..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal, Chelsea could play-off for UCL

Arsenal and Chelsea could face a play-off for the final automatic Champions League place if they finish with identical records after Sunday's games, the Premier League has confirmed to ESPN, but finding a date will prove problematic.

The two teams go into the final round of matches two points and one goal apart in terms of goal difference with a realistic possibility that they could end up inseparable. Both teams would have the same points, goals scored and goals conceded.


The team which finishes third in the Premier League will go directly into the Champions League group stage, while fourth place will enter in the play-off round, with the tie to be played over two legs on August 20-21 and 27-28.Arsenal's 4-1 win over Wigan on Tuesday means a 2-1 victory for the Gunners at Newcastle, coupled with a 0-0 draw between Everton and Chelsea, would force a play-off. The same would apply to any scoreline between the two clubs which adds a goal to all four teams: so 3-2 and 1-1 or 4-3 and 2-2.


Premier League rule C.14 states: "If at the end of the season either the League Champions or the clubs to be relegated or the question of qualification for other competitions cannot be determined because two or more clubs are equal on points, goal difference and goals scored, the clubs concerned shall play off one or more deciding league matches on neutral grounds, the format, timing and venue of which shall be determined by the board."


Chelsea won both league games this season 2-1 but the Premier League does not recognise head-to-head as a tie-breaker, unlike the Football League and most European leagues.


Scheduling a play-off would prove very difficult for the Premier League. Wembley Stadium would be the logical choice as a neutral venue in London, but it is booked for the Champions League final on Saturday, May 25, the Championship play-off final on Monday, May 27 and England's friendly with Ireland on May 29.England will expect to have their players released by both clubs, as would the many other national teams whose players represent the respective sides. There are international games scheduled every day at the start of June, with Brazil facing England in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, June 2. Even if that Saturday was a viable date for the clubs, Wembley is already booked for the International Stadiums Poker Tour.


June 3 to 13 is an official FIFA international break for World Cup qualifiers, and the UEFA European Under-21 Championships also starts on June 5. The Confederations Cup, featuring Brazil, Spain and Nigeria, then begins on June 15 and runs until the end of the month. It means it could be July before a viable date is available, but UEFA requires qualifying clubs to submit official entry documents no later than June 3, 2013.


Even if the Premier League hoped to play the game on the weekend of May 25 at a venue other than Wembley, such as Tottenham's White Hart Lane, Chelsea will be in the United States that weekend to play two money-spinning games against Manchester City and will fly out at the start of the week.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Half Time

Benfica 0 Vs 0 Chelsea
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Full Time

Benfica 1 Vs 2 Chelsea

Benfica Goal(s)

Cardozo 68'(PEN)

Chelsea Goal(s)

Torres 59'

Ivanovic 90+3'
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea are the Europa League Champions!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Chelsea

Patta match 1ka
​

 

[nad253]

Congratulations Chelsea

Patta match 1ka
​

f***ck chelsea........... Benfica dinnanna thibba match eka

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Benfica 1-2 Chelsea: Ivanovic heads dramatic winner to seal Europa League glory

Branislav Ivanovic scored a dramatic late winner as Chelsea saw off Benfica 2-1 to win the Europa League and claim its second continental title in two seasons in Amsterdam.

Fernando Torres coolly finished off a swift counterattack to give the Blues the lead against the run of play shortly before the hour mark.

Oscar Cardozo soon equalized from the penalty spot after Cesar Azplicueta's handball but Ivanovic struck in the 93rd minute to ensure Rafa Benitez's reign at Stamford Bridge ended with silverware.

Benfica, which suffered a dramatic defeat in its virtual title-decider against Porto at the weekend, was anchored by Chelsea youngster Nemanja Matic in central midfield, while Pablo Aimar, a Spanish league winner under Benitez at Valencia, was on the bench.

Eden Hazard and John Terry were missing from the Chelsea squad due to injury so Oscar joined Juan Mata and Ramires in support of Torres, while Branislav Ivanovic partnered Gary Cahill at center back as David Luiz pushed into midfield.

If there was any despondency lingering in the Benfica ranks following its loss at the Estadio do Dragao, it did not show in the early stages.

Led by the towering presence of Matic, Cardozo, Nicolas Gaitan and Rodrigo all had chances in the opposition penalty area in the opening quarter of an hour but were denied by a combination of last-ditch Chelsea defending and a heavily watered and consequently slippery pitch.

Gradually, though, Benitez's team improved. Frank Lampard's swerving 25-yard effort seemed to have wrong-footed Artur, but after diving to his right the goalkeeper flung out his left arm to push the ball over the crossbar in spectacular style.

Bellowed on by manager Jorge Jesus, Benfica retook the initiative after halftime and Chelsea was saved by a correctly raised offside flag when Cardozo nodded home Gaitan's excellent cross from the right.

The Premier League club, though, was happy to go route one to take the lead. Petr Cech's long throw to the center circle was hooked on through the middle of the Benfica defense by Mata and Torres, after shaking off the company of Luisao, calmly rounded Artur and slotted home.

Jesus responded by reinforcing his attack with the introduction of Lima and Ola John and the change immediately paid dividends. After exchanging a one-two with Cardozo, Lima looked to flick the ball past Azpilicueta only to see the right back block with his hand.

Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Cardozo finished decisively from 12 yards.

The Paraguayan appeared to hurt himself in taking the spot-kick but was able to carry on and forced a fine tipped save from Cech with a 20-yard volley as the final entered its last 10 minutes of the regulation 90.

Lampard would go even closer, rattling the crossbar with a terrific drive from distance, but Chelsea did not rue the 34-year-old's miss. In the third and final minute of added time, Ivanovic rose at the back post and looped home a header with Artur rooted to the spot.

The Serbian's error gifted Cardozo a glorious chance to draw Benfica level for the second time with the last kick but Cahill heroically cleared the ball to safety and delivered the trophy.

 

[dgvirajm]

Fatta wadak...
+rep

 

[rcccc]

 

[rcccc]

Congratz Chelsea

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Benitez proud of Chelsea tenure as Torres targets long stay

The interim manager declared his satisfaction at delivering a trophy for the Blues, and the Spanish striker announced his intention to remain at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez has declared his pride for his tenure at Stamford Bridge after managing the Blues to a 2-1 victory in the Europa League final against Benfica.

The 53-year-old took over from Roberto Di Matteo in November and has since guided the club to third place in the Premier League but has faced criticism from supporters ever since he took over for comments made while managing former club Liverpool.
Benitez admits that things have not been easy at Stamford Bridge but was delighted with his side's second-half performance in the final, adamant that his players deserved the trophy.

"It was a great performance in the second half. We had some problems in the first half against a very good team but I'm really pleased for the players, for everyone involved," the Spaniard told ITV Sport.

"We didn't have the legs. We had to adjust and push them and in the end they deserve it because they've been working so hard the whole season. Obviously I'll be proud because it was not easy. We have been talking about this all the time. So really pleased, really proud."

Benitez's compatriot, Fernando Torres, scored Chelsea's opening goal in the final and suggested after the match that he wanted to stay and see out his contract with the club.

"I'm very happy," he said. "It was hard getting here and it was a very tough game – maybe Benfica deserved to win – but at the end the individual quality made the difference.

“The first half was not good enough at all, in any way. The intensity, the concentration. We talked about changing [at half-time] our mentality to win a final, it's a final. Maybe this would be the only chance to win a Europa League so you saw a difference in the second half."

When asked if he wanted to stay at Chelsea, Torres replied: "Yeah, sure. I signed a five-and-a-half-year contract so I hope to stay for at least this time.

"It was great for me [scoring the opening goal]. We deserved this. It's been a very difficult season with a lot of games and in the end today was a very hard game, very difficult.

"Benfica played well but, in the end, we scored from the set-piece and we prepared for this before the game. The supporters and the team deserve to get a trophy this season."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'You never know' - Benitez leaves door open for PSG move

The interim Chelsea boss, who guided the Blues to Europa League glory on Wednesday, refuses to rule out a switch to the Ligue 1 champions at the end of the season Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez has suggested he would be open to taking charge at Paris Saint-Germain next season.

The Spanish coach will leave his post at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season but will go out on a high having all but secured a top-four finish with just one game of 2012-13 Premier League season remaining, as well as delivering Europa League glory.

Benitez helped guide the Blues to Europa League glory on Wednesday night as Branislav Ivanovic's late winner secured a 2-1 win over Benfica and, speaking to reporters after the match, the former Liverpool manager refused to rule out a move to PSG.

"You never know," the Blues boss said when quizzed over a possible move to Paris in the summer by beIN Sport.

Reflecting on the victory over the Portuguese side, Benitez added: "We played against a very good team. We are very happy to win this trophy. There was a lot of pride and joy at the final whistle.

"My future? I still have a game and I have a title to celebrate. We will have time to think about it."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Xavi against Barcelona overhaul


There are those that believe the Blaugrana need to revamp their squad but the influential midfielder is confident they have sufficient quality in their ranks.
Xavi insists that there is no need for a dramatic turnover of players at Barcelona this summer.

The Blaugrana were routed 7-0 on aggregate by Bayern Munich when the two sides met in the semifinals of the Champions League. However, though Xavi acknowledges that Barca needs to refresh the squad, he does not believe that the newly-crowned champion of Spain is a side in need of a complete makeover.

"At key moments this season we have not reached our peak and I am in favor of changing things up," he told reporters on Wednesday. "But just because it seems that we are in a bad situation does not mean that we have to change the whole team. We are in a good moment.

"We have set the bar so high that it now seems that winning league titles is just what we do. But it's very difficult to win a title every year."

Xavi also insisted that this year's title, his seventh, meant as much to him as his first, and argued that every championship success should be cherished by players and fans alike.

"I am proud and happy to have seven league titles," the Spain international explained. "They are all important to me. That this generation has won so many titles makes me very happy and it is not about what I have gained, but the club.

"As a Cule, which is what I am, you tend to be more pessimistic than optimistic, and I never could have imagined winning so many titles. But we have been successful with our philosophy and I hope that it lasts. I hope to maintain this high level of performance over the last three years of my contract."

Barca can equal the Liga points record for a single season (100) if it wins its two remaining games of the current campaign.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ronaldo: If we play well, we will win Copa del Rey

The Portuguese believes that Los Blancos are in good form going into their mammoth derby clash and feels that victory is theirs for the taking
Cristiano Ronaldo has no doubt that Real Madrid will prevail if it plays up to its full potential in Friday night's Copa del Rey final against Atletico Madrid.

Los Blancos have the benefit of home advantage for the tournament decider, as well as a remarkable record against their city rivals, whom they have not been beaten by in any competition since 1999.

Ronaldo also believes that in spite of recent elimination by Borussia Dortmund at the semifinal stage of the Champions League, Jose Mourinho's men are in fine fettle going into this most important of Madrid derbies.

"We're very excited about this trophy and we want to win," the forward told his club's official website. "We know it's going to be a really hard-fought game against a rival from the same city. It's going to be a great show.

"Let's hope that Real Madrid can win. But if we go out on the pitch strong and we play as we know how, we're going to win."

However, Ronaldo also believes that Madrid's fans have a massive part to play in Friday's final, given that they will not be in the majority for once.

Consequently, the former Manchester United winger is hoping that the club's supporters will try to replicate the passion they displayed before and during their recent clash with Dortmund.

"It was amazing," he enthused. "As long as I've been here I have never seen a reception like that. It was a really special, unique moment that none of us players will ever forget.

"I hope that the same happens on Friday because it motivates us to give our all when we hit the playing field. That's what we want.

"It's going to be a strange final because we're playing in our stadium but the fans will be divided 50/50. But that isn't going to take away our ambition to win this cup."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lukaku set for showdown Chelsea talks

The Merseysiders are among the favourites to sign the Belgian striker on loan should the Europa League finalists deem him not ready to compete for a first team place next season Romelu Lukaku will hold showdown talks with Chelsea next week about his destination next season amid a stampede of interest from Premier League clubs.

Every top-flight club outside of the Champions League chasers have expressed an interest in taking the Belgian striker on loan next season, but Everton, Fulham and West Ham are in pole position should the west Londoners conclude that Lukaku is not yet ready to challenge for a first-team place at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea is believed to want Lukaku to fight for a first-team position following a successful loan spell at West Brom, where his 14 league goals have steered the Baggies to eighth in the Premier League.

The Stamford Bridge hierarchy will meet with Lukaku after the domestic season finishes on Sunday to discuss their plans for the 20-year-old and Lukaku is believed to be keen to play regular football as he eyes a starting place for Belgium at the 2014 World Cup."I want to join a club that plays European football," the striker told Studio Brussel on Tuesday. "I am very satisfied with my performances this term, but I want to do even better next season. I want to take a step up from West Bromwich.

"I will definitely be with Chelsea during preseason. We will have to see what's the best solution after that. I was used to playing European football back at Anderlecht and want to have that feeling again."

His temporary employer West Brom is among more than a dozen Premier League clubs which have inquired about taking the powerful forward on loan, with Chelsea dismissing the possibility of him being loaned out to a rival Champions League-caliber club.However, the likelihood is growing that Lukaku will travel with Chelsea on its preseason tour, where rumored incoming manager Jose Mourinho will have the chance to run the rule over his new charge at close quarters.

The Belgian has yet to score for the Blues in 12 appearances, only four of which were starts, but he has blossomed in the Midlands and enhanced his reputation as one of the most exciting young strikers in Europe.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Malaga: No agreement reached over Pellegrini exit date

The Chilean is hot favorite to take over the vacant managerial position at Manchester City, but his current club have denied reports they have agreed to free him from his deal Malaga has denied reports that it has agreed to let Manchester City target Manuel Pellegrini leave the club on July 1.

It has been widely reported that the former Real Madrid boss is the leading candidate to replace Roberto Mancini at following the Italian's sacking on Monday.

Spanish radio station Cadena Cope had claimed that the Chilean sat down with his current employers on Tuesday evening to agree an exit strategy, which would allow him to abandon his contract, which has two years remaining, without triggering the 4 million euros buyout clause.

But the Andalusians have denied that there is an agreement in place just yet.


"Manuel Pellegrini has not yet communicated anything to the club," Malaga said in a statement released to Goal.com. "The information published says that in the event a decision is made, there would be an agreement. Currently, there isn't any agreement.

"The media can say what they want, but it is not official. Not official and not real."

Pellegrini is keen to put off talk about his future until the end of the Spanish season on May 31, and has denied that he has already agreed a deal to take over at the Etihad Stadium, despite a meeting between his representative and City director of football Txiki Begiristain in April.

The 59-year-old was seconds away from leading Champions League debutants Malaga to the semifinals this season, the same stage he reached with Villarreal in 2006.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juninho: 'Barcelona and Neymar need one another'

The ex-Atletico Madrid star claims the 21-year-old would be a perfect fit at Camp Nou as the move would satisfy both parties and thus prove beneficial in the long run.Former Brazil midfielder Juninho has urged Barcelona to step up their efforts to sign Neymar after suggesting that the club and the player "need each other."

The Santos forward has continually been linked with the Catalan giants, and their failure to sufficiently challenge for the Champions League has fueled another wave of speculation ahead of the transfer window.

And the one-time Atletico Madrid ace expects the Blaugrana to win the race to land the attacker this summer, believing that both parties would benefit greatly from any potential move.

"Everyone's saying that Neymar will leave in the middle of the year, and Barcelona have been mentioned [as his new club] all along," he told Onda Cero. "I do believe Neymar needs European experience. He will need to adapt at first because Brazilian football is a little different.

"From what I know, he might go to Barcelona, it's what everyone has been saying in Brazil since forever. Barcelona don't have the unity they had a few years ago, they need to bring in reinforcements.

"I think he [Neymar] would enjoy Barcelona more because of their playing style. He would fit better there."

Juninho then turned his attentions to the upcoming Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid and backed the Rojiblancos to cause an upset at the Santiago Bernabeu, paying tribute to their coach and his ex-teammate, Diego Simeone.

"It's hard when there's such an uneven clash, but this particular match, it will certainly make every player gain focus, more than a Liga fixture. In this particular match, [Atletico] might beat Real at the Bernabeu," he added.

"Real and Barcelona have put themselves on a higher level compared to the other teams [in Spain]. It's very hard to compete with them, as they have such enormous economic potential.

"Every team in Spain has a hard time dealing with such powerful opponents. When I was at Atletico, we had a very competitive squad, that could be compared to Real. We went to the Bernabeu with a lot confidence and played a very good match.

"The supporters like [Simeone] very much, and so do the club - it is a mutual feeling. He did an astonishing job there when he was a player, always guiding his teammates, and so coaching was a natural step for him."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

FIFA assured over World Cup opening venue

An emergency meeting between the world soccer governing body and Brazilian club Corinthians has ended amicably after the venue was ratified to meet a December 2013 deadline.FIFA has been given assurances that the Arena Corinthians will be completed in time to host matches at World Cup 2014.

The venue has come under scrutiny due to the drawn-out process behind its construction - which began in May 2011 - and the world soccer governing body scheduled an emergency meeting with its owners Corinthians to address the current standoff.

There was a risk that the fixtures scheduled to take place at the stadium, including next summer's opening match, could be switched to another city if FIFA felt the December 2013 handover deadline would not be met, but talks between the two parties have proved fruitful.


"We are very satisfied with the meeting and with the fact that we could talk face to face. Sao Paulo will be an example for other cities to deliver the stadium in time, by Dec. 31," FIFA secretary Jerome Valcke told reporters.

"The discussion with Corinthians was very fruitful since we understand we both want the same goal, to have the stadium ready. It is also a special project because of the legacy it leaves for the east zone of Sao Paulo.”Meanwhile, former Corinthians president - now club representative - Andres Sanchez added: “This was an excellent meeting. There was some misunderstanding but Sao Paulo and Corinthians are aware of their responsibilities.

"I have always been sure that we would host the opening game of the 2014 World Cup and now I am even more. The schedule agreed with FIFA will be respected.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Michael Carrick named Manchester United Players' Player of the Year

After a season in which the club won an historic 20th league title, the England midfielder scooped his personal prize. Robin van Persie won the Sir Matt Busby awar.Michael Carrick has won the Manchester United Players' Player of the Year award for the 2012-13 season.

The 31-year-old midfielder, who has made over 300 appearances since joining the current Premier League champions in 2006, has been in arguably the finest form of his career after taking up the mantle of the retiring Paul Scholes as United's most preeminent midfield presence.

The award was handed to him ahead of Robin van Persie, who received the Fans' Player of the Year award.

Both Carrick and Van Persie, who has scored 25 Premier League goals in 35 games for Manchester United, were also nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award that was won by Tottenham's Gareth Bale.

Midfield starlet Adnan Januzaj, who was handed a first-team squad number by Sir Alex Ferguson after the Premier League title was confirmed, was voted Reserve Team Player of the Year and 18-year-old Ben Pearson took the Young Player of the Year crown.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Carrick!

​