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Post by Webster on Feb 16, 2022 7:05:50 GMT
(BBC Sport) Kylian Mbappe scored a brilliant goal in stoppage time as Paris St-Germain beat 13-time Champions League winners Real Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 tie. The France striker, linked with a move to Real in the summer, received the ball on the left from a clever backheel by Neymar, and got between two defenders inside the box before slotting through Thibaut Courtois' legs to send the Parc des Princes wild. It was a dramatic finish to a game that had looked set to end in frustration for PSG, especially after Lionel Messi saw his penalty saved just after the hour mark. The hosts had dominated possession but struggled to break down a well-organised Real defence that had limited PSG to one shot on target in the first half, when Mbappe saw a shot denied by Courtois' legs. But the introduction of Neymar, making his first appearance since November after recovering from injury, proved decisive. He caused Real a number of problems with his dangerous crosses and clever runs before providing the crucial pass for Mbappe to work his magic with seconds remaining. The win will give PSG hope that they can head to Madrid on Wednesday, 9 March and get the result they need to keep alive their hopes of winning a first Champions League title. (BBC Sport) Manchester City effectively sealed their progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a stunning last-16, first-leg demolition of Sporting Lisbon in Portugal. As they have done for much of this season, City put on a majestic display to give themselves a surely unassailable advantage in a tie against what had been a buoyant and reinvigorated Portuguese champions. Bernardo Silva was brilliant, silencing the boos that greeted every touch from him and City's three other former Benfica players with his side's second and fourth goals, the first a glorious half-volley following a corner. In-form Riyad Mahrez was on the scoresheet again with a close-range finish awarded via VAR after a lengthy delay to assess if Kevin de Bruyne had strayed offside in the build-up, as originally ruled. Phil Foden also added to his growing collection of cool, calm finishes in a relentless first half that shattered Sporting. There was no let-up after the break, with Silva seeing a hat-trick headed goal ruled out for offside before he set up Raheem Sterling to curl in a lovely fifth. The result equals the biggest winning margin in an away match in the Champions League knockout phase and gives City their joint biggest European away victory, level with the 5-0 win at Steaua Bucharest in the play-off round of this competition in 2016-17. Sporting will travel to Manchester for the formality of the second leg on Wednesday, 16 March. "I am absolutely more than delighted," said Guardiola. "We know how difficult it is, this competition. We were so clinical - arrive, goal, arrive, goal, arrive, goal. When it is like this it is difficult for the opponent. "We defended well and got an incredible result but we have a duty as a manager and team to analyse how we performed, not just the result. "We have to take care of the ball better. One of the rules I have is when you have the ball try to pass to someone in the same T-shirt. Today we lost the ball many times. The difference was that we were so clinical. Then it is difficult for the opponents and we have confidence. It is a dream, a perfect result, so good for the second leg but we can do better."
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Post by Ste_Macca on Feb 16, 2022 13:43:04 GMT
Man City always get the easy draws
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#1979e6
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Post by Webster on Feb 16, 2022 19:07:46 GMT
Man City always get the easy draws Didn't we beat them in European competition a while back?
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Post by Webster on Feb 18, 2022 2:33:51 GMT
(BBC Sport) Six-time winners Bayern Munich needed a late Kingsley Coman equaliser to avoid a shock last-16 first-leg defeat at an impressive Red Bull Salzburg. Winger Coman ghosted in at the far post in the 90th minute and converted following Thomas Muller's flick. Salzburg substitute Chukwubuike Adamu had netted the opener with a delightful curling finish into the corner. The hosts could have nicked a second at 1-0, but Karim Adeyemi's shot was saved and Adamu's follow-up was blocked. The vibrant home side were appearing in the knockout stage of the Champions League for the first time, but did not look out of place against an often flat Bayern side. The Bundesliga champions suffered a stunning 4-2 home loss against Bochum at the weekend and avoided back-to-back defeats for the first time since 2019. Julian Nagelsmann's side cruised through the group stage by winning all six games, but found it difficult to deal with the youthfulness and pace of their opponents. Salzburg, fielding the youngest average starting side in the Champions League since Ajax in 2003, took the lead on 21 minutes through Adamu's lovely effort. Brenden Aaronson cut onto his left and forced a smart save from Sven Ulreich, while Germany international Adeyemi's effort was straight at the Bayern understudy keeper. Bayern improved in the second half and Leroy Sane was denied by Philipp Kohn's sharp save, before Frenchman Coman drew his side level late on. (BBC Sport) Liverpool took a huge step towards the Champions League quarter-finals after scoring two late goals against Inter Milan in the San Siro. The Reds looked set for a goalless draw in the first leg in Italy until Brazil forward Roberto Firmino got on the end of Andrew Robertson's corner to head his side into the lead. Mohamed Salah added a second with a deflected effort from inside the box which means Jurgen Klopp's side take a sizeable advantage into the second leg at Anfield on 8 March. Italian champions Inter hit the bar through Hakan Calhanoglu and were on top for long periods of the second half before Firmino struck in the 75th minute. Liverpool scored from their only two attempts on target and will be firm favourites to progress when the two sides meet in the deciding leg next month. It was a particularly memorable night for midfielder Harvey Elliott, who became the youngest player ever to start a match in the competition for Liverpool at the age of 18 years and 318 days. The only negative on an otherwise upbeat night for the Reds was an injury to Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who was replaced by goalscorer Firmino at the start of the second half after suffering an ankle injury.
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#1979e6
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Post by Webster on Feb 22, 2022 18:05:08 GMT
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#1979e6
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Post by Webster on Feb 24, 2022 3:40:01 GMT
(BBC Sport) Chelsea took control of their Champions League last-16 tie against Lille with a comfortable victory at Stamford Bridge. Kai Havertz headed in Hakim Ziyech's corner after eight minutes and Christian Pulisic was the beneficiary of a superb run and pass from N'Golo Kante in the 63rd minute as the Blues secured a crucial first-leg advantage. Out-of-sorts striker Romelu Lukaku was only a substitute, with Havertz the main attacking threat - and the German almost scoring twice before his early strike. The only negatives on a good night for Chelsea and manager Thomas Tuchel were injuries to Ziyech and midfielder Mateo Kovacic ahead of Sunday's EFL Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley. "I should have subbed Mateo at half-time," Tuchel told BT Sport. "I have not spoken to the doctor about Hakim and hope it is not serious. Today is Tuesday, there are a lot of days to recover until Sunday. I hope they will be ready for Sunday." (BBC Sport) Dusan Vlahovic scored the quickest Champions League debut goal ever but Juventus were pegged back to draw at Villarreal in the last 16 first leg. The 22-year-old Serb, a £58m signing from Fiorentina last month, ran onto Danilo's long ball before a swivel and clever finish after 32 seconds. Villarreal's Giovani lo Celso sliced a shot off the outside of the post. The leveller came when Dani Parejo ghosted in to finish from Etienne Capoue's aerial ball into the box. Juve were fortunate to end with 11 men as Adrien Rabiot was only booked for a dangerous foul on Samuel Chukwueze. "It was huge to score on my debut," said Vlahovic, whose only other European experience was as a 16-year-old for Partizan Belgrade in Europa League qualifying. "It was very emotional. However, I cannot be 100% satisfied because we have not won the game. Personally, I have already forgotten this game and I'm focused on the next." With the away goal rule scrapped this year the tie is level going into the second leg in Turin in three weeks. Massimiliano Allegri's Juve are unbeaten in 90 minutes since November but they were made to pay for their negativity at Estadio de la Ceramica.
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Post by Webster on Feb 24, 2022 3:41:56 GMT
(BBC Sport) Anthony Elanga says he has "dreamt of moments" like his late equaliser in the the first leg of Manchester United's Champions League last-16 draw at Atletico Madrid. The 19-year-old had been on the pitch less than six minutes after replacing Marcus Rashford, when he raced onto Bruno Fernandes' perfectly-weighted pass to roll the ball past home goalkeeper Jan Oblak with his first touch to earn his side a 1-1 draw. "I told you how calm and cool I am and whenever I am given a opportunity. I want to repay the manager and give 150% every time I step onto the pitch," Elanga told BT Sport. "I just do what I can do, I want to be the best player on the pitch and I appreciate the boss. "He [Ralf Rangnick] said to me to make the defenders scared and run in behind when I get the opportunity. I have dreamt of moments like this, scoring in the Champions League against top European teams like Atletico Madrid, [it is] a dream come true." Until that point it appeared as though Diego Simeone's Spanish champions were going to take a narrow advantage to Old Trafford after delivering a masterclass in controlling the game without the ball. Joao Felix's early header from Renan Lodi's inviting cross gave the hosts a dream start with United looking ragged on their right, where interim boss Rangnick's deployment of Victor Lindelof at full-back failed badly. Rangnick later conceded that his plan "was in the dustbin" after seven minutes with the Swedish central defender, who was uncomfortable throughout, being booked for a tug on Felix before his second-half withdrawal. By then Atletico should have been two goals ahead with Sime Vrsaljko heading the ball off Lindelof and onto the United bar in the closing moments of the first half after some more dismal defending. While Rangnick's side enjoyed plenty of the ball, they were slow and indecisive in possession and barely looked capable of carving open their well-drilled opponents who repeatedly picked off every sloppy United pass in midfield. Atletico were also unlucky to not score late on themselves when Antoine Griezmann rattled the visitors crossbar. However, Elanga, who missed the crucial penalty when Rangnick's side lost in the FA Cup to Middlesbrough earlier this month, followed up his goal at Leeds on Sunday with another important intervention to change the complexion of the tie before the second leg in Manchester in three weeks time. "He is playing as though it is a dream come true," Rangnick added. "It is a joy and fun to watch him play, I wish a few other players would take him as an example and as a role model." (BBC Sport) Roman Yaremchuk unveiled an emblem in support of his homeland Ukraine after levelling for Benfica against Ajax in the Champions League last-16 first leg. It comes amid growing fears of war between Ukraine and Russia. The substitute netted in the 72nd minute to make it 2-2 before taking off his shirt to show the trident symbol. Ajax's Sebastien Haller had earlier scored at both ends, levelling for the visitors with his 11th goal in the competition after scoring an own goal. Dusan Tadic opened the scoring for the Dutch champions with a well-taken finish at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. Yaremchuk's celebration saw him reveal the Ukrainian Association of Football's logo under his shirt. Ajax welcome Benfica in the return leg in Amsterdam on 15 March with the tie all square.
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Post by Webster on Mar 9, 2022 20:14:14 GMT
(BBC Sport) Jurgen Klopp said Liverpool deserve to be in the Champions League quarter-finals despite some "slapstick" finishing as they were beaten by Inter Milan in the second leg of their last-16 tie at Anfield. An outstanding finish by Lautaro Martinez was not enough for the Italian champions as the late goals by Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah in the first leg in Milan three weeks ago proved decisive. "The art of football is to lose the right games," said manager Klopp after Liverpool's seven-match winning run in Europe this season came to a disappointing end. "I still hate it, but if there was any game we could have afforded to lose it was this one because the main target of this competition is to get through. It's not that I am over the moon - I'm really happy we went through, because when we saw the draw it was 'OK, that's a tough one'. But we went through over two legs and I think we deserved it. "It's a big 'if' but if we had used our chances from set-pieces and other situations - it was a bit slapstick how we missed the chances - in the end we could still have won the game. But the only thing I'm interested in is that it is fair we are through." (BBC Sport) Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick inside the opening 23 minutes as Bayern Munich thrashed Red Bull Salzburg to reach the Champions League quarter-finals. The Poland captain, on his 100th start in the competition, confidently stroked home two penalties inside 21 minutes, after twice being recklessly brought down by Salzburg defender Maximilian Wober, the second confirmed after a VAR review. The first spot-kick, swept into the bottom-left corner, was Lewandowski's 40th goal of the season in all competitions. He added his third after chasing down an attempted clearance from visiting goalkeeper Philipp Kohn to tap in from close range. It is the first time a Champions League hat-trick has been completed as early as the 23rd minute, although it is not the quickest treble in the competition, with that record held by Bafetimbi Gomis following his three goals in eight minutes for Lyon in a 7-1 win over Dinamo Zagreb in 2011. Bayern's quick start put them firmly in control of a game that had been billed as "all or nothing" by some in the Bavarian media after the six-time winners were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw in the first leg in Austria. Matthias Jaissle's Salzburg had early chances with Nicolas Capaldo and Nicolas Seiwald both guilty of failing to convert glorious opportunities. They were made to pay for their profligacy by the deadly Lewandowski before another mistake in defence allowed Serge Gnabry to add a fourth with a low shot that squirmed under Kohn, while Thomas Muller thumped in a fifth after the break. On an otherwise bleak night for the visitors Maurits Kjaergaard did at least mange a consolation with a powerful effort into the top-left corner. But that only seemed to stir Julian Nagelsmann's team back into life, with Muller finishing off a well-worked move for number six before Leroy Sane thumped home late on.
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Post by Webster on Mar 11, 2022 4:43:10 GMT
(BBC Sport) Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he has learned to "enjoy the moment" after his side cruised into the quarter-finals of the Champions League despite being held at home by Sporting Lisbon. It is the fifth successive season City have reached the quarter-finals, while Guardiola has managed a team to this stage for a record-equalling 12th time. "I'm a guy who learns at the time to enjoy the moment. When I qualify for the quarter-finals, I enjoy it; when I qualify for the last 16, I know how difficult it is," said Guardiola, who led Barcelona to two Champions League titles as their manager. "When you go through, every opponent is difficult. Now it is time to congratulate everyone, focus on the Premier League and see the draw." City's stunning 5-0 win in last month's first leg in Lisbon had already effectively settled this tie, and it was clear from the outset that the Portuguese side did not entertain any hope of an unlikely comeback. Sporting packed their defence, perhaps wary of suffering another damaging defeat, leaving Guardiola's side in total control of possession but struggling to carve out meaningful chances. Raheem Sterling wasted City's best opportunity before the break when he ran on to Phil Foden's pass and tried to dink the ball over Antonio Adan but did not get enough height on his shot. Gabriel Jesus did find the net for the home side at the start of the second half but a VAR review ruled he was offside from Riyad Mahrez's pass and the goal was disallowed. Despite being unable to make the breakthrough, City remained completely comfortable and Guardiola was relaxed enough to bring on third-choice keeper Scott Carson for Ederson with 20 minutes remaining. The 36-year-old, making his first appearance of the season, was quickly called into action to deny Paulinho from close range, bringing chants of 'England's number one' from the delighted City fans. City will find out their quarter-final opponents on 18 March and Guardiola said it was a "good sign" that expectations have risen for the club. "The last decade, step by step, the club grew and for many years we were there in the Champions League and qualifying for the last 16," he added. "Now, again, we're in the quarter-finals and among the best eight teams in Europe." (BBC Sport) Karim Benzema scored a superb second-half hat-trick as Real Madrid produced a stirring fightback at a raucous Bernabeu to reach the Champions League quarter-finals at the expense of Paris St-Germain. Kylian Mbappe's first-half goal had given PSG a deserved two-goal aggregate lead and looked to have put Mauricio Pochettino's side well on course for the last eight. However, a mistake by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma proved the catalyst for a dramatic recovery with Benzema turning home after the Italian dawdled in possession. Luka Modric's driving run and intricate pass made Benzema's second as he levelled the tie against a clearly panicked PSG, and as the visitors attempted to regroup the 34-year-old drove a low effort into the bottom right corner seconds after the restart to settle the tie. Until Donnarumma's error PSG had been in complete control. Marco Verratti was slick and dominant in midfield, while Neymar and Lionel Messi worked themselves into some dangerous positions as the hosts struggled to contain their more fluent opponents. Mbappe in particular was electric, racing on to a pass from Neymar to open the scoring against the side he has been heavily tipped to join in the summer when his contract at PSG expires. Either side of that the 23-year-old tormented the Real defence, twice having goals correctly disallowed for offside but showing his predatory instincts nonetheless. A surge of acceleration also saw him burst past Real's Eder Militao and only a brilliant covering challenge from David Alaba prevented him from adding to his tally. Mbappe's influence was such that he received warm applause from the home support as he got up after appearing to be hurt in a tackle, but the real damage to his and PSG's long-standing aspirations in the competition were still to come.
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Post by Webster on Mar 17, 2022 2:31:39 GMT
(BBC Sport) Darwin Nunez scored the winner as Benfica beat Ajax in Amsterdam to reach the Champions League quarter-finals. After an entertaining first leg ended 2-2 in Lisbon, the return was far tighter and the visitors had done little to threaten before Nunez struck. The Uruguayan beat Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana to head in a whipped free-kick with 13 minutes to go. Ajax dominated and Sebastien Haller had the ball in the net early on, but Dusan Tadic was offside in the build-up. Yet for all the home side's possession they struggled to break down a resolute Benfica defence that was well marshalled by veteran centre-backs Nicolas Otamendi and former Ajax and Spurs man Jan Vertonghen. Belgian Vertonghen also headed wide from a rare chance for the visitors, who showed little ambition and looked most likely to threaten from a set-piece. And that was how it turned out, with Nunez popping up with the decisive goal in the tie from Alex Grimaldo's superb delivery. Antony had looked lively for the Dutch outfit and fired on target from distance before heading another effort over the crossbar - as what had been a buoyant atmosphere inside the Johan Cruyff Arena began to turn nervy. In the end it was Benfica's vociferous travelling support who were left chanting as their players enjoyed celebrations on the pitch, with the Portuguese outfit reaching the last eight of the Champions League for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign. (BBC Sport) Manchester United's Champions League campaign ended in the disappointment of defeat by Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford to leave them with only a Premier League top-four place to fight for this season. Ralf Rangnick's side were not short on endeavour but lacked the guile to break down Atletico's trademark resilience as Renan Lodi's far-post header four minutes before half-time sent the Spanish champions into the last eight. United dominated possession for large portions of the second half but, as they have done so often, Atletico built a wall of defensive resistance - and when they did threaten, goalkeeper Jan Oblak provided the final barrier. He saved brilliantly from Raphael Varane's header in front of the Stretford End as United were left to fight for a place in next season's Champions League in the final weeks of the domestic season.
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Post by Webster on Mar 17, 2022 2:34:22 GMT
(BBC Sport) Villarreal scored three late goals to move into the Champions League quarter-finals as Juventus went out in the last 16 for a third successive year. The Spanish side did not have a shot on target before substitute Gerard Moreno converted a 78th-minute penalty after Daniele Rugani fouled Francis Coquelin. Defender Pau Torres added a second when he finished from six yards as Juventus failed to deal with a corner. Arnaud Danjuma made it 3-0 with another penalty after Matthijs De Ligt handled. "We had a gameplan and knew there'd be tough moments," said Villarreal boss Unai Emery. "Whoever we get in the draw will be a top side, just like the one we faced." The draw for the quarter-finals takes place on Friday at 11:00 GMT and Villarreal will be in the last eight of the competition for the first time since 2008-09 and only the third time in their history. Following a 1-1 draw in Spain last week, two-time European champions Juventus were clear favourites to advance and they dominated the first half at the Allianz Stadium. However, Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic, a goalscorer in the first leg, hit the crossbar and was also twice denied by Villarreal goalkeeper Gero Rulli, who also saved an effort from ex-Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata. Villarreal, managed by former Arsenal boss Emery, had to defend deep and in numbers for the majority of the second half. However, in a rare attack, substitue Coquelin was fouled by Rugani with referee Szymon Marciniak awarding the penalty after watching it on a pitchside monitor. Moreno, only on the pitch for four minutes, kept his cool to put his side ahead as home goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny got both hands to the shot but could not keep it out. Juventus had been eliminated at this phase of the competition in both the past two years, going out to Lyon in 2020 and Porto in 2021, and fell apart in the last 10 minutes. Terrible defending from a corner allowed Torres to double Villarreal's advantage before former Bournemouth striker Danjuma converted another spot-kick in injury time. Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said: "I think the team played well for over 75 minutes. In the second half, Villarreal decided to just defend and block but they had one chance and they took it. Football is like that: one episode can change everything. Villarreal defended with 11 men, clearly trying to bring the game to extra time. Then that goal changed everything." Villarreal, seventh in La Liga, had qualified for the Champions League courtesy of winning last season's Europa League final - beating Manchester United 11-10 in an epic penalty shootout as United goalkeeper David de Gea missed the decisive penalty. (BBC Sport) Thomas Tuchel wants Chelsea to be the side everyone wants to avoid in the Champions League quarter-final draw after the holders beat Lille at a lively Stade Pierre-Mauroy to secure a 4-1 aggregate win. The Blues took a 2-0 first-leg lead to France but, in a match played amid continued uncertainty over the club's future, they had to come from behind after a slow start to earn success in the return. Burak Yilmaz pulled Lille back into the tie with a penalty after Jorginho handled, only for Christian Pulisic to reply in first-half injury time. Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta then put the last-16 encounter beyond the French champions when he finished at the back post with 19 minutes remaining. Tuchel's side will find out their last-eight opponents in Friday's draw. "I want us to be the team nobody wants to play," said Tuchel. "That's the role we see ourselves in this last round of eight. "It's a big step to do it again and again - and that is why we fight for top-four places in maybe the toughest league in the world and we fight now again in the top eight teams [in Europe]. This brings out the very best in us."
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Post by Webster on Mar 18, 2022 15:52:07 GMT
(The Guardian) Champions League quarter-final and semi-final draw--QF1: Chelsea v Real Madrid --QF2: Manchester City v Atlético Madrid --QF3: Villarreal v Bayern Munich --QF4: Benfica v Liverpool --SF1: Manchester City or Atlético Madrid v Chelsea or Real Madrid --SF2: Benfica or Liverpool v Villarreal or Bayern Munich The winners of SF2 will be the ‘home’ team in the final. Dates --5/6 April: Quarter-finals, first legs --12/13 April: Quarter-finals, second legs --26/27 April: Semi-finals, first legs --3/4 May: Semi-finals, second legs 28 May: Final, Stade de France, Paris
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Post by Webster on Apr 7, 2022 1:25:00 GMT
(BBC Sport) Liverpool will take a two-goal lead into the Champions League quarter-final second leg at Anfield but Jurgen Klopp says his side are "not in dreamland" after an important victory over Benfica in Lisbon. Luis Diaz scored late on to put Klopp's side in control of the encounter but they could have been out of sight were it not for a number of fine saves from Benfica goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos. Ibrahima Konate rose highest to head the visitors into the lead from a corner before Sadio Mane added a clinical second to dampen the mood at a lively Estadio da Luz in a dominant first half. The home fans ramped up the noise again shortly after the interval when Konate's mistake allowed sought-after striker Darwin Nunez to pull one back for the Portuguese outfit and make it a contest. But the Premier League side will have a healthy advantage when they welcome Benfica in the second leg next Wednesday after Diaz added a late third with a composed finish after rounding Vlachodimos, who also denied Diogo Jota in the final moments. "Coming here and winning an away game in the Champions League is tough. Obviously, Benfica fought for their lives," said Klopp. "We could have scored in the last minute - the fourth one would be nice but we're not in dreamland here. It's half-time, we know much more about our opponent, they will go for it again. They won at Ajax, they ground out all the results out in the group stage that they needed, so we are aware of the quality and now we have a nice game in between and then we will be ready again for Benfica." (BBC Sport) Kevin de Bruyne's second-half goal gave Manchester City victory as they overcame Atletico Madrid's typically fierce resistance in their Champions League quarter-final first leg at Etihad Stadium. Diego Simeone's side performed with their trademark defensive discipline, restricting City to very few opportunities until De Bruyne pounced to make the breakthrough with 20 minutes left. Phil Foden, on as a substitute, produced the moment of magic to unlock Atletico with a perfect pass through the legs of Reinildo for De Bruyne to slot past goalkeeper Jan Oblak. It was the decisive moment in the tightest of games but City manager Pep Guardiola's wild celebration illustrated just how much it means to take a lead, even if slender, to Madrid for the second leg on 13 April.
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Post by Webster on Apr 7, 2022 1:28:24 GMT
(BBC Sport) Chelsea's hold on the Champions League hangs precariously after Karim Benzema's hat-trick put Real Madrid in a position of power following the quarter-final first leg at Stamford Bridge. Real coach Carlo Ancelotti made a winning return to the club where he won the Premier League and FA Cup double after veteran France striker Benzema delivered his latest masterclass. Benzema, 34 and fresh from the treble that sunk Paris St-Germain in the last 16, punished holders Chelsea with two magnificent headers in the space of three minutes midway through the first half. Kai Havertz's header gave Chelsea hope before the break but keeper Edouard Mendy's poor clearance seconds after the restart gifted Benzema his third to put Real in command of the tie before the second leg at the Bernabeu next Tuesday (12 April). (BBC Sport) Ex-Bournemouth striker Arnaut Danjuma scored as Villarreal stunned Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie. The home side were superb from the outset and led inside 10 minutes when Danjuma stabbed in from close range. Francis Coquelin had a goal ruled out while Gerard Moreno hit the post as Villarreal pushed for a second. German champions Bayern were well below par and did not manage a shot on target until the second half. Robert Lewandowski, who has scored 51 goals for club and country this season, was kept quiet by a well-organised Villarreal defence as the hosts followed up their impressive win against Juventus in the previous round with another big result. But as poor as Bayern were they will feel they can turn things round against the Spanish side in the return leg on Tuesday, 12 April. They will need to play significantly better than they did in this game as they suffered their first Champions League defeat away from home since 2017. Indeed, Bayern's players will likely come away relieved that they only have a one-goal deficit as Villarreal had a plethora of chances to win by a bigger margin. Coquelin was narrowly offside before seeing his cross fly over Manuel Neuer's head and as well as Moreno's shot against the post they really should have got a second in the final few minutes when substitute Alfonso Pedraza shot wide from close range. Kingsley Coman saw an effort saved by Geronimo Rulli at his near post in stoppage time but an equaliser would have been supremely harsh on brilliant Villarreal, who understandably celebrated wildly when the full-time whistle was blown.
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Post by Webster on Apr 8, 2022 18:35:13 GMT
(The Guardian) Atletico Madrid charged over fans' "Nazi salutes"Breaking news from the Champions League. “Atletico Madrid have been charged with discriminatory behaviour,” PA reports, “in relation to the conduct of their supporters at Tuesday night’s Champions League match against Manchester City. “Supporters of the Spanish club were caught on camera appearing to perform Nazi salutes during the quarter-final first-leg tie at the Etihad Stadium. UEFA announced on Friday that disciplinary proceedings had been instigated against Atletico. The club have been charged with discriminatory behaviour and with the throwing of objects. UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) will decide on the matter in due course.”
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