UEFA Champions League 2012/2013

Pavlyuchenko · Apr 10, 2013

Pavlyuchenko · Apr 10, 2013

Pavlyuchenko · Apr 10, 2013

Keisuke Honda · Apr 11, 2013

UEFA Champions League: Juventus 0 Bayern Munich 2 (agg 0-4)

11 April 2013

Bayern Munich booked their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League with another defeat of Juventus on Wednesday.

The newly-crowned German champions triumphing 2-0 in Turin on Wednesday night to seal a 4-0 aggregate win over their Italian counterparts.

The Bavarians soaked up what little the Bianconeri could throw at them during the early exchanges of both halves before eventually putting the outcome of the tie beyond all doubt when Mario Mandzukic converted from close range just after the hour-mark.

Juventus tried to rally but there was to be no way back for Antonio Conte's game but limited side, who were opened up again in the dying seconds when substitute Claudio Pizarro fired home.

While Juve had to make do without suspended duo Arturo Vidal and Stephan Lichtsteiner, they were at least buoyed by Mirko Vucinic's return to full fitness, with the Montenegrin having been restricted to the role of substitute in Munich.

Unsurprisingly, a fired-up Vucinic was particularly prominent early on, curling a tame strike into the arms of Manuel Neuer before then lofting the ball into the path of Claudio Marchisio, who drove forward with will menace only to then blaze high and wide as the Bayern goal came into range.

Bayern, though, weathered what was a very early and a very brief storm, and it took an expertly executed sliding challenge from Simone Padoin to prevent Mandzukic from finishing off a terrific move down the right-hand side involving Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.

Andrea Pirlo lifted the home fans with a stinging free kick from the edge of the area that Neuer did well to fist over the bar, while Paul Pogba flashed a ball across the face of the six-yard box that criminally went unconverted.

Bayern finished the half the stronger, with Gianluigi Buffon having to produce a flying save to keep out a well-struck drive from David Alaba.

Vucinic, though, put Juve back on the front foot with a barnstorming run right at the heart of the Bayern back-line immediately after the interval and, just moments later, strike partner Fabio Quagliarella flashed a shot just wide of Neuer's right post.

However, the increasingly desperate hosts unsurprisingly began to leave holes at the back and one brilliant Bayern breakaway on 57 minutes really should have resulted in the opening goal, Mandzukic deftly laying the ball off into the path of Robben, who took a touch before striking the post with a sublime curling effort from 20 yards out.

The Bavarians’ disappointment did not last long, though, with Mandzukic on hand to convert the rebound after Buffon had done brilliantly to keep out Javi Martinez’s point-blank range volley from a Bastian Schweinsteiger free kick.

Bayern got the second goal their dominance deserved when Pizarro slotted home after slipped in by Schweinsteiger to put the seal on another statement of intent from a side clearly driven by their desire to atone for last season's defeat by Chelsea.

Keisuke Honda · Apr 11, 2013

UEFA Champions League: Barcelona 1 PSG 1 (agg 3-3)

11 April 2013

Barcelona were forced to dig deep to book their place in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.

The away goals rule enabled the Spaniards to escape with a 3-3 aggregate win after they could only manage a 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain in their quarter-final second-leg at Camp Nou.

With Lionel Messi at less than full fitness and consigned to the bench for over an hour, the Catalans appeared blunt up front, and were run ragged at the back by the ferocity of PSG's counterattacking approach.

And it was one such sequence that saw the Ligue 1 side break the deadlock minutes into the second-half, as Javier Pastore cleverly finished from Zlatan Ibrahimovic's through pass to round off a magnificent break.

But Messi's arrival in the latter stages of the second half swung the tie on its head, and with 71 minutes on the clock, a driving run from the Argentine was critical in setting up Pedro for a superbly-taken equaliser.

Barca held on in the remaining minutes to ensure their progression, joining Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and eternal rivals Real Madrid in the hat for the last four draw on Friday.

Xavi could have got the ball rolling as early as the third minute when his 20-yard free-kick was curled agonisingly wide of the top corner, with Salvatore Sirigu beaten.

Exequiel Lavezzi was proving himself to be a menace on the break, but his finishing let him down more than once. The Argentine drilled over the bar after wriggling free at the top of the box, before firing straight at Victor Valdes with the goal at his mercy.

Pedro forced Sirigu into a safety-first parry at the near post, missing the rebound to boot, but by far, the better chances belonged to PSG who, at times, had Barca on the ropes.

With half an hour gone, Ibrahimovic did excellently to stand a cross up at the far post, where Lucas connected with a header, but Valdes was there to tip over, and the keeper also stood tall to thwart Alex from the resulting corner.

Five minutes into the second half, PSG carved the Catalans completely apart. Lucas and Ibrahimovic were both involved, with the latter slipping in Pastore for a delicate finish.

Pastore could have had another just before the hour mark when he strode into the area to meet Ibrahimovic’s low cross, but this time, he scuffed his shot.

Messi had already been put through his paces since the opening goal, and with 28 minutes remaining, he made his appearance off the bench, replacing the disappointing Fabregas.

And the Argentine was barely on the pitch for 10 minutes before making his presence felt, accelerating straight through the midfield and finding David Villa, who teed up Pedro to rifle home an exquisite equaliser from 18 yards.

Iniesta came close to putting the finishing touches on the tie with a mazy run through the defence with minutes remaining, but he could not place his angled finish anywhere but the side netting.

Pavlyuchenko · Apr 11, 2013

Barcelona 1 Paris St Germain 1 (agg 3-3): Messi comes off the bench to inspire comeback as Spanish giants progress to last four at expense of Beckham and Co

By IAN LADYMAN PUBLISHED: 20:36 GMT, 10 April 2013 | UPDATED: 22:54 GMT, 10 April 2013

And so the established order in Europe remains. But only just. On a surprising night in the Nou Camp, Paris Saint-Germain went perilously close to beating the tournament favourites in front of their own crowd. What a marker for the future that would have been from Carlo Ancelotti and his cash-rich club. Ultimately, salvation arrived for nervous, edgy Barcelona in the shape of a familiar figure. Lionel Messi — not fully fit after a thigh strain — emerged from the ranks of the substitutes with his team trailing midway through the second half to help fashion an equaliser for Pedro Rodriguez that squeezed the Spanish side into a sixth consecutive Champions League semi-final.

Job done: Barcelona win on away goals after Pedro's second-half strike pulled Barcelona level in the tie

Game changer: Pedro draw the hosts level after waiting patiently on the edge of the area before firing home

Stalemate: Gerard Pique joins in on the celebrations after Barcelona's eqauliser against Paris St Germain

MATCH FACTS

Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Adriano (Bartra 62), Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro, Fabregas (Messi 62), Villa (Song 83).
Subs Not Used: Pinto, Sanchez, Thiago, Montoya.
Booked: Adriano. Goals: Pedro 71.

PSG: Sirigu, Jallet (Van Der Wiel 88), Alex, Thiago Silva, Maxwell, Lucas Moura, Verratti (Beckham 83), Thiago Motta, Pastore, Ibrahimovic, Lavezzi (Gameiro 81).
Subs Not Used: Douchez, Sakho, Chantome, Armand. Booked: Lavezzi, Thiago Silva, Beckham.
Goals: Pastore 50.

Agg (3-3) Barcelona win on away goals rule

Attendance: 78,000
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland).

Losing on away goals may represent something of a moral victory for Ancelotti and his players. That will not comfort them. They had an enormous chance to take the next step in their transformation here last night and, with a bit more savvy, they may just have done it. Certainly, the French team played terrifically well. In Zlatan Ibrahimovic they had the game’s best player. Had they possessed a natural goalscorer to operate alongside him, they would probably be in the last four this morning.

Nevertheless, PSG did look at one stage as if they were going to go through regardless. Having left David Beckham on the bench, the visitors emerged unscathed from an early Barcelona onslaught that almost brought goals for Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Pedro. They were the better side for a good time after that opening 10 minutes.

Ibrahimovic had already created chances for Ezequiel Lavezzi and talented Brazilian Lucas Moura in the latter stages of an opening half that PSG grew into. On both occasions Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes kept the scores level. Early in the second period, though, Barcelona’s uncertainty grew and it was not that surprising when Ibrahimovic intervened again to fashion an opening goal for Javier Pastore.

Down and out: Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Co were sent crashing out of Europe by Barcelona's equaliser

Down and out: Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Co were sent crashing out of Europe by Barcelona's equaliser

SEMI-FINAL TEAMS

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund

The Barcelona central defensive partnership of Gerard Pique and Adriano had been uncommunicative all night and Ibrahimovic’s astute 50th-minute pass saw them running in sand as Pastore sped clear to shoot across Valdes and into the far corner with his left foot. The PSG travelling support — thinner than expected because of high ticket prices — let off firecrackers and sang their hearts out. On the Barcelona bench, Messi merely laced up his boots. His arrival was to prove decisive but perhaps more so was a miss by Pastore four minutes after he had given his team the lead.

Super sub: Lionel Messi started the second leg on the bench but came on for Cesc Fabregas after 62 minutes

With Barcelona still in shock, Ibrahimovic again found a perfect pass. This time it was a lateral ball between defenders across the penalty area. How Pastore fluffed his shot perhaps only he will know but he should have scored. Had he done so, this tie could have been over. Good teams usually take advantage of second chances, and Barcelona took strength from that reprieve and, indeed, from the arrival of Messi to find a way back into the contest.

On target: Dani Alves is unable to stop Javier Pastore as the Argentinian opens the scoring for PSG

Game on: Victor Valdes is unable to stop Pastore's shot as the away side take a surprise lead

Knee-sy does it: Pastore (left) is mobbed by his PSG team-mates after stunning the Nou Camp

Their two away goals in Paris meant they needed only one here and, ultimately, a clean sheet proved beyond the French. One of Messi’s early touches after arriving in the 62nd minute was actually a poor one as he failed to react when Iniesta’s powerful shot was saved by Salvatore Sirigu. But the world’s best player clearly sensed his team’s need and his role in Pedro’s equaliser with 19 minutes to go was pivotal.

End of the road: Beckham congratulates Pique and Messi at the final whistle in what could be his last Champions League outing

Messi’s run and ball carry had a directness Barcelona had lacked all night and, when his pass into the feet of David Villa was touched back to the edge of the penalty area, Pedro did not need to break stride before spanking a left-foot shot across the goalkeeper and into the corner. That, in essence, was pretty much the tie. PSG did their best to rally but their race was run. At the end, Barcelona’s celebration was born largely of relief. By then Beckham was on for perhaps his last ever Champions League appearance. Times change, though, and, for once, he was not the story.

Progress: Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova looks on as Anders Iniesta and Xavi celebrate at the final whistle

Star man: But David Beckham started the second leg on the bench before coming on in the 83rd minute

Pavlyuchenko · Apr 11, 2013

Juventus 0 Bayern Munich 2 (agg 0-4): Mandzukic and Pizarro strike to leave Germans on brink of third final in four years

PUBLISHED: 20:37 GMT, 10 April 2013 | UPDATED: 23:33 GMT, 10 April 2013

Bayern Munich eased through to the last four of the Champions League by winning in Turin this evening to complete a convincing aggregate victory over Juventus. Two goals up from the first leg at the Allianz Arena, Mario Mandzukic's 64th-minute goal finished the tie before substitute Claudio Pizarro added further gloss in stoppage time. Buoyed by winning their 23rd Bundesliga title at the weekend, Bayern were not ruffled by the home side's fast start and replied in kind before taking control of the game.

United: Bayern Munich unquestionably deserve their place in the semi-finals

MATCH FACTS

Juventus: Buffon, Chiellini, Barzagli, Bonucci, Pogba, Marchisio, Padoin (Isla, 69), Pirlo, Asamoah, Vucinic, Quagliarella (Matri, 66)

Subs not used: Storari, Caceres, De Ceglie, Federico Peluso, Giaccherini
Booked: Bonucci

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Dante, Van Buyten (Boateng, 35), Lahm, Ribery, Martinez, Mueller, Alaba, Schweinsteiger, Mandzukic, Robben

Subs not used: Tom Starke, Rafinha, Shaqiri, Dias, Pizarro, Gomez
Goals: Mandzukic, 64
Booked: Mandzukic

Ref: Carlos Velasco Carballo
Att: 38,000

Serie A leaders Juve headed into the match on the back of a weekend victory over Pescara, with their reverse in Germany their only defeat in the last nine. Juventus were without suspended midfielder Arturo Vidal as Paul Pogba was promoted from the bench in his place, while home coach Antonio Conte gave Kwadwo Asamoah the nod ahead of Federico Peluso on the left wing. Bayern had midfielder Javi Martinez available following his suspension for the first leg, but Toni Kroos missed out after picking up a groin injury. It took just two minutes for the home side to have a shot on goal, although Mirko Vucinic's weak effort caused no alarm for Manuel Neuer.

Mario Mandzukic picked up a harsh early booking for kicking Giorgio Chiellini's shin when competing for a 50-50 to ensure he would miss the first leg of their semi-final. Bayern created their first real opportunity after 14 minutes when a teasing Bastian Schweinsteiger free-kick was met by Daniel van Buyten, but his header fell wide. Andrea Pirlo stung the fingers of Neuer with a powerful 20-yard drive which the German pushed to safety after Claudio Marchisio was fouled by Philipp Lahm.

Frustration: Even Andrea Pirlo couldn't score for Juventus

Talented: But Paul Pogba could not inspire Juve to victory

THE SEMI-FINALISTS

Barcelona
Bayern Munich
Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid

Bayern's Thomas Muller then half-volleyed wide from 20 yards as the play went from one end to the other.

A groggy Van Buyten departed after 35 minutes to be replaced by Jerome Boateng, who within four minutes tested Gianluigi Buffon with a half-volley.

Bayern were starting to control possession and Arjen Robben hit the post after 57 minutes from the edge of the area as the Juventus back-line dropped deep.

Frustration: Even Andrea Pirlo couldn't score for Juventus

Battle: Bayern's Arjen Robben was a losing finalist in 2010 and 2012

And eight minutes later the German champions were ahead. A curling Schweinsteiger delivery was met by Martinez at the far post and, although Buffon saved his attempt, Mandzukic was in the right place to head home.

With the tie effectively over, Alessandro Matri replaced Fabio Quagliarella and Mauricio Isla was introduced for Simone Padoin, but they could do little to help the Italian side going forward.

And Pizarro was on hand in stoppage time to stroke home from close range as Bayern were worthy winners.

Despair: But Pirlo has enjoyed much European success in the past

Key man: Bastian Schweinstiger has been a big influence in Bayern's success

The goal: Mario Mandzukic pounces on the loose ball to head Bayern in front

Reverse: Even a goalkeeper as good as Gianluigi Buffon could reach the ball from there

Time to celebrate: Bayern knew they were on the verge of the final four

Glory: As did their fans

Goal No 2: Claudio Pizarro calmly slotted in to put the tie beyond any remaining doubt

The way forward: The substitute striker highlights Bayern's strength in depth

Pavlyuchenko · Apr 11, 2013

Roura full of praise for 'important' Messi
The Barcelona assistant coach heralded his star man as he came off the bench to alter the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain

Pedro: Messi was the catalyst to victory
The Argentine talisman changed the course of the tie after coming off the bench in the second half, and his influence was celebrated by team-mates Pedro and David Villa

Barzagli: Bayern proved they are stronger than Juventus
The Bianconeri defender admits that the Bundesliga champions were worthy winners over the two legs and hopes his side can become more of a force in Europe next season

Even when he's injured, Messi is still Barcelona's saviour
The Argentine attacker is clearly some way short of his optimum condition, yet his mere presence gave the Catalan club a huge lift and inspired them to victory over PSG

Robben hails 'perfect away performance'
The Dutchman feels Bayern Munich did everything right during their victory over Juventus, which came courtesy of goals from Mario Mandzukic and Claudio Pizarro

Pepe: Result all that mattered for Madrid
The Portugal international was pleased with his side's progression to the Champions League semi-finals after a 5-3 aggregate win over Galatasaray

Drogba: First-leg loss was fatal for Galatasaray
The veteran attacker believes the Turkish champions should have done better at the Santiago Bernabeu and saw no reason to be happy with his goal

Pavlyuchenko · Apr 11, 2013

Ancelotti finds Paris Saint-Germain elimination tough to take

By Mark Doyle
Apr 10, 2013 10:55:00 PM

The French side were on the verge of pulling off a stunning upset at Camp Nou, but Pedro's equaliser saw them exit on the away goals rule

Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti has admitted it will take some time for him to come to terms with his side's Champions League heartbreak against Barcelona.

The Ligue 1 leaders looked set to record a sensational upset when Javier Pastore put them 1-0 on the night, and 3-2 ahead on aggregate, just five minutes into the second half of the second leg at Camp Nou.

However, Pedro equalised soon after for the hosts, who ultimately held on to progress to the final four on the away goals rule.

"Its hard to be eliminated after what we did tonight," Ancelotti told Canal+. "We were a little timid in the first leg and the result [2-2] was not good.

"But after tonight's game, while we feel regret, we also feel pride. We are proud because we did everything possible to win.

"We played well - didn't just defend - and that is why I want to thank all the players. We were so close to winning this game. This could have been a fantastic night for us."

PSG will now have to pick themselves back in time for this weekend's Ligue 1 meeting with Troyes, with les Parisiens looking to extend the seven-point lead they currently hold over second-placed Marseille.

Pavlyuchenko · Apr 11, 2013

Scottish FA chief defends referee in Dortmund-Malaga controversy

By Ian Capasso
Apr 10, 2013 7:35:00 PM

Stewart Regan has lept to the defence of Scottish referee Craig Thompson, claiming he handled the Champions League quarter-final well despite some controversial decisions

Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan has come to the defence of Craig Thompson following Malaga's condemnation of the referee after their last-gasp 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

The Spanish club's president, Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Thani, was critical of Thompson's performance in the second leg of his side's quarter-final tie in Europe's elite competition, adamant that the Germans' winning goal was offside.

But Regan has now come out in support of his fellow Scotsman, instead alleging that he had been let down by the work of his officiating crew, and hopes Uefa and Fifa will continue to use him in the future.

"Craig Thomson has had a fantastic season and that was why he was selected to referee a Champions League match at the highest level. I thought his handling of the game was very, very good," he told STV sport.

"Unfortunately a number of decisions for the people working alongside him perhaps let him down. But unfortunately these things happen in football.

"It doesn't get away from the fact that Craig Thompson is a first-class referee and that's why he has risen through the game in the way he has."

"I think Craig has done everything to justify inclusion in both Uefa and Fifa competitions and the issues are not about Craig Thomson, it is about the decisions made by a number of supporting officials."

Pavlyuchenko · Apr 11, 2013

Pavlyuchenko · Apr 11, 2013

Pavlyuchenko · Apr 11, 2013

UEFA investigating Malaga president's tweets as he blames Champions League exit in Dortmund on corruption and racism

By MARTYN ZIEGLER, PRESS ASSOCIATION PUBLISHED: 14:41 GMT, 10 April 2013 | UPDATED: 14:47 GMT, 10 April 2013

UEFA’s disciplinary inspectors are studying remarks made by Malaga president Abdullah Bin Nasser Al Thani claiming his side were controversially knocked out of the Champions League due to 'corrupt UEFA and based on racism'.

The Spanish team appeared to have sealed their place in the semi-finals as they led Borussia Dortmund 2-1 with seconds remaining at the Westfalenstadion, but two goals in stoppage time saw the Germans secure a 3-2 win to go through.

Malaga, playing in the competition for the first time, were fuming with some of the decisions made by Scottish referee Craig Thomson and his team, and announced today they would be making a formal complaint to UEFA about the officiating.

Furious: Malaga were not happy about some of the decisions made by Scottish referee Craig Thomson

The Primera Division outfit were particularly upset with Felipe Santana’s 93rd-minute winner which he scored from an offside position. Al Thani, meanwhile, launched a furious Twitter outburst immediately after the match, claiming his club had been the victims of 'racism', and he continued today. 'Yes, we were targeted from the beginning of the season by corrupt UEFA and based on racism,' he wrote. In December, Malaga accused UEFA of unfair and unjust treatment after they were handed a one-season ban from European competition - to be imposed if the club qualify for the Champions League or Europa League during any of the next four seasons - due to outstanding debts.

Controversial: Malaga were upset with Santana's late winner which was scored from an offside position

UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino this afternoon said the comments would now be looked at by the governing body. He said: 'It will now be analysed by our disciplinary inspectors, they will act if they have to act depending on what has been said. 'I can understand when you lose a match in the 93rd minute the emotions come up and maybe you say things that you don’t really think and you really don’t want to say.' Al Thani, who also posted pictures on Twitter of the offside decisions that had gone against his side as Dortmund scored their match-winning goal, was not the only person bitterly upset by Malaga’s defeat.

Veteran winger Joaquin Sanchez, whose 25th-minute strike from the edge of the area had put Malaga ahead, also hit out at UEFA and their president Michel Platini, telling Spanish radio station Cadena SER: 'We suspect Platini and all of them there. Because we are Malaga and not Real Madrid, it’s easier to do this with us. 'We’re very hurt because we didn’t deserve to go out in this way. 'We saw the footage of the goals after the game. Something like this shouldn’t happen at this stage of the game, but of course, we are Malaga...'

Not happy: Sanchez (right), who scored to put Malaga ahead, also hit out at UEFA

Coach Manuel Pellegrini said after seeing his team’s fairytale Champions League debut campaign end: 'There was no refereeing in the last seven minutes. 'Our players were being elbowed and pushed all over the place. Two of their players should have been given a red card and there was a double offside for their third goal. 'It was extremely difficult to regain possession under these conditions. We’re all extremely bitter at the outcome.'

Bitter: Pellegrini said that his club were all extremely bitter at the outcome

The Andalusian club say they will now be making a formal complaint about Thomson’s performance. Malaga director general Vicente Casado told reporters at Munster airport ahead of their return to Spain: 'From the point of view of the club we are angry about another injustice against the club, first in the offices and now on the pitch. 'The club are going to present an official complaint to UEFA about the refereeing.

'We regret that the level of refereeing is not at the level that the quarter-finals, the players, the fans - both Dortmund and Malaga - deserves. 'Our complaint is not going to be against UEFA, it’s going to be against the level of refereeing that we expect, which has not been at the right level. 'If they demand a level of organisation from the clubs and to give a spectacle on the pitch then we ask that the others things, like the refereeing, is of the same level.'

Celebrations: Dortmund celebrate progression to the Champions League semi-finals

Pavlyuchenko · Apr 11, 2013

Xavi makes history by completing 96 passes out of 96 (yes, that's 100%!)

By JOHN DRAYTON PUBLISHED: 22:23 GMT, 10 April 2013 | UPDATED: 22:29 GMT, 10 April 2013

It wasn't a perfect team performance from Barcelona, but Xavi enjoyed an remarkable evening: completing a staggering 100 per cent of his 96 passes in the match with Paris St Germain. The Catalan giants were made to sweat on their place in the Champions League semi-finals, they went behind after 50 minutes and only secured safe passage into the next round on away goals courtesy of Pedro's 71st-minute strike.

Unblemished record: Xavi found an team-mate with every pass against Paris St Germain

Many will point to the introduction of talisman Lionel Messi midway through the second-half as the key to the club's much-improved fortunes, but it was Xavi who produced an immaculate midfield masterclass.

All smiles: Xavi savours success at the Nou Camp with team-mate Andres Iniesta

The Spaniard, 33, came close to opening the scoring just minutes into the match with a deft free-kick which brushed the side netting - many in the stadium believed he had scored. He played the full 90 minutes of the match and found a team-mate with each of his passes - a feat matched by others in the last 10 years - but no one has managed it on such a scale.Xavi's efforts topped the 100 per cent performance from Javier Zanetti against Tottenham three years ago and Arsenal cult hero Emmanuel Eboue is third on the list. But while the Spaniard managed nearly 100 completed passes, Zanetti and Eboue made 72 and 54 successful passes respectively in their matches. It's understandable a player of Cristiano Ronaldo's ability should feature on the list, but, remarkably, so does Chelsea defender John Terry for his impeccable performance against Werder Bremen in the 2008 competition.

Catch him if you can: Xavi was instrumental in Barca's progress into the semi-finals of the Champions League

Pavlyuchenko · Apr 11, 2013

Buffon: Bayern on another level to Juve

By Stefan Coerts
Apr 11, 2013 8:01:00 AM

The experienced goalkeeper has no regrets as he has stressed the Bianconeri gave it their all but simply lacked the experience to trouble the Bavarians

Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that Bayern Munich were simply too strong for Juventus in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The Serie A champions were beaten 2-0 at the Juventus Stadium on Wednesday after previously losing the first leg 2-0 and Buffon feels the Bundesliga giants were on another tier of quality.

"I thought we could have played at their same level tonight but Bayern proved I was wrong. I think they can win the Champions League," Buffon was quoted as saying on the official Uefa website.

"The dream is over tonight. We tried to play our game, we have no regrets, we did the best we could. Unfortunately it was not enough because we faced a team that, from every point of view, are better than us.

"They were in better shape, they played better, they have more experience - they're just better than us. We have to improve and grow up, the big difference between them and us is experience: they have played together for a few years and went far in Europe in the last few seasons.

"I knew they were strong but, to be honest, I did not think they were that strong. I was even more impressed tonight [Wednesday] than in Munich. Because in the first leg we did not give our all, but tonight we did; still, there was nothing we could do."

Juventus resume domestic action on Monday when they travel to Lazio.

Keisuke Honda · Apr 13, 2013

Keisuke Honda · Apr 13, 2013

Effenberg: Mourinho has great respect for Borussia Dortmund
The former Germany midfielder has spoken to the coach recently, with the Portuguese revealing his admiration for the dethroned Bundesliga champions

Iniesta excited by 'thrilling' Bayern Munich tie
Germany and Spain's dominant forces were paired together on Friday and players from both sides gave their thoughts via social media

Santana: Malaga goal was a career highlight
The Brazilian defender says scoring the winner was one of the finest moments he has ever experienced, while Jurgen Klopp prepares his team to face Greuther Furth

PSG have no regrets, says Ancelotti
The Italian boss says he will put the elimination to Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final behind him and focus on the upcoming Ligue 1 clash against Troyes

Lahm rates Bayern's chances of reaching final as 50:50
The 29-year-old is relishing the showdown with Blaugrana later this month while Thomas Muller and Manuel Neuer also tweet their excitement about the game

Zubizarreta: Barcelona hope to return to 'magical' Wembley
The Blaugrana director is desperately hoping that the Catalans will get the opportunity to go back to the scene of two of their European triumphs

Bayern handed the chance to end Barcelona's reign
The Catalan club have been the strongest side in Europe over the last five years, but the balance of power may be about to shift towards Bavaria as the teams meet in the last four

Klopp happy to face familiar opponents
The Signal Iduna Park side triumphed over los Blancos in the group stages this season and the former Mainz coach is optimistic ahead of their last-four encounters

Dortmund will not be easy, says Butragueno
The former Blancos forward is expecting two incredibly tough games against Jurgen Klopp's men, who took four points off the Spaniards in the group stages

'Mourinho is one of the best - but we love Ancelotti' - Al-Khelaifi
The PSG owner is satisfied with the job the Italian is doing at Parc des Princes, with the club having now established themselves in Europe

Marotta: No Italian Champions League winner for 'years to come'
The Bianconeri director believes his side's defeat by Bayern Munich has underlined just how far they have fallen behind Europe's elite

Abidal: We must win the Champions League for Vilanova
The former France international has had his own health problems but he is solely focused on lifting his boss' spirits by lifting the European Cup

Pandev tips Mourinho for more Champions League glory
The Macedonia international believes the Portuguese is the best coach in the world and feels his old boss is poised to land his third European Cup

Messi happy to have taken Champions League risk
The 25-year-old was brought on in a bid to seal his side's place in the last four, despite suffering with physical problems prior to the game

Pavlyuchenko · Apr 13, 2013

Sammer will speak with Guardiola, claims Klopp

By Alec Fenn
Apr 12, 2013 11:24:00 PM

The Borussia Dortmund boss believes his side's arch-rivals will tap into the knowledge of their future coach in their bid for European success

Jurgen Klopp is convinced Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer will seek the wisdom of Pep Guardiola after the Bavarians were drawn against Barcelona in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Borussia Dortmund have been handed a Spanish test of their very own after being paired with Real Madrid in the last four of the competition.

But with Guardiola set to take over from head coach Jupp Heynckes at the Allianz Arena during the summer, Klopp gave his thoughts on the test facing FCB and is adamant Sammer will look to use any advantage possible to advance to the final at Wembley in May.

"I would bet my life that Sammer and Guardiola will talk very well. But it does not matter because Guardiola cannot play on the pitch," Klopp told reporters after the draw.

And after an intense week of pre-draw speculation, Klopp admitted he was glad the suspense was finally over.

"I am delighted it is now clear who we will meet, now football can be played!" he continued.

BVB president Michael Zorc believes his side will still go into the clash with Madrid as underdogs - despite defeating the reigning Liga champions in the group stages of the competition.

"It's a good draw, both pairings are optimal for European football. We will be slight underdogs, but we have already beaten them this season," he told the club's official website.

"We earned a lot of respect from those two games and the only shame is we don't play away from home first."

Pavlyuchenko · Apr 13, 2013

Heynckes: I would never ask Guardiola for help

By Enis Koylu
Apr 12, 2013 3:30:00 PM

The Bayern Munich coach has reacted angrily to suggestions that he might enlist the help of the former Barcelona boss ahead of his side's clash with the Blaugrana

Jupp Heynckes has reacted angrily to suggestions that he could consult Pep Guardiola about Bayern Munich's upcoming Champions League semi-final with Barcelona.

The former Blaugrana boss will take over the reins at the Allianz Arena in the summer, but the 68-year-old has claimed that anyone who believes he would give his successor a call of being disrespectful.

"Please respect me and my work," he told reporters.

"I have never consulted anyone!"

Looking ahead to the tie, Heynckes said that he is expecting two great games against a team whom he knows well.

"We'll see two very entertaining games. Both teams like to attack and have a solid defence with good tactical awareness," he continued.

"I said before the Juventus game that I don't think playing the first leg at home is a disadvantage. Camp Nou is certainly a special stadium and we can expect a fantastic atmosphere there.

"I know Spain football very well because I've always been interested in it, even after I left Spain.

"Barcelona aren't just [Lionel] Messi. They have great players like Xavi [Andres] Iniesta, ]Sergio] Busquets, [Cesc] Fabregas and [David] Villa."

THE_CHANSTER · Apr 13, 2013

I put my money on an El Classico CL final at Wembley.

UEFA Champions League 2012/2013

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