Athletic Bilbao's Llorente: Defeating Manchester United is incredible and wonderful

The Spanish striker did not hide his happiness at overcoming the Premier League champions, but warned the team not to get carried away with the continental result

Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente is ecstatic that his side have sent Manchester Unitedpacking in the Europa League with a 5-3 aggregate victory.

The 27-year-old forward paved the way to Athletic's 2-1 victory at San Mames on Thursday, scoring the club's first goal before coming off on 40 minutes after suffering a recurrence of his hip problem.

"Eliminating United is incredible," Llorente told reporters after the match. "The truth is that this is wonderful, we had a great match. We had a hard time in the first half and we had to play closer to our goal at times, but against these teams that happens sometimes."

However, Llorente urged his side to stay focused as Athletic looks to enter the European qualification zone in Sunday's La Liga match against Valencia.

"Now we have to recover because on Sunday there is another complicated match against Valencia," he added. "We will see if we can continue to play like this." 

sumber :http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/68/europa-league/2012/03/15/2970128/athletic-bilbaos-llorente-defeating-manchester-united-is

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Hart and Kolo Toure focus on Premier League after Manchester City's Europa League exit

The duo look ahead to Wednesday's game against Chelsea as Manchester City looks to regain top spot in the Premier League from rival United as focus switches to the title chase

Joe Hart and Kolo Toure insisted that Manchester City is looking ahead despite knocked out of the Europa League by Sporting Lisbon.

The Portuguese side took a three-goal lead on aggregate, only for City to score three of its own, but fall just short of netting the fourth required to go through to the quarterfinals.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper went up for a last minute corner but saw his bullet header superbly saved by his opposite number, Rui Patricio.

"I can't believe it. I thought it was [in]. It didn't need to get to that, but football is football and it's about drama," Hart told ESPN. "In the second half I thought we were fantastic but in the first half we didn’t show what the fans deserved. We just need to take the positives out of the first half and move for the rest of the season."

Hart was disappointed with the nature of Sporting's goals and was doubly upset to see the tie slip away from his side.

"That's football," he said. "Sometimes you get exposed. The majority of the time I'm not so I'm not going to get hung up on that. You need to play well in every game, there aren’t many games like that. We can't afford not to play well in any game. We let ourselves down in the first half, but as I say if we keep rolling now we’ll be alright."

City's next game is against Chelsea in the Premier League and the 24-year-old is keen to get back to winning ways against Roberto Di Matteo's side.

sumber : http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/68/europa-league/2012/03/15/2970193/hart-and-kolo-toure-focus-on-premier-league-after-manchester 

"We can take positives because we are a great side. We are one point behind the leaders of the Premier League," Hart added. "We’re a good team. We’ve got nothing to worry about. We’ll go into that match [Chelsea] as favorites. We should be favorites. We’re a good side and I hope we will win."

Toure dubbed the match 'strange' and also insisted City is looking forward to the future and not the past.

"It has been a strange game. They scored two at the start and then we were chasing the game," he explained. "I think we did well and Joe Hart had a great header at the end but the goalkeeper managed to tip it out. It was really unlucky for us. We now need to keep our heads up and just think about the next game against Chelsea. For Manchester City, every trophy is very important. When we go out it is very difficult, but now we just need to think about the future because the past is the past." 

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Atletico Madrid's Simeone: We played a perfect second half against Besiktas

The Argentine coach was happy with the team's display against the Turkish side and was full of praise for Turan after his positive performance on Thursday night

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone praised his side's display in the 3-0 victory at Besiktas in the Europa League at the Inonu Stadium.

A first half strike from Adrian and late goals from Radamel Falcao and Eduardo Salvio earned Atletico a comfortable 6-1 aggregate victory against the Turkish side after the first leg had finished 3-1 for the Spanish club.

"We are very happy," Simeone told reporters after the game. "We knew we would have to suffer in the opening 15 minutes. "But from then on, we started to build our game, we were more calm and we had a good end to the first half. The second half was perfect."

Simeone then had special words of praise for Arda Turan, who put in a good display on his return to the Turkish capital.

"He is a player who reads the game like few others," the Argentine coach said. "He just knows how to assist his teammates." 

sumber :http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/68/europa-league/2012/03/15/2970196/atletico-madrids-simeone-we-played-a-perfect-second-half-against-

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Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Manchester United (Agg 5-3): Llorente and De Marcos dump lackluster visitors out of Europe despite late Rooney wonder strike

Sir Alex Ferguson's men are outplayed by their hosts and never get close to qualifying for the next round as they are thoroughly beaten by the Marco Bielsa's side

A lackluster Manchester United were dumped out of the Europa League by Athletic Bilbao, thanks to goals from Fernando Llorente and Oscar de Marcos, and couldn't get anything out of the game despite a wonder goal late-on from Wayne Rooney.

The hosts were on the front foot for almost the entire match, as United were put to the sword thanks to some high intensity play with plenty of technique on display.

United attacked straight from the off, as Park found Rooney down the left, but the striker got his chip all wrong as it went across the face of goal.

It looked certain to be an end-to-end game, with the home side swarming around the ball when United were in possession, and attacking with vigor when on the ball.

Young was the next player to go close, put through by Cleverley but seeing his shot blocked before Marcelo Bielsa's men almost put the tie beyond United.

Llorente played a neat reverse pass through to Muniain, open on the edge of the area, and when his low drive cannoned back off the post and back to De Marcos, it looked grave for the English champions.

But De Marcos conspired to heave an effort over the bar with David de Gea out of position after the initial shot. It was a huge let off for United.

It wasn't long before the visitors were behind, to a fantastic finish by Llorente. A simple long ball over the top from Amorebietta exposed Rio Ferdinand, and the Spanish striker volleyed it across the face of goal and into the far corner, giving De Gea no chance.

It meant that United went 4-2 down on aggregate and would need at least three goals to advance to the next stage.

A fabulous cross from Young to the back post five minutes later found an unmarked Ryan Giggs, but his header was brilliantly blocked by one of the Athletic defenders to deflect it over the bar.

The next flash point came when Cleverley controlled a ball on the edge of the box and took a knock on the led from a Bilbao defender, but nothing was given as the midfielder went down fairly easily.

The half ended with both sides already nursing injuries, as goal scorer Llorente was substituted five minutes before the end, and Rafael fell awkwardly on a soft patch of grass, but seemed to recover before the break.

Going into the second half Ferguson's side still needed three goals, and didn't look like getting anywhere near that target as Athletic bombarded them.

The hosts were inches away from an astounding goal as Andoni Iraola threw in a couple of step-overs on the edge of the box, rolling the ball past first Carrick then Ferdinand, but placing his shot just wide of the post, with the home crowd about to take the roof off the stadium.

Time and again United was forced to kick the ball long under immense pressure from the hosts, and it just could not get its own game going with Rooney looking out of sorts after little time at all on the ball.

Ferguson perhaps gave a telling sign of how he thought the game was progressing just after the hour mark when he withdrew Ferdinand and Carrick for Chris Smalling and the promising but inexperienced midfielder Paul Pogba.

And two minutes later United's European misery was all but sealed. A cross in towards Toquero was well blocked by Smalling, but the rebound fell to De Marcos 10 yards out, and his shot was deflected past De Gea by the outstretched foot of Jonny Evans.

Even as the match progressed and Danny Welbeck was introduced, United continued to struggle and failed to create any chances. 

It was, in fact, Athletic who was coming closer and closer to adding a goal, as Iraola's great cross was inexplicably headed over from six yards by Toquero.

It was another poor European night for United, and the final one of the season for them. Rooney went down with what looked like a nasty tackle on his ankle, but recovered to carry on.

Rooney recovered so well, in fact, that he was able to curl a beautiful effort into the top corner to bring a goal back for the visitors, and it was even applauded by the home fans.

United was starting to look like it had a way back into the game, with Rooney the chief player creating. But De Marcos almost snatched another with a little under five minutes remaining.

Welbeck came close from long range, forcing the first save of the night from Iraizoz, but the keeper did well to push it around the post.

Ultimately though, United was nowhere near its peak, and suffered as it was outplayed by the hosts in every department, and deservedly knocked out of Europe for a second time this season.

sumber :http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/77163/athletic-bilbao-vs-manchester-united/report

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Manchester City 3-2 Sporting Lisbon (Agg 3-3): Aguero double sees City complete turnaround but hosts crash out on away goals

The Citizens pay for sluggish start as they have to come from behind to score four goals in order to progress but fall agonizingly short in the closing minutes

Sporting made the brighter start to the game, closing down the City team at every opportunity and Xandao went close with a header in the opening stages but the low-key beginning from both teams was indicative of the atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium, which was barely full despite the relative importance of the game.

Manchester City fell valiantly short of an epic comeback in its Europa League game against Sporting despite beating its Portuguese opponents 3-2 on the night.

First-half goals from Matias Fernandez and Ricky Van Wolfswinkel gave Sporting a deserved 2-0 lead as City started sluggishly to leave the English club with the mountainous task of scoring four goals in the second half.

But Roberto Mancini rung the changes and his team got back into the game through two goals from Sergio Aguero on either side of a Mario Balotelli penalty.

Aguero’s goal gave the home side’s fans hope with the third goal nine minutes from time but despite throwing everything at Sporting, they couldn’t find the fourth.

Midfielder David Pizarro was given a rare start after Gareth Barry failed to recover from a back injury in time, while Joleon Lescott missed out again. Sergio Aguero started alongside Balotelli as City knew it needed goals. Alexandre Xandao, who scored the back-heeled goal in the first leg, started for Sporting.

The first real incident of note came after 20 minutes as Sporting players and fans were left incensed as they were denied a penalty claim after Matias Fernandez fell under the challenge of the clumsy Stefan Savic. Unimpressed with his histrionics, the referee booked the midfielder five minutes later for diving just outside the area - even if it did look like David Pizarro made contact with him.

City seemed bereft of rhythm in the first half as it looked for long balls, while Fernandez kept the away side ticking.

And it was Fernandez who opened the scoring with a fabulous free kick from 25 yards on the 32nd minute. The Chilean went down under the challenge of Balotelli and he stepped up with aplomb to fire a strike into the far post that had too much power on it for the diving Joe Hart to keep out, despite getting a strong hand on it.

Sporting deservedly extended its lead less than ten minutes later against the lackluster City with a brilliant team goal, finished off by Van Wolfswinkel. A cross-field ball was headed down by Van Wolfswinkel who spread the ball wide, which sucked Aleksandar Kolarov out of position. Sporting then got the ball into the vacant area to Marat Izmailov, who expertly found the waiting Van Wolfswinkel at the back post, having freed himself of the attention of both Stefan Savic and Kolo Toure.

Sensing his team needed to score goals in the second half, Mancini brought off Adam Johnson – who showed a few bright spots in the first half – for holding midfielder Nigel de Jong.

That moved was swiftly followed by the substitution of the absent Pizarro, who was replaced by Edin Dzeko.

City got itself back in the game on the hour mark with its most fluent piece play of the game as Yaya Toure drove towards the area with the ball before expertly finding Aguero, who does well to finish in the top corner.

The goal brought City to life from its deep slumber and the team immediately took control of proceedings as Sporting began to look nervous and tried to protect its lead.

City’s pressure told 15 minutes later as Aguero was tripped by Renato Neto – whether it was in the area or not is hard to call – and Balotelli, who had been virtually absent for the whole evening, steps up to draw the teams level on the night.

Aguero then sent the home fans into raptures with just under 10 minutes to go after putting City within one goal of progressing. A corner was flicked on by Dzeko towards the Argentine, who was all alone at the back, to flick the ball goalwards.

City had time for one last chance as Joe Hart of all people got on the end of a cross with a header that looked destined for the back of the net until Rui Patricio somehow got his hand to the ball to divert it agonisingly wide.

sumber :http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/77157/manchester-city-vs-sporting/report

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In Pictures: Eric Cantona returns to action starring in his latest film 'Switch'

The former Manchester United talisman who featured in 'Looking For Eric' two years ago continues to try to forge an acting career in the wake of his footballing success

Eric Cantona may have retired from football 15 years ago but the man nicknamed 'King Eric' by the Stretford End continues to seek new avenues of exposure turning to acting once more.

Never far from the headlines, Cantona made an attempt to run for the French presidency earlier this year.

He has also teamed up with former NASL side New York Cosmos - the one-time home of Pele - and aims, through his role as Director of Soccer, to make them "one of the best clubs in the world in the coming years".Cantona had his fair share of controversies and not solely in England where fans old enough will recall his kung-fu kick on a Crystal Palace supporter that landed him a four month ban. In fact he has always been in hot water.

There was the time at Marseille when, after kicking the ball at the fans during a friendly, he tore his shirt off and threw it at his manager, receiving a one month ban. Or in 1991 when he threw the ball at the referee after disagreeing with a decision.

After receiving a one month suspension from the French footballing body for this particular infraction, Cantona approached the panel members and called them all 'idiots'.

All of the above make the idea of handing a gun to Cantona an extremely unwise move. Nonetheless that is what the directors of this particular film have done.

'Switch' is a French police-chase movie set in Los Angeles. It is also heading straight to DVD.  

 

sumber : http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/4160/extra-time/2012/03/10/2958145/in-pictures-eric-cantona-returns-to-action-starring-in-his 

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In Pictures: Mario Balotelli flees to Milan with girlfriend Raffaella Fico

The Manchester City striker opted to head to Italy in the wake of his club's shock loss at Swansea and showed surprisingly good taste with his choice of car and companion

Mario Balotelli made a dash to Milan following Manchester City's defeat to Swansea on Sunday to spend some time with gorgeous girlfriend Raffaella Fico.  

Fico shot to fame via the Italian version of Big Brother - the sure fire way of achieving some sort of celebrity. From here she was the rumoured mother of Ronaldo's first born before linking up with Balotelli.

She has spoken in the past of her relationships: "Apart from Balotelli, I’ve only been with Cristiano Ronaldo. And I can assure you that Mario is much better."

I think she is referring to his driving skills...But after Balotelli was photographed leaving a Manchester strip club in the early hours before a Premier League game against Bolton, she added: "For me, he can go to a strip club, if he does nothing wrong, with friends, but I have to say that at the end he always comes back to me because I am his favourite."A beautiful and forgiving woman? "She gives me peace of mind and is understanding when I mess up," Mario said. No wonder Roberto Mancini is pushing the two to get married.It works both ways though? That's how a healthy relationship should be (so I've read...). Not in Balotelli's world: "If she went to a male strip club, I'd be very p***** off."I suppose you can't argue with a man who nonchalantly paid off a £250,000 fine for said strip club incident. The Balotelli mystique took a hit thanks to a recent interview where he denied almost every story that had been reported in the press of his famed madcap antics. Had he paid a tramp £1000? No. Did he dress up as Santa and hand money to people in Manchester? Never. What about taking the boy to school to confront his bully? Not a chance. It was the kind of debunking you just didn't want to hear. However, we were treated to a new Balotelli quirk, though as a professional athlete it's hardly the most endearing. He smokes. Yep, like a handful of Italian footballers, Mario has taken to the ill-advised habit. And it all comes from Mancini - who KNOWS about this! "If he were my son, I would give him a kick up the arse but he is not my son," Mancini said. "There are players in Italy who smoke and some over here but I don't think he smokes a lot – maybe five or six a day."That sounds a lot to me! 

sumber :http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/4160/extra-time/2012/03/14/2966395/in-pictures-mario-balotelli-flees-to-milan-with-girlfriend

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Aquilani will join Milan from Liverpool on a permanent basis, says agent

The Italy international's agent believes that the Italian side will continue using his client and automatically trigger a buying option in the player's loan contract

Liverpool-owned midfielder Alberto Aquilani expects to join AC Milan on a permanent basis at the end of the season, his agent has revealed.  

The 27-year-old joined Milan in the summer after spending 2010-11 on loan at Juventus, having been deemed surplus to requirements at the Premier League club.

He has been a regular at San Siro this term, with 22 competitive appearances to date, and his representative is confident that Milan are interested in signing the player.

"As it was agreed, a permanent deal will automatically be struck once he makes 25 appearances," Franco Zavaglia told milannews.it.

"I do not think that Milan will pass up on Aquilani. There is no problem about this, a permanent deal is something we all expect."

Massimiliano Allegri's side, who are four points clear at the top of the Serie A standings, will visit Parma on Saturday in their upcoming league fixture.

sumber :http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/03/15/2967918/aquilani-will-join-milan-from-liverpool-on-a-permanent-basis 

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Real Madrid's Marcelo unworried about prospect of meeting Barcelona in Champions League

The Brazilian full-back declared that Madrid must beat any team that they are drawn against and insisted that the result was the most important thing in the match against CSKA

Real Madrid defender Marcelo is not worried that his side may be pitted against Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.The Spanish capital club have progressed to the last-eight stage with 5-2 aggregate victory against CSKA Moscow following Wednesday's 4-1 success at the Santiago Bernabeu.Last season, Madrid were denied the chance to reach the Champions League decider after losing to Barcelona 3-1 on aggregate in the semi finals, but Marcelo is not worried that the same thing could happen this term."We do not prefer to be drawn against anyone [in particular]," Marcelo told reporters. "Every opponent we can get is the same."We just have to beat whoever we get. It does not matter if we face Barca now. We will have to play as equals to try to beat them."The Brazilian left-back then played down the fact that the Bernabeu faithful was not entirely happy with the team's display against CSKA."The fans wanted us to play somewhat better, but the important thing about these matches is to win," Marcelo said.

"Jose Mourinho is a winning coach and he asked us to be more focused."

sumber :http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2012/03/15/2967930/real-madrids-marcelo-unworried-about-prospect-of-meeting

 

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Mata & Di Matteo: Chelsea fans can inspire triumph over Napoli

Both player and manager feel that progression into the next round of the Champions League is a viable target despite having to overcome a 3-1 deficit from the first leg

Chelsea's Roberto Di Matteo and Juan Mata both believe that the Blues have what it takes to knock Napoli out of the Champions League if they have the backing of the Stamford Bridge crowd.

The west Londoners face an uphill challenge after suffering a 3-1 defeat to the Italian side in the first leg but both player and manager feel that progression into the next round is possible.
"It’s a big game for us, just like a final. We need two goals at least to qualify and we will try to do it, try to win the game and to qualify," Mata told the club's official website.
"They [Napoli] are very good, they showed in the first game how good they are. I think they have very high-quality strikers up front like [Marek] Hamsik, [Ezequiel] Lavezzi and [Edinson] Cavani but we have good players as well so it is going to be a big battle for us.
"I believe in the support from Stamford Bridge and in the team, and I believe we can do it."
Mata can be backed at 8.00 with 188Bet to score the first goal when Chelsea take on Napoli.
Di Matteo has almost a full squad to pick from and is agreed that the Blues have what it takes to make the quarter-finals.
“I think we are ready, everyone is fit which is great," the interim manager explained.
"[Raul] Meireles is suspended but I think we look good, we look confident and we need one of those special cup nights.
“Make this stadium rock tonight and support the team, they will need it. Then hopefully we can have a good night and enjoy it." 

sumber :http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2012/03/14/2966960/mata-di-matteo-chelsea-fans-can-inspire-triumph-over-napoli 

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Keisuke Honda to miss CSKA Moscow's Real Madrid clash - report

The Japan international appeared to be winning his race to be fit for the game against Los Blancos but it is now being claimed that he will sit out the match at the Bernabeu

CSKA Moscow look set to be without Keisuke Honda for Wednesday night's Champions League last-16 second leg meeting with Real Madrid.The Japan international has been struggling with a thigh problem of late but it had been thought that the highly-rated attacking midfielder would be fit to at least play some part in the game at the Santiago Bernabeu.However, reports emanating out of Spain suggest that Honda has lost his battle to be fit to face Los Blancos.The 25-year-old's absence would represent a major blow for CSKA given that he made a big impact after coming on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Madrid at the Luzhniki Stadium three weeks ago.Prior to his introduction in the game, Honda had been out of action since November with a recurring knee problem. 

 

sumber :http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2012/03/14/2967087/keisuke-honda-to-miss-cska-moscows-real-madrid-clash-report 

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TEAM NEWS: Higuain and Kaka in Real Madrid XI as Honda misses out for CSKA Moscow

The South American duo are included from the start for Los Blancos, while the Japanese playmaker misses out through injury for the Russian visitors

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has kept faith with Gonzalo Higuain as the Argentine starts up front for the Spanish side in their Champions League last-16 second-leg match at home to CSKA Moscow on Wednesday night.Higuain is included despite the return to fitness of Karim Benzema, who is named on the bench, along with Turkey midfielder Nuri Sahin.Kaka and Mesut Ozil both start for Mourinho's side, with Sami Khedira included in midfield alongside Xabi Alonso.For CSKA, who gave themselves hope of a place in the last eight with a dramatic late equaliser in Moscow to draw 1-1, Japan forward Keisuke Honda misses out through injury.Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Khedira, Xabi Alonso; Ozil, Kaka, Ronaldo; HiguainSubs: Adan, Raul Albiol, Varane, Sahin, Granero, Diarra, BenzemaCSKA Moscow: Chepchugov; Ignashevich, A. Berezutski, V. Berezutski, Schennikov; Wernbloom, Dzagoev, Musa, Aldonin, Tosic; Doumbia 

Subs: Revyakin, Semberas, Nababkin, Mamaev, Cauna, Oliseh, Necid 

sumber :http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2012/03/14/2967341/team-news-higuain-and-kaka-in-real-madrid-xi-as-honda-misses-out- 

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Old guard, new tricks & one of the greatest nights in Chelsea's history

Didier Drogba, John Terry & Frank Lampard were all on target as the Blues overcame a 3-1 first-leg deficit to progress to the Champions League last eight at the expense of Napoli

Didier Drogba frantically waved a blue-and-white flag that was presented to him by a Chelsea staff member. Frank Lampard raised both arms to the heavens and held the pose.  

They were the last of the players, bodies exhausted, minds doing cartwheels, to leave the pitch. Neither wanted to. And who could blame them? The veterans, Chelsea legends both, deserved to soak up the acclaim.

By the time they had entered the tunnel that separates the two dugouts, they could reflect on their roles in what will instantly be labelled one of the greatest nights in the club’s history.The old firm (‘old guard’ seems too gentle for this bunch) have been written off as power-crazed, over the hill and selfish in recent weeks. Often with very good reason, too.But credit where it is due. By hook or by crook, and with more than a dollop of Lady Luck thrown in, Chelsea weathered the brutal early Napoli storm to deliver a performance of stunning fortitude, resilience and commitment.It was not especially artistic or aesthetic. What guile there was came from the twinkling feet of Juan Mata. But it was a comeback shimmering with power and personality.John Terry bowed to injury eight minutes into added time but, three weeks after a knee operation, he was an exceptional influence – heading away crosses, launching his body into seemingly unwinnable challenges and glancing in the header that put Chelsea 2-0 up on the night and gave aggregate advantage for the first time in the tie.Drogba’s titanic performances are dotted across the Stamford Bridge landscape with less frequency these days but he was immense on Wednesday night. His magnificent diving header showed his team-mates the way after the early dominance of Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi and, while the 33-year-old faded late on and took up a withdrawn striker role behind Fernando Torres, he showed he will not leave the main stage quietly.Petr Cech was like an ice hockey goalkeeper early on as he used his feet, chest and seemingly every body part to beat away the shots that peppered his goal (including a remarkable seven in the opening 15 minutes).Ashley Cole and Michael Essien also recovered their poise and assurance after the initial onslaught but none redeemed their reputation (or should it be legend?) more than Lampard.It was not so much his match-turning contributions – the corner kick that landed on Terry’s head or the penalty that was so emphatically struck it is little wonder the net did not land on the heads of the ecstatic supporters behind the goal. They have been par for the course in these parts for the last decade.But it was the fact that Lampard looked so out-classed in the opening quarter of a remarkable 120 minutes. He could not get close to the excellent Napoli playmaker Gokhan Inler, who will wonder how on earth he ended on the losing side by such a vast margin, or his sidekick Juan Zuniga. It seemed like the night when the years had finally caught up with the man who will blow out 34 candles on his birthday cake in June. It was through sheer desire, desperation even, that Lampard clung on in the early rounds, dodged the punches and stayed in the fight long enough to deliver some knockout blows.The script said that Chelsea were too ponderous and vulnerable to resist the many charms of an attractive and exciting Napoli team. But Lampard, Terry and company didn’t fancy that too much. They tore it up and wrote a story that will be written in Stamford Bridge folklore.As Drogba, who would have feared before the game that he was lining up to hear the final Champions League anthem of his career, reflected afterwards: “What is important its living moments like this one and I hope that I will still live these moments.”Of course, this current Chelsea team cannot hold a candle to the might of the Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, or the German behemoth Bayern Munich, but they possess redoubtable and remarkable qualities.It was not always convincing but, by heck, they gave us a game and a night to cherish. The old guard showed they can perform a fabulous new trick.

sumber :http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2012/03/14/2967700/old-guard-new-tricks-one-of-the-greatest-nights-in-chelseas 

 

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Real Madrid 4-1 CSKA Moscow (Agg 5-2): Higuain, Ronaldo and Benzema on target as Mourinho's men march into quarter-finals

Spanish giants advance to the next round of Europe’s elite competition after outclassing their Russian opponents in a straightforward second-leg victory 

Real Madrid have progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after making short work of CSKA Moscow with a 4-1 win in their second-leg clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

With the tie still on a knife edge after a 1-1 draw from the first encounter in Moscow, a Cristiano Ronaldo brace alongside goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema proved enough for Jose Mourinho's men to comfortably see off the threat of the visitors on their way into the last eight. Zoran Tosic's brilliant effort with 13 minutes remaining was nothing but bitter consolation, as the Russian outfit crashed out of the competition by a 5-2 aggregate scoreline.
CSKA began with promise, and fired an early warning shot Madrid’s way after seven minutes, with Seydou Doumbia striking just over when he really should have buried an incisive through ball by Alan Dzagoev.
Mourinho’s men immediately stormed down the pitch in response, Ronaldo cutting in from the left to force Sergey Chepchugov into a smart stop at his near post.
The visitors’ encouraging start continued with just under a quarter of an hour gone, as Ahmed Musa was offered the freedom of the Bernabeu to gallop down the right flank and send a ball across the face of goal that flashed inches ahead of the waiting Doumbia.
Madrid would not be second best for long, however, and slowly began to exert their influence over proceedings with sustained pressure in the CSKA half. The opener duly arrived in the 26th minute - Sami Khedira picked out Kaka, who hooked the ball back into the six-yard area for Higuain to poke home.
The home side played out the half with confidence, but were still wary of the visitors’ threat on the counterattack after Musa again broke free down the right to test Iker Casillas with a stinging drive from range 10 minutes before the break.
Madrid came storming out after the interval, Kaka sending a 20-yard effort inches wide before Ronaldo was put though on goal, only for Chepchugov to again thwart him with a strong block at the near post.
Ronaldo was not to be denied though, and scored the home side’s second in the 55th minute after a costly gaffe by Chepchugov. The CSKA keeper appeared to have the Portuguese’s strike from 30 yards out covered, but fumbled at the last second as the ball slipped in under his arm.
The visitors lost all impetus after the second, and found themselves further behind in the 70th minute. Benzema, on only seconds earlier as a substitute, was picked out in the area and saw his initial effort saved, before toe-poking the rebound into the far corner.
The tie seemed done and dusted, but CSKA managed to pull a goal back out of nothing with 13 minutes remaining. Tosic strode forward on the break, cut in from the left and blasted in an unstoppable shot off the crossbar from 20 yards out.
Substitute Tomas Necid nearly made things interesting after making space at the top of the box, but his vicious shot was punched clear by Casillas.
Ronaldo then added the icing on the cake at the death, stroking home Benzema's pass on the break from a few yards out as Madrid ran out comfortable winners.
Madrid now take their place in the last eight and await their next challenge, with the draw for the quarter-final set to take place on March 16.
 

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Napoli's Cannavaro after Chelsea defeat: It hurts to lose like this

The Italian defender expressed pride at his side's achievements in the competition and insists that the defeat will only motivate them to perform well in Serie A

Napoli defender Paolo Cannavaro could not hide his frustration at seeing his side bow out of the Champions League at the hands of Chelsea.

The San Paolo club had taken an important step towards reaching the quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory in the first leg, but Wednesday's 4-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge saw them eliminated from the competition."It hurts to lose like this," Cannavaro told Rai Sport. "We had so many chances to score, but this is the result, we leave the competition with our heads held high.

"We could barely hear anything on the field. There was a little misunderstanding in Chelsea's second goal, which is a shame."Cannavaro also dismissed suggestions that the defeat will have a negative impact on the squad, as Napoli attempt to quality for the Champions League for the second season in a row."We want to finish third again, even more so after this game because playing in stadiums like this is our goal," he added.Napoli, who sit fourth in the Serie A table, will visit Udinese on Sunday.

sumber :http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2914/champions-league/2012/03/15/2967897/napolis-cannavaro-after-chelsea-defeat-it-hurts-to-lose-like

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Chelsea 4-1 Napoli (Agg 5-4 after extra-time): Dramatic Ivanovic winner sees Blues complete stunning Champions League turnaround

Roberto Di Matteo's side progress to the quarter-finals after overturning a 3-1 deficit from defeat in Italy, with the Serbian defender slamming home the crucial go

Chelsea progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League as a 4-1 win over Napoli at Stamford Bridge gave them a 5-4 aggregate advantage, following extra time.

The hosts opened the scoring through Didier Drogba, the Ivorian finding the net with his head in the first half, and they doubled their lead on the night just after half-time as John Terry nodded in from a corner.

Napoli put themselves back in the lead on aggregate soon after, as Gokhan Inler smashed an effort home from the edge of the area, but Frank Lampard restored the hosts' two-goal lead on the night as he scored from the penalty spot.The Blues were then forced to wait to clinch their passage to the next round, as Branislav Ivanovic got the goal to send them through in extra-time.Chelsea made four changes from the team which beat Stoke at the weekend as David Luiz replaced Gary Cahill in the centre of defence, Michael Essien started in favour of John Obi Mikel, Juan Mata came in for Raul Meireles and Daniel Sturridge took the place of Salomon Kalou in attack.Napoli made just two changes following their incredible 6-3 win over Cagliari at the weekend. Andrea Dossena was replaced by Christian Maggio and danger man Edinson Cavani returned to the starting line-up in place of Goran Pandev.The first chance of the match fell to Sturridge, as the youngster volleyed goalwards at an angle in the penalty area, but Morgan De Sanctis palmed it behind for a corner.It didn’t take long for Napoli to show their attacking ability, however. Inler played the ball into Ezequiel Lavezzi on the edge of the penalty area and, after swivelling, he let rip only for Petr Cech to make the save, if a little awkwardly.The visitors were continuing to look extremely imperious in attack. This time it was Cavani who went close, getting on the end of Maggio’s low cross at the back post, but much to the relief of the Chelsea fans the Uruguayan could only find the side netting, and Roberto Di Matteo's side eventually made him pay.After 27 anonymous minutes, Drogba gave the home side the lead. Ramires took up possession on the left wing to deliver an excellent ball towards the near post which the forward cleverly nodded down past De Sanctis.Chelsea continued to control much of the action and went close to extending their lead just before half-time. Following a corner, Ramires found Luiz in space on the right of the area, but the Brazilian’s low, drilled cross was brilliantly cut out by Paolo Cannavaro, just ahead of Drogba, giving De Sanctis the opportunity to gather and keep the score at 1-0 at half-time.Despite the Italians' stubborn end to the first period, it didn’t take long for the hosts to level the aggregate score after the break. Napoli sloppily gave away a corner, and Terry rose highest to head the ball out of De Sanctis’ reach and double Chelsea’s lead on the night.Chelsea’s two-goal lead didn’t last long, though. With 54 minutes gone, Terry headed substitute Dossena’s cross out to the edge of the area, but only as far as Inler, who chested the ball under control and smashed a fabulous half-volley into Cech’s bottom right corner.The Napoli goal hardly ushered a new sense of urgency into the Chelsea performance, but Roberto Di Matteo did see fit to bring on Fernando Torres, who had gone 25 matches for club and country without a goal.A little later, Drogba again tested the former Sevilla goalkeeper. Ivanovic’s throw-in found its way to the Ivorian, who spun and volleyed with his left foot, but De Sanctis threw himself down to his right and tipped the ball round the post brilliantly for a corner.With 20 minutes left on the clock, the visitors came close to levelling the score on the night. Camilo Zuniga linked well with Lavezzi and a slip from Ashley Cole allowed the Colombian to march into the area, but his shot was saved by the right hand of Cech, who did well to palm it away from the lurking Cavani.Five minutes later, however, Chelsea won themselves a penalty and took a 3-1 lead on the night. From a corner, Ivanovic headed the ball onto the right hand of Dossena, with the referee rightly pointing to the spot, from where Frank Lampard buried his effort.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between after Lampard's penalty and the two teams were forced to play another half-hour of football with the aggregate score tied at 4-4 upon the final whistle.

Following chances for Ivanovic and Torres in the opening half of extra-time, Chelsea got the goal to send themselves through just before half time, as the Serbian defender slammed a shot into the roof of the net after excellent work on the right from Drogba.

The second half of extra time proved nervy for the hosts, but after Drogba missed a golden opportunity in the dying moments, Chelsea held on despite pressure from their visitors to seal progression to the next round.

 

sumber :Goal.com

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Chelsea's Cech: Clean sheet the key to beating Napoli

The Blues keeper knows that keeping the Italian outfit at bay will be tough but is confident in his side's ability to score.
 Petr Cech believes that keeping a clean sheet could be key if Chelsea is to progress in the Champions League against Napoli on Wednesday.

The Blues go into the game 3-1 down from the first leg in Naples, knowing that a 2-0 scoreline would see them through.
However, a goal for Napoli would result in the home side needing to score three times just to force the game into extra time, and Cech is aware of the significance of not conceding.
“A clean sheet could be decisive,” the goalkeeper told reporters. “If we can do that we could go through, conceding would mean we need to score three for extra time. That's a big task. They keep scoring in every game they play, and they played on Friday so will be fresh. But that doesn't matter, it's up to us and we have to give everything we can and hope it will be enough."
Cech believes his team can turn things around against a Napoli side that he feels won't change its plan of attack.
“We know we can turn it around at home, we have done it for other Champions League ties and we need to think we can do it again. They will play the same as they did [in the first leg], they will sit back and wait for counterattacks to try and get a goal, and we need to make sure they don't score."
Arsenal’s elimination from the competition at the hands of AC Milan last week means that Chelsea is the only English club left in the competition and Cech is well aware of the importance of the game, hoping to create a memorable night for the Stamford Bridge faithful.
“It is a huge game because it makes a massive difference if you go out at the last 16 or progress," he said. “Our aim every season is to go as far as we can. The advantage is with Napoli but the Champions League nights are always special for the supporters and hopefully this will be one they can remember for a long time.”
sumber : http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/174/uefa-champions-league/2012/03/14/2966860/chelseas-cech-clean-sheet-the-key-to-beating-napoli

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Roberto Mancini Buka Peluang Mainkan Carlos Tevez Lawan Chelsea

Kebugaran Carlos Tevez dinantikan untuk laga melawan Chelsea.

 Setelah dimainkan dua kali di tim cadangan Manchester City, Carlos Tevez dinilai makin siap diturunkan di skuad utama menjelang pertandingan melawan Chelsea pekan depan.

Tevez melakukan tindakan indisipliner akhir tahun lalu ketika menolak tampil sebagai pemain pengganti pada laga Liga Champions melawan Bayern Munich. Striker 28 tahun ini kemudian pulang ke Argentina sebelum akhirnya kembali ke Eastlands dan meminta maaf atas sikap buruknya.

 "Kalau kondisi Carlos oke, mungkin saja dia dimainkan, tapi itu tergantung banyak hal," ujar manajer Roberto Mancini dilansir Sporting Life.
Tevez sudah berlatih bersama tim, Rabu (14/3) pagi, tetapi tidak dimainkan di Liga Europa melawan Sporting Lisbon karena tidak didaftarkan.

sumber :http://www.goal.com/id-ID/news/1108/sepakbola-inggris/2012/03/14/2966681/roberto-mancini-buka-peluang-mainkan-carlos-tevez-lawan

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Cristiano Ronaldo: Keisuke Honda Berbahaya!

Cristiano Ronaldo menilai Keisuke Honda akan menjadi ancaman untuk Real Madrid.

 Cristiano Ronaldo menyatakan pemain CSKA Moscow asal Jepang Keisuke Honda akan menjadi pemain yang berbahaya bagi timnya dalam laga dini hari nanti (15/03) dalam laga leg kedua perdelapan-final Liga Champions.

Namun, sayang Honda dikabarkan diragukan tampil di Santiago Bernabeu karena mengalami sedikit cedera, namun dia masih memiliki peluang untuk diturunkan.

 "Honda adalah pemain yang bagus," ungkap Ronaldo kepada RIA Novosti.

"Dia memiliki kaki kiri yang luar biasa, dan dia akan menjadi pemain yang berbahaya bagi Real."

Sementara itu, pelatih CSKA Leonid Slutsky berharap pemainnya tersebut dapat pulih tepat waktu agar dapat membantu tim lolos ke babak berikutnya dengan modal hasil imbang 1-1 di leg pertama.

"Honda akan berlatih bersama rekan-rekannya sore ini dan kami akan melihat apakah kondisinya baik-baik saja atau tidak. Kami harap dia dapat bermain," ujarnya.

sumber :http://www.goal.com/id-ID/news/1364/liga-champions/2012/03/14/2965890/cristiano-ronaldo-keisuke-honda-berbahaya

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Lionel Messi Cetak 50 Gol Musim Ini

Lionel Messi hanya butuh 43 kali penampilan di lapangan untuk membukukan 50 gol sepanjang musim ini.

Lionel Messi terus memperlihatkan ketajamannya dalam mengoyak gawang lawan. Dua golnya dalam kemenangan 2-0 Barcelona atas Racing Santander di La Liga Spanyol membuat sang bintang pun kini telah membukukan 50 gol sepanjang musim ini.

Di laga itu, peraih Fifa Ballon d'Or 2011 tersebut membawa skuad Katalan unggul pada menit ke-29 usai memanfaatkan sodoran bola dari Cesc Fabregas sebelum sang striker menggandakannya lewat tendangan penalti yang membuat dirinya pun menggenapkan koleksi golnya menjadi 50 sepanjang musim 2011/12. 

Dengan demikian, catatan gol Messi di La Liga menjadi 30, sementara di Liga Champions ia sudah mengumpulkan 12 gol, dua lagi di Copa del Rey, tiga di Piala Super Spanyol, dua di Piala Dunia Antarklub serta satu gol di Piala Super Eropa. Jika ditotal semuanya 50 gol.
Hebatnya, rekor 50 gol Messi sepanjang musim ini di semua kompetisi itu diraihnya cukup dengan total penampilan sebanyak 43 kali. 

sumber :http://www.goal.com/id-ID/news/1357/sepakbola-spanyol/2012/03/12/2960966/lionel-messi-cetak-50-gol-musim-ini

Jadi Kiper, Lionel Messi Tetap Fenomenal!

Carles Puyol mengunggah sebuah foto saat Messi beraksi sebagai penjaga gawang.

Lionel Messi menjadi headline di hampir seluruh media menyusul magisnya ketika Barcelona menghancurkan Bayer Leverkusen 7-1, Rabu lalu. Dalam laga yang dihelat di Camp Nou, Messi membukukan lima gol sekaligus dan menobatkannya sebagai pemain pertama yang mencetak kuintet di ajang Liga Champions. 

Tidak hanya itu, La Pulga juga kini hanya terpaut lima gol dari top skor Barcelona sepanjang masa, Cesar Rodriguez, tang mencatatkan 230 gol untuk klub Catalunya tersebut.  

Namun, kehebatan striker mungil asal Argentina itu tidak hanya sebagai bomber haus gol. La Pulga juga teruji sebagai kiper andal seperti yang ditunjukkan Carles Puyol dalam facebooknya. Dalam gambar tersebut, terlihat jelas Messi yang berperan sebagi kiper "terbang" untuk menepis tendangan lawan. 

"Saya telah melihat semuanya sekarang. Meski sebagai kiper, dia melakukannya dengan sangat baik. Fenomenal," ujar Puyol. 


sumber :http://www.goal.com/id-ID/news/1357/sepakbola-spanyol/2012/03/13/2963374/jadi-kiper-lionel-messi-tetap-fenomenal

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Pep Guardiola Enggan Bertemu AC Milan Di Delapan Besar

Guardiola ingin Blaugrana terhindar dari pertemuan kembali dengan Milan di perempat-final UCL.

Meski sukses mengantungi keunggulan dalam rekor head-to-head atas AC Milan pada dua pertemuan di fase grup Liga Champions musim ini (2-2 dan 3-2), arsitek Barcelona, Pep Guardiola, ogah terundi kembali kontra Rossoneri di babak delapan besar.

Drawing putaran perempat-final hingga laga pamungkas UCL bakal digelar UEFA pada Jumat (16/3) nanti. Mulai fase ini klub-klub yang berasal dari liga yang sama atau sempat tergabung dalam satu grup saat babak penyisihan mungkin saja bertemu. 

"Saya ingin menghindari Milan di babak perempat-final. Kami sudah berjumpa dua kali dan mereka adalah salah satu klub terbesar di Eropa," ungkap Guardiola kepada wartawan.

"Meski demikian, untuk menapak partai final di Munich, masih ada banyak sekali yang harus dicapai dan di atas itu semua, terdapat keharusan untuk bentrok dengan yang terbaik."
Selain Barca dan Milan, setengah slot delapan besar sudah diisi pula oleh APOEL Nicosia dan Benfica.

Empat tiket tersisa bakal diperebutkan oleh Inter Milan dan Marseille, Bayern Muenchen dan FC Basel, Real Madrid dan CSKA Moskwa, serta Chelsea dan Napoli, yang baru memainkanleg II perdelapan-final midweek ini.  

sumber :http://www.goal.com/id-ID/news/1364/liga-champions/2012/03/13/2963035/pep-guardiola-enggan-bertemu-ac-milan-di-delapan-besar

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Cristiano Ronaldo Ingin Ikuti Jejak Lionel Messi

Mencetak lima gol dalam satu laga di Liga Champions menjadi mimpi dan harapan striker Real Madrid itu.

Mencetak lima gol dalam satu laga di Liga Champions bukanlah hal yang mudah, namun Lionel Messi bisa melakukannya minggu lalu, saat Barcelona membantai Bayer Leverkusen di Nou Camp dengan skor 7-1.

Capaian itu sedikit banyak menginspirasi Cristiano Ronaldo. Striker Real Madrid tersebut berharap bisa melakukan hal yang sama kelak 

"Sangat bagus, saya ikut berbahagia untuknya dan untuk sepakbola," ujar Ronaldo mengenai Messi.

"Saya sendiri tak tahu apakah bisa melakukannya suatu hari nanti, tapi saya berharap saya bisa melakukannya."

Mengenai rekor Messi yang sudah mencetak 50 gol di musim ini, Ronaldo menyatakan tidak ingin melihat hal tersebut sebagai tekanan.

"Saya tak peduli apa yang dilakukan pemain lain. Saya hanya fokus pada diri sendiri dan tim saya. Jika saya bisa mencetak gol, bagus. Jika tidak, tak masalah. Saya tenang menanggapinya," tandasnya.

Ronaldo sendiri masih mencetak 40 gol di musim ini di semua kompetisi, tertinggal sepuluh gol dari Messi. 

sumber :http://www.goal.com/id-ID/news/1357/sepakbola-spanyol/2012/03/13/2964715/cristiano-ronaldo-ingin-ikuti-jejak-lionel-messi

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Panen Gol Lawan Basel, Bayern Tembus Perempat-Final

Striker Mario Gomez menyumbangkan empat gol dalam pesta tujuh gol tanpa balas Bayern Munich ke gawang Basel di ajang Liga Champions.

Bayern Munich berhasil mengamankan tiket ke perempat-final Liga Champions usai menyingkirkan Basel. Di laga leg kedua babak 16 besar yang digelar di Allianz Arena, Rabu (14/3) dinihari WIB, klub Bavarian ini sukses menyarangkan tujuh gol tanpa balas ke gawang lawan. Secara agregat, Bayern unggul 7-1 atas wakil Swiss tersebut. 

Dalam kemenangan besar Bayern kali ini, striker tim nasional Jerman Mario Gomez menyumbangkan empat gol. Sisanya masing-masing dicetak oleh Arjen Robben dan Thomas Muller.

Melakoni laga ini, Bayern tampil dengan kepercayaan diri yang besar. Ambisi membalas kekalahan 1-0 di kandang Basel menjadi salah satu pelecut semangat buat para pemain Bayern. 

Sejak peluit dibunyikan wasit, para pemain Bayern langsung melakukan serangannya ke wilayah pertahanan lawan. Hanya butuh waktu sepuluh menit saja untuk menandai awal kemenangan ini. Robben berhasil menggetarkan gawang Yann Sommer setelah memanfaatkan kemelut yang terjadi di depan mulut gawang Basel. 

Usai memetik keunggulan itu, Mario Gomez dan Robben sempat memperoleh peluang. Tetapi semua usaha itu masih bisa dimentahkan oleh kiper Basel. 

Sebaliknya, Basel berupaya untuk memberikan perlawanan. Di menit ke-14, Xherdan Shaqiri sempat membuat tekanan ke jantung pertahanan tuan rumah. Tetapi tendangan kaki kiri  gelandang Basel itu masih bisa dihalau.

Empat menit jelang berakhirnya waktu normal babak pertama, Bayern kembali berhasil memperbesar keunggulannya. Di menit ke-41, sodoran bola dari Robben berhasil dituntaskan dengan sempurna oleh Muller dengan mengarahkan bola ke sudut kanan gawang Basel. Lalu di menit ke-44, Gomez mengawali rentetan golnya ke gawang Basel. Gol yang dicetak Gomez kali ini usai memanfaatkan tendangan bebas. 

Unggul tiga gol ternyata tidak membuat daya gedor pemain Bayern menjadi mengendur saat memasuki babak kedua. Lima menit setelah laga kembali dimainkan, bola tendangan kaki kiri Gomez berhasil bersarang ke gawang Basel. Gol ini berawal dari sebuah umpan silang yang dilepaskan Franck Ribery. 

Situasi ini memberikan kepercayaan yang teramat besar bagi pemain Bayern. Di menit ke-61, Bayern terus memanen gol ke gawang lawannya. Gol kali ini masih terinspirasi dari Ribery yang menyodorkan umpannya kepada Gomez. Umpan silang itu kemudian ditanduk oleh Gomez. 

Pesta gol ini akhirnya dituntaskan enam menit kemudian. Ribery masih tetap menjadi inspirator. Bola yang disodorkan pemain tim nasional Prancis itu dengan sempurna dituntaskan menjadi gol oleh Gomez.

Bagi Basel, kekalahan tandang ini menjadi yang pertama sekaligus pula yang terakhir dialaminya di pentas Liga Champions musim ini. Dalam catatan away yang sempat dilakoni di sepanjang babak penyisihan grup, wakil dari Swiss ini telah membukukan dua hasil imbang melawan Manchester United dan Benfica serta menang atas Otelul Galati. 

sumber :http://www.goal.com/id-ID/match/71888/bayern-m%C3%BCnchen-vs-basel/report

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