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..::Football II::..
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Barcelona 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain (Agg 3-3): Barca advances to semifinals on away goals
messi is the bestEven when he's injured, Messi is still Barcelona's savior
.
Juventus 0-2 Bayern Munich (Agg 0-4): Impressive march to semis for Germans
UEFA Europa League 2013.04.11 Quarter-Finals 2nd Leg Fixtures
Rubin Vs Chelsea
Basel Vs Tottanham
Newcastle Vs Benfica
Fergie set to rival City for £47m Falcao as United manager prepares cash-plus Hernandez swoop for Atletico Madrid star
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has joined the hunt for Atletico Madrid's £47million-rated striker Radamel Falcao.
Manchester City and Chelsea have both been strongly linked with Falcao, who has established himself as one of the world's most prolific marksmen by scoring 54 goals for Atletico since arriving in Spain from Porto in 2011.
But it is understood that United have now joined the bidding for the 27-year-old Colombian and are prepared to let Javier Hernandez move to Madrid as part of the deal.
The Premier League leaders are ready to meet the £47m buyout clause in Falcao's contract by offering the Spaniards £27m cash plus Hernandez who they value at £20m.
Although reports in Spain yesterday suggested that a downpayment has already been made, it is believed that United's interest is still in its early stages.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone responded to the speculation by saying: 'Falcao is a great player and it's logical that the best teams in the world are interested in him. It doesn't surprise me.'
If United were to land Falcao it would be a bitter blow to Chelsea, who thought they were winning the race to sign him, and City boss Roberto Mancini who believes Robin van Persie's decision to choose Old Trafford over the Etihad Stadium last summer has been a key factor in this season's title battle.
However, any club wanting to sign Falcao will have to resolve an issue of third-party ownership due to the fact that a company run by former United and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon and agent Jorge Mendes has owned a stake in the player since helping to finance his £34m move from Porto
| DailyMail
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has joined the hunt for Atletico Madrid's £47million-rated striker Radamel Falcao.
Manchester City and Chelsea have both been strongly linked with Falcao, who has established himself as one of the world's most prolific marksmen by scoring 54 goals for Atletico since arriving in Spain from Porto in 2011.
But it is understood that United have now joined the bidding for the 27-year-old Colombian and are prepared to let Javier Hernandez move to Madrid as part of the deal.
The Premier League leaders are ready to meet the £47m buyout clause in Falcao's contract by offering the Spaniards £27m cash plus Hernandez who they value at £20m.
Although reports in Spain yesterday suggested that a downpayment has already been made, it is believed that United's interest is still in its early stages.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone responded to the speculation by saying: 'Falcao is a great player and it's logical that the best teams in the world are interested in him. It doesn't surprise me.'
If United were to land Falcao it would be a bitter blow to Chelsea, who thought they were winning the race to sign him, and City boss Roberto Mancini who believes Robin van Persie's decision to choose Old Trafford over the Etihad Stadium last summer has been a key factor in this season's title battle.
However, any club wanting to sign Falcao will have to resolve an issue of third-party ownership due to the fact that a company run by former United and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon and agent Jorge Mendes has owned a stake in the player since helping to finance his £34m move from Porto
| DailyMail
මුගටියා;14776550 said:Fergie set to rival City for £47m Falcao as United manager prepares cash-plus Hernandez swoop for Atletico Madrid star
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has joined the hunt for Atletico Madrid's £47million-rated striker Radamel Falcao.
Manchester City and Chelsea have both been strongly linked with Falcao, who has established himself as one of the world's most prolific marksmen by scoring 54 goals for Atletico since arriving in Spain from Porto in 2011.
But it is understood that United have now joined the bidding for the 27-year-old Colombian and are prepared to let Javier Hernandez move to Madrid as part of the deal.
The Premier League leaders are ready to meet the £47m buyout clause in Falcao's contract by offering the Spaniards £27m cash plus Hernandez who they value at £20m.
Although reports in Spain yesterday suggested that a downpayment has already been made, it is believed that United's interest is still in its early stages.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone responded to the speculation by saying: 'Falcao is a great player and it's logical that the best teams in the world are interested in him. It doesn't surprise me.'
If United were to land Falcao it would be a bitter blow to Chelsea, who thought they were winning the race to sign him, and City boss Roberto Mancini who believes Robin van Persie's decision to choose Old Trafford over the Etihad Stadium last summer has been a key factor in this season's title battle.
However, any club wanting to sign Falcao will have to resolve an issue of third-party ownership due to the fact that a company run by former United and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon and agent Jorge Mendes has owned a stake in the player since helping to finance his £34m move from Porto
| DailyMail
Anemanda bro........mewage deals wenna one nam thamai next season 1kata strong team 1kak hadaganna,ath wenakam sure karanna amarui
Hawk-Eye approved by Premier League
Premier League clubs have approved the use of goal-line technology for next season, with Hawk-Eye being awarded the contract for next season.
The British-based firm won the vote among representatives of all 20 top-flight clubs at a meeting in London on Thursday. They had been considering four potential systems approved by world football's governing body FIFA and were believed to have been choosing between Hawk-Eye and GoalControl.
Hawk-Eye - which was bought by Sony two years ago - has already seen its system successfully utilised in tennis and cricket, while German firm GoalControl has been named as FIFA's preferred provider for next year's World Cup finals earlier this month.The installation of the technology will cost around £250,000 per Premier League ground, and it will also be installed at Wembley.
The clubs will also vote on ratifying plans to control club spending.The spending controls - a domestic and less strict version of UEFA's Financial Fair Play plans - would limit a club's total losses over a three-year period to £105 million and bring down spiralling wage bills.
Premier League chairman Richard Scudamore has written to all 20 clubs, calling on them to back the plans, the Times has reported.
The paper has seen an email in which Scudamore suggests clubs who voted against the proposals earlier this year - Aston Villa, Fulham, Manchester City, Southampton, Swansea and West Brom - should reconsider. Reading abstained.
With the two-thirds majority in favour having been reached at a February vote, the chief executive said he hoped "some previous dissenters may see their way to approve the rules, as being consistent with the will of the majority".
Club representatives first met in December to discuss plans for a new system obliging teams to break even and imposing a cap on wages.
Chelsea, who had initially been thought likely to oppose FFP regulations, voted in favour and said they would "play our part [in discussions] to ensure implementation is fair for all clubs in the league''.
The Premier League's legal advisers have since been working on the detailed plans now up for ratification.West Ham co-chairman David Gold, speaking in February, said spending restraints were needed and added: "What's driving the whole thing is we've got to avoid another Portsmouth.''
If the plans are given the final go-ahead, the Premier League will be the first top-flight league in Europe to bring introduce such a system.
Premier League clubs have approved the use of goal-line technology for next season, with Hawk-Eye being awarded the contract for next season.
The British-based firm won the vote among representatives of all 20 top-flight clubs at a meeting in London on Thursday. They had been considering four potential systems approved by world football's governing body FIFA and were believed to have been choosing between Hawk-Eye and GoalControl.
Hawk-Eye - which was bought by Sony two years ago - has already seen its system successfully utilised in tennis and cricket, while German firm GoalControl has been named as FIFA's preferred provider for next year's World Cup finals earlier this month.The installation of the technology will cost around £250,000 per Premier League ground, and it will also be installed at Wembley.
The clubs will also vote on ratifying plans to control club spending.The spending controls - a domestic and less strict version of UEFA's Financial Fair Play plans - would limit a club's total losses over a three-year period to £105 million and bring down spiralling wage bills.
Premier League chairman Richard Scudamore has written to all 20 clubs, calling on them to back the plans, the Times has reported.
The paper has seen an email in which Scudamore suggests clubs who voted against the proposals earlier this year - Aston Villa, Fulham, Manchester City, Southampton, Swansea and West Brom - should reconsider. Reading abstained.
With the two-thirds majority in favour having been reached at a February vote, the chief executive said he hoped "some previous dissenters may see their way to approve the rules, as being consistent with the will of the majority".
Club representatives first met in December to discuss plans for a new system obliging teams to break even and imposing a cap on wages.
Chelsea, who had initially been thought likely to oppose FFP regulations, voted in favour and said they would "play our part [in discussions] to ensure implementation is fair for all clubs in the league''.
The Premier League's legal advisers have since been working on the detailed plans now up for ratification.West Ham co-chairman David Gold, speaking in February, said spending restraints were needed and added: "What's driving the whole thing is we've got to avoid another Portsmouth.''
If the plans are given the final go-ahead, the Premier League will be the first top-flight league in Europe to bring introduce such a system.
Anemanda bro........mewage deals wenna one nam thamai next season 1kata strong team 1kak hadaganna,ath wenakam sure karanna amarui
ya but Radamel Falcao is 27 years old. so porawa ganne nathi wei.
Robin van Persie 29
Wayne Rooney 27
so young striker kenekwa ganna eka hodai.
Is this the best banner ever? Borussia Dortmund fans unleash spectacular display ahead of Malaga Champions League clash
Borussia Dortmund's famous 'yellow wall' excelled itself ahead of their side's Champions League second-leg clash with Malaga.
As the teams walked out, supporters behind the goal in the Westfalenstadion held up yellow and black placards to depict the famous trophy.
They weren't finished. A massive picture of a man with binoculars rose up from the ground, with the words: 'On the trail of the lost cup.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...aga-Champions-League-match.html#ixzz2QAQBO6CI
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...aga-Champions-League-match.html#ixzz2QAQ7waqt
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Borussia Dortmund's famous 'yellow wall' excelled itself ahead of their side's Champions League second-leg clash with Malaga.
As the teams walked out, supporters behind the goal in the Westfalenstadion held up yellow and black placards to depict the famous trophy.
They weren't finished. A massive picture of a man with binoculars rose up from the ground, with the words: 'On the trail of the lost cup.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...aga-Champions-League-match.html#ixzz2QAQBO6CI
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...aga-Champions-League-match.html#ixzz2QAQ7waqt
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Basel 2-2 Tottenham (agg 4-4 AET, Basel wins 4-1 on penalties): Heartbreak for Spurs despite spirited late show
Tottenham Hotspur crashed out of the Europa League 4-1 on penalties despite a valiant performance in their quarterfinal second leg against Swiss outfit Basel.
The match had finished level at 2-2 in normal time, with Clint Dempsey's early strike putting Spurs in control of the tie, but they were quickly pegged back thanks to the influential Mohamed Salah's near-post strike.
Basel capitalized on slack defending to establish a stranglehold on the tie as Aleksandar Dragovic rifled home from close range after Brad Friedel had parried a Fabian Schar header.
Plucky Tottenham was not to be denied though, as Dempsey netted his second following a searching pass from substitute Tom Huddlestone but Jan Vertonghen's red card prior to the final whistle left the visitors with an uphill task for extra-time.
They held on with last-gasp defending against Murat Yakin's outfit but ultimately to no avail as Huddlestone and Emmanuel Adebayor missed from 12 yards to seal the North London club's fate.
Andre Villas-Boas made four changes - three enforced - to the side that drew 2-2 with the Swiss outfit in the first leg as injured trio Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and William Gallas were replaced by Michael Dawson, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dempsey in the starting XI while Walker also came in for the benched Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
The hosts made just two changes meanwhile, with Park Joo-Ho and Philipp Degen taking their places at the expense of Kay Voser and Markus Steinhofer.
In a rather dull opening, Schar was the first to chance his arm, firing in a low free kick which flew just wide of Friedel's near post.
Schar and his defensive partner Dragovic had been largely composed in the opening exchanges, with both rearguards on top, but the latter was badly at fault as Tottenham seized a crucial advantage in the tie at the halfway point of the first half.
Vertonghen's speculative pass through the middle look pretty harmless but Dragovic failed to deal with it and in nicked Dempsey, who rounded the keeper before coolly rolling the ball into the unguarded net.
The lead, however, did not last long.
Dembele was caught napping in midfield by Streller, who laid the ball off to the onrushing Salah, who - despite a heavy touch - toe-poked the ball beyond the reach of Friedel at his near post.
The Egyptian almost stole in for a second moments later but could not quite prod past the alert Friedel before fellow goalscorer Dempsey rose well at a corner only to head straight at Sommer.
Yann Sommer had to go one better before the break as he sprung to his right to push away Dembele's curling strike before getting down low to hold on to an Adebayor effort from the subsequent attack in the last meaningful action of the half.
The Togolese striker registered the first notable attempt after the interval as he nodded down a corner which Sommer was able to gather.
From a set-piece of its own though, Basel moved ahead for the first time on the night and strengthened its grip on the tie.
A flick-on by Schar at the near post from Stocker's delivery was inexplicably pushed out by Friedel to the unmarked Dragovic who atoned for his earlier error by slamming into the roof of the net from a couple of yards out.
The Swiss defender almost doubled his tally for the evening as he connected perfectly with Fabian Frei's inswinging free kick, but his header floated just wide of the upright, with Friedel rooted to the spot.
Spurs were becoming increasingly anxious to find the equalizer they craved but were unable to break through a resolute Basel defense, with the hosts always looking a threat on the counter, particularly through the exciting Salah.
Yakin's side pressed its opponents effectively too, and it almost paid off as Marcelo Diaz capitalized on a poor Lewis Holtby pass to proceed goalwards and fire a stinging effort at Friedel, who dealt well with the strike.
Given the defiant nature of the Swiss side's defence, Spurs found their deserved but slightly unexpected equalizer completely out of the blue.
Substitute Huddlestone sent a raking pass in behind Joo-Ho to Dempsey, who managed to send a volley goalwards. The ball somehow crept underneath Sommer, who appeared to dive too early, to breathe new life into the tie.
Joo-Ho, who was enduring a nightmare few minutes, nearly turned the ball into his own net from a Kyle Walker cut-back just moments after Friedel had denied Basel again from Streller's diving header in what was becoming an increasingly end-to-end affair.
Vertonghen struggled with the constant movement of a willing Streller all evening and as the tie approached extra-time, Spurs task was made all the more difficult after the Belgian tripped the striker as he rushed through on goal, and as the last man, referee Olegario Benquerenca had no choice but to dismiss the center back.
There was to be no seperating the two sides after 90 minutes but it was the Swiss side wich used its numerical advantage in the opening period of extra-time, with Mohamed El-Nenny crashing a strike against the upright as the Egyptian starlet came agonising close to restoring his side's lead.
Spurs were beginning to tire in midfield, while their opponents sensed their chance and came close once more as Diaz side-stepped a weak challenge and curled just wide, with Friedel sprawling.
The veteran striker Alexander Frei emerged from the bench to replace Salah for the final minutes and engineered an opportunity within seconds of his arrival.
Streller's neat layoff found the substitute in space on the left-hand side of the area, but having adjusted his footing, he could not find a finish as Dawson blocked heroically.
Basel huffed and puffed for their winner but it was not to be as the tie moved onto a dramatic shootout.
Huddlestone's effort was saved by Sommer, before Adebayor blazed horribly over. It left Chilean Diaz with the task of putting his side into the semifinals, which he did by duly dispatching the spot kick.
Tottenham Hotspur crashed out of the Europa League 4-1 on penalties despite a valiant performance in their quarterfinal second leg against Swiss outfit Basel.
The match had finished level at 2-2 in normal time, with Clint Dempsey's early strike putting Spurs in control of the tie, but they were quickly pegged back thanks to the influential Mohamed Salah's near-post strike.
Basel capitalized on slack defending to establish a stranglehold on the tie as Aleksandar Dragovic rifled home from close range after Brad Friedel had parried a Fabian Schar header.
Plucky Tottenham was not to be denied though, as Dempsey netted his second following a searching pass from substitute Tom Huddlestone but Jan Vertonghen's red card prior to the final whistle left the visitors with an uphill task for extra-time.
They held on with last-gasp defending against Murat Yakin's outfit but ultimately to no avail as Huddlestone and Emmanuel Adebayor missed from 12 yards to seal the North London club's fate.
Andre Villas-Boas made four changes - three enforced - to the side that drew 2-2 with the Swiss outfit in the first leg as injured trio Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon and William Gallas were replaced by Michael Dawson, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dempsey in the starting XI while Walker also came in for the benched Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
The hosts made just two changes meanwhile, with Park Joo-Ho and Philipp Degen taking their places at the expense of Kay Voser and Markus Steinhofer.
In a rather dull opening, Schar was the first to chance his arm, firing in a low free kick which flew just wide of Friedel's near post.
Schar and his defensive partner Dragovic had been largely composed in the opening exchanges, with both rearguards on top, but the latter was badly at fault as Tottenham seized a crucial advantage in the tie at the halfway point of the first half.
Vertonghen's speculative pass through the middle look pretty harmless but Dragovic failed to deal with it and in nicked Dempsey, who rounded the keeper before coolly rolling the ball into the unguarded net.
The lead, however, did not last long.
Dembele was caught napping in midfield by Streller, who laid the ball off to the onrushing Salah, who - despite a heavy touch - toe-poked the ball beyond the reach of Friedel at his near post.
The Egyptian almost stole in for a second moments later but could not quite prod past the alert Friedel before fellow goalscorer Dempsey rose well at a corner only to head straight at Sommer.
Yann Sommer had to go one better before the break as he sprung to his right to push away Dembele's curling strike before getting down low to hold on to an Adebayor effort from the subsequent attack in the last meaningful action of the half.
The Togolese striker registered the first notable attempt after the interval as he nodded down a corner which Sommer was able to gather.
From a set-piece of its own though, Basel moved ahead for the first time on the night and strengthened its grip on the tie.
A flick-on by Schar at the near post from Stocker's delivery was inexplicably pushed out by Friedel to the unmarked Dragovic who atoned for his earlier error by slamming into the roof of the net from a couple of yards out.
The Swiss defender almost doubled his tally for the evening as he connected perfectly with Fabian Frei's inswinging free kick, but his header floated just wide of the upright, with Friedel rooted to the spot.
Spurs were becoming increasingly anxious to find the equalizer they craved but were unable to break through a resolute Basel defense, with the hosts always looking a threat on the counter, particularly through the exciting Salah.
Yakin's side pressed its opponents effectively too, and it almost paid off as Marcelo Diaz capitalized on a poor Lewis Holtby pass to proceed goalwards and fire a stinging effort at Friedel, who dealt well with the strike.
Given the defiant nature of the Swiss side's defence, Spurs found their deserved but slightly unexpected equalizer completely out of the blue.
Substitute Huddlestone sent a raking pass in behind Joo-Ho to Dempsey, who managed to send a volley goalwards. The ball somehow crept underneath Sommer, who appeared to dive too early, to breathe new life into the tie.
Joo-Ho, who was enduring a nightmare few minutes, nearly turned the ball into his own net from a Kyle Walker cut-back just moments after Friedel had denied Basel again from Streller's diving header in what was becoming an increasingly end-to-end affair.
Vertonghen struggled with the constant movement of a willing Streller all evening and as the tie approached extra-time, Spurs task was made all the more difficult after the Belgian tripped the striker as he rushed through on goal, and as the last man, referee Olegario Benquerenca had no choice but to dismiss the center back.
There was to be no seperating the two sides after 90 minutes but it was the Swiss side wich used its numerical advantage in the opening period of extra-time, with Mohamed El-Nenny crashing a strike against the upright as the Egyptian starlet came agonising close to restoring his side's lead.
Spurs were beginning to tire in midfield, while their opponents sensed their chance and came close once more as Diaz side-stepped a weak challenge and curled just wide, with Friedel sprawling.
The veteran striker Alexander Frei emerged from the bench to replace Salah for the final minutes and engineered an opportunity within seconds of his arrival.
Streller's neat layoff found the substitute in space on the left-hand side of the area, but having adjusted his footing, he could not find a finish as Dawson blocked heroically.
Basel huffed and puffed for their winner but it was not to be as the tie moved onto a dramatic shootout.
Huddlestone's effort was saved by Sommer, before Adebayor blazed horribly over. It left Chilean Diaz with the task of putting his side into the semifinals, which he did by duly dispatching the spot kick.
Rubin Kazan 3-2 Chelsea (Agg 4-5): Torres on target as Blues reach last four
Chelsea secured progress into the last four of the Europa League with a 3-2 defeat the second leg of the club's quarterfinal against Rubin Kazan.
Fernando Torres' goal inside five minutes got the Blues off to the perfect start leaving the home side with a mountain to climb.
Ivan Marcano gave the Russians hope with a thumping header after the break but Victor Moses quickly put Chelsea back in the driving seat with the team's second minutes later, only for Gokdeniz Karadeniz to then level the score with another header.
Bribas Natcho gave Rubin the lead on the night from the spot but Chelsea managed to hold on thereafter to reach the semifinals.
Rafa Benitez made seven changes to the side which beat Sunderland on Sunday with Juan Mata and Eden Hazard dropping down to the bench. Nathan Ake came in to midfield to make only his second start for the Blues while Paulo Ferreira also made a rare appearance at left back.
The Russian side made one change from the first leg at Stamford Bridge as Jose Rondon replaced Vladimir Dyadyun in attack.
Rubin started the game on the front foot and came close when Roman Eremenko's shot was blocked inside the box inside the first five minutes.
Chelsea was ahead moments later when Torres chased Frank Lampard's long ball over the home side's defense while managing to lose his marker, before embarrassing Sergey Ryzhikov by cheekily lifting the ball over his head from 30 yards out.
From then on the first half was all Chelsea's. Benitez's men kept the ball for long periods and were quick to close down their opponents whenever they tried to pass through midfield.
Kurban Berdyev's men had one or two promising moments later on in the half - Alan Kasaev in particular caught the eye - but in truth the home side never looked like threatening Chelsea's lead.
Instead it was the Blues who looked more likely to add a second, something they might have managed had they been a bit more clinical in the final third.
Right on the stroke of halftime the Russian side had its best moment of the first period. Keredeniz brought down Natcho's pass inside the box but Petr Cech got down superbly to touch the Turk's prod past his far post.
That late first-half chance gave the home team plenty of belief going into the second and Rubin made it count six minutes after the break.
Marcano towered high over Ramirez and powered a header past Cech into the far post from a well-taken free kick out wide on the right.
The response from Benitez's men was emphatic as Moses, after a clever one-two with Ramires, curled a fine effort past Ryzhikov shortly after to dash any hopes the home team had of a comeback.
Rubin, though, provided an instant reply of its own. Captain Karadeniz came up big, sneaking in behind David Luiz and heading in from close range.
The Russians then pulled another back from the spot. Cesar Azpilicueta needlessly brought down Aleksandr Ryazantsev in the area allowing Natcho to dispatch his second penalty of the tie.
Rubin threw everything it had at Chelsea in the final stages but it wasn't enough to break the Blues' resolve, with the English club hanging on to move into the semifinals.
Chelsea secured progress into the last four of the Europa League with a 3-2 defeat the second leg of the club's quarterfinal against Rubin Kazan.
Fernando Torres' goal inside five minutes got the Blues off to the perfect start leaving the home side with a mountain to climb.
Ivan Marcano gave the Russians hope with a thumping header after the break but Victor Moses quickly put Chelsea back in the driving seat with the team's second minutes later, only for Gokdeniz Karadeniz to then level the score with another header.
Bribas Natcho gave Rubin the lead on the night from the spot but Chelsea managed to hold on thereafter to reach the semifinals.
Rafa Benitez made seven changes to the side which beat Sunderland on Sunday with Juan Mata and Eden Hazard dropping down to the bench. Nathan Ake came in to midfield to make only his second start for the Blues while Paulo Ferreira also made a rare appearance at left back.
The Russian side made one change from the first leg at Stamford Bridge as Jose Rondon replaced Vladimir Dyadyun in attack.
Rubin started the game on the front foot and came close when Roman Eremenko's shot was blocked inside the box inside the first five minutes.
Chelsea was ahead moments later when Torres chased Frank Lampard's long ball over the home side's defense while managing to lose his marker, before embarrassing Sergey Ryzhikov by cheekily lifting the ball over his head from 30 yards out.
From then on the first half was all Chelsea's. Benitez's men kept the ball for long periods and were quick to close down their opponents whenever they tried to pass through midfield.
Kurban Berdyev's men had one or two promising moments later on in the half - Alan Kasaev in particular caught the eye - but in truth the home side never looked like threatening Chelsea's lead.
Instead it was the Blues who looked more likely to add a second, something they might have managed had they been a bit more clinical in the final third.
Right on the stroke of halftime the Russian side had its best moment of the first period. Keredeniz brought down Natcho's pass inside the box but Petr Cech got down superbly to touch the Turk's prod past his far post.
That late first-half chance gave the home team plenty of belief going into the second and Rubin made it count six minutes after the break.
Marcano towered high over Ramirez and powered a header past Cech into the far post from a well-taken free kick out wide on the right.
The response from Benitez's men was emphatic as Moses, after a clever one-two with Ramires, curled a fine effort past Ryzhikov shortly after to dash any hopes the home team had of a comeback.
Rubin, though, provided an instant reply of its own. Captain Karadeniz came up big, sneaking in behind David Luiz and heading in from close range.
The Russians then pulled another back from the spot. Cesar Azpilicueta needlessly brought down Aleksandr Ryazantsev in the area allowing Natcho to dispatch his second penalty of the tie.
Rubin threw everything it had at Chelsea in the final stages but it wasn't enough to break the Blues' resolve, with the English club hanging on to move into the semifinals.
Lazio 1-1 Fenerbahce (Agg 1-3): Turkish side seals progression to final four
Lazio crashed out of the Europa League at the quarterfinal stage after a 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce at the Stadio Olimpico.
Senad Lulic had put the home side 1-0 up on the hour mark after heading past Volkan Demirel, but Caner Erkin leveled up the encounter on the night with 15 minutes remaining to put his side 3-1 up on aggregate as Fenerbahce secured its place in the last four of the Europa League.
The first clear cut opportunity of the game fell to Antonio Candreva following some sloppy defensive play by Cristian as the Lazio winger fired a tame effort goalbound that was easily held by Volkan Demirel.
The home side pressed to net early on as Hernanes saw his long distance effort inadvertently blocked by Libor Kozak before the Brazilian midfielder looked to audaciously catch Demirel out from a long range free kick.
Ederson was lively early on for Lazio, but could only drag his effort wide, before Raul Meireles mustered Fenerbahce's first shot as his volley drifted aimlessly wide of Federico Marchetti's goal.
Candreva smashed a volley over and Hernanes saw his low drive easily held by Demirel before the Fenerbahce goalkeeper denied Ederson with his feet from close range.
The Biancocelesti began the second half the way they ended the first as Candreva excellently picked out Kozak in the Fenerbahce box, only for the burly striker to head over from six yards out.
Derimel denied Stefan Radu with a long distance effort, but couldn't keep out Lulic's header on the hour mark after Candreva picked out winger from the right.
Lazio continued to press for a second, but came undone with a quarter of an hour to go after Pierre Webo held up the ball up superbly in the Lazio box before he played across to Erkin to smash past Marchetti and give Fenerbahce the advantage.
The goal spurred Lazio on with 10 minutes to go as Radu fired wide before Lorik Cana forced Demirel to expertly tip his header over the bar.
The Italian side continued to pressure to add a second in the dying embers of the encounter, but it was in vain as the club crashed out of Europe 3-1 on aggregate to Fenerbahce.
Lazio crashed out of the Europa League at the quarterfinal stage after a 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce at the Stadio Olimpico.
Senad Lulic had put the home side 1-0 up on the hour mark after heading past Volkan Demirel, but Caner Erkin leveled up the encounter on the night with 15 minutes remaining to put his side 3-1 up on aggregate as Fenerbahce secured its place in the last four of the Europa League.
The first clear cut opportunity of the game fell to Antonio Candreva following some sloppy defensive play by Cristian as the Lazio winger fired a tame effort goalbound that was easily held by Volkan Demirel.
The home side pressed to net early on as Hernanes saw his long distance effort inadvertently blocked by Libor Kozak before the Brazilian midfielder looked to audaciously catch Demirel out from a long range free kick.
Ederson was lively early on for Lazio, but could only drag his effort wide, before Raul Meireles mustered Fenerbahce's first shot as his volley drifted aimlessly wide of Federico Marchetti's goal.
Candreva smashed a volley over and Hernanes saw his low drive easily held by Demirel before the Fenerbahce goalkeeper denied Ederson with his feet from close range.
The Biancocelesti began the second half the way they ended the first as Candreva excellently picked out Kozak in the Fenerbahce box, only for the burly striker to head over from six yards out.
Derimel denied Stefan Radu with a long distance effort, but couldn't keep out Lulic's header on the hour mark after Candreva picked out winger from the right.
Lazio continued to press for a second, but came undone with a quarter of an hour to go after Pierre Webo held up the ball up superbly in the Lazio box before he played across to Erkin to smash past Marchetti and give Fenerbahce the advantage.
The goal spurred Lazio on with 10 minutes to go as Radu fired wide before Lorik Cana forced Demirel to expertly tip his header over the bar.
The Italian side continued to pressure to add a second in the dying embers of the encounter, but it was in vain as the club crashed out of Europe 3-1 on aggregate to Fenerbahce.
Newcastle 1-1 Benfica (Agg: 2-4): Magpies bow out despite Cisse strike
Newcastle United was knocked out of Europe on Thursday after a 1-1 draw against Portoguese league leader Benfica at St. James’ Park.Papiss Cisse's second-half header gave the home side a fighting chance with 20 minutes remaining before Salvio's late strike ensured it was the Portuguese side which progressed to the last four with a 4-2 aggregate win.
The Mapgies had goalkeeper Tim Krul to thank for keeping them in the tie before some of the sell-out crowd had even taken their seats.Andre Almeida’s powerful low cross from the right was flicked on goal by Lima, only for Krul to make an instinctive save with his foot.
Benfica continued to dominate the early exchanges and maintain control of the tie with Brazilian veteran Luisao at the heart of its imperious defensive lines. However, as the half wore on the home side began to find its feet and if it wasn’t for a heavy touch by Papiss Cisse, the striker may have pulled one back after a deft ball over the ball.
The Portuguese league leaders showed a clinical edge in the first leg but wasted a glorious opportunity to all but book their place in Friday’s semifinal draw after an error of judgement from Krul shortly before the half hour mark. The Dutch shot stopper came racing out of his goal to collect a harmless long ball but his misjudgement allowed Lima to pull it back for Nicolas Gaitan to slot it home into the unguarded net, only for Massadio Haidara to sprint back and hack the ball away on the goal-line.It took until the 44th minute for the home side to muster a noteworthy effort on goal but Cisse strayed a yard offside, and the linesman rightly raised his flag as the Senegalese forward swept home a cross from Bigirimana.
Halftime came at the wrong time for Newcastle as it began to push the visitors back but the introduction of Shola Ameobi at the break maintained the momentum gained by Pardew’s side before the whistle went.
Benfica had kept clean sheets in three of its last five European away games but was on the edge as the Magpies stepped up the intensity. However, despite a large amount of possession, the home side failed to force Artur into a meaningful save and after breaking down the Benfica defense, Cisse was once again flagged offside after converting from an Ameobi flick on.
The introduction of Hatem Ben Arfa gave Newcastle an extra dimension and it grabbed a lifeline with 20 minutes remaining. Ameobi’s rifled cross was headed in from close range by Cisse after a mix-up between Matic and Garay on the right.
The home side continued to apply the pressure but Benfica showed all its European experience to close out the remaining minutes without too much alarm, reducing Newcastle to ambitious long range efforts.
Benfica saved itself from enduring a late Toon onslaught as substitute Rodrigo squared for Eduardo Salvio, who finished emphatically to seal the aggregate victory.
Newcastle United was knocked out of Europe on Thursday after a 1-1 draw against Portoguese league leader Benfica at St. James’ Park.Papiss Cisse's second-half header gave the home side a fighting chance with 20 minutes remaining before Salvio's late strike ensured it was the Portuguese side which progressed to the last four with a 4-2 aggregate win.
The Mapgies had goalkeeper Tim Krul to thank for keeping them in the tie before some of the sell-out crowd had even taken their seats.Andre Almeida’s powerful low cross from the right was flicked on goal by Lima, only for Krul to make an instinctive save with his foot.
Benfica continued to dominate the early exchanges and maintain control of the tie with Brazilian veteran Luisao at the heart of its imperious defensive lines. However, as the half wore on the home side began to find its feet and if it wasn’t for a heavy touch by Papiss Cisse, the striker may have pulled one back after a deft ball over the ball.
The Portuguese league leaders showed a clinical edge in the first leg but wasted a glorious opportunity to all but book their place in Friday’s semifinal draw after an error of judgement from Krul shortly before the half hour mark. The Dutch shot stopper came racing out of his goal to collect a harmless long ball but his misjudgement allowed Lima to pull it back for Nicolas Gaitan to slot it home into the unguarded net, only for Massadio Haidara to sprint back and hack the ball away on the goal-line.It took until the 44th minute for the home side to muster a noteworthy effort on goal but Cisse strayed a yard offside, and the linesman rightly raised his flag as the Senegalese forward swept home a cross from Bigirimana.
Halftime came at the wrong time for Newcastle as it began to push the visitors back but the introduction of Shola Ameobi at the break maintained the momentum gained by Pardew’s side before the whistle went.
Benfica had kept clean sheets in three of its last five European away games but was on the edge as the Magpies stepped up the intensity. However, despite a large amount of possession, the home side failed to force Artur into a meaningful save and after breaking down the Benfica defense, Cisse was once again flagged offside after converting from an Ameobi flick on.
The introduction of Hatem Ben Arfa gave Newcastle an extra dimension and it grabbed a lifeline with 20 minutes remaining. Ameobi’s rifled cross was headed in from close range by Cisse after a mix-up between Matic and Garay on the right.
The home side continued to apply the pressure but Benfica showed all its European experience to close out the remaining minutes without too much alarm, reducing Newcastle to ambitious long range efforts.
Benfica saved itself from enduring a late Toon onslaught as substitute Rodrigo squared for Eduardo Salvio, who finished emphatically to seal the aggregate victory.
Sammer keen to extend Kroos and Alaba contracts
The sporting director wants to begin talks with the two players during the summer, despite their respective deals expiring in 2015.Matthias Sammer has indicated Bayern Munich's desire to extend the contracts of both Toni Kroos and David Alaba.
The pair have played instrumental roles in the Bavarians winning the Bundesliga title and reaching the semifinals of the Champions League, and the club's sporting director is keen to talk to the pair during the summer.
Sammer told Kicker magazine: “This season there will be no negotiations. But the contracts of players expire in 2015, so we have to go into talks early. After the season, it should be 'quickly go' in order to renew the contracts.”
Both players have reportedly attracted attention from Europe’s wealthiest clubs, but Sammer has reiterated how important the duo are for the future of the club.
“Bayern must hold on to such players. Toni is an outstanding football player and a very important player for Bayern.”
The sporting director wants to begin talks with the two players during the summer, despite their respective deals expiring in 2015.Matthias Sammer has indicated Bayern Munich's desire to extend the contracts of both Toni Kroos and David Alaba.
The pair have played instrumental roles in the Bavarians winning the Bundesliga title and reaching the semifinals of the Champions League, and the club's sporting director is keen to talk to the pair during the summer.
Sammer told Kicker magazine: “This season there will be no negotiations. But the contracts of players expire in 2015, so we have to go into talks early. After the season, it should be 'quickly go' in order to renew the contracts.”
Both players have reportedly attracted attention from Europe’s wealthiest clubs, but Sammer has reiterated how important the duo are for the future of the club.
“Bayern must hold on to such players. Toni is an outstanding football player and a very important player for Bayern.”
Tottenham has set a great example in Europa League - Villas-Boas
The 35-year-old manager was disappointed to exit the Europa League, but believes his side's commitment to the tournament has raised its profile in English soccer.
Andre Villas-Boas’s Tottenham side may have exited the Europa League, but the Portuguese boss is pleased to have altered the perception of the tournament within British soccer.
Two goals from Clint Dempsey were enough to send the match to extra time, which Spurs battled through after the dismissal of Jan Vertonghen, before being knocked out in a penalty shootout.
And although Villas-Boas was saddened to see his side’s Europa League hopes come to a premature end, he believes the respect Tottenham has shown for the tournament will change the way Premier League sides approach the competition in the future.
“I'm disappointed not to go through as we had high ambitions for the competition,” Villas-Boas told ITV after the match. “My first thoughts are for the players, who have set the country a great example.
“The way they approached the Europa League, playing every Thursday and Sunday, and their commitment showed the country it was possible to do it in a different way. We made the country feel different towards the competition.
“Unfortunately Newcastle are out too but we've seen most of the English teams change their approach towards a competition that has now started to mean a lot.
“We're happy although this is a great disappointment, because we've set a standard for the future. I think next time we'll go a little bit better.”
The 35-year-old manager was disappointed to exit the Europa League, but believes his side's commitment to the tournament has raised its profile in English soccer.
Andre Villas-Boas’s Tottenham side may have exited the Europa League, but the Portuguese boss is pleased to have altered the perception of the tournament within British soccer.
Two goals from Clint Dempsey were enough to send the match to extra time, which Spurs battled through after the dismissal of Jan Vertonghen, before being knocked out in a penalty shootout.
And although Villas-Boas was saddened to see his side’s Europa League hopes come to a premature end, he believes the respect Tottenham has shown for the tournament will change the way Premier League sides approach the competition in the future.
“I'm disappointed not to go through as we had high ambitions for the competition,” Villas-Boas told ITV after the match. “My first thoughts are for the players, who have set the country a great example.
“The way they approached the Europa League, playing every Thursday and Sunday, and their commitment showed the country it was possible to do it in a different way. We made the country feel different towards the competition.
“Unfortunately Newcastle are out too but we've seen most of the English teams change their approach towards a competition that has now started to mean a lot.
“We're happy although this is a great disappointment, because we've set a standard for the future. I think next time we'll go a little bit better.”
Messi happy to have taken Champions League risk
The 25-year-old was brought on in a bid to seal his side's place in the last four, despite suffering hamstring problems prior to the game Lionel Messi admits his participation in the second leg of Barcelona's Champions League quarterfinal clash with Paris Saint-Germain was a calculated risk - but one he is glad to have taken.
The 25-year-old picked up a hamstring injury in the first leg of the last eight clash with the Ligue 1 side and began the return clash at Camp Nou on the bench.But after a strike from Javier Pastore, which would have seen PSG qualify for the semifinals, Messi was introduced in a bid to change the course of the tie. His impact coincided with an improved display and he had a big part in Pedro goal, which sealed the Blaugrana's route to the last four.
“It was worth risking, we are now through to the semifinals and we will now work to heal the injury,” Messi told Chinese social network Tencent Weibo.
The Catalans will face one of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund over two legs, as they tackle one last hurdle between them and a place in the final at Wembley.
The 25-year-old was brought on in a bid to seal his side's place in the last four, despite suffering hamstring problems prior to the game Lionel Messi admits his participation in the second leg of Barcelona's Champions League quarterfinal clash with Paris Saint-Germain was a calculated risk - but one he is glad to have taken.
The 25-year-old picked up a hamstring injury in the first leg of the last eight clash with the Ligue 1 side and began the return clash at Camp Nou on the bench.But after a strike from Javier Pastore, which would have seen PSG qualify for the semifinals, Messi was introduced in a bid to change the course of the tie. His impact coincided with an improved display and he had a big part in Pedro goal, which sealed the Blaugrana's route to the last four.
“It was worth risking, we are now through to the semifinals and we will now work to heal the injury,” Messi told Chinese social network Tencent Weibo.
The Catalans will face one of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund over two legs, as they tackle one last hurdle between them and a place in the final at Wembley.
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