one of the top two most successful Bulgarian football teams, has an outside chance to win the league, six points behind the leaders.
With 8 matchdays left, Levski still has to play both CSKA and Ludogorets, at home, in do-or-die encounters, no doubt.
Sunday 14 April 2013
Bye Bye, FA Cup
With Rafa Benitez at the helm, it looked to me like Chelsea were the specialists of cup competitions.
But they were very disappointing in Sunday's FA Cup semifinal, against Man. City.
Many times, the City attack made Chelsea shake in their boots.
Only when they pulled one goal back (after going two down), did Chelsea finally try to do some serious work.
But, despite the fact that the City goalkeeper was Pantilimon, renowned for his gaffes, Chelsea could not score any more, and saw their dreams of a double shattered.
They were shattered by a better team, over the full course, of the match, and that can only intensify the calls for Benitez's dismissal. Which is looking more and more likely.
Highlights:
But they were very disappointing in Sunday's FA Cup semifinal, against Man. City.
Many times, the City attack made Chelsea shake in their boots.
Only when they pulled one goal back (after going two down), did Chelsea finally try to do some serious work.
But, despite the fact that the City goalkeeper was Pantilimon, renowned for his gaffes, Chelsea could not score any more, and saw their dreams of a double shattered.
They were shattered by a better team, over the full course, of the match, and that can only intensify the calls for Benitez's dismissal. Which is looking more and more likely.
Highlights:
2013.04.14 - The Results
ENGLAND: FA Cup (Semifinal)
17:00 -- Chelsea - Manchester City 1-2 highlights
[0-1] 36' Samir Nasri
[0-2] 47' Sergio Aguero
[1-2] 66' Dembe Ba
NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie
12:30 -- Heerenveen - Willem II 3-2 (0-1)
14:30 -- AZ Alkmaar - Utrecht 6-0 (4-0)
14:30 -- Waalwijk - Feyenoord 1-1
[0-1] 13' Graziano Pelle
[1-1] 56' Sander Duits
16:30 -- PSV - Ajax 2-3
Current standings:
1 ajax 30 19 9 2 73-30 +43 66p
2 Vitesse 30 18 7 5 63-35 +28 61p
3 PSV 30 19 3 8 90-35 +55 60p
17:00 -- Chelsea - Manchester City 1-2 highlights
[0-1] 36' Samir Nasri
[0-2] 47' Sergio Aguero
[1-2] 66' Dembe Ba
NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie
12:30 -- Heerenveen - Willem II 3-2 (0-1)
14:30 -- AZ Alkmaar - Utrecht 6-0 (4-0)
14:30 -- Waalwijk - Feyenoord 1-1
[0-1] 13' Graziano Pelle
[1-1] 56' Sander Duits
16:30 -- PSV - Ajax 2-3
Current standings:
1 ajax 30 19 9 2 73-30 +43 66p
2 Vitesse 30 18 7 5 63-35 +28 61p
3 PSV 30 19 3 8 90-35 +55 60p
It's over in the Netherlands
This was a dark day for most title contenders in Holland.
Especially for PSV, whose fans certainly felt anger, shame, despair and maybe even hate towards their own club today.
Ajax Amsterdam, the team that sucked so much this year, took a practically unassailable lead that was facilitated by PSV Eindhoven's own inability to win the huge home derby.
Also, Vitesse Arnhem and Feyenoord Rotterdam, the other two title challengers, stumbled after being in the lead for considerable lengths of time, in their own matches, both of them away from home. Vitesse led 3-0 at Roda Kerkrade, but had to settle for a tie, while Feyenoord was leading 1-0 at half-time at Waalwijk but ended up with only one point, too.
So, I guess it's over in the Eredivisie.
Especially for PSV, whose fans certainly felt anger, shame, despair and maybe even hate towards their own club today.
Ajax Amsterdam, the team that sucked so much this year, took a practically unassailable lead that was facilitated by PSV Eindhoven's own inability to win the huge home derby.
Also, Vitesse Arnhem and Feyenoord Rotterdam, the other two title challengers, stumbled after being in the lead for considerable lengths of time, in their own matches, both of them away from home. Vitesse led 3-0 at Roda Kerkrade, but had to settle for a tie, while Feyenoord was leading 1-0 at half-time at Waalwijk but ended up with only one point, too.
So, I guess it's over in the Eredivisie.
Saturday 13 April 2013
2013.04.13 - The Results
PORTUGAL: League Cup (Final)
20:45 -- Braga - Porto 1-0 highlights
45' + 1' Alan (pen.)
NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie
18:45 -- Roda - Vitesse 3-3 highlights
[0-1] 26' Mike Havenaar
[0-2] 36' Mike Havenaar
[0-3] 56' Wilfried Bony
[1-3] 63' Sanharib Malki (pen.)
[2-3] 70' Frank Demouge
[3-3] 90' + 4' Mitchell Donald
19:45 -- NAC Breda - NEC Nijmegen 2-0 (0-0)
19:45 -- Heracles Almelo - Groningen 0-2 (0-0)
20:45 -- ADO Den Haag - Twente 1-3 (1-1)
Current standings:
1 Ajax 29 18 9 2 70-28 +42 63p
2 Vitesse 30 18 7 5 63-35 +28 61p
3 PSV 29 19 3 7 88-32 +56 60p
ENGLAND: FA Cup (Semifinal)
18:15 -- Millwall - wigan 0-2
25' Shaun Maloney
78' Callum McManaman
20:45 -- Braga - Porto 1-0 highlights
45' + 1' Alan (pen.)
NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie
18:45 -- Roda - Vitesse 3-3 highlights
[0-1] 26' Mike Havenaar
[0-2] 36' Mike Havenaar
[0-3] 56' Wilfried Bony
[1-3] 63' Sanharib Malki (pen.)
[2-3] 70' Frank Demouge
[3-3] 90' + 4' Mitchell Donald
19:45 -- NAC Breda - NEC Nijmegen 2-0 (0-0)
19:45 -- Heracles Almelo - Groningen 0-2 (0-0)
20:45 -- ADO Den Haag - Twente 1-3 (1-1)
Current standings:
1 Ajax 29 18 9 2 70-28 +42 63p
2 Vitesse 30 18 7 5 63-35 +28 61p
3 PSV 29 19 3 7 88-32 +56 60p
ENGLAND: FA Cup (Semifinal)
18:15 -- Millwall - wigan 0-2
25' Shaun Maloney
78' Callum McManaman
Friday 12 April 2013
2013.04.12 - The Result
NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie
20:00 -- VV Venlo - Zwolle 0-2 (0-1)
Current standings:
1 Ajax 29 18 9 2 70-28 +42 63p
2 PSV 29 19 3 7 88-32 +56 60p
3 Vitesse 29 18 6 5 60-32 +28 60p
20:00 -- VV Venlo - Zwolle 0-2 (0-1)
Current standings:
1 Ajax 29 18 9 2 70-28 +42 63p
2 PSV 29 19 3 7 88-32 +56 60p
3 Vitesse 29 18 6 5 60-32 +28 60p
Thursday 11 April 2013
2013.04.11 - The Results
EUROPA LEAGUE: Quarter-Finals, leg 2
18:00 -- Rubin Kazan - Chelsea 3-2, 4-5 on aggregate highlights
[0-1] 5' Fernando Torres
[1-1] 51' Ivan Marcano
[1-2] 55' Victor Moses
[2-2] 62' Gokdeniz Karadeniz
[3-2] 75' Bebras Natcho (pen.)
21:05 -- Basel - Tottenham 2-2, 4-4 on aggregate, 2-2 after extra time, 4-1 on penalties, 8-5 total aggregate score (including penalties) highlights
[0-1] 23' Clint Dempsey
[1-1] 27' Mohamed Salah
[2-1] 49' Aleksandar Dragovic
[2-2] 83' Clint Dempsey
21:05 -- Lazio - Fenerbahce 1-1, 1-3 on aggregate highlights
[1-0] 60' Senad Lulic
[1-1] 73' Caner Erkin
21:05 -- Newcastle - Benfica 1-1, 2-4 on aggregate highlights
[1-0] 71' Papiss Demba Cisse
[1-1] 90' + 2' Eduardo Salvio
18:00 -- Rubin Kazan - Chelsea 3-2, 4-5 on aggregate highlights
[0-1] 5' Fernando Torres
[1-1] 51' Ivan Marcano
[1-2] 55' Victor Moses
[2-2] 62' Gokdeniz Karadeniz
[3-2] 75' Bebras Natcho (pen.)
21:05 -- Basel - Tottenham 2-2, 4-4 on aggregate, 2-2 after extra time, 4-1 on penalties, 8-5 total aggregate score (including penalties) highlights
[0-1] 23' Clint Dempsey
[1-1] 27' Mohamed Salah
[2-1] 49' Aleksandar Dragovic
[2-2] 83' Clint Dempsey
21:05 -- Lazio - Fenerbahce 1-1, 1-3 on aggregate highlights
[1-0] 60' Senad Lulic
[1-1] 73' Caner Erkin
21:05 -- Newcastle - Benfica 1-1, 2-4 on aggregate highlights
[1-0] 71' Papiss Demba Cisse
[1-1] 90' + 2' Eduardo Salvio
Wednesday 10 April 2013
2013.04.10 - The Results
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Quarter-Finals, leg 2
20:45 -- Barcelona - PSG 1-1, 3-3 on aggregate, Barcelona advances on away goals highlights
[0-1] 50' Javier Pastore
[1-1] 71' Pedro Rodriguez
20:45 -- juventus - bayern 0-2, 0-4 on aggregate
64' Mario Mandzukic
90' + 2' Claudio Pizarro
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Semifinal, leg 2
04:00 -- Monterrey - Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0, 3-1 on aggregate
81' Aldo De Nigris
20:45 -- Barcelona - PSG 1-1, 3-3 on aggregate, Barcelona advances on away goals highlights
[0-1] 50' Javier Pastore
[1-1] 71' Pedro Rodriguez
20:45 -- juventus - bayern 0-2, 0-4 on aggregate
64' Mario Mandzukic
90' + 2' Claudio Pizarro
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Semifinal, leg 2
04:00 -- Monterrey - Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0, 3-1 on aggregate
81' Aldo De Nigris
So, So Unfortunate for PSG
Over the two legs, PSG definitely did not play worse football than Barcelona.
So, why did they go out of the competition?
If there's one factor that weighed down the future French champions, it has to be their goalkeeper.
Salvatore Sirigu, the ex-Palermo Italian goalie, hasn't yet proven himself as a player worthy of playing in later stages of the Champions League, if you ask me.
With a better goalkeeper, or a more inspired one, perhaps PSG might have prevented two or even all of the goals they conceded against Barca.
One, for certain, should have been avoided, and that's the penalty from which Xavi scored Barcelona's second away goal at the Parc des Princes.
And that's just the away goal that eliminated PSG, basically, or at the very least arguably.
The away goals rule!... What a cruel way for PSG to go out.
But they played really well, for a team who hasn't been in the Champions League for a long time.
Some teams make fools of themselves the first time out. Look at Manchester City, and Borussia Dortmund last year.
I'm not totally convinced that PSG deserved to take the lead, but they did so, 5 minutes after the start of the second half, through Javier Pastore.
And PSG scared Barcelona so much that they decided to risk and use Messi, even though the Argentinian was clearly still recovering from his hamstring problem.
Messi revived Barcelona's way of playing, and he played a part in the 71st-minute deciding goal, scored by Pedro, but one couldn't avoid thinking what are the chances he may have aggravated his condition.
In any case, Barcelona progresses to the semifinals of the Champions League, and a dream final Real - Barca is still possible.
Highlights:
ฤฮฺ์ฐ FOOTYROOM.COM by footyroom
So, why did they go out of the competition?
If there's one factor that weighed down the future French champions, it has to be their goalkeeper.
Salvatore Sirigu, the ex-Palermo Italian goalie, hasn't yet proven himself as a player worthy of playing in later stages of the Champions League, if you ask me.
With a better goalkeeper, or a more inspired one, perhaps PSG might have prevented two or even all of the goals they conceded against Barca.
One, for certain, should have been avoided, and that's the penalty from which Xavi scored Barcelona's second away goal at the Parc des Princes.
And that's just the away goal that eliminated PSG, basically, or at the very least arguably.
The away goals rule!... What a cruel way for PSG to go out.
But they played really well, for a team who hasn't been in the Champions League for a long time.
Some teams make fools of themselves the first time out. Look at Manchester City, and Borussia Dortmund last year.
I'm not totally convinced that PSG deserved to take the lead, but they did so, 5 minutes after the start of the second half, through Javier Pastore.
And PSG scared Barcelona so much that they decided to risk and use Messi, even though the Argentinian was clearly still recovering from his hamstring problem.
Messi revived Barcelona's way of playing, and he played a part in the 71st-minute deciding goal, scored by Pedro, but one couldn't avoid thinking what are the chances he may have aggravated his condition.
In any case, Barcelona progresses to the semifinals of the Champions League, and a dream final Real - Barca is still possible.
Highlights:
ฤฮฺ์ฐ FOOTYROOM.COM by footyroom
Same Shitty Display from Juventus Buffoons
Why doesn't buffon just retire?
He's weighing down the teams he plays for.
I don't know exactly how Juventus manages to win such a high percentage of their games in the Serie A. Maybe they're cheating again. (Will that ever stop being an issue in the Italian league?) Or maybe the Italian league is shit, too.
Anyway, getting back to Buffon, the goal that buried Juventus today (- not that they were playing any kind of good football -) bore a striking similarity to the second goal he conceded, away from home, eight days ago.
And they were all playing badly. Pirlo managed to get a good free kick on goal, in the first half, but, much to his dishonour, he put the ball right where Manuel Neuer was placed at the time.
With teams like that, and such weak displays against teams from better leagues, I don't see when Italian football will manage to squeeze into the top three again, and have four teams in the Champions League once more.
"We deserve to be there." (Conte, before the first leg) - What a crock of shit!
He's weighing down the teams he plays for.
I don't know exactly how Juventus manages to win such a high percentage of their games in the Serie A. Maybe they're cheating again. (Will that ever stop being an issue in the Italian league?) Or maybe the Italian league is shit, too.
Anyway, getting back to Buffon, the goal that buried Juventus today (- not that they were playing any kind of good football -) bore a striking similarity to the second goal he conceded, away from home, eight days ago.
And they were all playing badly. Pirlo managed to get a good free kick on goal, in the first half, but, much to his dishonour, he put the ball right where Manuel Neuer was placed at the time.
With teams like that, and such weak displays against teams from better leagues, I don't see when Italian football will manage to squeeze into the top three again, and have four teams in the Champions League once more.
"We deserve to be there." (Conte, before the first leg) - What a crock of shit!
Tuesday 9 April 2013
2013.04.09 - The Results
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Quarter-Finals, leg 2
20:45 -- Borussia D. - Malaga 3-2, 3-2 on aggregate highlights
[0-1] 25' Joaquin
[1-1] 39' Robert Lewandowski
[1-2] 82' Eliseu
[2-2] 90' + 1' Marco Reus
[3-2] 90' + 2' Felipe Santana
20:45 -- Galatasaray - Real Madrid 3-2, 3-5 on aggregate highlights
[0-1] 7' Cristiano Ronaldo
[1-1] 57' Emmanuel Eboue
[2-1] 71' Wesley Sneijder
[3-1] 72' Didier Drogba
[3-2] 90' + 3' Cristiano Ronaldo
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Semifinal, leg 2
02:00 -- Santos Laguna - Seattle Sounders 1-1, 2-1 on aggregate highlights
[1-0] 21' Herculez Gomez
[1-1] 73' Lamar Neagle
20:45 -- Borussia D. - Malaga 3-2, 3-2 on aggregate highlights
[0-1] 25' Joaquin
[1-1] 39' Robert Lewandowski
[1-2] 82' Eliseu
[2-2] 90' + 1' Marco Reus
[3-2] 90' + 2' Felipe Santana
20:45 -- Galatasaray - Real Madrid 3-2, 3-5 on aggregate highlights
[0-1] 7' Cristiano Ronaldo
[1-1] 57' Emmanuel Eboue
[2-1] 71' Wesley Sneijder
[3-1] 72' Didier Drogba
[3-2] 90' + 3' Cristiano Ronaldo
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Semifinal, leg 2
02:00 -- Santos Laguna - Seattle Sounders 1-1, 2-1 on aggregate highlights
[1-0] 21' Herculez Gomez
[1-1] 73' Lamar Neagle
Real Worries
Galatasaray made Real Madrid shake in their shoes for a few good minutes in the second half of their second-leg meeting, tonight.
Down three goals from the first leg, Galatasaray went down even further, to 0-4 on aggregate, when Ronaldo made it Galatasaray 0 - 1 Real, after only 7 minutes of play.
But, between the 57th and the 72nd minutes, the team from Istanbul had a magical quarter-hour of play, with three goals that could have shaken any team. Also, Sneijder also missed an amazing opportunity, at 1-1, on top of everything.
Having gotten three goals so quickly (but somewhat luckily, it should be mentioned, especially the Drogba goal), the Turkish side had practically 20 minutes or so to score two more, in order to advance.
They did put the ball in the net a fourth time, but it was offside.
Real, however, did not crumble. They had the best chances in the remaining minutes. Ronaldo had a chance to make it 3-2, a few minutes after Drogba's goal, but his shot went just over.
He would not be denied his eleventh goal of the campaign, however, in injury time.
Galatasaray could not get any closer. And they could not even hold Real at bay till the end, either.
That's what makes great teams great.
Even though Galatasaray deserves commendation for playing their chances till the very end, nobody can say Real was not the side most deserving of making it to the semifinals.
Highlights:
To give a perfect example, from this match, which illustrates why it's so disgusting to see how much power these (sometimes retarded) referees have in the footballing world, check out how Arbeloa was eliminated only for making a gesture that suggested the referee acted insane. As insulting as his gesture may have been to Lannoy, the last time I checked freedom of speech and movement were still basic human rights.
Down three goals from the first leg, Galatasaray went down even further, to 0-4 on aggregate, when Ronaldo made it Galatasaray 0 - 1 Real, after only 7 minutes of play.
But, between the 57th and the 72nd minutes, the team from Istanbul had a magical quarter-hour of play, with three goals that could have shaken any team. Also, Sneijder also missed an amazing opportunity, at 1-1, on top of everything.
Having gotten three goals so quickly (but somewhat luckily, it should be mentioned, especially the Drogba goal), the Turkish side had practically 20 minutes or so to score two more, in order to advance.
They did put the ball in the net a fourth time, but it was offside.
Real, however, did not crumble. They had the best chances in the remaining minutes. Ronaldo had a chance to make it 3-2, a few minutes after Drogba's goal, but his shot went just over.
He would not be denied his eleventh goal of the campaign, however, in injury time.
Galatasaray could not get any closer. And they could not even hold Real at bay till the end, either.
That's what makes great teams great.
Even though Galatasaray deserves commendation for playing their chances till the very end, nobody can say Real was not the side most deserving of making it to the semifinals.
Highlights:
To give a perfect example, from this match, which illustrates why it's so disgusting to see how much power these (sometimes retarded) referees have in the footballing world, check out how Arbeloa was eliminated only for making a gesture that suggested the referee acted insane. As insulting as his gesture may have been to Lannoy, the last time I checked freedom of speech and movement were still basic human rights.
Another Example of Refereeing Incompetence and the Need for Live Replays
It was one of the most exciting matches in this year's Champions League. But it might not have ended up the same way if the referee hadn't allowed offside goals to stand.
The winning goal, scored eventually by Felipe Santana, who scored from right on the goal line, fooled uninspired Scottish referee Craig Thomson and his similarly disappointing colleagues.
If they had seen that four Dortmund attackers were offside, they surely would have disallowed the goal that sent the Germans through to the semifinals.
And, also, just like Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp said, at the press conference after the match, Eliseu looked like he was slightly offside when he scored Malaga's second goal, too (with just a hint of Baptista also potentially being offside, when the ball was released towards him).
(But don't believe Klopp when he says the first goal was also offside. When Joaquin scored, the Malaga player that might have been offside did not interfere with the ball trajectory and effect, so the decision to have that goal stand was correct.)
Anyhow, even if there may be extenuating circumstances when it comes to Eliseu's goal, the goal that made it 3-2 contained a clear infringement, and, so, the referees are totally guilty of ruining the result.
People gloss over these decisions too easily. A few weeks, and it's all but forgotten. These referees should be punished. At such a level, with so much money at stake, Craig Thomson and his team should not referee again for 5-10 years, considering what they did. They should have to take regular jobs to be able to continue having money to live, for a good amount of time before returning to refereeing.
Either punish the bastards, or allow live replays that the referees can see and overturn their wrong decisions!
But, if members of the teams' squad or staff complain too much, they are the ones who get in trouble with the officials. Stupid FIFA and UEFA, and their stupid rules that so many times ruin fair play and sportsmanship!
They say they're doing something about it, by talking about introducing goal-line technology for three years now.
Goal-line technology is not enough. That's only for the goal line, of course. But, obviously, referees make a ton of other mistakes, which aren't on the goal line.
The offside which the referees should have caught and dealt with did not occur when Santana pushed the goal in, from the goal line; it came when the ball was first played in behind the Spanish line of defense.
Live replays should be used. How expensive could that be? I'm sure it's cheaper than some technology that would be put on the goal-line, if, as FIFA might suggest, this is about high costs. But, most likely, FIFA and UEFA like to be able to cheat if they want, and that's why they won't use replays. That's also why these bullshit referees aren't punished severely, I think.
In this sense, this match was very disappointing and heartbreaking, for many fans.
But there were some positives, too.
The best thing about this quarter-final, second leg, was seeing Willy Caballero's wonderful saves, in the Malaga goal.
The best goalkeeper, in terms of overall percentage of saves, in the 2012-2013 Champions League saved his team from 2 or 3 almost-as-good-as-given Dortmund goals. This guy should be Argentina's goalie at next year's World Cup.
Too bad that he was left almost alone against 3-4 Dortmund players, for each of the last two goals of the match. Still, he might have prevented the goals, if the Germans did not have the presence of mind to always pass the ball quickly amongst themselves.
One thing coaches should learn from matches such as this one is that: lack of experience in big matches + tendency to play the offside trap instead of working hard in defense = (almost always) elimination.
But for the neutral spectator, this was probably the best and most exciting second-leg encounter.
And, in the end, the more hard-working, attack-minded team progressed over the more pragmatic, opportunistic team.
Highlights:
The winning goal, scored eventually by Felipe Santana, who scored from right on the goal line, fooled uninspired Scottish referee Craig Thomson and his similarly disappointing colleagues.
If they had seen that four Dortmund attackers were offside, they surely would have disallowed the goal that sent the Germans through to the semifinals.
And, also, just like Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp said, at the press conference after the match, Eliseu looked like he was slightly offside when he scored Malaga's second goal, too (with just a hint of Baptista also potentially being offside, when the ball was released towards him).
(But don't believe Klopp when he says the first goal was also offside. When Joaquin scored, the Malaga player that might have been offside did not interfere with the ball trajectory and effect, so the decision to have that goal stand was correct.)
Anyhow, even if there may be extenuating circumstances when it comes to Eliseu's goal, the goal that made it 3-2 contained a clear infringement, and, so, the referees are totally guilty of ruining the result.
People gloss over these decisions too easily. A few weeks, and it's all but forgotten. These referees should be punished. At such a level, with so much money at stake, Craig Thomson and his team should not referee again for 5-10 years, considering what they did. They should have to take regular jobs to be able to continue having money to live, for a good amount of time before returning to refereeing.
Either punish the bastards, or allow live replays that the referees can see and overturn their wrong decisions!
But, if members of the teams' squad or staff complain too much, they are the ones who get in trouble with the officials. Stupid FIFA and UEFA, and their stupid rules that so many times ruin fair play and sportsmanship!
They say they're doing something about it, by talking about introducing goal-line technology for three years now.
Goal-line technology is not enough. That's only for the goal line, of course. But, obviously, referees make a ton of other mistakes, which aren't on the goal line.
The offside which the referees should have caught and dealt with did not occur when Santana pushed the goal in, from the goal line; it came when the ball was first played in behind the Spanish line of defense.
Live replays should be used. How expensive could that be? I'm sure it's cheaper than some technology that would be put on the goal-line, if, as FIFA might suggest, this is about high costs. But, most likely, FIFA and UEFA like to be able to cheat if they want, and that's why they won't use replays. That's also why these bullshit referees aren't punished severely, I think.
In this sense, this match was very disappointing and heartbreaking, for many fans.
But there were some positives, too.
The best thing about this quarter-final, second leg, was seeing Willy Caballero's wonderful saves, in the Malaga goal.
The best goalkeeper, in terms of overall percentage of saves, in the 2012-2013 Champions League saved his team from 2 or 3 almost-as-good-as-given Dortmund goals. This guy should be Argentina's goalie at next year's World Cup.
Too bad that he was left almost alone against 3-4 Dortmund players, for each of the last two goals of the match. Still, he might have prevented the goals, if the Germans did not have the presence of mind to always pass the ball quickly amongst themselves.
One thing coaches should learn from matches such as this one is that: lack of experience in big matches + tendency to play the offside trap instead of working hard in defense = (almost always) elimination.
But for the neutral spectator, this was probably the best and most exciting second-leg encounter.
And, in the end, the more hard-working, attack-minded team progressed over the more pragmatic, opportunistic team.
Highlights:
Monday 8 April 2013
2013.04.08 - The Result
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
21:15 -- Porto - Braga 3-1 highlights
[0-1] 23' Alan
[1-1] 37' James Rodriguez
[2-1] 83' Kelvin
[3-1] 86' Kelvin
Current standings:
1 Benfica 25 21 4 0 68-15 +53 67p
2 Porto 25 19 6 0 58-12 +46 63p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 25 12 10 3 36-23 +13 46p
4 Braga 25 13 4 8 53-37 +16 43p
5 Estoril 25 10 5 10 39-32 +7 35p
21:15 -- Porto - Braga 3-1 highlights
[0-1] 23' Alan
[1-1] 37' James Rodriguez
[2-1] 83' Kelvin
[3-1] 86' Kelvin
Current standings:
1 Benfica 25 21 4 0 68-15 +53 67p
2 Porto 25 19 6 0 58-12 +46 63p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 25 12 10 3 36-23 +13 46p
4 Braga 25 13 4 8 53-37 +16 43p
5 Estoril 25 10 5 10 39-32 +7 35p
Mancini Speaks Out
Today, people who are still interested in this year's English Premier League can watch Manchester United - Manchester City.
This match is certainly not a big thing, however, because even if City ridiculed United today they would still be twelve points behind Ferguson's team. And the title would still be virtually decided.
So, this fixture will certainly be somewhat boring and unexciting, no matter what the outcome.
But what's interesting on this day is what City's Roberto Mancini said, prior to the game.
He said too many teams roll over for United.
Good! Somebody from an important position sees it, too, and is talking about it.
Teams lose too easily to Manchester United. Yeah! That's exactly what I've been saying.
Mancini, though, going into more details about his affirmation, said he thinks most teams are just afraid of Alex Ferguson's United.
I believe, however, that Ferguson and his people succeeded, not only in creating fear of his team, but basically a system whereby United gets the wins it needs no matter what the means. Most likely, intimidation and money are involved, outside of the strict legalities of the Man. U. footballing payroll.
And I'm quite sure Ferguson is a master at these kind of things. Because he's certainly not a master when it comes to actual coaching, and how could a so-so coach have stayed where Ferguson is for so long?
Really, one has to look at United's record in the other competitions, the ones United was not expected to win (or did not desperately need to win) this year, to see that there's something weird about their performance in the league.
They have 25 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses, from 30 matches, in the EPL. That's the kind of record that teams like Barcelona get. (But Barcelona has roughly the same record in all competitions in which they take part, not just the one.)
However, United's records in the Champions League and the FA Cup are: 4 wins 1 draw and 3 losses, and 3 wins 2 draws and 1 loss, respectively.
How come a team that wins only about half of their fair matches, against honest opponents, and no more, can pull off five times more wins than draws or losses in the PL?
I say the fix is in. Quite often.
If Manchester United was to play opponents they found out about just 2 weeks to 2 months prior, like they do in the elimination competitions, would they win trophies anymore?
So, I believe Mancini is not far from the truth, indeed, but his is still a naive view. Either that, or he knows he can't say more, so has to do with exposing the bare minimum.
This match is certainly not a big thing, however, because even if City ridiculed United today they would still be twelve points behind Ferguson's team. And the title would still be virtually decided.
So, this fixture will certainly be somewhat boring and unexciting, no matter what the outcome.
But what's interesting on this day is what City's Roberto Mancini said, prior to the game.
He said too many teams roll over for United.
Good! Somebody from an important position sees it, too, and is talking about it.
Teams lose too easily to Manchester United. Yeah! That's exactly what I've been saying.
Mancini, though, going into more details about his affirmation, said he thinks most teams are just afraid of Alex Ferguson's United.
I believe, however, that Ferguson and his people succeeded, not only in creating fear of his team, but basically a system whereby United gets the wins it needs no matter what the means. Most likely, intimidation and money are involved, outside of the strict legalities of the Man. U. footballing payroll.
And I'm quite sure Ferguson is a master at these kind of things. Because he's certainly not a master when it comes to actual coaching, and how could a so-so coach have stayed where Ferguson is for so long?
Really, one has to look at United's record in the other competitions, the ones United was not expected to win (or did not desperately need to win) this year, to see that there's something weird about their performance in the league.
They have 25 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses, from 30 matches, in the EPL. That's the kind of record that teams like Barcelona get. (But Barcelona has roughly the same record in all competitions in which they take part, not just the one.)
However, United's records in the Champions League and the FA Cup are: 4 wins 1 draw and 3 losses, and 3 wins 2 draws and 1 loss, respectively.
How come a team that wins only about half of their fair matches, against honest opponents, and no more, can pull off five times more wins than draws or losses in the PL?
I say the fix is in. Quite often.
If Manchester United was to play opponents they found out about just 2 weeks to 2 months prior, like they do in the elimination competitions, would they win trophies anymore?
So, I believe Mancini is not far from the truth, indeed, but his is still a naive view. Either that, or he knows he can't say more, so has to do with exposing the bare minimum.
Sunday 7 April 2013
2013.04.07 - The Results
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
17:00 -- Estoril - Nacional 4-0 (3-0)
17:00 -- Gil Vicente - Academica 2-1 (0-1)
18:00 -- Rio Ave - Setubal 2-1 (2-1)
19:00 -- Guimaraes - Beira Mar 2-1 (1-1)
21:15 -- Olhanense - Benfica 0-2 highlights
52' Eduardo Salvio
64' Nemanja Matic
Current standings:
1 Benfica 25 21 4 0 68-15 +53 67p
2 Porto 24 18 6 0 55-11 +44 60p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 25 12 10 3 36-23 +13 46p
4 Braga 24 13 4 7 52-34 +18 43p
5 Estoril 25 10 5 10 39-32 +7 35p
NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie
12:30 -- Utrecht - ADO Den Haag 1-0 (0-0)
14:30 -- Groningen - Heerenveen 3-1 (2-0)
14:30 -- NEC Nijmegen - AZ Alkmaar 1-1 (1-1)
16:30 -- ajax - Heracles Almelo 4-0
13' Lasse Schone
52' Kolbeinn Sigthorsson
75' Ryan Babel
85' Christian Eriksen
Current standings:
1 Ajax 29 18 9 2 70-28 +42 63p
2 PSV 29 19 3 7 88-32 +56 60p
3 Vitesse 29 18 6 5 60-32 +28 60p
17:00 -- Estoril - Nacional 4-0 (3-0)
17:00 -- Gil Vicente - Academica 2-1 (0-1)
18:00 -- Rio Ave - Setubal 2-1 (2-1)
19:00 -- Guimaraes - Beira Mar 2-1 (1-1)
21:15 -- Olhanense - Benfica 0-2 highlights
52' Eduardo Salvio
64' Nemanja Matic
Current standings:
1 Benfica 25 21 4 0 68-15 +53 67p
2 Porto 24 18 6 0 55-11 +44 60p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 25 12 10 3 36-23 +13 46p
4 Braga 24 13 4 7 52-34 +18 43p
5 Estoril 25 10 5 10 39-32 +7 35p
NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie
12:30 -- Utrecht - ADO Den Haag 1-0 (0-0)
14:30 -- Groningen - Heerenveen 3-1 (2-0)
14:30 -- NEC Nijmegen - AZ Alkmaar 1-1 (1-1)
16:30 -- ajax - Heracles Almelo 4-0
13' Lasse Schone
52' Kolbeinn Sigthorsson
75' Ryan Babel
85' Christian Eriksen
Current standings:
1 Ajax 29 18 9 2 70-28 +42 63p
2 PSV 29 19 3 7 88-32 +56 60p
3 Vitesse 29 18 6 5 60-32 +28 60p
Saturday 6 April 2013
2013.04.06 - The Results
NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie
18:45 -- Vitesse - NAC Breda 3-0
28' Wilfried Bony
50' Renato Ibarra
59' Wilfried Bony
19:45 -- Twente - Roda 2-0 (1-0)
19:45 -- Zwolle - RKC Waalwijk 1-1 (1-1)
20:45 -- Willem II - PSV 1-3 highlights
[0-1] 45' Mark van Bommel
[1-1] 54' Jordens Peters
[1-2] 76' Ola Toivonen
[1-3] 82' Timothy Derijck
Current standings:
1 PSV 29 19 3 7 88-32 +56 60p
2 Ajax 28 17 9 2 66-28 +38 60p
3 Vitesse 29 18 6 5 60-32 +28 60p
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
21:30 -- Sporting - Moreirense 3-2 (1-0)
Current standings:
1 Benfica 24 20 4 0 66-15 +51 64p
2 Porto 24 18 6 0 55-11 +44 60p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 25 12 10 3 36-23 +13 46p
4 Braga 24 13 4 7 52-34 +18 43p
5 Maritimo 25 8 10 7 29-37 -8 34p
18:45 -- Vitesse - NAC Breda 3-0
28' Wilfried Bony
50' Renato Ibarra
59' Wilfried Bony
19:45 -- Twente - Roda 2-0 (1-0)
19:45 -- Zwolle - RKC Waalwijk 1-1 (1-1)
20:45 -- Willem II - PSV 1-3 highlights
[0-1] 45' Mark van Bommel
[1-1] 54' Jordens Peters
[1-2] 76' Ola Toivonen
[1-3] 82' Timothy Derijck
Current standings:
1 PSV 29 19 3 7 88-32 +56 60p
2 Ajax 28 17 9 2 66-28 +38 60p
3 Vitesse 29 18 6 5 60-32 +28 60p
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
21:30 -- Sporting - Moreirense 3-2 (1-0)
Current standings:
1 Benfica 24 20 4 0 66-15 +51 64p
2 Porto 24 18 6 0 55-11 +44 60p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 25 12 10 3 36-23 +13 46p
4 Braga 24 13 4 7 52-34 +18 43p
5 Maritimo 25 8 10 7 29-37 -8 34p
Friday 5 April 2013
2013.04.05 - The Results
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
21:00 -- Maritimo - Pacos de Ferreira 1-1 (1-1)
Current standings:
1 Benfica 24 20 4 0 66-15 +51 64p
2 Porto 24 18 6 0 55-11 +44 60p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 25 12 10 3 36-23 +13 46p
4 Braga 24 13 4 7 52-34 +18 43p
5 Maritimo 25 8 10 7 29-37 -8 34p
NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie
20:00 -- Feyenoord - VV Venlo 1-0 highlights
71' Graziano Pelle
Current standings:
1 Ajax 28 17 9 2 66-28 +38 60p
2 Feyenoord 29 18 5 6 54-35 +19 59p
3 PSV 28 18 3 7 85-31 +54 57p
21:00 -- Maritimo - Pacos de Ferreira 1-1 (1-1)
Current standings:
1 Benfica 24 20 4 0 66-15 +51 64p
2 Porto 24 18 6 0 55-11 +44 60p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 25 12 10 3 36-23 +13 46p
4 Braga 24 13 4 7 52-34 +18 43p
5 Maritimo 25 8 10 7 29-37 -8 34p
NETHERLANDS: Eredivisie
20:00 -- Feyenoord - VV Venlo 1-0 highlights
71' Graziano Pelle
Current standings:
1 Ajax 28 17 9 2 66-28 +38 60p
2 Feyenoord 29 18 5 6 54-35 +19 59p
3 PSV 28 18 3 7 85-31 +54 57p
Thursday 4 April 2013
2013.04.04 - The Results
EUROPA LEAGUE: Quarter-Finals, leg 1
21:05 -- Benfica - Newcastle 3-1 highlights
[0-1] 12' Papiss Demba Cisse
[1-1] 25' Rodrigo Moreno
[2-1] 65' Lima
[3-1] 70' Oscar Cardozo (pen.)
21:05 -- Chelsea - Rubin Kazan 3-1 highlights
[1-0] 16' Fernando Torres
[2-0] 32' Victor Moses
[2-1] 41' Bebras Natcho (pen.)
[3-1] 70' Fernando Torres
21:05 -- Fenerbahce - Lazio 2-0 highlights
78' Pierre Webo (pen.)
90' Dirk Kuyt
21:05 -- Tottenham - Basel 2-2 highlights
[0-1] 30' Valentin Stocker
[0-2] 34' Fabian Frei
[1-2] 40' Emmanuel Adebayor
[2-2] 58' Gylfi Sigurdsson
21:05 -- Benfica - Newcastle 3-1 highlights
[0-1] 12' Papiss Demba Cisse
[1-1] 25' Rodrigo Moreno
[2-1] 65' Lima
[3-1] 70' Oscar Cardozo (pen.)
21:05 -- Chelsea - Rubin Kazan 3-1 highlights
[1-0] 16' Fernando Torres
[2-0] 32' Victor Moses
[2-1] 41' Bebras Natcho (pen.)
[3-1] 70' Fernando Torres
21:05 -- Fenerbahce - Lazio 2-0 highlights
78' Pierre Webo (pen.)
90' Dirk Kuyt
21:05 -- Tottenham - Basel 2-2 highlights
[0-1] 30' Valentin Stocker
[0-2] 34' Fabian Frei
[1-2] 40' Emmanuel Adebayor
[2-2] 58' Gylfi Sigurdsson
Wednesday 3 April 2013
2013.04.03 - The Results
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Quarter-Finals, leg 1
20:45 -- Malaga - Borussia D. 0-0
20:45 -- Real Madrid - Galatasaray 3-0 highlights
9' Cristiano Ronaldo
29' Karim Benzema
73' Gonzalo Higuain
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Semifinal, leg 1
04:00 -- Los Angeles Galaxy - Monterrey 1-2 highlights
[1-0] 28' A.J. DeLaGarza
[1-1] 82' Humberto Suazo
[1-2] 90' Aldo De Nigris
20:45 -- Malaga - Borussia D. 0-0
20:45 -- Real Madrid - Galatasaray 3-0 highlights
9' Cristiano Ronaldo
29' Karim Benzema
73' Gonzalo Higuain
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Semifinal, leg 1
04:00 -- Los Angeles Galaxy - Monterrey 1-2 highlights
[1-0] 28' A.J. DeLaGarza
[1-1] 82' Humberto Suazo
[1-2] 90' Aldo De Nigris
Still All Zeros
Borussia Dortmund still hasn't lost a match in this year's Champions League.
(And a warning to Malaga: They have also won all of their home matches in the competition.)
Additionally, perhaps Dortmund should have ended up winning the match at the La Rosaleda today.
They certainly had the lion's share of the chances, and Lewandowski should probably have been on the scoresheet, as he had a huge chance, only a few meters from goal, in the second half.
Malaga's best goal-scoring opportunity came in the first half, almost on the stroke of half-time, when there were two goal-bound efforts, with the second, a header, cleared almost on the line by the German defense.
But, overall, it was a very cagey affair in Andalusia, so maybe the draw was the fairest result.
And seemingly there is all still to play for in Germany, next Tuesday.
(And a warning to Malaga: They have also won all of their home matches in the competition.)
Additionally, perhaps Dortmund should have ended up winning the match at the La Rosaleda today.
They certainly had the lion's share of the chances, and Lewandowski should probably have been on the scoresheet, as he had a huge chance, only a few meters from goal, in the second half.
Malaga's best goal-scoring opportunity came in the first half, almost on the stroke of half-time, when there were two goal-bound efforts, with the second, a header, cleared almost on the line by the German defense.
But, overall, it was a very cagey affair in Andalusia, so maybe the draw was the fairest result.
And seemingly there is all still to play for in Germany, next Tuesday.
Right on Track
Nobody realistically expected Galatasaray to go to the Santiago Bernabeu and pull off a win, but it did turn out pretty badly for them, probably even worse than standard expectations.
Fatih Terim's team had some chances, yes, but everything worked out for Real on this day.
The chances that Real failed to convert were actually fewer than the chances Galatasaray failed to convert.
It should also be mentioned that most of those Galatasaray chances came in the first half. After the break, Mourinho decided to have his team take a more cautious approach.
Well-converted goals by Cristiano Ronaldo (in minute 9) and Karim Benzema (29), after errors in Turkish defensive marking, meant half-time saw the Spanish hosts ahead by two.
Even though the Madrid team pressed forward with less urgency in the second half, they did stretch their advantage, thanks to Higuain's precise header, 17 minutes before the end.
Despite having a well-balanced team, with players like Drogba, Sneijder, Hamit Altintop, Eboue, Uruguayan-national-team-goalkeeper Muslera and former top goalscorer in the Champions League Burak Yilmaz (- Ronaldo now has 9 goals in the competition, one more than the Turk -), Galatasaray proved somewhat mediocre.
And surely now they must be as good as eliminated from this year's Champions League.
Fatih Terim's team had some chances, yes, but everything worked out for Real on this day.
The chances that Real failed to convert were actually fewer than the chances Galatasaray failed to convert.
It should also be mentioned that most of those Galatasaray chances came in the first half. After the break, Mourinho decided to have his team take a more cautious approach.
Well-converted goals by Cristiano Ronaldo (in minute 9) and Karim Benzema (29), after errors in Turkish defensive marking, meant half-time saw the Spanish hosts ahead by two.
Even though the Madrid team pressed forward with less urgency in the second half, they did stretch their advantage, thanks to Higuain's precise header, 17 minutes before the end.
Despite having a well-balanced team, with players like Drogba, Sneijder, Hamit Altintop, Eboue, Uruguayan-national-team-goalkeeper Muslera and former top goalscorer in the Champions League Burak Yilmaz (- Ronaldo now has 9 goals in the competition, one more than the Turk -), Galatasaray proved somewhat mediocre.
And surely now they must be as good as eliminated from this year's Champions League.
Tuesday 2 April 2013
2013.04.02 - The Results
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Quarter-Finals, leg 1
20:45 -- Bayern - Juventus 2-0 highlights
1' David Alaba
63' Thomas Muller
20:45 -- PSG - Barcelona 2-2 highlights
[0-1] 38' Lionel Andres Messi
[1-1] 79' Zlatan Ibrahimovic
[1-2] 89' Xavi (pen.)
[2-2] 90' + 4' Blaise Matuidi
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Quarter-Final, leg 1
04:00 -- Seattle Sounders - Santos Laguna 0-1 highlights
54' Herculez Gomez
20:45 -- Bayern - Juventus 2-0 highlights
1' David Alaba
63' Thomas Muller
20:45 -- PSG - Barcelona 2-2 highlights
[0-1] 38' Lionel Andres Messi
[1-1] 79' Zlatan Ibrahimovic
[1-2] 89' Xavi (pen.)
[2-2] 90' + 4' Blaise Matuidi
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Quarter-Final, leg 1
04:00 -- Seattle Sounders - Santos Laguna 0-1 highlights
54' Herculez Gomez
What Happened to Italian Consistency?
Why do Italians make such fools of themselves lately?
I can't help but point out again the biggest humiliation in Italy's football history, the Euro final loss from last year.
(And the fact that Prandelli remained coach afterwards.)
Likewise, some of the current Juventus football figures made fools of themselves, too, before and during the Champions-League quarter-final first leg against Bayern. Buffoons, if you will.
If I say "buffoon", the readers' attention might be immediately directed to Gianluigi Buffon. Yes, that's one. But, first, Antonio Conte.
If you're going to go to a pre-match press conference, and brag that your team deserves to be there, Mr. Conte, you better have the team to back that up. After the match against Bayern, it is clear that Conte had better shut the hell up.
Maybe he'll learn his lesson, and in the future become cocky after a match, not before.
'Cause Juve played like shit. Nobody expected Bayern to put 9 goals past Juventus, like they did against Hamburger SV three days prior, but they certainly had the chances to do so against Juventus, too.
You may think Juventus' defending was good, then, if there were more than 9 chances for Bayern, and the Germans only scored twice.
But it wasn't. Juventus was lucky not to concede four or five, and I mean in the first half only. And they didn't have scoring chances, either. They were totally overwhelmed. Even Pirlo was pathetic.
And then there was Buffon the buffoon. For a goalkeeper who's hailed as one of the best in the world, he can certainly let in some howlers.
(Remember the goal he alone created, for Lecce, against Juve, late last season? Well, maybe that was for betting purposes...)
But when Alaba scored, in the very first minute, Buffon was by far the guilty Juventus player. He either wasn't paying attention, or his talent goes in and out in some matches. Really, Buffon should apologize to all Juventus people, because he started the suckiness of the Italian team at the Allianz Arena.
If Conte's the one guilty of not preparing the Italian champions properly, Buffon is the one guilty of screwing up the tactics of the Turin club from the very start. They basically had to start from 0-1, because Buffon couldn't see in time that the opponent was shooting from 40 meters out, or so.
Not that 0-2 is an insurmountable result, but Juventus certainly did not live up to their expectations. And now they're staring elimination in the face.
I can't help but point out again the biggest humiliation in Italy's football history, the Euro final loss from last year.
(And the fact that Prandelli remained coach afterwards.)
Likewise, some of the current Juventus football figures made fools of themselves, too, before and during the Champions-League quarter-final first leg against Bayern. Buffoons, if you will.
If I say "buffoon", the readers' attention might be immediately directed to Gianluigi Buffon. Yes, that's one. But, first, Antonio Conte.
If you're going to go to a pre-match press conference, and brag that your team deserves to be there, Mr. Conte, you better have the team to back that up. After the match against Bayern, it is clear that Conte had better shut the hell up.
Maybe he'll learn his lesson, and in the future become cocky after a match, not before.
'Cause Juve played like shit. Nobody expected Bayern to put 9 goals past Juventus, like they did against Hamburger SV three days prior, but they certainly had the chances to do so against Juventus, too.
You may think Juventus' defending was good, then, if there were more than 9 chances for Bayern, and the Germans only scored twice.
But it wasn't. Juventus was lucky not to concede four or five, and I mean in the first half only. And they didn't have scoring chances, either. They were totally overwhelmed. Even Pirlo was pathetic.
And then there was Buffon the buffoon. For a goalkeeper who's hailed as one of the best in the world, he can certainly let in some howlers.
(Remember the goal he alone created, for Lecce, against Juve, late last season? Well, maybe that was for betting purposes...)
But when Alaba scored, in the very first minute, Buffon was by far the guilty Juventus player. He either wasn't paying attention, or his talent goes in and out in some matches. Really, Buffon should apologize to all Juventus people, because he started the suckiness of the Italian team at the Allianz Arena.
If Conte's the one guilty of not preparing the Italian champions properly, Buffon is the one guilty of screwing up the tactics of the Turin club from the very start. They basically had to start from 0-1, because Buffon couldn't see in time that the opponent was shooting from 40 meters out, or so.
Not that 0-2 is an insurmountable result, but Juventus certainly did not live up to their expectations. And now they're staring elimination in the face.
Most Expected QF Lives Up to Expectations
Beautiful, entertaining match at PSG's Parc-des-Princes stadium, on Tuesday evening!
Even though PSG dominated the start, with Lavezzi hitting the woodwork within the first ten minutes, Barcelona lived up to its billing as perhaps the best team in the world, and hit close to half-time. In the 38th minute, Alves' super-intelligent lob put Messi in a goal-scoring position from which he could not miss.
At that point, and for most of the second half, it looked like Barcelona learned their lesson from the first-leg encounter against Milan, a few weeks ago, and that they would not be broken down.
But they were to concede, eventually.
It took a very lucky, offside goal by Ibrahimovic to tie things up at one-all, in the 79th minute.
While PSG fans were hoping for the full comeback, goalkeeper Sirigu made a gaffe that almost cost his team the defeat. His penalty-box foul on Sanchez, and the Xavi conversion (89), put Barcelona ahead one more time.
The match had 4 minutes of injury time, though, and Ibrahimovic had one more great play in him. Even though they desperately needed a goal, and he was his team's best attacking man, the Swede saw the possibility in heading the ball back, which he did, to Blaise Matuidi. The Frenchman, in an excellent position to shoot, blasted the ball at full speed towards goal. But, even so, it probably wouldn't have beaten Victor Valdes. It did, though, because the shot was deflected, by Dani Alves, and the ball just trickled in after the Spanish goalie failed to control it.
So, now, although it would be quite optimistic to say that PSG can go to Nou Camp and win, the French team certainly won't see that as an impossibility.
They can score on Barca, clearly, and they're probably better on the road, on most occasions.
Also, one more important thing about the match in eight days' time is what will happen to Lionel Messi, who had to leave the playing team at the half, due to a hamstring issue. And that kind of injury generally leads to prolonged absence.
Highlights:
Even though PSG dominated the start, with Lavezzi hitting the woodwork within the first ten minutes, Barcelona lived up to its billing as perhaps the best team in the world, and hit close to half-time. In the 38th minute, Alves' super-intelligent lob put Messi in a goal-scoring position from which he could not miss.
At that point, and for most of the second half, it looked like Barcelona learned their lesson from the first-leg encounter against Milan, a few weeks ago, and that they would not be broken down.
But they were to concede, eventually.
It took a very lucky, offside goal by Ibrahimovic to tie things up at one-all, in the 79th minute.
While PSG fans were hoping for the full comeback, goalkeeper Sirigu made a gaffe that almost cost his team the defeat. His penalty-box foul on Sanchez, and the Xavi conversion (89), put Barcelona ahead one more time.
The match had 4 minutes of injury time, though, and Ibrahimovic had one more great play in him. Even though they desperately needed a goal, and he was his team's best attacking man, the Swede saw the possibility in heading the ball back, which he did, to Blaise Matuidi. The Frenchman, in an excellent position to shoot, blasted the ball at full speed towards goal. But, even so, it probably wouldn't have beaten Victor Valdes. It did, though, because the shot was deflected, by Dani Alves, and the ball just trickled in after the Spanish goalie failed to control it.
So, now, although it would be quite optimistic to say that PSG can go to Nou Camp and win, the French team certainly won't see that as an impossibility.
They can score on Barca, clearly, and they're probably better on the road, on most occasions.
Also, one more important thing about the match in eight days' time is what will happen to Lionel Messi, who had to leave the playing team at the half, due to a hamstring issue. And that kind of injury generally leads to prolonged absence.
Highlights:
Monday 1 April 2013
2013.04.01 - The Results
ENGLAND: FA Cup (Quarter-Final, replay)
13:30 -- Chelsea - Manchester United 1-0 highlights
49' Dembe Ba
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
19:15 -- Nacional - Guimaraes 2-1 (1-1)
21:30 -- Braga - Sporting 2-3 (2-2)
Current standings:
1 Benfica 24 20 4 0 66-15 +51 64p
2 Porto 24 18 6 0 55-11 +44 60p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 24 12 9 3 35-22 +13 45p
4 Braga 24 13 4 7 52-34 +18 43p
5 Maritimo 24 8 9 7 28-36 -8 33p
13:30 -- Chelsea - Manchester United 1-0 highlights
49' Dembe Ba
PORTUGAL: Primeira Liga
19:15 -- Nacional - Guimaraes 2-1 (1-1)
21:30 -- Braga - Sporting 2-3 (2-2)
Current standings:
1 Benfica 24 20 4 0 66-15 +51 64p
2 Porto 24 18 6 0 55-11 +44 60p
3 Pacos de Ferreira 24 12 9 3 35-22 +13 45p
4 Braga 24 13 4 7 52-34 +18 43p
5 Maritimo 24 8 9 7 28-36 -8 33p
Search for Two Cups Continues
Manchester United is out of the FA Cup, too, now.
Just like in the League Cup, Chelsea did it.
After coming back from 0-2, at Old Trafford, to tie it at two, Chelsea managed to defeat the probable League winners this season, in the replay, and in doing so oust them from the direct-elimination tournament.
Dembe Ba scored the only goal, in minute 49, after a glorious effort to deflect the ball away and over Man. U. goalkeeper De Gea.
United had a couple of good chances to tie the match. Hernandez, first, was denied a point-blank header by the palm of Petr Cech, after the hour, and then van Persie could not slam the ball on target, from 10-12 meters out, with only 2 minutes left in regulation.
(I guess the curses of Arsenal fans might be catching up with him.)
The Manchester team did not play badly. Chelsea played better. But neither team was exactly spectacular.
Chelsea will now face Manchester City, at Wembley, in the second semifinal, while the winner of Wigan-Millwall will be awaiting in the final.
And, on Thursday, Chelsea will be contesting another quarter-final, in the Europa League, the first leg against Rubin Kazan, in their third of four matches in nine days (- March 30 - April 7).
I think it's good for Chelsea fans that their team still could win two reasonably big trophies this year. (Manchester United, for example, cannot say that they won the Europa League. And it's not like they didn't have the chance.)
I'm probably getting ahead of things too much, but if Benitez wins them both, maybe he should stay in charge at the London club.
(He did show that he taught his team not to concede early against their biggest rivals. Not again.)
Highlights:
Just like in the League Cup, Chelsea did it.
After coming back from 0-2, at Old Trafford, to tie it at two, Chelsea managed to defeat the probable League winners this season, in the replay, and in doing so oust them from the direct-elimination tournament.
Dembe Ba scored the only goal, in minute 49, after a glorious effort to deflect the ball away and over Man. U. goalkeeper De Gea.
United had a couple of good chances to tie the match. Hernandez, first, was denied a point-blank header by the palm of Petr Cech, after the hour, and then van Persie could not slam the ball on target, from 10-12 meters out, with only 2 minutes left in regulation.
(I guess the curses of Arsenal fans might be catching up with him.)
The Manchester team did not play badly. Chelsea played better. But neither team was exactly spectacular.
Chelsea will now face Manchester City, at Wembley, in the second semifinal, while the winner of Wigan-Millwall will be awaiting in the final.
And, on Thursday, Chelsea will be contesting another quarter-final, in the Europa League, the first leg against Rubin Kazan, in their third of four matches in nine days (- March 30 - April 7).
I think it's good for Chelsea fans that their team still could win two reasonably big trophies this year. (Manchester United, for example, cannot say that they won the Europa League. And it's not like they didn't have the chance.)
I'm probably getting ahead of things too much, but if Benitez wins them both, maybe he should stay in charge at the London club.
(He did show that he taught his team not to concede early against their biggest rivals. Not again.)
Highlights:
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