..::Football II::..

Status
Not open for further replies.

Wolverine GTR

Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    :love:Manchester United 2-2 Chelsea: Blues stage remarkable comeback to force replay

    262478hp2.jpg


    Second-half goals from Eden Hazard and Ramires ensured that Chelsea remains in the FA Cup as a comeback equaled first-half Manchester United goals from Wayne Rooney and Chicharito.

    The first half was dominated by the Red Devils as Chelsea endured a torrid first 10 minutes, with Chicharito opening the scoring with a header, before Rooney extended the lead with a fortuitous free kick.

    It was truly a tale of two halves though as Chelsea controlled the second period, eventually getting its just rewards with a stunning effort from Eden Hazard and a smart finish from Ramires The Blues were unable to complete the comeback despite some late pressure.

    Sir Alex Ferguson chose to retain the bulk of the side that fell to a disappointing Champions League exit on Tuesday, though he made four changes as Jonny Evans, Shinji Kagawa, Wayne Rooney and Chicharito came in, at the expense of Nemanja Vidic, Danny Welbeck, Ryan Giggs and Robin van Persie.

    Rafa Benitez, meanwhile, made wholesale changes as only Petr Cech, David Luiz, Oscar and Frank Lampard remain from the side that fell to a 1-0 defeat against Steaua Bucharest on Thursday, with John Terry, Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres among those notably excluded.

    It took just four minutes for the deadlock to be broken and it came virtue of a Chicharito header as the home side took an early lead. Michael Carrick played a magnificent through ball into the diminutive Mexican's path and the striker took it early on his head, surprising the advancing Petr Cech by looping the ball deftly over the goalkeeper and into the far corner.

    With Chelsea still shell shocked, the Red Devils manage to extend their lead mere minutes later. After Victor Moses felled Nani out wide following a typically rapid counterattack, Rooney stepped up to swing in the free kick. Despite seemingly attempting to find a teammate with the cross, no one managed to get a touch on it and it found its way past Cech into the far corner, leaving the Blues chasing a two-goal deficit with just 10 minutes gone.

    Chelsea continued to struggle as the half wore. Both Chicharito and Rooney spurned chances to extend the lead further, with the away side's opportunities in the first period limited to half chances. Moses should have done better after cutting inside in the area, instead slicing his shot well wide, while David De Gea was called into action after a dangerous Juan Mata cross.

    Though Manchester United's impetus continued into the second half, Chelsea began to come into the game and it took 15 minutes and a moment of brilliance for the pressure to show. Hazard, after receiving the ball to the left of the penalty area, took one step inside and curled it into the far corner with a great deal of finesse, leaving De Gea with no chance.

    With 20 minutes remaining, United attempted to put itself out of distance with a third goal and, in doing so, committed too many men forward and Ramires was the man that made United pay.Luiz intercepted an attack on the edge of his area and set the counterattack in motion. Eventually it ended with Ramires bearing down on goal and, after the Brazilian turned into his left, he stroked it into the opposite corner, leveling the game.

    The Red Devils started to exert some pressure with 15 minutes remaining as substitute Robin van Persie had his shot blocked, before Carrick's effort from the ensuing melee suffered the same fate.

    Chelsea had the better of the last 10 minutes but was unable to capitalize on the pressure as Mata had the best chance to win the game. De Gea was on hand to produce an excellent save from his side footed effort, meaning that a replay beckons for both of these sides.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Celta Vigo 1-2 Real Madrid: Ronaldo the difference again as double seals win

    260957hp2.jpg


    Real Madrid was forced to work hard in order to secure a 2-1 win over a resilient Celta Vigo side in La Liga at Balaidos.

    The Celestes began impressively but wilted as Jose Mourinho's side asserted its superiority. Yet with Celta goalkeeper Javi Varas in fine form it was not until the 61st minute that the deadlock was broken through Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Iago Aspas equalized for the home side after some shoddy defending just two minutes later, but Ronaldo wrapped up the win with a cool finish from the penalty spot.

    Celta enjoyed a positive start to the game, with Aspas forcing Diego Lopez into action after just 15 seconds, and it took another two saves in quick succession from the keeper to keep things level in the 10th minute.

    Aspas was again at the heart of the threat and it took a strong hand from the keeper to turn his cross-goal shot wide. The resultant corner was clipped deep to Alex Lopez but with his volley skidding towards the bottom corner, Lopez got across and held the ball.

    The Celestes had been successful in holding a high defensive line but an Enrique de Lucas free kick that bent narrowly wide midway through the half proved to be a turning point.

    Madrid soon gained fluency in the final third and pressed Abel Resino's men back. They were lucky that Ronaldo opted to square the ball when through on goal after 22 minutes, though Karim Benzema was also starting to find space to cause problems.

    The Frenchman had two chances to beat Varas before the half hour mark but the keeper came out on top on both occasions.

    Marcelo and Jose Callejon were both denied by some excellent goalkeeping from Varas before Ronaldo saw a header come crashing back off the bar in the 42nd minute.

    Varas' impressive form continued after the restart as his strong hand kept Benzema's curling effort out and Marcelo fared no better as he blazed over the bar in the 57th minute.

    Four minutes later, though, his resistance was broken. Luka Modric's corner was only partially cleared and when it came back into the area it fell to Ronaldo who somehow brought it under control and slotted into the net on the spin.

    But the lead only lasted three minutes as some slack defending cost Mourinho's men dearly. Augusto Fernandez made use of a quick throw in to drill a low cross to Aspas who found the back of the net as his shot took a wicked deflection off of Pepe.

    Lopez almost gifted Celta another goal as he spilled the ball in the area, but his side was back in front in the 72nd minute. Substitute Kaka was brought down inside the area Varas and Ronaldo chipped the penalty straight down the middle of the goal.

    Gonzalo Higuain missed a pair of chances to add some gloss to the finish but Mourinho's blushes were truly spared in the last minute of normal time as Park Chu-Young's header hit the bar and went behind.

    Los Merengues therefore temporarily move above their cross-city rival Atletico Madrid into second position, but that could change should Diego Simeone's men defeat Real Sociedad later on Sunday.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Inter 0-1 Bologna: Gilardino dents Nerazzurri's top-three aspirations

    262562hp2.jpg


    Alberto Gilardino struck for Bologna in the second half against Inter at San Siro to hand his team a well-earned 1-0 victory on Sunday, heaping further misery on the hosts' Champions League aspirations.

    Inter entered the match on the back of a disastrous 3-0 loss at the hands of Tottenham on Thursday, and was desperate for points to keep up pace on the upper echelons of Serie A.

    Coach Andrea Stramaccioni handed evergreen captain Javier Zanetti his 600th Serie A appearance in a Nerazzurri shirt, as Dejan Stankovic, Marco Benassi and goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo found their way into the line-up amidst the ongoing injury crisis. Antonio Cassano was conspicuously absent from the starting XI as he returned to the squad following an alleged bust-up with his coach.

    Gilardino and Alessandro Diamanti led the line for the visitors, and it was the latter who nearly sent Stefano Pioli's men into a first-minute lead. Picking himself up after being fouled by Fredy Guarin, the Italy international produced a sumptuous delivery onto the head of Frederik Sorenson, who headed narrowly over the crossbar.

    Undaunted by the fiery San Siro atmosphere, it was the Rossoblu who dominated the opening exchanges as they continuously found avenues to advance down the right flank. Striker Manolo Gabbiadini delivered the next series of warning shots, coming close to opening the scoring in quick succession. The Juventus loanee first blasted a cut-back into the side-netting, before holding off the challenge of Juan Jesus to incredibly fire straight into the arms of debutant Carrizo.

    Cassano was afforded a rapturous welcome after being introduced in the second half to inject some impetus, and Ezequiel Schelotto immediately earned the Milan giant's first corner of the evening. Exerting the first period of real pressure on the Bologna area, it was Stankovic who narrowly missed connecting with Juan's measured pull-back, as the ball bobbled agonizingly past the 34-year-old's outstretched foot. The injury-hampered veteran then had an excellent scoring opportunity charged down by the opposing defense, paying the price for a moment's hesitation.

    The writing had been on the wall all match however, and it was Gilardino who emphatically fired Bologna into a deserved lead. The flag stayed down as a searching ball found the Italian, who made no mistake from his precise volley to fire the ball past a stranded Carrizo.

    Gianluca Curci then did well to leave his line to smother a through-ball for Palacio, before comfortably dealing with a Fredy Guarin pot-shot straight down his throat. Ex-Nerazzurri midfielder Rene Khrin then had his header parried beautifully by Inter's beleaguered custodian, as the home side clung on for dear life.

    A crucial last-ditch clearance by Gyorgy Garics on substitute Esteban Cambiasso and Andrea Ranocchia's towering header apart, Bologna saw out a comfortable final 15 minutes to secure a credible victory and pile further pressure on Stramaccioni's position in the dugout.

    The defeat, combined with Fiorentina's 2-0 victory over Lazio, sees Vincenzo Montella's men leapfrog them in the chase for qualification for the Champions League next season. Meanwhile, Bologna sits comfortably in the table on 35 points, having ensured survival as the final stages of the season beckon.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Olympique Lyonnais 0-0 Olympique de Marseille: PSG the big winner in dull stalemate

    258734hp2.jpg


    Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique de Marseille cancelled each other out in a disappointing Ligue 1 encounter that damages the title aspirations of both clubs, who have lost ground on Paris Saint-Germain at the summit of the table.

    It was a fixture that received top billing yet failed to produce as neither side had the offensive quality to produce a goal in a match that will not live long in the memory.

    Somewhat surprisingly, it was Marseille, which has become renowned as a gritty and rather defensive team this season, which fashioned the better chances over the course of the game, with Andre-Pierre Gignac the main catalyst in the first period.

    OM’s top scorer went close on a trio of occasions in the opening 45 minutes, but the closest he came was a curling shot from the edge of the box that beat Remy Vercoutre in the home goal but also skidded past the post.

    Lyon was a very limited offensive threat throughout this game as Marseille’s dogged approach persistently stifled the club, though there was more life to the team in the minutes after the restart. While the strikers struggled to produce, it was left back Samuel Umtiti who had the best of a series of long-range drives that were clutched uncomfortably by Steve Mandanda in the visiting net.

    Much of the pressure late on, though, came from the Provence outfit. Andre Ayew sent a very powerful header just past the post as the visiting side threatened from corner kicks and other set pieces around the box.

    With 10 minutes to go referee Clement Turpin waved away vehement penalty appeals from OM by awarding a free kick to the home side as he adjudged Milan Bisevac to have been fouled before he handled a cross into the box.

    While the fare on offer was not in any way attractive, PSG will have been delighted with what they saw at Stade Gerland as the lead over Lyon at the peak of Le Championnat is now up to a healthy five points. Marseille, meanwhile, is three marks further back and embroiled in a tussle for third along with Saint-Etienne, Nice and Lille.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Madrid missing creative spark, says Karanka

    235523hp2.jpg


    The 39-year-old assistant boss witnessed Los Blancos overcome a resilient Celta Vigo outfit but is concerned about the lack of chances they are creating in front of goal Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka believes the team's creative spark is not as bright as last season, despite overcoming a resolute Celta Vigo on Sunday.

    The Liga giants emerged as 2-1 winners courtesy of a double from Cristiano Ronaldo, but the visitors were made to work hard for the victory when Iago Aspas equalized soon after Ronaldo had broken the deadlock midway through the second half.

    And in his post-match press conference, speaking instead of coach Jose Mourinho, Karanka asserted Madrid had to take its chances to ensure victory because opportunities to score were few and far between.

    “The most important thing is to create chances. Last year, we had a lot, this year there are slow to come, but they will eventually come.

    “The first 20 minutes saw us struggle to get into the match, we couldn’t find a way in, but in the last 15 minutes, we controlled the game a bit more.

    "We were able to finish the match, but the goals didn’t come. They also had chances and slowly created goal-scoring opportunities, and in the end, they could have equalized, which would have been a shame."

    The 39-year-old also commented on Celta's chances of retaining its status in the top tier of Spanish footballamid the serious threat of relegation with Paco Herrera's side currently second from bottom in La Liga.

    He added: "[Celta] have a lot of people in attendance and have good, quality players. It’s hard to say whether they will be among the bottom three or not, but they are working hard."
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    Ferguson rates Lopez higher than Casillas

    261000hp2.jpg


    The 71-year-old says the Real Madrid No.1 would not have pulled off the heroics Lopez did to ensure Los Blancos' passage to the Champions League quarterfinals
    Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Real Madrid's stand-in goalkeeper Diego Lopez produced a performance at Old Trafford last week beyond the capabilities of regular shot-stopper Iker Casillas.

    The Spain captain has spent much of 2013 sidelined with a hand injury sustained in Madrid's Copa del Rey clash with Valencia in January, prompting boss Jose Mourinho to buy Diego Lopez from Sevilla to deputize in his absence.

    The 31-year-old has excelled since being granted a starting berth with the Liga giants and proved a major factor in Los Blancos' progression to the quarterfinals of the Champions League, and Ferguson says the outcome may have been different had Casillas been available for selection.

    "I think Lopez saved them. I would have preferred Casillas," Ferguson told reporters.

    "Iker wouldn't have saved the shots that the boy Lopez did. Going out to Danny Welbeck in the first half, going down at Robin van Persie's feet, coming out and whacking Nemanja Vidic in the head ... Casillas isn't that type of goalkeeper."

    Casillas is scheduled to return from injury in the coming weeks but given the way Lopez has been performing in the skipper's absence, there is no guarantee that he would immediately return to the starting XI.

    The draw for the Champions League quarterfinals will be made on March 15.
     

    Wolverine GTR

    Well-known member
  • Jan 1, 2009
    268,940
    11,592
    113
    ♥♥Ŧhệatrệ Θf Drệamś♥♥
    :shocked:Beckenbauer backs Rooney to Bayern

    waynerooneyback20121110_576x324.jpg


    Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer has thrown his support behind rumours linking Wayne Rooney with a move to Bayern Munich in the summer.
    Beckenbauer, an honorary president at Bayern, insists he would be "very happy" to see the Manchester United striker at the Allianz Arena next season, adding to speculation that Rooney could force an early exit from his contract at Old Trafford.

    "I would be very, very happy if Wayne Rooney decided to come to Bayern Munich," Beckenbauer said. "But is this a rumour or is it true? I don't know!"

    Rooney has been linked with a move to a number of European clubs, including Bayern, Real Madrid and PSG, after being left on the bench for United's Champions League defeat to Real last week.


    Although Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he hopes Rooney will extend his contract with the club, doubts remain over the England international's future.


    Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton believes Beckenbauer's comments and rumours over Rooney's future does not reflect the Premier League leaders' attitude towards the 27-year-old.


    "I think that is a bit premature (to question Rooney's future)," Charlton said. "I don't know everything that happens at Manchester United, but I know a little.

    "Wayne Rooney maybe has had an injury and has not performed as well as he might have done, but that doesn't mean to say that you get rid of him.


    "Sir Alex Ferguson came out and said that he had no intention of letting Wayne Rooney go anywhere. You have to abide by that and I believe it, 100%. He is a great player - why should we get rid of a great player?"
     
    • Like
    Reactions: rcccc
    Status
    Not open for further replies.