Manchester United have won the Champions League beating Chelsea in a tough final.
Player of the competition was also anounced today, as being Barcelona's Leo Messi.
Monday, November 25, 2013
ROBBED AGAIN....
Once again the hopes and dreams of all Madrid fans world wide were dashed over the weekend in what can only be described as a cruel ending for JM and his Real Madrid team.
The Champions League is the one trophy which still eludes JM to this point of his career, and hopes were certainly high this year would spell the end of the draught.
Bayern Munich was once again the opponent - a classic foe who had already managed to spoil the party for Madrid once before.
With a stalement 1st leg at home in Madrid, Real played masterfully in Munich. Neither side giving an inch - neither willing to make the crucial error. Then, who else but perhaps the best player in the world to finally break the dead lock. Ronaldo scoring what seemed to be a massive game breaker midway through the 1st half. A classic counter attack and perfect finish.
From there it seemed Real would play out the game as they did at home in the 1st leg. It seemed once again improbable that Bayern would find the 2 goals they would need to progress. With Madrid holding out wave after wave of Bayern attack. Nothing was getting through today.
Then, once again, the Fifa Gods have their say. From a Bayern corner kick, what seemed a comfortable clearance by Madrid, it was called back for a hand ball in the box. Cruel.
It goes down as perhaps the 22nd, or maybe 45th penalty Real Madrid have conceded in this way this season. Cruel.
Who steps up to take the penalty? An old nemesis by the name of Robben.
Despite Casillas appearing to pick the correct side the ball still finds a place in the side of the goal to level the game. Cruel.
Early in the 2nd half again a Bayern attack appears to come to nothing when a foul is called on Madrid. Almost touching the goal line of the far side of the field - an impossible angle. Who steps up to take the free kick. Robben.
He shoots directly at Casillas, who perhaps should have gobbled it up with ease. Instead he reacts by punching the ball high into his own net. Bayern take the lead. Cruel.
From there Real must now push forward - time against them. Big season recruit Gareth Bale had a brilliant chance to level the game but pushed his effort from outside of the box uncharacteristally wide of the goal. Big miss. Cruel.
With Madrid's ultra attack style in the final 20 mins, Bayern were able to find space and added to the misery with a further 2 goals - including a hat trick to Robben. Cruel.
Game over.
The Champions League is the one trophy which still eludes JM to this point of his career, and hopes were certainly high this year would spell the end of the draught.
Bayern Munich was once again the opponent - a classic foe who had already managed to spoil the party for Madrid once before.
With a stalement 1st leg at home in Madrid, Real played masterfully in Munich. Neither side giving an inch - neither willing to make the crucial error. Then, who else but perhaps the best player in the world to finally break the dead lock. Ronaldo scoring what seemed to be a massive game breaker midway through the 1st half. A classic counter attack and perfect finish.
From there it seemed Real would play out the game as they did at home in the 1st leg. It seemed once again improbable that Bayern would find the 2 goals they would need to progress. With Madrid holding out wave after wave of Bayern attack. Nothing was getting through today.
Then, once again, the Fifa Gods have their say. From a Bayern corner kick, what seemed a comfortable clearance by Madrid, it was called back for a hand ball in the box. Cruel.
It goes down as perhaps the 22nd, or maybe 45th penalty Real Madrid have conceded in this way this season. Cruel.
Who steps up to take the penalty? An old nemesis by the name of Robben.
Despite Casillas appearing to pick the correct side the ball still finds a place in the side of the goal to level the game. Cruel.
Early in the 2nd half again a Bayern attack appears to come to nothing when a foul is called on Madrid. Almost touching the goal line of the far side of the field - an impossible angle. Who steps up to take the free kick. Robben.
He shoots directly at Casillas, who perhaps should have gobbled it up with ease. Instead he reacts by punching the ball high into his own net. Bayern take the lead. Cruel.
 |
| Robben adds a 3rd and final goal on the night in a man of the match performance |
With Madrid's ultra attack style in the final 20 mins, Bayern were able to find space and added to the misery with a further 2 goals - including a hat trick to Robben. Cruel.
Game over.
 |
| Casillas walks away from another heartbreaking defeat |
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Barca Exit UCL..But Still Lead La Liga
The biggest news of the week is the Champions League elimination of former winners Barcelona at the hands of a brilliant Chelsea team.
Although only slight favourites coming into the tie, Barcelona were still expected the progress through to the Quarter Finals stage, however they could have envisaged coming up agaisnt such a resiliant team as Chelsea over the two games.
Barcelona Boss SB was left rather speechless after losing to his former team and only managed to say his a few words. He said his team felt weak in both games - not the team he's used to seeing week in week out in La Liga.
Though his dream of a 2nd treble is over for now, SB can now direct all focus firmly towards closing out a La Liga season he and his team have seemingly wrapped up. They lead their nearest rival Real Socidad by 4 points with 8 games remaining.
On the flip side, Spanish rivals Real Madrid have had a disappointing domestic campaign, with JM practically conceding the La Liga title to Barcelona over the weekend. However his eyes and that of his team are now firmly focussed on a Champions League crown - a title he has never won and for obvious reason craves the most.
"Yes we are disappointed to be so far behind in La Liga. I think this is for Barcelona now to lose." JM spoke on Monday to the media.
"But I am very pleased with our progression in Europe. Bayern will be a most difficult opponent and I know we must train hard and play better than we have all season to beat them. But I know we can do this."
No doubt memories of the last time Real and Bayern clashed in a Champions League match will be in their minds. The final in 2010 which saw Madrid spill a 2 goal lead only to lose in extra time thanks 2 separate come backs and 2 goals from Bayern star Robben.
"We have not forgotten - and we will use it as motivation. Many of my players played in this match. We will like revenge, that is for sure."
Although only slight favourites coming into the tie, Barcelona were still expected the progress through to the Quarter Finals stage, however they could have envisaged coming up agaisnt such a resiliant team as Chelsea over the two games.
Barcelona Boss SB was left rather speechless after losing to his former team and only managed to say his a few words. He said his team felt weak in both games - not the team he's used to seeing week in week out in La Liga.
Though his dream of a 2nd treble is over for now, SB can now direct all focus firmly towards closing out a La Liga season he and his team have seemingly wrapped up. They lead their nearest rival Real Socidad by 4 points with 8 games remaining.
 |
| Fabregas player hard but it just wasn't to be against Chelsea |
"Yes we are disappointed to be so far behind in La Liga. I think this is for Barcelona now to lose." JM spoke on Monday to the media.
"But I am very pleased with our progression in Europe. Bayern will be a most difficult opponent and I know we must train hard and play better than we have all season to beat them. But I know we can do this."
No doubt memories of the last time Real and Bayern clashed in a Champions League match will be in their minds. The final in 2010 which saw Madrid spill a 2 goal lead only to lose in extra time thanks 2 separate come backs and 2 goals from Bayern star Robben.
"We have not forgotten - and we will use it as motivation. Many of my players played in this match. We will like revenge, that is for sure."
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| Modric, Ronaldo and Bale look relaxed at training ahead of their Champion League QF |
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