..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Fight well Manchester United but not good enough!Next season champions league season 1ka godak durata unsure dan EPL 1ke inna position 1ka gatthamaSo Ahema baluwoth meh play kale anthima Champions League match 1ka

Anyway Good Luck & Congratzzzzzz for Bayern!.They played really well.
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Full Time

AGG

{2-1}

Atletico Madrid 1 Vs 0 Barcelona

Atletico Madrid Goal(s)

Koke 5'
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern Munich 3-1 Manchester United (Agg 4-2): Evra wonderstrike not enough as Red Devils crash out

Bayern Munich remain on course to retain their Champions League crown after coming from behind to beat Manchester United on Wednesday evening to secure a 4-2 aggregate win.

A 1-1 draw in Manchester last week meant United claimed a shock aggregate lead at the Allianz Arena when Patrice Evra hit a stunning 57th-minute strike.

The goal awoke Bayern from their slumber though, and Mario Mandzukic quickly levelled proceedings.
And Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben also netted as three goals in the space of 17 minutes sealed a 4-2 aggregate victory for Pep Guardiola's side.

Bayern have now reached the semi-finals of Europe's premier club competition for the third season in a row and the result signals an end to United's hopes of winning a major trophy this season.

Mandzukic, Muller, Robben, Franck Ribery and Mario Gotze all started for Bayern in an aggressive line-up but it was the visitors who were able to create the first real chance.

Darren Fletcher, replacing the injured Marouane Fellaini, created it, playing a long ball forward to Wayne Rooney, who controlled on the edge of the penalty area.

The England international was caught in two minds though, and after missing the chance to find the unmarked Shinji Kagawa to his left, his shot on goal was blocked.

United had the ball in the net in the 17th minute, but the goal did not stand with Antonio Valencia drifting into an offside position when converting a Rooney cross.

Bayern eventually recovered from their slow start and as expected, dominated possession, but they were frustrated by their opponents, who were happy to sit back and soak up pressure.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between, with Ribery and Toni Kroos both missing the target before the break, but the game burst into life after Evra's goal.

The left-back ran onto a loose ball and hit a 20-yard left-foot rocket that flew into the top-right corner, an effort that gave Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer no chance.

Bayern's reaction was outstanding, though, as they responded within 22 seconds from the restart through Mandzukic.

Ribery stood up a cross to the back post and the Croatia forward nipped in front of Evra to head past Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea from six yards.

Bayern took the lead for the first time in the tie just nine minutes later, with Robben given too much time to cross on the right, and his low ball was swept home by Muller, who reacted quicker than Nemanja Vidic.

Robben then sealed the win with 14 minutes left, as he danced across the edge of the penalty area before shooting into the bottom-left corner, with the help of a Vidic deflection.

Substitute Claudio Pizarro had a late chance to extend Bayern's lead even further but his toe-poked effort was easily collected by De Gea.

It mattered little though, as Bayern's Champions League defence gathered more pace.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Barcelona (Agg 2-1): Koke sends Blaugrana crashing out

Atletico Madrid reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 1974 after Koke's solitary strike stunned Barcelona 1-0 (Agg 2-1) at the Vicente Calderon.

The midfielder's early volley ensured Diego Simeone's side, without injured talisman Diego Costa, denied Barca a seventh successive appearance in the last four.Atletico once again proved masterful at negating the threat of Lionel Messi, who failed to score for the sixth successive match against them on an electric night at the Vicente Calderon.

With the scoreline finely poised at 1-1 after the first leg at Camp Nou, both sides knew there was everything to play for. But it was Simeone's men who held their nerve.Atletico were dealt a huge blow when leading marksman Costa, who limped out of the first leg with a hamstring injury, failed to recover in time, but his replacement took just five minutes to help raise the roof.

Adrian Lopez powered a strike against the crossbar and, after David Villa had done well to keep the move going and delivered a cross to the back post, Lopez leapt impressively and nodded the ball into the path of Koke, who slotted home from close range.

Atletico continued to take the game to their Liga rivals and on 10 minutes Villa smashed a shot against the upright after latching on to Koke's disguised through ball.A few minutes later Messi, unmarked seven yards out, missed a great chance when he headed Dani Alves' cross just wide.

When Alves next darted forward, he was robbed of possession on the edge of the Atletico box by Lopez, who held off the challenge of three opponents as he carried the ball into the Barcelona half before drawing a foul from Sergio Busquets, who was booked.From the resulting free-kick, Atletico worked the ball forward to Villa, who held off Marc Barta and unleashed a shot from an acute angle against the crossbar.

Neymar then produced some exquisite trickery to work his way past two opponents before squaring the ball for Messi, who failed to control his close-range shot.Barcelona had the better of the possession throughout the remainder of the first half, but they failed to create anything of note, although Lopez and Cesc Fabregas both had faint penalty appeals turned down.

Three minutes after the restart, Barcelona almost restored parity. Xavi slid a defence-piercing throughball to Neymar, who attempted to take it around goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The Belgium international dived down to push the ball away from the Brazil forward and Messi elected against shooting from the rebound and was crowded out.Just before the hour, Alves' cross found Xavi unmarked, but the diminutive midfielder could not keep his glancing header on target.

Lopez went off to a standing ovation on the hour, and his replacement Diego, whose wonder goal earned Atletico a draw in the first leg, swiftly forced Jose Pinto into a smart save.After 70 minutes, Gabi raced clean through, albeit from an angle, but his tame shot allowed Pinto to save with his feet, before Raul Garcia's goal-bound strike from inside the area was blocked.

After 77 minutes, Neymar's header went agonisingly wide for Barcelona and that was the last chance they had to prevent a famous defeat.Substitute Cristian Rodriguez almost put the game well beyond their reach in the last minute, but Pinto dived to his right to push the ball out for a corner.

It mattered not, as Atletico played the clock down near the Barcelona corner flag to join Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in Friday's semi-final draw.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Atletico Madrid meh season 1ka play karana widiya niyamaiLast season BVB la wage thamai​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Porto make me look good, says Castro

Porto head coach Luis Castro claims his players have been making him look good as his side prepare for their Europa League quarter-final second leg with Sevilla.

The 52-year-old guided the Portugal giants to an impressive win over Napoli in the previous round before sealing a 1-0 first-leg win over the Spanish side last week, but Castro maintains his squad deserve the credit for their recent performances in Europe.

"When the students are good, the teacher appears that way. It's good to be Porto coach, not just for the club but for the fantastic players," he told a press conference.

"It will be a tough game for both teams. I expect Sevilla to want to win the game and I expect the same from us. We must be bold and balanced, 1-0 would give hope to either side.

"All squad players are ready to give their best."

Porto's trip to Sevilla kicks off at 21:05 CET on Thursday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Muller hails mentally tough Bayern

Thomas Muller hailed the “superb leaders” in the Bayern Munich side after the holders progressed into the Champions League semi-finals at Manchester United’s expense on Wednesday night.

After the first leg finished 1-1 at Old Trafford, the tie swung in United’s favour when Patrice Evra slammed home a stunning 25-yard drive after 57 minutes to put the visitors in front at the Allianz Arena.Rather than wilt, however, Bayern equalised immediately through Mario Mandzukic before quickfire goals from Muller and Arjen Robben saw Bayern through 4-2 on aggregate.

At 1-0 down, Germany international Muller admitted: “It did not feel good. Evra had a shot which was simply unstoppable. But our mentality is very good and we have superb leaders that march forwards and we wanted to equalise so badly. We reacted well.

“In the end the goals were the decisive factor in the tie. We ran a lot to score our goals and to get the 1-1 so quickly after we conceded. Then we were able to score another two and could be a little bit more relaxed.”

Bayern made no secret of their dislike for United’s defensive tactics after the Old Trafford encounter but Muller felt Mandzukic, who started that game on the bench, made a difference back in Bavaria.

He added on Sky: “It was a bit annoying after the first leg. We had some situations that reminded us of handball. We did not manage to create clear chances. There were some good situations, but no 100% chances. You start to wonder what to do.

“Today, with me and Mandzu in the box we were a little more dangerous and it helped that one of us took one defender off the other one. In the end our tactics worked.“Bayern boss Pep Guardiola was delighted his side had remained patient before finally breaking United down.

"I knew it would be tough. This is the Champions League quarter-final and Manchester had their keeper plus eight players in the box,” he said.“But we were patient and we had a little luck in converting our chances. Now we have reached the semi-final and I am very, very proud of my team."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

We didn't give Xavi or Iniesta time to think - Simeone

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone hailed his side's relentless running and pressing during Wednesday's 1-0 (Agg 2-1) win over Barcelona.

Koke's early strike was enough to send the Catalans crashing out of Europe and that strike could also have a telling impact in La Liga, with the two sides battling it out for the league title.

Simeone was delighted with the consistent effort shown by his players - particularly forward Adrian Lopez, who replaced the injured Diego Costa - claiming they did not allow Barca's midfield stars Xavi or Andres Iniesta time to think when in possession.

"We are so happy to beat a wonderful team. We now have time to recover and think about Sunday's match," he told Canal Plus.

"We played an "area match", letting Barcelona control the ball in midfield but pressing them hard. We worked hard when we lost the ball, pressing Xavi or Iniesta and not letting them think. The first 20 minutes were excellent, then Barcelona grew into it.

"My players were so happy, we beat a great team. Adrian played an impressive match. pressing and helping in every moment. I am happy to have him back."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter make Mikel move during Chelsea visit

Inter are planning to continue their Premier League recruitment drive with a move for Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel.

Inter president Erick Thohir is understood to have been in attendance at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night for the Blues’ 2-0 Champions League triumph over Paris Saint-Germain.

And the midfielder, who has started just nine Premier League games during Jose Mourinho’s second spell with Chelsea, is considered a realistic transfer target by the Nerazzurri.

Thohir is developing relationships with a number of Premier League clubs ahead of a planned summer overhaul at San Siro.

Inter have already secured the signing of free agent Nemanja Vidic, who will leave Manchester United at the end of the season.

As revealed by Goal, the Serie A side also maintain an interest in Fernando Torres, but believe a season-long loan deal for the striker could be difficult to secure and have made Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko their No.1 target for the summer.

Goal also understands City midfielder Javi Garcia is also a target for Inter, but the Etihad Stadium outfit would want to recoup the £16 million spent on the former Benfica man.

Thohir has publicly declared the club’s interest in both Torres and Dzeko, as well as Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cazorla: Arsenal interested in signing Casillas

Santi Cazorla is keen for Iker Casillas to join Arsenal this summer and has revealed the club are interested in signing the Real Madrid goalkeeper.

The 32-year-old shot-stopper has featured in all 10 of his club's Champions League fixtures this season but has failed to make an appearance in La Liga, with Carlo Ancelotti preferring Diego Lopez for Primera Division games.

Madrid captain Casillas claimed in March that he is prepared to see out his contract, which ends in 2017, but Cazorla says his fellow Spain international will consider his future at the end of the campaign.

“I’ve told him [I want him to join Arsenal], but so far he has just been curious about my experience in England,” the attacking midfielder told Sport360.

“His situation is very complicated, but he has to make a decision.

“Lots of clubs want him, including Arsenal, but I think that it would be very difficult to leave Real Madrid because of what the club represents.

“He knows what he has [at Madrid] and what he could find at another club.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I've been practising crossing with my right foot, says Bayern hero Robben

Arjen Robben has revealed he spent Wednesday's training session working on crossing with his weaker right foot after he fired Bayern Munich into the Champions League semi-finals.

The holders were stunned in the second half at the Allianz Arena as Patrice Evra's wonder strike put Manchester United in front, but Robben inspired his side to a 3-1 win, setting up Thomas Muller's goal before drilling home a third after Mario Mandzkuic had levelled on the night.

Robben crossed to Muller with his right foot for Bayern's second, and the Netherlands international told Sky after the match that he had practised the skill at the end of training earlier in the day.

"This morning after the last training we joked around on the pitch for 10 minutes and I practised crosses with my right foot. And it helped, it was a pretty good cross," he said.

"These are the evenings you sacrifice everything for, you do all the training for. These nights are pure fun."

Robben admitted he enjoyed a more productive evening at the Allianz Arena after being frustrated by United in the first leg, but warned that a potential semi-final showdown with old club Chelsea could be even more difficult for his side.

"The first half was pretty good, I had some space on the right wing. It was the same as always: we had to move the ball quickly and then get into one-on-one situations. It will not be easier if we play against Chelsea. It will be even worse."

Bayern head into Friday's draw alongside Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Chelsea.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Caceres: Juventus will not be distracted by Scudetto

Juventus defender Martin Caceres says he is ignoring the Serie A run in for the time being and is eager to progress in the Europa League.

The Bianconeri stand on the brink of their third straight Scudetto and have also made sound progress in Europe, having reached the quarter-finals of the continent's second competition.

The Uruguayan is concentrating firmly on sealing a berth in the last four when his side host Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday, having won the first leg 1-0 in France last week.

"We're enjoying playing in the Europe League at the moment," he told a press conference.

"We've got a strong Lyon side in front of us now and we'll look to make the next round with an excellent performance – that's our aim.

"We're playing every three days so we're taking things game by game. Tomorrow's is the most important of the week, and we won't think about the league until that's over."

As the Bianconeri fight on two fronts, Caceres has found himself firmly back in coach Antonio Conte's plans of late, and he is adamant he will give his all during a gruelling run of fixtures.

"I'm feeling in good shape physically and I'm happy to be playing all these games during this period when the coach and side need me."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Udinese confirm AC Milan interest in Scuffet

Udinese sporting director Cristiano Giaretta has revealed that AC Milan have expressed an interest in teenage goalkeeper Simone Scuffet.

Big things are expected of rising star Scuffet, who has won plenty of admirers since Francesco Guidolin handed him a first-team debut against Bologna in February.

The 17-year-old kept a clean sheet in that match and has made a further 10 appearances in his breakthrough season.

Scuffet's impressive performances have led to talk of a move away from Udine and Giaretta confirmed that there has been contact with Milan.

"There has been a brief meeting, but nothing concrete," Giaretta told TuttoMercatoWeb.

"And as for the future, I can say that he will not be on the market for next season."

Juventus and Italy veteran Gianluigi Buffon believes Scuffet could well force his way into Cesare Prandelli's World Cup plans should his performances continue.

"Should Scuffet go to Brazil? Considering what he is doing I'd say he deserves it, but watch out for Mattia Perin and Francesco Bardi too," Buffon said.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cazorla open to Arsenal exit: We lack a winning mentality

Santi Cazorla insists Arsenal must develop a stronger mentality if they want to win trophies - and hints he will leave if they fail to do so.

A four-game winless run in the Premier League has relegated the Gunners from title contenders to battling with Everton to qualify for next season's Champions League.

All the while the club's nine-year trophy drought goes on, and Arsenal will face Wigan Athletic in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley knowing anything less than winning the tournament will be a failure.

Cazorla admits he has still not found what he was looking for when he swapped Malaga for north London in the summer of 2012 and, at 29, says he is prepared to move again in search of silverware.

“I want titles and that is why I came to Arsenal,” he told Sport360. “Every football player wants to win titles. We’ve gone many years without winning one.

“And if not, what I’ll look for in my next destination is to have the chance to win.”

On the subject of a winning mentality, Cazorla added: “That is what makes it different at other clubs.

“You’ve a good example in Manchester City who signed Fernandinho, [Alvaro] Negredo ... or even Manchester United with [Robin] Van Persie and [Juan] Mata.

“Arsenal know what they need next season, but it’s almost impossible to win a title if we haven’t got these kind of things.”

Cazorla also refused to rule out the possibility of returning to Spain, where he had previously enjoyed the interest of Real Madrid while at Malaga and Villarreal.

“I don’t want to close doors, but nowadays I’ve a contract with Arsenal for two more seasons,” he continued.

“When I’m turning 31 I’ll evaluate myself and I’ll choose the best option. In which case, I would be delighted to come back [to Spain].”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cazorla ta yanna dunnoth aparadeArsenal team 1ken hodatama perform karana player kenek

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Xavi left frustrated with profligate Barcelona

Barcelona midfielder Xavi was left frustrated with his side's poor finishing as Atletico Madrid sent the Catalans crashing out of the Champions League quarter-finals with a 1-0 (Agg 2-1) win on Wednesday.

Koke's goal early in the first half was enough to settle the encounter, though Barca spurned a number of chances during the match, with Lionel Messi guilty of missing two clear opportunities in the first 45 minutes.

Xavi believes Barca would never normally display such a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal and feels his side deserved to at least send the tie into extra time.

"I do not know if Atletico deserved this win," he was quoted as saying by Uefa.com after the match.

"We have had several chances to get the draw, we had four or five chances that usually we score. I think we deserved the draw, sending the game into extra time."

Atletico join Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in Friday's semi-final draw following the holders' 4-2 aggregate win over Manchester United.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Moyes rues 'schoolboy defending' after Champions League exit

David Moyes rued a "schoolboy" error after Manchester United were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich.

United took the lead in their quarter-final second leg at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday through Patrice Evra's thunderbolt, a goal that gave Moyes' men the lead on aggregate and cancelled out Bayern's away goal from the first leg.

But Bayern responded within 22 seconds of the restart to level through Mario Mandzukic, the Croatian getting ahead of Evra to head home Franck Ribery's cross.

That was the impetus the defending champions needed and Pep Guardiola's side went on to secure a 3-1 win on the night, 4-2 on aggregate, as Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller added the second and third.

And while Moyes was proud of his team's performance, he conceded that allowing Bayern to equalise so quickly was a costly error.

"I am pleased with their (the players') performance, but a couple of small errors cost us in the end," he told reporters.

"The 30 seconds after we scored the first goal were poor, as a schoolboy you are told not to concede a goal straight away after scoring.

"We conceded too quickly. It's always going to be tough, but after the first goal you need to give five or 10 minutes (without conceding).

"I don't know if the concentration went after the goal, but we had enough experience on the pitch to do that.

"I never thought we were out of the game, we needed to score one more goal but obviously the third one killed us."

Moyes, however, is confident United will soon return to Europe's premier club competition, despite having little chance of qualifying through the Premier League this season.

"We've not got (the) Champions League (next season) but I believe it is not far away," he added. "Hopefully it will only be one year (away) where we have to rebuild.

"My focus now is on getting this team back in the competition.

"There is no shame in losing to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. We played really well and showed the qualities we've got."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Schoolboy Defending?

Defending nisa thamai oya ganen hari berune​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Carrick after Champions League exit: We'll be back

Michael Carrick has vowed Manchester United will return to the Champions League following Wednesday's defeat to Bayern Munich.

Goals from Mario Mandzukic, Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben secured a 3-1 win on the night for Pep Guardiola's side, who recovered from going behind to a stunning Patrice Evra strike to dump United out of Europe.

The Red Devils are all but out of contention to qualify for next season's competition, with David Moyes's side currently seven points behind fourth-placed Arsenal in the Premier League table, but Carrick is adamant they will return to Europe's top table.

He told Sky Sports: "It's not good enough. We've said that over the last few weeks. This club should be in the Champions League.

"It was always going to be tough tonight, we knew that, but the reason we're not going to be in the Champions League is our league form throughout the season. We take responsibility for that, we've had too many bad results and ultimately we've paid for that.

"We pick ourselves up, we finish the season as well as we can and we start again next year, believing we can challenge for the title again. That's all that matters now.

"This [the Champions League] is where we want to be, this where we've been for a long time and this is where we'll be back, I'm sure, in the not too distant future."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'No limits' for awesome Atletico - Koke

Koke claimed Atletico Madrid have “no limits” after grabbing the goal which dumped Barcelona out of the Champions League on Wednesday.The midfielder struck after five minutes at the Vicente Calderon as Atletico won the quarter-final, second leg 1-0 to go through to the last four 2-1 on aggregate.

It was no more than Diego Simeone’s men deserved, especially after a lightning start during which the hosts hit the woodwork on three occasions, with Barca’s defence looking lost without experienced defenders Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol and goalkeeper Victor Valdes.It meant Atletico advanced to their first Champions League semi-final since 1974 and Koke is dreaming of going all the way.

He told reporters after the game: “(To be in the semis) after 40 years is spectacular, this team has no limits. Let’s make the people keep dreaming.“We were clear winners. The goal was very important because it helped the team reach the semis. Our work in the tie has been spectacular.”Atleti will line up alongside holders Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Real Madrid in Friday’s draw.

Koke added: “The next team we will play will be very difficult, but we have eliminated one of the best, if not the best.”