Champions League elimination

A time for reflection needed by Guardiola and Mourinho after Champions League elimination

 May 1, 2014   John Welsh

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Before a 3-3 home draw with Hoffenheim in late March, Bayern Munich were being talked about as the invincible team, with a record points tally in the Bundesliga and a retention of the Champions League trophy anticipated. Similarly, prior to a 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland in mid-April, Chelsea were considered a decent bet for […]

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Champions’ League Final

Two Madrid City Teams to Fight Out in the Champions’ League Final at Lisbon on May 24

 May 1, 2014   R K Gupta

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In the cracker of a game played Wednesday night on Chelsea FC’s home turf at Stamford Bridge, London, the Spanish visitors handed an emphatic defeat to the hosts, despite trailing by a goal until one minute from half-time. The determined Atletico Madrid brought out a super performance against Jose Mourinho’s side to enter their maiden […]

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Liverpool

Liverpool can still clinch Premier League title despite Chelsea setback

 April 28, 2014   John Welsh

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In much the same way as Atletico Madrid failed to penetrate the Chelsea defence in midweek, Liverpool also displayed a lack of ideas when trying to breach the Blues rearguard in Sunday’s Premier League clash at Anfield. For now, the 2-0 defeat means that Liverpool have lost the advantage in the title race as Manchester […]

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Champions League Semifinal

Champions League Semifinal Line-up Announced in UEFA Headquarters, Switzerland

 April 12, 2014   R K Gupta

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In the last six Champions League seasons, FC Barcelona had never failed to reach the semifinals. On the other hand, it was the first time in 40 years that Atletico Madrid has made it to the last four. It was, therefore, a sad loss for Barca on April 9 against another Spanish club Atletico Madrid. […]

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Champions League

Absence of both Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic highlights their importance to respective teams

 April 9, 2014   John Welsh

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When Sweden and Portugal contested a UEFA World Cup play-off tie over two legs back in November 2013, it was generally recognised as a contest to decide which of two World class footballers would not feature in the summer tournament. Portugal won both games but Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo were the only scorers of […]

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Ibrahimovic injury

Chelsea first leg failings may be offset by Ibrahimovic injury

 April 3, 2014   John Welsh

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It was described by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as a ‘joke’ goal as Javier Pastore from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) weaved his way past several defenders and fired a strong but saveable shot into the near low corner of the Chelsea net to confirm a 3-1 victory. The outspoken Mourinho also bemoaned the lack of penetration […]

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Arsene Wenger

Arsenal still cannot be discounted in thrilling Premier League title race

 March 24, 2014   John Welsh

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To celebrate Arsene Wenger’s 1,000th match as Arsenal manager, a London derby at Stamford Bridge facing Chelsea was not the ideal choice of fixture and the ensuing 6-0 defeat could have been much worse on a most forgettable afternoon for the long serving Gunner’s boss. The critics have now been swift to dismiss Arsenal’s diminishing […]

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Champions League Quarterfinals

Chelsea, Real, Man-U & Borussia Dortmund Enter Champions League Quarterfinals

 March 21, 2014   R K Gupta

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Last two days have brought absorbing football action in the return legs of Champion League’s round-of-16 games. On Tuesday, Chelsea FC beat Galatasaray 2-0 to make an aggregate score of 3-1 and Real Madrid decimated Schalke 3-1 for an amazing aggregate of 9-2. Last night, FC Zenit’s 2-1 victory against Borussia Dortmund was wasted because of […]

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Mourinho Chelsea

Mourinho mind games hide Chelsea title ambitions

 February 4, 2014   John Welsh

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By beating Manchester City 1-0 on Monday evening, Chelsea became only the second team to win beat Manuel Pellegrini’s outfit at the Etihad Stadium this season, the other being European and World Club champions Bayern Munich. For manager Jose Mourinho, the Premier League title race is now becoming as much about mind games as the […]

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FC Basel 1893 players celebrate in front of their fans after their UEFA Champions League group stage match against Chelsea FC

Basel and Copenhagen send warning for Champions League favourites

 September 19, 2013   John Welsh

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After the opening exchanges in the Champions League group stage, a certain amount of predictability appeared to emerge with comfortable victories for Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in particular. However, the performance of FC Basel against Chelsea serves as a reminder that shocks are still possible in Europe’s most prestige club tournament. It was […]

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