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Saturday, 13 April 2013
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
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Please Comment your predictions for today's Champions League Quarter-Final match-ups:
Today
Juventus vs Bayern Munich
Barcelona vs PSG
Bayern Munich vs Juventus
Bayern Munich vs Juventus
The Allianz Arena was the location for this Champions League quarter-final match-up, as Bayern Munich faced Juventus. A match with big expectations. As the match kicked off, it didn't take long for Bayern to score their opening goal as Alaba's strike from 35 yards out took a deflection and ended up in the back of the net, putting Bayern in front. At the half, it remained, 1-0. In the second half, Juventus looked determined to score a goal, but Bayern extended their lead when in the 63rd minute, Luiz Gustavo's shot was perished away to the right by Buffon, where it fell to an offside Mandzukic who calmly set up Thomas Muller for a simple tap-in, to make it, 2-0. In the end, the match ended, Bayern Munich, 2, Juventus, 0.
Bayern Munich
Alaba opened the scoring in the first minute of the encounter, and played a great match.
Thomas Muller scored Bayern's second of the night to give them a good scoreline going into the second.
Juventus
Andrea Pirlo's sloppy pass led to Alaba's opening goal. He shortly after came close to equalizing off a free kick. If Juventus are going to have any chance in the second leg at home, Pirlo will have to be at his best.
Juventus will be missing both Vidal and Lichtsteiner in the second leg, as they were booked.
2 - 0
The Allianz Arena was the location for this Champions League quarter-final match-up, as Bayern Munich faced Juventus. A match with big expectations. As the match kicked off, it didn't take long for Bayern to score their opening goal as Alaba's strike from 35 yards out took a deflection and ended up in the back of the net, putting Bayern in front. At the half, it remained, 1-0. In the second half, Juventus looked determined to score a goal, but Bayern extended their lead when in the 63rd minute, Luiz Gustavo's shot was perished away to the right by Buffon, where it fell to an offside Mandzukic who calmly set up Thomas Muller for a simple tap-in, to make it, 2-0. In the end, the match ended, Bayern Munich, 2, Juventus, 0.
Bayern Munich
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| David Alaba vs Juventus |
Alaba opened the scoring in the first minute of the encounter, and played a great match.
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| Thomas Muller vs Juventus |
Thomas Muller scored Bayern's second of the night to give them a good scoreline going into the second.
Juventus
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| Andrea Pirlo vs Bayern Munich |
Andrea Pirlo's sloppy pass led to Alaba's opening goal. He shortly after came close to equalizing off a free kick. If Juventus are going to have any chance in the second leg at home, Pirlo will have to be at his best.
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| Vidal and Ribery fight for the ball |
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| Lichtsteiner and Mandzukic battle for an aerial ball |
Juventus will be missing both Vidal and Lichtsteiner in the second leg, as they were booked.
Tuesday, 9 April 2013
Please Comment
Malaga vs Borussia Dortmund
Malaga vs Borussia Dortmund
On the 3rd of April, 2013, Malaga took on Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund, as Malaga would try to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history. As the match started, there was a great atmosphere in La Rosaleda. Borussia Dortmund would threaten on the attack with their upfront three, Lewandowski, Reus, and Gotze. Chances were created by Borussia with Gotze leading the attack. Willy Caballero kept Malaga in the game making some great saves keeping the score line at, 0-0. As the second half kicked off, there were some nervy moments for Borussia as Malaga's Saviola looked dangerous on the attack. In the end, Willy Caballero kept Malaga in the game, and Malaga's few chances weren't converted as the match ended goalless.
Willy Caballero was Malaga's key man as he kept out Borussia Dortmund's chances giving Malaga a chance going into the second leg.
On the 3rd of April, 2013, Malaga took on Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund, as Malaga would try to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history. As the match started, there was a great atmosphere in La Rosaleda. Borussia Dortmund would threaten on the attack with their upfront three, Lewandowski, Reus, and Gotze. Chances were created by Borussia with Gotze leading the attack. Willy Caballero kept Malaga in the game making some great saves keeping the score line at, 0-0. As the second half kicked off, there were some nervy moments for Borussia as Malaga's Saviola looked dangerous on the attack. In the end, Willy Caballero kept Malaga in the game, and Malaga's few chances weren't converted as the match ended goalless.
Malaga
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| Willy Caballero vs Borussia Dortmund |
Willy Caballero was Malaga's key man as he kept out Borussia Dortmund's chances giving Malaga a chance going into the second leg.
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| Saviola vs Borussia Dortmund
Saviola had some chances against Borussia Dortmund looking dangerous on the attack.
Borussia Dortmund
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Mario Gotze led Borussia Dortmund in attack as he created a few chances.
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| Marco Reus |
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| Robert Lewandowski Lewandowski and Reus will be key players for Borussia Dortmund in the second leg, at home. |
Monday, 8 April 2013
Real Madrid vs Galatasaray
Real Madrid vs Galatasaray
3 - 0
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| Cristiano Ronaldo vs Galatasaray |
On the 3rd of April, 2013, in the capital of Spain, Spanish giants, Real Madrid took on Turkish side, Galatasaray, in the Santiago Bernabeu. Two attacking sides, with Real Madrid who play a counter-attacking style, and Galatasaray who like to attack with their upfront trio, Yilmaz, Drogba, and Sneijder. Nine minutes into the encounter, Real Madrid were put infront when Ozil played a great through ball to Ronaldo who chipped the ball with his left foot past Galatasaray's Muslera. As the first half continued, Galatasaray created few chances with Drogba firing high and wide on one occasion, and another being stopped by Diego Lopez. In the 29th minute, Essien's far post cross was controlled by Benzema before finishing into the back of the net from close range to make it 2-0 going into the half. As the second half started, Real Madrid looked to be happy with the 2-0 scoreline as they kept possesion of the ball. With fifteen minutes to go, Real Madrid finished the match off as Higuain converted Xabi Alonso's free-kick with a header in the box. The match would finish, Real Madrid, 3, Galatasaray, 0. Galatasaray's chances of reaching the semi-finals have now been made even more difficult with that scoreline, 3-0, and leaving Mourinho to say, "They need a miracle." Galatasaray would need to score at least three goals, in the return leg, in Istanbul, to take the game into extra-time, and would need to score four goals to advance. If Madrid scores, things will be very complicated for Galatasaray.
Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo scored Real Madrid's opener against Galatasaray last wednesday and is the top scorer in the Champions League with 9 goals.
Mesut Ozil provided Ronaldo's goal, and was a key part in midfield.
Galatasaray
Didier Drogba had a few chances against Real Madrid, firing high and wide on one ocasion, and another one being stopped by Diego Lopez.
Wesley Sneijder will have to perform well in the second leg, in Istanbul, for Galatasaray to have a chance.
"They need a miracle." Mourinho talks about Galatasaray's chances of a come back in the second leg.
Real Madrid
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| Cristiano Ronaldo vs Galatasaray |
Cristiano Ronaldo scored Real Madrid's opener against Galatasaray last wednesday and is the top scorer in the Champions League with 9 goals.
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| Mesut Ozil vs Galatasaray |
Mesut Ozil provided Ronaldo's goal, and was a key part in midfield.
Galatasaray
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| Drogba vs Real Madrid |
Didier Drogba had a few chances against Real Madrid, firing high and wide on one ocasion, and another one being stopped by Diego Lopez.
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| Sneijder vs Real Madrid |
Wesley Sneijder will have to perform well in the second leg, in Istanbul, for Galatasaray to have a chance.
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| Mourinho - Press Conference |
"They need a miracle." Mourinho talks about Galatasaray's chances of a come back in the second leg.
Sunday, 7 April 2013
PSG vs FC Barcelona
2 - 2
On the 2nd of April 2013, Paris Saint-Germain took on FC Barcelona in Paris, in the Parc des Princes. As the match kicked off, PSG dominated the first thirty minutes as they had an early on goalscoring chance in the 4th minute as Ezequiel Lavezzi hit the post. With seven minutes until half-time, Lionel Messi broke the deadlock when he was put through onto goal from Dani Alves's perfectly waited outside of the foot pass. The little Argentine made no mistake, with a left foot volley into the bottom right corner. Shortly after Messi put his side infront, he suffered an injury in his hamstring, and had to be changed at half-time. Cesc Fabregas would replace him.
As the second half kicked off, Barça were in control of the game with Xavi orchestrating Barcelona's attack. The PSG fans were getting inpatient as their team could not get possesion of the ball, but the Parc des Princes was set alive when Zlatan Ibrahimovic finished a loose ball in the box to equalize. Barcelona's players complained for offside and looking at the replay, he was a clear yard offside. Just after Zlatan's equalizer, Barcelona with more injury worries as Mascherano had to be taken off by a stretcher. He would have to be replaced by 22 year old centre-back, Marc Bartra. Barcelona were looking for the winning goal, and in the 88th minute, after stringing some passes together, Alexis Sanchez was put through behind PSG's back four and was taken down in the area by Sirigu. A clear penalty for Barcelona and the chance to go into the second-leg in Nou Camp with the advantage. Xavi stepped up, and finished the penalty into the bottom right corner giving Barça the lead. It looked as though Barcelona would be heading home with an away victory, but that was denied when in the dying seconds of the match, Ibrahimovic won the header to set up a volley for Matuidi who smashed it. His volley took a deflection off Bartra's leg, and rolled into the back of net to give PSG the last minute equalizer. The match ended 2-2.
FC Barcelona
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| Dani Alves vs PSG |
Man of the Match - FC Barcelona
Dani Alves is FC Barcelona's Man of the Match as he played a brilliant game vs PSG, attacking, defending, and creating chances for Barcelona. He assisted Messi's goal in the 38th minute of the match with a perfectly weighted outside of the foot pass.
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| Lionel Messi vs PSG |
Lionel Messi broke the deadlock in the match putting his side infront, but shortly afterwards, had to come off due to a hamstring injury.
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| Iniesta and Xavi |
Both Iniesta and Xavi had a great influence on Barcelona's attack stringing up passes in midfield and creating opportunities.
PSG
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| Blaise Matuidi vs FC Barcelona |
Man of the match - PSG
Blaise Matuidi is PSG's Man of the Match as he covered a lot of ground in midfield and also scored PSG's equalizer in the dying seconds of the match with a volley.
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| Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs FC Barcelona |
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was a key part for PSG as he was very effective with his aerial presence, winning headers, controling with his chest, and then laying off to start the attack. He scored PSG's equalizer in the 79th minute and assisted Matuidi's last minute equalizer.
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| Thiago Silva vs FC Barcelona |
Thiago Silva played a great match. He was impressive in defense, winning headers, and making great tackles. His header that hit the post was finished by Ibrahimovic who was offside.
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| Lucas Moura vs FC Barcelona |
Lucas Moura was very active in the first half making runs down the right hand side, but in the second half, he lacked the intensity that he had in the first half.
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Atletico Madrid vs Valencia
Match Report
Atletico Madrid
vs
Valencia CF
The top three teams of La Liga have tied this last weekend as FC Barcelona tied 2-2 against Celta Vigo, Real Madrid CF tied 1-1 against Real Zaragoza, and third placed Atletico Madrid have now tied 1-1 against Valencia CF in the Vincente Calderon.
As the match kicked off, Valencia had an early on goalscoring chance as Pablo Piatti crossed in a ball coming in from the right hand side, but nobody could get onto it. Shortly after Valencia's first goalscoring opportunity, Jonas made it 0-1, as he finished a loose ball in the box coming from Joao Pereira's whipped in cross. One minute later, Arda Turan with some brilliance cut passed two opposing players, and then chipped in a delightful ball to the far post where Colombian striker, Radamel Falcao made no mistake finishing it past Diego Alves, and making it 1-1. During the first half, Valencia had the majority of the chances, and Thibaut Courtois kept Atletico Madrid in the match when he made a brilliant save off Parejo's dipping free-kick. Later on, creator of Falcao's equalizer, Arda Turan had to be replaced by Raul Garcia, as he injured his ankle in a challenge with Joao Pereira. Before half-time, Valencia had another great chance, but Courtois made two brilliant saves keeping out two volleys coming from Piatti and Pereira. In the second half, Atletico Madrid were the more dominant side with Diego Costa being lively on the left hand side creating opportunities, and aswell Atletico appealed for a penalty as the ball looked to have hit the right arm of Jonas. In the end, the match finished as a draw, 1-1 in the Vincente Calderon.
Atletico Madrid vs
Valencia CF
The top three teams of La Liga have tied this last weekend as FC Barcelona tied 2-2 against Celta Vigo, Real Madrid CF tied 1-1 against Real Zaragoza, and third placed Atletico Madrid have now tied 1-1 against Valencia CF in the Vincente Calderon.
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| Radamel Falcao equalizes against Valencia CF |
As the match kicked off, Valencia had an early on goalscoring chance as Pablo Piatti crossed in a ball coming in from the right hand side, but nobody could get onto it. Shortly after Valencia's first goalscoring opportunity, Jonas made it 0-1, as he finished a loose ball in the box coming from Joao Pereira's whipped in cross. One minute later, Arda Turan with some brilliance cut passed two opposing players, and then chipped in a delightful ball to the far post where Colombian striker, Radamel Falcao made no mistake finishing it past Diego Alves, and making it 1-1. During the first half, Valencia had the majority of the chances, and Thibaut Courtois kept Atletico Madrid in the match when he made a brilliant save off Parejo's dipping free-kick. Later on, creator of Falcao's equalizer, Arda Turan had to be replaced by Raul Garcia, as he injured his ankle in a challenge with Joao Pereira. Before half-time, Valencia had another great chance, but Courtois made two brilliant saves keeping out two volleys coming from Piatti and Pereira. In the second half, Atletico Madrid were the more dominant side with Diego Costa being lively on the left hand side creating opportunities, and aswell Atletico appealed for a penalty as the ball looked to have hit the right arm of Jonas. In the end, the match finished as a draw, 1-1 in the Vincente Calderon.
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