bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911 
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Apr 18, 2023 20:55:46 GMT
Uefa Champions League Quater-Final Results.
Tuesday 18th April
Napoli 1 (Osimhen 90+3) AC Milan 1 (Giroud 43) - (agg 1-2)
.......................................................
Chelsea 0 Real Madrid 2 (Rodrygo 58, 80) (agg 0-4) ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/1440/cpsprodpb/153B8/production/_129386968_gettyimages-1471952066.jpgHalf-Time 0-0 GOAL - Chelsea 0-1 Real Madrid (Agg: 0-3) Rodrygo - 58 That's Real Madrid at their counter-attacking best! They've been under pressure since half-time but they surely deliver a knockout blow in this tie as Rodrygo scores from close range after an assist by Vinícius Junior. Stamford Bridge is silent except for the pocket of travelling fans from Spain. ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/4/18/5855a3e4-70b1-40f7-a750-153f884fa86b.jpgTrevoh Chalobah will not want to see a replay of the goal. He went in for a sliding tackle and missed. The rest is history. Real are champions of Europe for a reason. ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/4/18/a159b0d6-d0f0-42b1-8950-ecc05b67387c.jpgBen: Cucurella again being the playmaker for Real, how he makes the squad is beyond Nostradamus. Kevin: For all Chelsea's huffing and puffing, and Lampard's media pals all bigging Chelsea's performance up, RM always had gears to spare, they always do in this competition. Tuppy: Astonishing how much money can be spent on players you simply do not need - some vanity project for an American billionaire. Where are the finishers!!! GOAL - Chelsea 0-2 Real Madrid (Agg: 0-4) Rodrygo - 80 Just gorgeous by the champions of Europe. A clever assist by Federico Valverde who lays it on a plate for Rodrygo to tap home for his second of the night. Real are home and dry. Chelsea are heading out. ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/4/18/253db42f-af17-4861-b734-aec00e4697a2.jpgLee Dixon - Former Arsenal and England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live It was always on the cards with Chelsea pushing forward. Valverde did brilliantly well to evade a couple of challenges and roll the ball on a plate for Rodrygo. The tie is over, and a lot of Chelsea fans now getting up and leaving. Ryan: Madrid haven’t even broken a sweat yet they score two tap-ins from two team goals. Colin: Real are a class team but my money is on City and I’m a Liverpool fan Femi: Chelsea is broken. A rebuilding from the ground up is needed. ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/7A1C/production/_129406213_goal.jpgJoao Felix with an attempt from outside the box. It sails into Row Z. Three additional minutes before Chelsea are put out of their misery. When will they be next back in the Champions League? FULL-TIME - IT'S ALL OVER CHELSEA WILL BE THANKFUL FOR THAT FINAL WHISTLE.... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Real Madrid ended Chelsea's hopes of Champions League success this season and their likely prospects of playing in Europe next campaign by completing a deserved quarter-final win in London. Down 2-0 from a one-sided first leg, the Blues put on a more positive show. But Real's defence held firm before Rodrygo struck twice in the second half to win the leg and seal the tie. In the semis, Real will likely face Manchester City, who lead Bayern Munich 3-0 in their last-eight tie. The loss for Chelsea extends the losing streak of Frank Lampard to four matches since he returned as Blues interim boss earlier this month. Things could have been different had N'Golo Kante scored with a shot from an unmarked position early on or Marc Cucurella been able to find a way past Courtois at the back post late in the first half. Kante was again denied after the break but, having committed men forward, they were decisively caught on the counter by Real as Vinicius Junior tore away to set up Rodrygo's close-range finish. The Brazilian then made absolutely sure of Real's win by tapping in after fine work from Federico Valverde to set him up in the box. Sat 11th in the Premier League, 10 points behind Brighton in seventh, Chelsea now need a near faultless run of form in the remainder of the season to qualify for European competition. ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/EF4C/production/_129406216_chelsea.jpg
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Apr 18, 2023 22:52:41 GMT
Chelsea 0-2 Real Madrid: Frank Lampard says he 'won't let players off the hook' after European exit..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/13F60/production/_129406718_gettyimages-1483131234-1.jpgChelsea have now lost four consecutive matches in all competitions for the first time since a run of six in October/November 1993 Chelsea interim boss Frank Lampard says he "won't let anyone off the hook" after Real Madrid knocked them out of the Champions League to inflict another big blow in their flagging season. Two Rodrygo goals at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday sealed a 4-0 aggregate win for Real in the quarter-final tie. It meant the Blues have now lost all four games under Lampard since he was appointed as interim boss this month. "Every game you play you have to give everything," he told BT Sport. The 44-year-old Lampard, Chelsea's all-time leading goalscorer and former manager, added: "I've been here now for only two weeks so I'm hungry. "I won't let anyone off the hook in terms of seeing this season out. It has to be the opposite." With Chelsea 11th in the Premier League and 10 points behind seventh-placed Brighton, winning the Champions league was their best chance of qualifying for Europe next season. But now they must face up to a trophyless campaign in which they will have nothing to show for a record outlay on players in the last two transfer windows of about £600m. Tuesday's performance represented the best of Lampard's brief second tenure as Blues boss, but once again they were unable to take the chances that came their way. They have scored just once in the four losses under Lampard. "It's not for the want of trying," added the former Blues midfielder, who scored 211 goals in his 13 years as a player. "We had lots of crosses and lots of players in good positions so I will never criticise the lads for that - it's just the fact that if they took any of those chances. If the tie went to 2-1 at any point, you really would have felt the crowd turn. "We were playing world-class opposition there and we were, for me, the better team and had chances. "It's the first game since I've been back that I've seen the things and we've really been implementing them - and that's something that we want to continue for the rest of the season. "Now that standard cannot drop. That's the one message, once the dust settles on this, in-house." Chelsea have seven league games remaining, the first of which is at home against Brentford on Wednesday, 26th April.
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Apr 19, 2023 5:30:51 GMT
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Apr 19, 2023 11:16:13 GMT
Chelsea: Didier Drogba says he does not recognise his former club..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/167B0/production/_129408029_gettyimages-1251957800.jpgFormer Chelsea striker Didier Drogba says he does not "recognise the club" as a poor season continued with defeat by Real Madrid in the Champions League. The 4-0 aggregate defeat means the Blues will end the season without a trophy despite the lavish transfer spending under new owner Todd Boehly. They are unlikely to be in any European competition next year as they currently sit 11th in the Premier League. "It is not the same club any more," Drogba, 45, told Canal+. "I don't recognise my club. There is a new owner and a new vision." Drogba won 12 major honours at Stamford Bridge between 2004 and 2012 under previous owner Roman Abramovich, whose generous backing turned the Blues into serial trophy winners following his takeover of the club in 2003. The 56-year-old was forced to sell the club last year after he was sanctioned by the UK government over alleged links to Russian president Vladimir Putin, with American investor Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital completing a £4.25bn takeover in May 2022. They spent about £550m across the summer and winter transfer windows to amass a first-team squad of 30 players, but that has failed to translate into success on the pitch. They have sacked managers Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter this season, while interim boss Frank Lampard has lost all four of his matches in charge since taking over for a second spell earlier this month. "A dressing room with 30 players is difficult to manage for the coach, whoever he is," added Drogba. "We try to compare with what was done under the Abramovich era, where there were many acquisitions of players, but the choices were very intelligent. "Bringing in players like Petr Cech, Andriy Shevchenko, Hernan Crespo, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, and I go on. It was to win titles and they are players who already have some experience. Here the strategy is different, they bet on young players. "I think they certainly lack charismatic players and leaders. It needs players who take responsibility." Former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: "Under Abramovich, 90% of the players coming in needed to perform straight away. And if you don't, you are out. "Now there is a group of players who arrived in January, except perhaps Enzo [Fernandez] and Joao Felix, that look like they are more for the future. "The future is what, next year? Two years? Chelsea fans are not used to waiting." Speaking before Tuesday's match against Real, Frank Lampard dismissed suggestions the club is "broken", though he admitted they are "not where we want to be". Speaking after the game the former midfielder added: "There are probably reasons for the transition. We can't be too short-term with it. "People will make a lot out of this season for Chelsea because we've had so much success. The reality is that this club is going to be back." ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/4/19/f01361f8-d9e3-445f-b5f0-73b81fd551df.jpg
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Apr 19, 2023 21:13:16 GMT
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - QUARTER-FINALS - 2ND LEG RESULTS.
Wednesday 19th April
Bayern Munich 1 (Kimmich 83 pen) Manchester City 1 (Haaland 57) - Agg 1-4ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/D26F/production/_129417835_hi083961044.jpgManchester City set up a Champions League semi-final clash with holders Real Madrid as Erling Haaland's goal ended Bayern Munich's hopes of a comeback. Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel felt his side needed a miracle to go through after losing the first leg 3-0 - and they squandered plenty of opportunities to get back into the game. Haaland made them pay as he lashed home a shot into the top corner to cap off a swift counter-attack, 15 seconds after Ederson had saved Kingsley Coman's shot at the other end. That was the Norwegian's 48th goal for City this season, but he could have reached that figure earlier in the game but blazed over a penalty after a Dayot Upamecano handball. Just like in the first leg last week, Upamecano - who was also beaten easily for the 57th-minute goal - had a nightmare. The French centre-back was shown a red card early in the game for a professional foul on Haaland, but it was overturned because the City striker was offside. Joshua Kimmich scored an 83rd-minute penalty for Bayern after a harsh handball decision against Manuel Akanji, but the German champions were never going to find three more goals in the last seven minutes. Boss Tuchel was also sent to the stands for two yellow cards in what was a very fractious and fiery encounter at times. There was no doubt City deserved to progress over the two legs and their Treble dream remains alive, with the Premier League and FA Cup other trophy targets this season. Kimmich's spot-kick, though, ended their 10-game winning run in all competitions. ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/12797/production/_129417657_gettyimages-1483365893.jpg..................................................................................................................................................................... Inter Milan 3 (Barella 14, La Martinez 65, Correa 78) Benfica 3 (Aursnes 38, Antonia Silva 86, Musa 90+5) - Agg 5-3ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/A32B/production/_129417714_gettyimages-1483354172.jpgInter Milan secured a historic Champions League semi-final with arch-rivals AC Milan despite being held by Benfica at an ecstatic San Siro. Leading 2-0 from the first leg in Lisbon, Inter increased their aggregate lead following Nicolo Barella's sumptuous finish before a bullet header by Fredrik Aursnes gave Benfica hope. Argentina World Cup winner Lautaro Martinez and substitute Joaquin Correa made it 5-1 on aggregate before Benfica scored two late goals through Antonio Silva and Petar Musa. Inter have lost four of their past five games in Serie A to drop out of the Champions League places, but Simone Inzaghi's side can now look forward to two mouth-watering matches against AC Milan - who knocked out Napoli on Tuesday - for a place in the final. The hosts looked to be cruising when Italy midfielder Barella made it 3-0 on aggregate after creating space for himself inside the box before producing a wonderful curling finish. But Benfica were not done and Norway midfielder Aursnes kept the tie alive with a powerful header. The damage from the first leg was too much, however, as Martinez prodded home Federico Dimarco's cross before Correa netted two minutes after coming on. To their credit, Benfica kept going and Silva made it 3-2 on the night before substitute Musa equalised deep into stoppage time. However, it was not enough to stop Inter from booking their place in the semi-finals for the first time since 2010 - when they won the competition under Jose Mourinho. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/13F6B/production/_129417718_gettyimages-1483366213.jpgLautaro Martinez scored his first Champions League goal since 12th October ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/240/cpsprodpb/C207/production/_129417694_gettyimages-1483354872.jpg
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Apr 19, 2023 21:19:18 GMT
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - SEMI-FINAL FIXTURES.
Tuesday 9th May - 1st LegReal Madrid 1 (Vinícius Júnior 36) Manchester City 1 (De Bruyne 67) ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/07CA/production/_129649910_shutterstock_editorial_13896076ay.jpgKevin de Bruyne's screamer earned Manchester City a Champions League semi-final first-leg draw at Real Madrid to keep their dream of the Treble on track. City know any win next Wednesday at home against Madrid will send them to only their second Champions League final, against either Inter Milan or AC Milan. Pep Guardiola's side dominated the early stages at a nervy Bernabeu, with Thibaut Courtois denying De Bruyne, Rodri and Erling Haaland twice. But Vinicius Jr scored with Real's only chance of the first half, a 25-yard thunderbolt which flew past Ederson following a brilliant run by Eduardo Camavinga. Just as Real began to dominate a period of the second half, City found a way back with De Bruyne fizzing a shot from a similar distance into the bottom corner. Aurelien Tchouameni almost gave Real, looking to extend their record tally to 15 European crowns, the lead again with another strike from range but it was well saved by Ederson. City are now unbeaten in 21 games in all competitions, a run which includes 17 wins. Seven more victories and they get the Treble (winners of league, FA Cup and Champions League titles). .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Wednesday 10th May - 1st LegAC Milan 0 Inter Milan 2 (Dzeco 8, Mkhitaryan 11) ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/F09B/production/_129659516_edindzeko.jpgInter Milan took a big step towards reaching the Champions League final as they beat their city rivals in a thrilling Milan derby at San Siro. In a game that had been anticipated for weeks in Italy and was witnessed at the ground by a vocal and passionate 80,000-strong crowd, Inter made the perfect start when Edin Dzeko volleyed home in the eighth minute. The goal silenced the Milan fans - the designated home side for this tie in the stadium the two sides share - as they significantly outnumbered the Inter supporters. And the hosts were stunned further three minutes later when Henrikh Mkhitaryan swept a shot beyond Mike Maignan after being set up by Federico Dimarco. Hakan Calhanoglu hit the woodwork as Inter threatened to get a third, but there was hope for AC Milan when referee Jesus Gil Manzano reversed a decision to award the visitors a penalty, deeming Lautaro Martinez to have dived after consulting the pitchside monitor. Inter dropped their tempo in the second half as they looked to protect their two-goal advantage and it almost presented AC Milan with a lifeline as Sandro Tonali struck the post with a shot from the edge of the box. But Inter held firm and are in a strong position to reach the final. .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL IS ON SATURDAY THE 10TH JUNE.At the Atatürk Olympic Stadium - Istanbul upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/Trofeo_UEFA_Champions_League.jpg/220px-Trofeo_UEFA_Champions_League.jpg
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Apr 20, 2023 4:33:01 GMT
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Apr 21, 2023 13:19:28 GMT
Man City fans learn costly Champions League final ticket price and allocation..by Daniel Orme
Manchester City fans could be forced to pay over £600 for a ticket to the Champions League final should Pep Guardiola ’s men get there.
The reigning Premier League champions are still in the race to claim what would be an historic treble between now and the end of the season. They are in a battle with Arsenal to retain their domestic crown, whilst they face Championship side Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-final at the weekend.
City also booked their spot in the Champions League last four earlier this week with a 4-1 aggregate victory over German giants Bayern Munich. Current European champions Real Madrid lie in wait for Guardiola’s side in what is a repeat of last season’s semi-final.
Whilst there is still some way to go until plans will be put in place for the final that is set to take place at Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, UEFA have now confirmed details for supporters. In a statement provided by the European body, it has been announced that a total of 47,200 tickets will be available to fans and the general public - despite the stadium being a 72,000 capacity.
Each side in the final - scheduled to take place on June 10th - will be handed a total capacity of 20,000. A ballot to acquire tickets is now open on UEFA’s official website.
Whilst many supporters will be eyeing tickets in order to attend the final, they will likely have to dig deep into their pockets in order to afford them after prices were confirmed. Category 4 tickets - the cheapest available on UEFA’s website - are priced at €70 (£62), with the next category up priced at €180 (£159.50).
The next category rises sharply with fans being forced to pay €490 (£434), with the most expensive tickets in the final priced at an eye-watering €690 (£600). Whilst supporters consider purchasing a ticket in Istanbul, Guardiola’s side still need to get there and indeed learn their potential opponents.
Should they find a way past Real Madrid and with it book their spot in the final, they will play either one of the two Milan giants after the two were pitted together following last-eight wins over Benfica and Napoli.
Ahead of his side’s showdown with Real, Guardiola has claimed that any side that harbours hopes of winning the competition must beat the Spanish side. Speaking after the success against Bayern, the former Barcelona coach said: “I think all the clubs in the world have the feeling if you want to win this competition you have to beat Real Madrid right now.
“Before it used to be Barcelona, but now it’s Real Madrid. I heard that they have reached 11 semi-finals in 13 years – so hats off. We are three [in a row] and what we have done is incredible to reach the Champions League semi-final.”
City travel to the Santiago Bernabeu for the first-leg of their semi-final clash on May 9th, before welcoming Carlo Ancelotti 's side to the Etihad Stadium just over a week later.
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on May 16, 2023 15:00:27 GMT
Tuesday 16th May - 2nd Leg
Inter Milan v AC Milan - 8pm (Agg 2-0)
AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli believes his side can reach the Champions League final, despite trailing Inter Milan 2-0 after the semi-final first leg.
The two teams play the second leg on Tuesday at the San Siro, with Inter the designated home team.
Goals from Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan gave Inter victory in Wednesday's first leg.
"We know we are starting with a disadvantage, but we also have the quality to overturn it," said Pioli.
"Now, more than ever, nobody thinks Milan can reach the final.
"We can play a great game and I know how strong my players are. We've made some mistakes, but the past is irrelevant.
"We have an important goal in mind - to win and qualify for the final, which nobody would have predicted, just as at the beginning of the year no-one would have predicted our presence in the semi-finals."
Seven-time European champions AC Milan might have Portugal winger Rafael Leao fit after the 23-year-old missed the first leg because of a thigh injury.
"He [Leao] is better, as are [midfielder Rade] Krunic and [winger Junior] Messias," added Pioli.
"If everything goes as it should, they will be available for the game."
Inter are third in Serie A, five points ahead of fifth-placed AC Milan, and trying to reach the final for the first time since they were crowned European champions in 2010.
"We know it's one of the most important games in Inter's history," said manager Simone Inzaghi.
"We have an advantage, deservedly so, but we won't just have to manage it. We'll have to play as Inter, knowing that we have a strong team in front of us.
"We're 90 minutes away from a dream, which I and these wonderful guys had.
"It will take a cool head and a warm heart. It's the only way for matches like this."
Forward Joaquin Correa, taken off at half-time during Inter's 4-2 win over Sassuolo on Saturday, might feature.
The second leg of the other semi-final takes place on Wednesday with Manchester City hosting Real Madrid after a 1-1 draw last week in Spain. The final will be played in Istanbul, Turkey on 10th June.
.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Wednesday 17th May
Manchester City v Real Madrid - 8pm - (Agg 1-1)
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says his "legacy is exceptional" as he prepares for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid.
Treble-chasing City, who have never been European champions, drew 1-1 at the Bernabeu in last Tuesday's first leg.
Guardiola has won two Champions Leagues as a manager, with Barcelona in 2009 and 2011.
"I have been here many times," he said.
"My legacy is exceptional already. I have told the players to enjoy the moment - we are incredibly lucky to be here.
"It's in our hands, it depends on us, we don't have to do something exceptional - just win one game to reach the final.
"I have an incredible feeling about them. Whatever happens - thank you so much to them for bringing me and the City fans here again."
.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on May 16, 2023 20:06:50 GMT
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on May 16, 2023 21:30:20 GMT
TUESDAY 16th MAY 2023 - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - SEMI-FINALS - 2ND LEG
Inter Milan 1 (La Martínez 74) AC Milan 0 - (Agg 3-0)ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/16251/production/_129750709_gettyimages-1490759271.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/7BD9/production/_129750713_gettyimages-1490757304.jpgInter Milan reached the Champions League final for the first time in 13 years as Lautaro Martinez's goal sealed victory over fierce rivals AC Milan at San Siro. Three-time winners Inter, who led 2-0 after the first leg, will face either Manchester City or Real Madrid in Istanbul on 10th June after a disciplined second-leg display ensured their progress. Heavily backed at a feverish San Siro as the designated home team, Inter were made to absorb early pressure as a determined start by Milan ensured the match began at a frenetic pace. Theo Hernandez fired marginally over with a ferocious strike and Brahim Diaz was denied by Andre Onana as Stefano Pioli's side attempted to undo the damage done by conceding two goals inside 11 minutes last week. The talented Rafael Leao, absent for Milan in the first leg because of a thigh injury, displayed flashes of inspiration on his return but shot agonisingly wide of the far post after driving in from the left. Inter asserted themselves as the first half progressed and the tie would have been effectively over before the interval had it not been for Mike Maignan's stunning reaction save from Edin Dzeko's close-range header. Inter had starved Milan of encouragement in a largely uneventful second half, before Martinez squeezed the ball under Maignan and into the bottom corner with 16 minutes remaining to send the Inter fans into raptures. The full-time whistle was greeted by a deafening noise as Inter's first shot at Champions League glory since their 2010 success was confirmed. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/F109/production/_129750716_gettyimages-1255315319.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/5C99/production/_129750732_gettyimages-1255314923-1.jpg
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on May 16, 2023 21:55:54 GMT
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on May 17, 2023 11:02:39 GMT
Man City v Real Madrid: Kevin de Bruyne still needs his legacy moment, say journalists..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/07CA/production/_129649910_shutterstock_editorial_13896076ay.jpgKevin de Bruyne is Manchester City's top scorer in Champions League knockout games with 11ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2023/5/17/4adb81ae-5720-427a-910a-07a4f64e8078.jpgKevin de Bruyne's stunning goal helped Manchester City get a draw from their Champions League first leg against Real Madrid - but does he get the credit he deserves? Vinicius Jr crashed Real into the lead at the Bernabeu last week, with De Bruyne's 25-yard strike levelling the semi-final going into Wednesday's second leg at Etihad Stadium. The Belgium midfielder has been consistently one of the best players in Europe since joining City from Wolfsburg in 2015. The 31-year-old has scored 64 goals and made 101 assists in 237 Premier League games for City. Only Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller have made more assists across Europe's top five leagues in that time. "I think De Bruyne still needs a defining moment on this stage," said journalist James Horncastle on BBC Radio 5 Live's Euro Leagues Show. "As big as City are in the Premier League and as much as Pep Guardiola brings the world's attention on City, they are not a legacy club. "It is harder for a City player to create consensus around football journalists. A lot of time the genius and style of play is associated with Guardiola." De Bruyne has scored 14 Champions League goals for City, with a club record 11 of them coming in knockout games. French journalist Julien Laurens said: "City needed De Bruyne to step up in the second half because he was quite neutral in the first half. "He just popped up in a moment that maybe could take his team to another final. "Real Madrid were set up to prevent De Bruyne from having a big impact on the game. Yet he stays in the game because at some point he knows something will come to him. "Mentally you have to be very strong to stay in your game until that moment and I think his celebration showed it. He ran to the corner where the City fans were and he clearly exploded. This is what big players do." De Bruyne has been named Premier League player of the season twice and finished third in the 2022 Ballon d'Or. City team-mate Erling Haaland was recently named the Football Writers' Association (FWA) footballer of the year. Spanish journalist Guillem Balague said: "I voted for De Bruyne as player of the year. But it is difficult to pick him. It doesn't come natural to say De Bruyne, the best player of Manchester City and the Premier League. "In Spain he is seen as good but not as in Real Madrid and Barcelona should be fighting for him. That's partly because we have had a few like De Bruyne in recent years and secondly because his manager is a work of art at City, playing the best football we've seen but it is not down to one player doing marvellous things in different parts of the pitch. "They all have their square of influence and Kevin de Bruyne has not been allowed to come out of that. In that area of influence he is very good but not in the kind of amazing way where we say he has to be given the Ballon d'Or."
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on May 17, 2023 11:05:15 GMT
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on May 17, 2023 21:30:18 GMT
WEDNESDAY 17th MAY 2023 - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - SEMI-FINALS - 2ND LEG
Manchester City 4 (Silva 23, 37, Akanji 76, Alvarez 90+1) Real Madrid 0 - (Agg: 5-1)ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/1440/cpsprodpb/2022/production/_129762280_gettyimages-1491067983.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/F5C4/production/_129761926_bernardosilva.jpgManchester City delivered a relentless performance laced with outstanding quality to overpower holders Real Madrid and reach the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul. City have lost two previous semi-finals to Real but they made no mistake here at a joyous Etihad Stadium to now stand one step away from claiming the trophy that has always stayed tantalisingly out of reach for Pep Guardiola's team. And their display in a magical first half, in particular, will live long in the memory as the masters of this tournament were left bewildered by City's brilliance. It maintained a seemingly unstoppable march towards a treble of Champions League, Premier League - which can be won with victory at home to Chelsea on Sunday - and the FA Cup, where they play Manchester United in the final at Wembley. Real keeper Thibaut Courtois performed heroics to save two Erling Haaland headers early in the first half but he was powerless to stop Bernardo Silva's close-range finish after 23 minutes, the Portugal midfielder scoring a looping header for the second eight minutes before half-time. City faced the occasional threats from Real after the break, Ederson saving well from David Alaba and Karim Benzema, but they were no match and when Manuel Akanji's header deflected in off Eder Militao 14 minutes from time the celebrations started. Substitute Julian Alvarez then wrapped up the dominant win with a late strike after latching onto a brilliant Phil Foden pass. City will play Inter on 10th June as they look to win the Champions League for the first time. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/13E76/production/_129762518_manchestercity.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/F056/production/_129762516_carloancelotti.jpgichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/183FE/production/_129762399_gettyimages-1491072929.jpg
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on May 17, 2023 22:25:29 GMT
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on May 17, 2023 22:34:02 GMT
ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/1440/cpsprodpb/4FCA/production/_129762402_60534e3243f103c008ac2421c132c637518580d9.jpg'We got rid of the pain of last year' FT: Man City 4-0 Real Madrid (Agg: 5-1) Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, speaking to BT Sport: "At home we feel incredible comfort with our people. "I had the feeling that we had one year being in our stomach what happened last season. I think today everything went out of what we had, it was so painful last season [losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League]. When the people say lack of character in these players but during one year we showed how special a group of players these are. "When you reach the final of the Champions League you have to celebrate. Unfortunately we won't have time because Sunday we can win the Premier League. Tomorrow will be with our families then prepare for Sunday. "The players were outstanding. In this type of stages, in these types of games Bernardo is always there. He is one of the best players I have seen in my life. "We didn't have to come back from 3-1 down, we just needed to win one game, be ourselves. Madrid is, my god what a team, last season was what happened, happened. We were not lucky enough to win it but today from minute one we had the feeling the people were ready. It was calm, they made a lot of jokes these days so I didn't feel any tension or anxiousness. I felt we were ready today to do a performance. "A final against an Italian team is not the best gift, honestly. They are competitive. This victory will get a lot of compliments but we have time to prepare mentally."
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on May 17, 2023 22:51:31 GMT
UEFA Champions League final - 20th June 2023 - Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul
Manchester City (England) v Inter Milan (Italy)
Ticketing
With a stadium capacity of 72,000 for the final, a total amount of 47,200 tickets are available to fans and the general public, with the two finalist teams receiving 20,000 tickets each, and with the other tickets being available for sale to fans worldwide via UEFA.com from 21st to 28th April 2023 in four price categories: €690, €490, €180, and €70.
Accessibility tickets for disabled spectators cost €70. The remaining tickets are allocated to the local organising committee, national associations, commercial partners, and broadcasters, and to serve the corporate hospitality programme.
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Jun 5, 2023 19:16:16 GMT
Marseille: The first and most controversial Champions League winners, 30 years on..By Emma Smith, BBC Sport.
ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/BCE1/production/_129735384_gettyimages-612549192-1.jpg
Basile Boli, who scored the 1993 Champions League final winner, celebrates with Marseille owner Bernard TapieIn 30 years of the Champions League, there has not been a winner more controversial than the competition's very first. Marseille remain the only French side to win the Champions League since the European Cup was rebranded for the 1992-93 season. In the 1993 final, Raymond Goethals' side beat the legendary AC Milan of Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Frank Rijkaard and Marco van Basten. A single goal from sweeper Basile Boli secured a 1-0 victory in Munich; Marseille were European champions. Not even the Paris St-Germain of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar have managed that. That achievement, though, would be overshadowed by a match-fixing scandal that led to Marseille being stripped of the Ligue 1 title they won that same season, and relegated from the French top flight. First, the good stuff. While the maiden Champions League is unrecognisable from its current form - just eight teams in the group stage, with the pool winners qualifying for the final - Marseille managed the impressive achievement of going through the whole competition unbeaten. Their president Bernard Tapie - remember his name - had invested heavily in the squad following their defeat by Red Star Belgrade in the 1991 European Cup final. In defence, goalkeeper Fabien Barthez and centre back Marcel Desailly were signed, while striker Alen Boksic was acquired to score the goals. The Croatia international obliged with six in the 1992-93 European campaign, as did midfielder Franck Sauzee. With three wins and three draws from six group games, Marseille narrowly edged out Scottish champions Rangers to meet Milan, who started the final as overwhelming favourites. The Italians had won the European Cup in 1989 and 1990, and powered through their group with six wins from six. However, on 26 May 1993, they could find no way through the Marseille defence before or after the 44th minute, when Boli met Abedi Pele's corner at the near post and flicked a header into the far corner past motionless Milan keeper Sebastiano Rossi. The bag of money buried in the gardenichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/15921/production/_129735388_gettyimages-102195512.jpgThe Marseille team line up for the 1993 Champions League final, captained by Didier DeschampsThe events for which Marseille's 1992-93 campaign would become infamous, however, had taken place some days prior to that final. As well as chasing European success, they were locked in a Ligue 1 title race with PSG and Monaco which went down to the final day, staged the week before the meeting with Milan. Marseille visited relegation-threatened Valenciennes needing a victory to be sure of the title - and they got it, winning 1-0 to complete part one of their double. However, reports soon emerged that all was not as it seemed. Valenciennes player Jacques Glassmann said he had been offered 250,000 francs - at the time around £30,000 - to "take his foot off the gas" by Marseille midfielder Jean-Jacques Eydelie, a former team-mate at Nantes. Two other Valenciennes footballers, Jorge Burruchaga and Christophe Robert, were also offered bribes. Robert's wife went to the Marseille team hotel to pick up a bag of notes, which was later found buried in her mother's garden. Criminal investigations began, as did the footballing recriminations. Marseille were stripped of the Ligue 1 title, relegated and denied the right to defend their Champions League title. Runners-up PSG turned down both the Ligue 1 title and Marseille's Champions League place, with owners, TV company Canal+, worried about losing subscribers in the south of France. And so third-placed Monaco took over the 1993-94 Champions League slot, while the honour of being 1992-93 Ligue 1 champions was left vacant in the record books. Marseille, though, were allowed to keep their continental crown, as there was no evidence any of the match-fixing had taken place in European matches. Thus they remain the inaugural Champions League winners, albeit with a gigantic moral asterisk next to their name. Tapie was handed a two-year jail sentence - of which he served eight months - while Eyedelie, then 27 and seemingly approaching the peak of his career, was given a suspended sentence and banned from football for 18 months. Eyedelie did return to football, but never to his Marseille heights. After a nomadic few years - including a loan spell with Walsall - he retired in 2003. 'Players were injected all the time'
ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/103F9/production/_129735566_gettyimages-451807430.jpg
Former England international Chris Waddle played for Marseille between 1989 and 1992Eyedelie was not done with Marseille, though. His autobiography, released in 2006, claimed players were given suspicious injections before the game against Milan. These claims were backed up by his team-mates, including Chris Waddle and Tony Cascarino. "Players were injected all the time at Marseille," Waddle told the Sun in 2003. "The club doctor said the injections would help our recovery after games. I had a couple of injections but they didn't make any difference. "I don't know what it was, but no-one ever failed drugs tests and nothing illegal showed up." Cascarino, writing in the Times later that year, added: "To this day I don't have a clue what it was. The doctor would only tell me that it would give me an adrenaline boost and I never felt inclined to ask the rest. "Whatever the substance was, my performances improved. I cling to the sliver of hope that it was legal, though I'm 99% sure it wasn't." Uefa rechecked the anti-doping tests taken at the time and confirmed they were negative, while Tapie unsuccessfully sued Eyedelie for libel. It provided a dark coda to an infamous tale. The first-ever winners of the Champions League will forever remain shrouded in controversy.
|
|
bluetornados
Predictions League
Joined: June 2014
Posts: 15,911
Member is Online
|
Post by bluetornados on Jun 8, 2023 14:42:28 GMT
UEFA Champions League final - 10th June 2023 - Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul
Manchester City (England) v Inter Milan (Italy)
Champions League final: Inter Milan striker Edin Dzeko facing former club Manchester City..By Joe Rindl, BBC Sport.ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/160CC/production/_129961309_-ab989bf7-2455-47ce-af24-53a50222f10c-1.pngWhen Inter Milan face Treble-chasing Manchester City in the Champions League final on Saturday they could be spearheaded by a 37-year-old who was cast off by the Citizens eight years ago. Edin Dzeko's goals helped propel the Sky Blues to two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and an EFL Cup. For Inter, the striker could cap off his star-studded career with a Champions League winners' medal having already scored the crucial opener in his side's semi-final win over bitterest rivals AC Milan. If anyone can stop Pep Guardiola's all-conquering side, it might just be the "intelligent", "influential" forward out to seek revenge on his former club. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/1036C/production/_130021466_gettyimages-1253664371-1.jpg
Edin Dzeko (37 yrs 54 days) is the second oldest player to score in a Champions League semi-final, after Ryan Giggs (37 yrs 148 days) for Manchester United vs Schalke in 2010-11
ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/1D3C/production/_129948470_gettyimages-906902636.jpg
Dzeko scored 72 goals in 189 appearances for Manchester City with his header against Queens Park Rangers in 2012 arguably the most important of his career
ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/766C/production/_129961303_gettyimages-1257910622.jpg
Dzeko has contributed nine goals and five assists across 50 matches for Inter this seasonIn January 2011 he joined City for £27m. At the time, only Robinho (£32.5m) had cost the Premier League side more. Dzeko's first goal for the club was a late equaliser to prevent an embarrassing defeat by Notts County in the fourth round of the FA Cup. City would go on to win the competition that season, their first trophy for 35 years. After helping City to two Premier League titles, Dzeko left for Roma, at first on loan and then permanently in October 2015. He was Serie A's top scorer in the 2016-17 season, before moving to Inter six years later where he has lifted the Coppa Italia in each of his past two campaigns. "His career shouldn't be underestimated," added Horncastle. "He's been the top scorer in two of the top five leagues. He is a big-game player."
|
|
