..::Football III::..

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Madrid have to go out and kill Juventus in second leg - James

James Rodriguez has called on Real Madrid to go out and "kill" Juventus in their Champions League semi-final, second leg on Wednesday week.

Los Blancos will go into the return fixture 2-1 down on aggregate after an early Alvaro Morata strike and a second-half Carlos Tevez penalty - either side of a Cristiano Ronaldo header - earned the Bianconeri victory in Tuesday's opener in Turin.

However, James is still confident the defending champions will still reach the final in Berlin, believing that the Santiago Bernabeu faithful could make the difference on the night.

The Colombia international told TVE: "The result is not bad, we have to have faith. We are at home with our fans in the stadium. The Bernabeu has to get behind us.

"We have to recover and think about next week, because it will be hard. They are going to be back defending, they are strong but we must have faith. We have to go out and kill them.

"The tie is level. We have to go out and win. I think Real will get to the final."

James felt Madrid did not get the breaks at the key moments at Juventus Stadium and it was the former Monaco man who was most out of luck when he headed an Isco cross against the bar four minutes before half-time.

"If you see some of the decisive moments, they had a bit of luck," the attacking midfielder added. "I saw the ball hit the bar and I think their defender got a touch."

 

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Second leg eke dei poojawa lassanata

 

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UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals 1st Leg Fixture 2015.05.06

UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals 1st Leg Fixture 2015.05.06

Barcelona Vs Bayern

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Second leg eke dei poojawa lassanata

Ow machanMatch 1ka loss unata Madrid lata away goal advantage 1ka thiyanawa
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Second leg eke dei poojawa lassanata

Jamesge missed chance eka sigh

 

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2nd leg eke nam lesatama gahanna wenawa mistakes nathuwa

Hala Madrid

 

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Barcelona 3-0 Bayern Munich: Magic Messi puts Catalans in control

Two moments of magic from Lionel Messi and a late finish from Neymar gave Barcelona a 3-0 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

The clash at Camp Nou marked the first time since his departure from Barca in 2012 that Pep Guardiola had met the team he led to 14 major trophies in four years.

Guardiola had branded Messi "unstoppable" in the build-up to the game and his words proved prophetic as Messi dismantled Bayern with two spectacular late goals.

Having seen Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer frustrate Barca for much of the encounter, the two sides looked set to head back to the Allianz Arena next week with the tie finely poised at 0-0.

But Messi, playing in his 100th European game, produced another sparkling display to put Barca in command, breaking the deadlock with a rasping 77th-minute opener.

And the Argentina forward doubled his tally three minutes later with a superb solo goal before an injury-time third from Neymar effectively ended the tie as Barca went some way to gaining a measure of revenge for the 7-0 aggregate loss to Bayern at the same stage two years ago.

As promised, Guardiola played an attacking side, although that mindset almost cost Bayern in the opening stages.

Barca exploited the extra space afforded to them by Bayern's back three, with Luis Suarez brilliantly denied by a one-on-one save from Neuer in the seventh minute.

Suarez was involved again as Neymar's shot from his pull-back was deflected wide of the post by Philipp Lahm.

For all the hosts' early pressure Bayern would have taken the lead had Robert Lewandowski displayed more composure in front of goal.

Thomas Muller played a low ball into the box from the right flank, but Lewandowski – wearing a protective mask due to facial injuries suffered in last week's DFB-Pokal semi-final with Borussia Dortmund - failed to get a proper connection and shot well wide.

Despite Guardiola switching to a back four, Barca continued to create chances, Suarez heading over from a corner before Dani Alves drew another fine close-range save from Neuer following a superb lofted pass from Andres Iniesta.

The second half saw Bayern tighten things up at the back, but their defence was finally breached as Messi collected a lay-off from Alves and unleashed a low left-footed drive that flew into the bottom-right corner.

But Messi was far from finished and stretched Barca's lead with a goal befitting a game of such magnitude.

After collecting the ball from Ivan Rakitic, Messi teased Jerome Boateng before expertly flicking the ball from his left to his right boot and lofting a magnificent chipped finish over Neuer and into the bottom-left corner.

There was still time for Neymar to all but ensure Barca's place in the Berlin showpiece next month as he slipped free of the Bayern defence and coolly slotted the ball underneath Neuer in stoppage time.

 

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PEP

 

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'Lionel Messi just happened' - Henry lauds Barcelona star's masterclass

Thierry Henry lavished praise on Barcelona forward Lionel Messi after the Argentine inspired his side to a 3-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

After a breathless first half at Camp Nou, Messi scored twice before setting up Neymar for a potentially vital third in injury time.

Messi's second – a delicate chip over Manuel Neuer – came at the expense of Jerome Boateng, who slipped as he tried to thwart the forward, and Henry was left bewitched by the 27-year-old's performance.

"Once again, how many times [are] we going to say that Lionel Messi just happened? That's just what happened tonight," Henry, who won the 2009 Champions League with the Argentine, told Sky Sports.

"I think, as we talked about, Bayern didn't approach the game the right way at the beginning, but in the second half there wasn't a lot between the two teams. But then Lionel Messi decided to win that game.

"Although you have to give a lot of credit to Dani Alves on that first goal because he got that ball back.

"But Lionel Messi is just superb. How many times are we going to find ourselves being in that situation and talking about him? He wanted to win that game and he did it again."

 

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Guardiola: Bayern were in control... then Messi showed his class

Lionel Messi's class was the difference between Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the latter's 3-0 defeat on Wednesday, according to Pep Guardiola.

The Argentine - who shot to worldwide prominence while Guardiola was in charge of Barcelona - put the Bavarians to the sword with a late double which turned the well-balanced Champions League semi-final on its head at Camp Nou.

Neymar added insult to injury with a stoppage-time strike, avenging the three-goal triumph secured by Bayern on their last trip to Catalunya in 2013 and leaving the German champions with an almost impossible task in the second leg.

"Bayern did well for a long time," Guardiola, whose side restricted Barca to their lowest possession in a Champions League game since 2006, told reporters. "But then Messi showed his class. Barca aren't just him, though - they're a strong team, with other top individuals like Luis Suarez and Neymar.

"Barca are so good that they find spaces wherever they want to. It's the talent of their team that left us on the losing end, playing at Camp Nou is so hard.

"However, I think we actually controlled the game until the first Barca goal. We lost our grip after that, though, but I won't blame any of my players. The team have gone through a lot of difficult situations this season."

Guardiola was unremittingly bleak when assessing the Bundesliga champions' chances of reaching the final in Berlin on June 6, adding: "You can turn around a one or two-goal deficit, but three goals is tough."

Bayern now host Augsburg on Saturday - when they are almost certain to field a second-string side, having already wrapped up the league title last month - before playing host to the Catalans next Tuesday.

The winner of this semi-final will face either Real Madrid or Juventus, with the Italians holding a 2-1 advantage after the first leg on Tuesday in Turin.

 

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Mascherano: Messi impossible to describe

Javier Mascherano conceded Lionel Messi was "impossible to describe" after his fellow Argentine put Barcelona on the brink of the Champions League final.

Messi scored twice in the final 13 minutes and then laid on a third for Neymar as Barca beat Bayern Munich – and former coach Pep Guardiola – 3-0 to take a significant step towards the June showpiece in Berlin.

Mascherano told Sky Sports: "We have Messi so it's an advantage for us. He's a player that's impossible to describe. You have to watch him."

The former Liverpool midfielder felt Guardiola's tactics played into Barca's hands, adding: "We knew that Pep would try to win in any stadium. They came to press higher and sometimes when you press higher you take risks. We know that we have people up front with quality.

"It was a tight game, difficult, but we had the best chances to score. We played the game we wanted to play so we are happy.

"We know how difficult it will be in Germany so we have to maintain our mentality and do our job."

Bayern held out for 77 minutes before Dani Alves dispossessed Juan Bernat, fed Messi and the four time Ballon d'Or winner did the rest with a low shot which beat Manuel Neuer at his near post.

Messi added a brilliant second before playing in Neymar to run through and slot the ball coolly under the advancing Neuer in stoppage time.

"We were lucky to score, we found some spaces to play on the counterattack," said Mascherano. "It's important that when we drop deep we have the players we have, like Neymar, [Luis] Suarez and Messi."

 

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Messi isn't Barcelona's only piece of art - Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique says Lionel Messi is not the only "piece of art" in Barcelona's ranks after his team tore Bayern Munich apart late on in a 3-0 win in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg.

Messi unsurprisingly stole the show as he continued his amazing season with a late double before Neymar made it three goals in 13 minutes.

However, his coach was eager to praise his entire side as they restricted Bayern to just a handful of chances and avoided conceding an away goal.

"Guardiola's tactics were according to his style, his team and his philosophy," Luis Enrique said of his former team-mate. "And we played the same as we always do.

"Messi no longer surprises me. He has ambition and hunger, but I would not say Messi is the only piece of art at Barca. The work of the whole team was incredible on top of the fact we didn't concede any goals."

The Camp Nou win leaves Barca with one foot in the Champions League final and, though Luis Enrique admits the showing could not have been any better, he is aware there are still 90 minutes for the Bavarians to rustle up a sensational shock.

"We are a little closer to the final now," the head coach conceded. "It was the perfect result that takes us a little closer to Berlin, but we still have a second leg to navigate.

"I am enormously pleased with everything my players did. We defeated a team of huge ability. Their players barely had a sniff at goal and that's just as pleasing. It was simply a brilliant result."

Barcelona have a Liga clash at home to David Moyes' Real Sociedad - whom they lost to in their first game of 2015 - to look forward to before travelling to face Bayern in next Tuesday's second leg at the Allianz Arena.

 

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Lahm frustrated as late Messi show puts Barcelona in control

Philipp Lahm lamented Bayern Munich's late collapse against Barcelona which means they are facing a near-impossible task to make it through to the Champions League final.

Bayern held their own at Camp Nou for 77 minutes before Lionel Messi took centre stage, scoring two and creating a third in injury-time for Neymar as Barca won the first leg of their semi-final 3-0.

Lahm told ZDF: "The result is not a fair reflection. We did okay over the majority of the match. That we then allowed Barca three counterattack goals is very bitter. We had chances, they had chances, of course. But we made it way too easy for them.

"You may lose 1-0. But you may not lose 3-0."

Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer made a string of vital saves to keep his side in it but even he could do nothing to keep Messi at bay.

The Germany international refused to give up hope completely, however, pointing to the fact Bayern lost the first leg 3-1 in the previous round in Porto before winning the return 6-1.

He said: "We lost our stability a bit after going 1-0 down. And then, it is difficult to avoid these counterattack situations. Barca's players are very quick. The last drop of hope for us is the match against Porto."

 

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Inspired Messi proved Guardiola was right, says Pique

Gerard Pique believes Pep Guardiola was proven right when he said Lionel Messi is unstoppable following the Barcelona No.10's barnstorming performance against Bayern Munich Wednesday.

After a goalless first half, Messi's fierce shot broke the deadlock in the Champions League semi-final first leg before a sublime run and chip doubled his side's advantage.

Ahead of the clash at Camp Nou, Guardiola had claimed no defensive system could be put in place to stop his former pupil and Pique was delighted to see his old boss proven right.

"Guardiola was right, I knew an inspired Messi would be impossible to stop," the former Manchester United centre-back told Canal Plus.

"We played a sensational match. Defensively we were strong and, though in the first half we struggled, we smashed them on the counterattack in the second half. We took advantage of our chances.

"We continued our habit this year of conceding few goals. At the Allianz Arena it will be tight, but let's go there to win again. Barca only know how to win."

Neymar scored the final goal of the first leg in stoppage time to leave Bayern's hopes of the final in tatters and leave them with a massive task next Tuesday at the Allianz Arena.

 

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Salah and Gomez big threats - Emery

Unai Emery has highlighted the threat posed by Mohamed Salah and Mario Gomez as his Sevilla side prepare to take on Fiorentina on Thursday.

The two sides meet in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final, with Emery's men bidding to retain the trophy they won last year.

But, their path to the final will not be an easy one, with the Viola seeing off Dynamo Kiev 3-1 over two legs in the quarter-finals and boasting a formidable attacking line-up.

"The defensive unit will have to remain strong against the qualities of Fiorentina," he said at Wednesday's press conference.

"They will need to cover Salah, Mario Gomez and watch their midfielders as well. Borja Valero is a very good player and someone who we were once interested in.
"I appreciate the quality of the Fiorentina players, the club has made a significant financial effort to get them to the club."

Emery has been linked with AC Milan as a result of his work with Sevilla, which sees the club sat in fifth place in La Liga and three points adrift of the fourth and final Champions League place.

However, the 43-year-old took the opportunity to emphasise his happiness with his current employers."I'm very happy here at Sevilla. All I'm thinking about is the game with Fiorentina and the beautiful job I have with Sevilla. I don't waste any energy thinking about rumours.

"We're living something special here. We want to have a party at the Sanchez Pizjuan and enjoy the game!"

 

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Zamparini: Dybala's future to be decided in 15 days

Paulo Dybala's future will be decided within the next 15 days, according to Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini.

The 21-year-old has been has been continually linked with a move this summer, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal interested, but the player has said he would prefer to remain in Italy and join Juventus.

Zamparini has admitted that the speculation is approaching an end, as his future will become clear in around two weeks.

"At least three teams are really interested in him," Zamparini told Giornale di Sicilia.

"The apple is ripe and we are ready to pick it. I think in 10 or 15 days, maximum, we will know his future.

"We will meet with the player and his agent to complete the deal. Those who understand football realise his potential."

The 21-year-old Argentine has scored 13 goals in 33 Serie A games this season.

 

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Matic: Chelsea won't slump at the end of the season

Nemanja Matic insists Chelsea will still be motivated and looking for three points when they take on Liverpool on Sunday despite clinching the Premier League title three days ago.

A 1-0 win over Crystal Palace saw Jose Mourinho's team seal a first league crown since 2010, with PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard heading in the winner after seeing an initial penalty attempt saved.

Chelsea still have three matches left to play, starting with the visit of Liverpool before travelling to West Brom and welcoming Sunderland on the final day, and Matic is keen to end as positively as possible.

"We will be prepared for those games," he told the club's official website.

"Of course we don't have the pressure of needing to win the league anymore, we are first whatever, but we will play seriously and try to enjoy the games we have left.

"We have done a great job this season and we want to carry on like that until the end."

Liverpool need to win at Stamford Bridge to keep their faint hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive, with fourth-placed Manchester United four points ahead with three games left to play.

 

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Wolfsburg not interested in signing Gundogan, insists Allofs

Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs has stressed that the club are not interested in signing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

The Germany international recently announced that he will not sign a contract with BVB - with his current deal due to expire in June 2016 - and is widely expected to leave the Signal Iduna Park at the end of the season.

He has been linked with clubs such as Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Barcelona in recent weeks and reports from Germany suggested that Wolfsburg had also joined the race to sign the 24-year-old.However, Allofs has made it clear that Gundogan will not continue his career at the Volkswagen Arena.

"Gundogan is not an option at Wolfsburg," Allofs was quoted as saying by WAZ.
The midfielder started his professional career with Bochum and also wore the jersey of Nurnberg before joining Dortmund in the summer of 2011.He has since made over 100 appearances in all competitions for BVB, winning the domestic double in 2011-12 in the process.

 

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'Keane is a failure' - Bale's agent hits back at critic

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale's representative Jonathan Barnett has hit back at Roy Keane in the wake of the ex-Manchester United star's verbal attack on Tuesday evening and has stressed the Wales international is paying no attention to comments from "failed managers".

Bale came in for heavy criticism after an underwhelming display as Madrid were beaten 2-1 by Juventus in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final, first leg in Turin.Keane was among those to lay into the forward's performance, claiming Madrid were effectively playing with 10 men due to Bale's anonymous display.

However, Barnett says the former Tottenham man is unperturbed by his critics.
"Why should we take any notice of comments from people who don't know what they are talking about - and from people who have failed in management," Bale's agent told BBC Sport.

"This is only an issue in England. Gareth is at the biggest club in the world. He is one of the best players in the world. He is fine."He only listens to relevant comments. He is 100 per cent focused on Real Madrid."