| Final - 21 May 2008 20:45 (CET) - Luzhniki Stadium - Moscow | ||||
 | Man. United (6 - 5) win on penalties |  | ||
| Man. United | 1 - 1
| Chelsea | ||
 |
| | ||
Overview | Tactical line-up | Minute-by-minute | Incidents | Statistics | MatchCentre | Press information
United's players enjoy the taste of victory (©Getty Images)
Photos/Wallpapers »
Almost ten months after launching their season with a shoot-out victory over Chelsea FC, Manchester United FC repeated the feat in the UEFA Champions League final with Edwin van der Sar saving from Nicolas Anelka to take the trophy to Old Trafford for a third time.
High drama
Sir Alex Ferguson's team had prevailed 3-0 on penalties in the FA Community Shield on 5 August after a 1-1 draw but the prospect of a repeat looked distant when Cristiano Ronaldo headed them into a deserved 26th-minute lead. Chelsea equalised 19 minutes later through Frank Lampard, however, and they appeared more likely winners thereafter, Didier Drogba and Lampard both striking the woodwork.
Dreamland
Despite Drogba's dismissal for slapping Nemanja Vidić deep into extra time, the ten men had the ultimate prize within reach after Petr Čech's save from Ronaldo's penalty but John Terry fired wide at 4-4 when his kick would have clinched victory. Three conversions later, Van der Sar outwitted Anelka and United were in dreamland.
Ronaldo delight
Given this final featured the best two defences in the Premier League it was perhaps little surprise both sides began cautiously. Owen Hargreaves, making a lively start down United's right, gave an early test to Ashley Cole - fully recovered from an ankle injury suffered in training on Tuesday - by delivering two dangerous balls into the area and almost getting on the end of Ronaldo's left-wing centre. From the Portuguese international's second significant contribution, United were ahead. Wes Brown played a one-two with Paul Scholes on the right touchline and cut inside to deliver a deep cross to the far post, where Ronaldo peeled away from Michael Essien to nod his first goal against Chelsea, netting just inside Čech's right-hand post.
Tempo rising
Michael Ballack drove over from the edge of the box as Chelsea sought an instant response, but at the half-hour Avram Grant's men had managed just 38 per cent of possession. For all that, United's lead might have disappeared but for the reflexes of the 37-year-old Van der Sar, the Dutchman making an instinctive save at point-blank range to keep out Rio Ferdinand's inadvertent header under pressure from Ballack. The tempo was rising and within seconds, Chelsea could have fallen two behind at the other end. Wayne Rooney's fabulous long pass launched a counterattack from which Čech made stops to deny first Carlos Tévez's header then Michael Carrick's follow-up shot.
Lampard leveller
Tévez next passed up another presentable opening from Rooney's low right-wing centre and Chelsea took advantage of this profligacy on the stroke of half-time. Lampard reacted quickest to slip the ball beyond Van der Sar after Essien's speculative long-range effort had struck both Vidić and Ferdinand. Having got back into the game, Chelsea were eager to build on their equaliser and might have been in front within ten minutes of the restart. Florent Malouda sent Essien away down the right and the Ghanaian turned away from two defenders on the edge of the area, only to direct a left-foot attempt too high. Ballack then sliced wide as the United defence parted invitingly.
Drogba denied
Before kick-off, the United end of the ground had displayed a series of cards spelling out one simple message: Believe. With Ballack and midfield partner Lampard growing in influence, however, that conviction now seemed exclusively Chelsea's and they came closer than ever to a second goal with 12 minutes left when Drogba, out of nothing, curled a shot from 25 metres beyond Van der Sar but off the goalkeeper's left-hand upright. Ryan Giggs came on after 87 minutes to make a record-breaking 759th United appearance, yet with tension setting in neither side were willing to risk defeat and commit men forward.
Overtime tension
Still, Chelsea continued to look more enterprising and early in extra time they rattled the woodwork again as Ashley Cole and Ballack set up Lampard for an improvised shot that came back off the bar with Van der Sar beaten. Terry then blocked Giggs's goalbound strike after Patrice Evra's low centre had taken Čech out of the game. The ebb and flow of attacks continued, with the only advantage gained being United's after Drogba was dismissed for raising a hand to Vidić. That seemed not to matter when Ronaldo missed United's third kick of the shoot-out, but Chelsea's moment passed with Terry's slip and Van der Sar's subsequent glory-grabbing save.
| Semi-finals - 29 April 2008 20:45 (CET) - Old Trafford - Manchester | ||||
| Aggregate: 1 - 0 |  | ||
| Man. United | 1 - 0 | Barcelona | ||
| ||||
United players congratulate Paul Scholes (©Getty Images)Manchester United FC reached the UEFA Champions League final for the first time since winning the competition nine years ago as Paul Scholes's spectacular early strike proved enough to edge a pulsating semi-final against FC Barcelona.
Scholes delight
Fittingly it was the one survivor of that 1998/99 squad in the starting lineup, Scholes – who missed the 2-1 final victory against FC Bayern München through suspension, and had been guaranteed his place in this season's showpiece by Sir Alex Ferguson provided United got there – who scored the only goal of the tie. The midfielder collected a loose pass from Gianluca Zambrotta and unleashed a viciously swerving long-range shot into the top corner. Barcelona pressed for a way back but struggled to create chances against a well-marshalled United defence, whose discipline and commitment ensured the first all-English final in European Champion Clubs' Cup history, against Chelsea FC or Liverpool FC in Moscow on 21 May.
Tables turned
United had been urged to "enjoy it" by Ryan Giggs but it was the visitors who settled first, producing some neat interplay with Lionel Messi making two threatening runs at a United back line shorn of Nemanja Vidić due to a facial injury. If Barça had the better of the opening exchanges, however, United turned the tide emphatically in the 14th minute as Zambrotta dispossessed Cristiano Ronaldo on the edge of the area only to direct his pass straight at Scholes, who duly thumped an unstoppable effort past Víctor Valdés from 25 metres.
Messi denied
The celebrations reverberated around Old Trafford although a reminder of the danger still posed by Barcelona was not long in coming. Messi skipped past Scholes and inside Wes Brown before forcing Edwin van der Sar to palm away his well-directed attempt from just outside the box. Almost instantly Ji-Sung Park might have increased United's lead, side-footing Ronaldo's left-wing centre centimetres past the far post as the hosts sought to capitalise on a goal which had visibly shaken the Blaugrana.
Deco openings
Having weathered that ten-minute storm, Barça regrouped and began to probe again, Deco narrowly missing the target from the edge of the area on two occasions just past the half-hour. For their part, United – missing Wayne Rooney with a hip injury – put together several incisive attacks as half-time approached, and the busy Park delivered a right-wing cross which Nani glanced wide from the most promising of these raids.
United pressure
In contrast to the first period, United seized the initiative as the second half started and it took Eric Abidal's timely intervention to deny Nani the chance to touch in Ronaldo's cross. Valdés then beat away Carlos Tévez's left-foot drive after the Argentinian had surged clear down the left. Frank Rijkaard's men had shown enough on the break to suggest United could not neglect their defensive duties, however, and Brown was sufficiently alert to deflect Deco's angled shot wide of the near post before a long-range free-kick from the same player struck the United wall and span wide.
Nervous finale
Thierry Henry and Bojan Krkić were introduced to the action although Messi remained the most likely source of an equaliser, sending a frisson of nervous tension around the ground every time he picked up possession, but in the main he was crowded out by United's rearguard. Henry headed a corner straight at Van der Sar and had a curling effort comfortably saved by the goalkeeper as United held their nerve in a tense finale. Theirs is the opportunity to be crowned European champions for the third time.
| Semi-finals - 22 April 2008 20:45 (CET) - Anfield - Liverpool | ||||
 | | |||
| Liverpool | 1 - 1 | Chelsea | ||
| | |||
A headed own goal deep into added time by Liverpool FC substitute John Arne Riise rescued a draw for Chelsea FC after Dirk Kuyt's first-half opener had looked like giving the home team a significant advantage in their UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Awkward header
Riise, a 62nd-minute replacement for the injured Fábio Aurélio who has not scored for Liverpool all season, stooped low to try to clear Salomon Kalou's cross from the left, but his awkward header flew past Pepe Reina and into the top of the net – giving Chelsea an away goal they had virtually given up on getting. It could have been so different for Liverpool, had visiting goalkeeper Petr Čech not spectacularly tipped over a late Steven Gerrard drive before denying Fernando Torres seconds before the equaliser.
Cagey opening
Both sides were slow to start and the cagey, tactical match predicted by many appeared likely to materialise. Chelsea seemed to have the upper hand thanks to a slightly more measured passing game, until Rafael Benítez's men created the first real opening of the tie. Xabi Alonso's long and hopeful ball over the top of Chelsea's back line found Kuyt, who beat the offside trap but failed to control properly and a combination of Čech and Ricardo Carvalho cleared the danger.
No rhythm
Still, Liverpool frequently struggled to find their rhythm as the half wore on and possession of the ball looked to be a luxury commodity. Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard almost caught the five-time champions off guard with a dangerous crossfield pass which the well-placed Joe Cole, in two minds, was unable to get a true touch on. Torres was presented with an even better opportunity at the other end on 30 minutes after being released by Gerrard, yet the striker could only fire straight at Čech when clean in on goal.
Kuyt strikes
Liverpool's fears were eased by the first goal of the semi-final in the 43rd minute. Kuyt capitalised on confusion between Claude Makelele and Ashley Cole after Javier Mascherano's miscued shot was skied over their heads, keeping both his eye on the ball and his nerve to drive the ball past Čech at the Kop end. The Dutchman's strike had a huge galvanising effect on the home side and on the match in general as the tempo was markedly increased, especially just after the break when the Reds made several threats to move further in front.
Drogba struggles
Suddenly the likes of Alonso and Ryan Babel could find each other with incisive interchanges that were previously beyond them, and the home crowd turned up the volume again. With Didier Drogba looking an isolated figure up front for Chelsea as he chased in vain a succession of long balls pumped in his direction, a goal for Avram Grant's team seemed more likely to come from midfield. Michael Ballack and Lampard combined to set Florent Malouda free in the box, where Mascherano's last-ditch block kept his effort off target.
Different complexion
The visitors did, however, force the pace as the clock ticked down, although Liverpool might well have doubled their advantage as first Gerrard then Torres tested Čech. Had either of those chances gone in, next Wednesday's second leg would have taken on an altogether different complexion – as it did, to the Londoners' benefit, when Riise beat Reina.
| Semi-finals - 23 April 2008 20:45 (CET) - Camp Nou - Barcelona | ||||
| | |||
| Barcelona | 0 - 0 | Man. United | ||
A missed penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo ensured FC Barcelona and Manchester United FC remain deadlocked at 0-0 after an enthralling first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Extraordinary scenes
The English side's last visit to the Camp Nou had ended in extraordinary scenes as they won the 1999 UEFA Champions League with two added-time goals, and they almost picked up where they left off on their first return since, only for Ronaldo to fire a third-minute penalty wide after Gabriel Milito had handled. It was as close as they came on a night when Paul Scholes made his 100th appearance in the competition, although the visitors will be thankful to escape with a draw after being forced on the back foot for much of the match.
Penalty miss
The tie sprang to life from kick-off, providing drama as early as the second minute when Ronaldo headed on Scholes' corner only for Milito's raised arm to intervene. The Portuguese international took the spot-kick himself, but fired wide to the relief of the majority in the 98,000 sell-out crowd. Well off the pace in the Primera División, Barça's season rests on this tie and they quickly found their feet, a lightning run from Lionel Messi putting the away team on the back foot. It was breathless stuff as the home side probed a makeshift United back line, shorn of the unwell Nemanja Vidić.
Attacking intent
Sir Alex Ferguson had named an attacking side with Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tévez all selected, but they could not break out of their half. Starved of possession, Ronaldo reacted angrily as Rio Ferdinand pumped a clearance high over his head and soon after Rooney was forced to clear off the toes of Samuel Eto'o deep inside his own area. Against the run of play, though, United nearly broke through. Andrés Iniesta's misplaced pass let in Ronaldo, who was eased off the ball by Rafael Márquez as he closed in on goal.
Ronaldo chance
Despite Barcelona's possession, United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was rarely troubled, a low save from the returning Deco's free-kick on 38 minutes his main contribution of note as half-time approached. At the other end Ronaldo's darting run was halted by Márquez's clumsy challenge, with the resulting booking ruling him out of the second leg.
Classic encounters
The talk in the build-up had been of classic encounters between the sides and the second half began at a pace worthy of the fixture. On 48 minutes Messi's shot was blocked, then Michael Carrick's tackle kept out Eto'o. Moments later Eto'o drove into the side-netting before Carrick did likewise at the other end. United breathed a sigh of relief when Bojan Krkić replaced the tiring Messi two minutes past the hour.
Evenly poised
The home team could still not find a way through, with Van der Sar forced to push away Thierry Henry's fierce drive after the Barcelona substitute had cut inside from the left, and United looked increasingly dangerous on the break as the half progressed. Neither side, however, could break the deadlock, leaving the tie evenly poised for the return at Old Trafford next Tuesday.
Frank Lampard paid tribute to the stamina that brought Chelsea FC a 1-1 draw at Anfield and, the midfielder believes, the psychological edge in their UEFA Champions League semi-final with Liverpool FC.
Last-gasp leveller
Dirk Kuyt's 43rd-minute strike looked set to condemn the visitors to yet another 1-0 defeat on Merseyside after their losses in the last four in 2005 and 2007, only for John Arne Riise to turn Salomon Kalou's left-wing cross into his own net under pressure from Nicolas Anelka deep into added time. "The last second makes a difference, we know that and that's why we keep going to the end," said Lampard. "Liverpool had chances, they played well for periods but we kept going and I think it was a really good cup tie. We started well and created a couple of chances but let them rally and they scored. We were all disappointed at half-time because we dominated the first half-hour but we said to keep going and that goal makes a difference psychologically.
'Extra quality'
"Obviously it's an away goal; we knew Liverpool would have good periods in the game and we had to see them through," Lampard added. "We did that and started to create a little bit again and we had the feeling that something might happen. We kept going right until the last minute and deserved it. It was important [we kept believing]; we were on top in the first half but maybe without that little edge in front of goal, that little bit extra. We started to find it towards the end, Salomon added that little bit of quality and danger, put a good ball in the right area and fortunately it ended up in the back of the net."
'Most difficult week'
Lampard had missed Chelsea's previous two fixtures as his mother is seriously ill in hospital with pneumonia, and acknowledged that it was hard to focus on the game in such trying circumstances. "It's been the most difficult week of my life, without football, let alone finding a game like this at the end of it," he acknowledged. "In the last two days I felt that I could play. The manager, club and my team-mates have all been fantastic and it just helped me to take my mind off things a little bit. Things are a little bit better back home, mum's stable at the minute and that's the biggest boost I could ask for."
'Deserved luck'
Chelsea are now within touching distance of a first UEFA Champions League final and Lampard is urging his team-mates to make the most of the opportunity Riise's goal has given them. "We have a good chance now but we can't get carried away. There's still a lot to do, we knew how important a goal would be but it doesn't mean we're through. Having the second leg at home was only going to be an advantage if we got the right result here. That late goal made it a much better result and we deserved that bit of luck – we haven't had much before here. Liverpool are a very accomplished team in Europe and it's still in the balance. Perhaps if we were playing a European team the away goal might be more important but Liverpool will believe they can come to Stamford Bridge and beat us. That goal will only be important if we follow up the job at home."
'Fantastic win'
The 27-year-old was an unexpected inclusion in Liverpool's starting lineup at Anfield on a night which proved to be full of surprises as the five-time European champions beat Arsenal 5-3 on aggregate. Keeping his focus firmly on further progress, Crouch said: "We don't want to sit back and say we've done well tonight. We've got to go into a massive semi-final. This is a fantastic win but, at the end of the day, it's only the quarter-finals and there are still three more games to go."
Exit fears
Arsenal went in front through Abou Diaby, but Sami Hyypiä squared the tie before Fernando Torres made it 2-1 to Liverpool with a stunning drive. Crouch was eventually substituted and he was a helpless spectator soon afterwards when Emmanuel Adebayor grabbed another away goal, which the England striker admitted left him thinking: "Are we going to go out here?" He said: "I was sitting on the bench and it was a killer blow when Arsenal scored [to make it 2-2] but we were able to bounce back and we've done it time and time again."
'Great character'
Two goals in the last five minutes from Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel sent Liverpool through to the last four and Crouch said: "We made it difficult for ourselves but we showed great character again. Hats off to [Arsenal], they are a fantastic side and you know they're going to put you under pressure, but in the first 25 minutes it was difficult to get close to them. I think in the second half we really started to close them down and get about them. That's when we showed our true form."
Chelsea next
Liverpool have prevailed in both of their previous UEFA Champions League semi-finals against Chelsea but Crouch is under no illusions about the task ahead. "We have to get over this one first but that's going to be another massive, massive game. We've had the upper hand at times in the semi-finals but, make no mistake, they are a fantastic side as well," he said. "All games are tough but those ones against Chelsea are probably going to be even tougher. We'll have to make sure we get ourselves into a lead, maybe in the first leg, but we are capable of going to Chelsea and getting a result, I think."
Yaya Touré sent FC Barcelona through to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals as the Spanish side overcame initial nerves before easing to a 2-0 aggregate victory over FC Schalke 04.
Timely first
Yaya Touré struck his first goal in the competition two minutes before half-time, coolly slotting in after opening-leg scorer Bojan Krkić had wreaked havoc in the visitors' defence. It calmed nerves that had been frayed by a positive opening by Schalke, and Frank Rijkaard's men may have to improve if the sole non-Premier League survivors are to overcome in-form Manchester United FC in the last four.
Visitors bright
Schalke began at Camp Nou as they had finished in Gelsenkirchen, spurning several clear-cut chances in a vibrant first 20 minutes. Gerald Asamoah was all urgent running and neat flicks, Jermaine Jones's passes carried precision and Kevin Kuranyi looked a constant threat. The hosts had early warning after seven minutes when Fabian Ernst fed Asamoah and the winger back-heeled the ball into Halil Altıntop's path. The Schalke No19 hit a fizzing shot that Víctor Valdés got his body behind, only for the ball to spin back goalwards and it took a desperate stretch from the keeper to paw it wide.
Neuer save
Human error, rather than Lady Luck, was to blame when Asamoah missed a free header from Jones's cross, while Kuranyi could not turn it in at the back post despite a committed lunge. These were nervous moments for Barcelona who soon responded to the crowd's urgent demand for action. Even between Schalke's best two opportunities, it fell to Manuel Neuer to atone for his first-leg mistake with a brilliant block. Andrés Iniesta slid a pinpoint pass for Xavi Hernández to beat the offside trap, but one on one with Neuer, the midfielder came off second best as the goalkeeper produced a marvellous reaction save.
Precocious talent
In the first leg it had been Bojan who made the difference with his maiden UEFA Champions League goal and just before half-time he changed the complexion of the game again. Sprinting down the right, his centre caused chaos in Schalke's penalty area. Marcelo Bordon skied his clearance and Mladen Krstajić's subsequent header off the goalline only fell as far as Touré, who swept the ball into the unguarded net. Barça were reborn. The second half started with another mazy Bojan run, although Thierry Henry wasted his delivery, firing over from five metres.
Puyol blow
Neuer made another super stop to keep out Iniesta's raking drive, but then came a blow for the Blaugrana: Carles Puyol was booked for a foul on Asamoah and will miss the first leg against United here. The setback may have pleased Sir Alex Ferguson's brother, present at Camp Nou, yet it failed to sully the home fans' enjoyment as they roared the waspish Bojan on as the youngster harried the Schalke back line. The Bundesliga side's own attacking force was extinguished and they will now focus on a return to the UEFA Champions League next season. For Barcelona, next up is United.
Manchester United FC can start preparing for a fascinating-looking UEFA Champions League semi-final meeting with FC Barcelona after Carlos Tévez's second-half header completed the conquest of AS Roma.
De Rossi miss
The Premier League leaders may call Old Trafford the 'Theatre of Dreams' but for Roma it is a place of nightmares. Humiliated here last season and beaten again on their return in this term's group stage, their faint hopes of a comeback from last week's 2-0 loss effectively vanished altogether when Daniele De Rossi sent a 30th-minute penalty high over the crossbar. Tévez's goal merely confirmed the inevitable, leaving United to look forward to their fifth last-four berth under Sir Alex Ferguson, who, given his plethora of forward options, must fancy their prospects of a first final appearance since 1999.
Selection gamble
Entering the game with a two-goal cushion Sir Alex took the gamble of leaving Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, his two scorers at the Stadio Olimpico, on the bench. Such is the strength of United's squad that the visitors still faced the attacking threat of Tévez, flanked by Ji-Sung Park and Ryan Giggs. In the sixth minute those last two combined to create the first opening of the night, Giggs slipping a pass through to Park who dragged his shot wide.
Hargreaves impressive
Luciano Spalletti had promised that Roma would not throw caution to the wind in the early stages, mindful of events here 365 days earlier. United duly took charge and for the first 25 minutes they created chances as freely as they had done when beating the Giallorossi 7-1. Owen Hargreaves, on only his second start in the competition for United, made an immediate impression with his energy in midfield and he launched a move with Tévez and Giggs that ended with the Welshman playing in Hargreaves only for Doni to palm his strike behind.
Lifeline spurned
The same trio combined again soon after, this time Hargreaves crossing for Giggs yet once more Doni was equal to the attempt. Hargreaves then broke clear of the offside trap but was denied by a superb last-ditch tackle by Juan, before Anderson drew a fingertip save from the keeper with a low effort. At this stage, Edwin van der Sar's goal had come under threat only once, Mirko Vučinić testing the Dutchman with a low shot, but that changed on the half-hour. Moments after Mancini had fired in a rising effort at the keeper, the Brazilian wide man went down under a challenge from Wes Brown to earn a penalty. Roma had an unexpected lifeline yet De Rossi spurned it.
Neville return
The opening moments of the second half brought a scare for United when Van der Sar failed to hold a strike from Vučinić, but Marco Cassetti was unable to profit. Mikaël Silvestre, making his first appearance since September at left-back, blocked Taddei's shot then Van der Sar stopped Juan's header from the resulting corner. Spalletti's men continued to probe but, missing the injured Francesco Totti, struggled to fashion any clear openings, and the game was up on 70 minutes when Tévez stooped to meet Hargreaves's near-post cross and steered the ball beyond Doni. The icing on the cake followed when Gary Neville came on as a late substitute for his first outing since March last year.
Frank Lampard admitted Chelsea FC had endured a nervy night against Fenerbahçe SK before clinching a fourth UEFA Champions League semi-final place in five years.
Nervy finish
Lampard said the London team had not played well in a 2-0 victory which gave them a 3-2 aggregate success but the all-important thing was to get through. "I think I felt as safe as everyone else in the stadium," joked the 29-year-old of the game's last quarter when there was apprehension on the pitch as well as in the stands as the Turkish champions sought the away goal that would have put them in front.
Early goal
They came close on two occasions before Lampard went up the other end and scored Chelsea's second of the night. The England international had also laid on the opening goal for Michael Ballack with a carefully flighted free-kick but Chelsea failed to build on the German's fourth-minute header and that allowed Zico's team to believe in their chances of creating history.
'Noses in front'
"We did not play particularly well, not as well as in the first leg, but we hung in there and in the end we were able to kill the game off," Lampard said. "It's not always easy in these games because you're talking about top-quality opposition. What's important is to get your noses in front, play well for a period of time, and stay concentrated when things are not going so well."
Hilário to the rescue
With Petr Čech having been ruled out after undergoing surgery to his lip and chin after a training-ground injury Lampard described as "terrible, one of the worst I've ever seen", Chelsea were hit with another goalkeeping blow after 25 minutes when Carlo Cudicini hobbled off with a pulled hamstring. Hilário deputised ably, pulling off two vital saves in the last ten minutes, with Lampard saying: "You have to give a massive shout to Hilário, because every time he comes in he bales us out with saves like that. It proves we have three top-class keepers at the club."
Different circumstances
Now attention turns to a renewal of their last-four rivalry with Liverpool FC, who have crushed Chelsea's dreams in two of their last three semi-final appearances, in 2005 and again last year. The fact that this time the first game will be staged at Anfield gives Chelsea hope they can make amends. "We're playing in front of our own fans in the second leg and that could help us," said left-back Ashley Cole. "It's vital we try and get the away goal and then keep a clean sheet here like we did tonight." Ballack added: "The games with Liverpool are always very close but unlike last year we are at home in the second leg and little changes like that can mean a lot."
Chelsea FC left the Sükrü Saraçoglu Stadium last Wednesday with the sound of the Fenerbahçe SK fans ringing in their ears after the Turkish side came from behind to win the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie 2-1. But Michael Ballack is convinced that things will be very different tomorrow at Stamford Bridge.
Home strength
In the first knockout round, Chelsea welcomed Olympiacos CFP having secured a hard-fought 0-0 draw in Greece and eased to a 3-0 second-leg win. Now Ballack, who helped Bayer 04 Leverkusen overcome Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC on the way to the 2002 final, is confident the London club will make it through. "We are every strong at home, we have a good record at home but we have to concentrate over 90 minutes," Ballack said, before admitting his side ought not to have let a half-time lead slip in Istanbul. "It was important we scored but when you see the game we should have won it. We are disappointed but we have a good chance in the second leg."
Support
That improved chance is partly that on Tuesday it will be the Chelsea fans in the ascendance, as opposed to the ear-splitting support for Fenerbahçe last week. "We saw that against Olympiacos as well, south Europeans are very fanatical supporters," Ballack said. "It's the way they follow their team, it's fantastic for them. But we have a good stadium with a nice atmosphere too."
'In our hands'
It could have been different for the Premier League side as at the break in the first leg it seemed that Deivid's own goal had set Chelsea on the way to victory, and their lead could have been every larger. As it was, Fenerbahçe responded to score twice after the interval to go into the return ahead. "It was a strange game," Ballack reflected. "I played well, we fought well, we controlled the game, we went 1-0 up, and it looked like we would win. But sometimes you do not concentrate for one second and it changes the game. That happened. It is disappointing at the moment but we have to look forward and we have everything in our own hands."
Chelsea FC coach Avram Grant promises that their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Fenerbahçe SK will be different from last week's game in Istanbul, where the London side lost a 1-0 lead as they were hit by two second-half goals.
Čech blow
The return of goalkeeper Petr Čech from an ankle problem may have been postponed by two weeks following facial surgery, but Grant has cause for confidence nonetheless. His team welcome the Turkish champions to Stamford Bridge knowing they have got through on the three previous occasions they have contested a quarter-final of Europe's greatest club competition in the last five seasons.
'Big opportunity'
"Of course I have thought about the game in Istanbul," said Grant. "I don't think any game is the same as the last one and [Tuesday] will be a different game. In Istanbul it was a good performance but the worst result, so obviously we don't want it to be the same. These things happen in football, especially when you dominate the game and your concentration is affected. The only thing I would say is that we have learned from our mistakes. We want to dominate this game, which won't be easy, and then we want to stay concentrated for the whole game. Our target is to reach the semi-finals and we will do everything to reach it. It's a big opportunity for us."
Title chance
The Čech injury, resulting from a training-ground collision with a team-mate, is not as critical for the hosts as it might have been given the calibre of the man who stands in for him – Carlo Cudicini. Otherwise, Grant should pick from a fully-fit squad with Ricardo Carvalho expected to come through Tuesday's final training session without mishap. Despite the deficit, Chelsea's supporters will be anticipating a successful conclusion to the tie for a side who remain strong challengers for the Premier League crown – with Manchester United FC being held at Middlesbrough FC, the Blues are within three points of the summit after Saturday's 2-0 win at Manchester City FC .
Pressure
Yet, according to the English media, Grant remains a coach under pressure. "How many times have you asked me this question?" was his retort to an inquiry about whether his job is on the line in this contest. "So many times I have been asked this and the answer is always the same – I need to do my job and all that matters is getting through to the next round."
Zico confident
Fenerbahçe coach Zico can include defender Gökhan Gönül again after suspension but is likely to stick with Gökçek Vederson at left-back as Roberto Carlos is still not 100 per cent fit following a thigh injury. Claudio Maldonado complained of flu symptoms on Monday and was excused training but it is hoped he will be available. Zico says the fact his team, 2-1 weekend victors over Kayserispor, hold the lead will not affect the way they approach the match. "We will play the way we always play," he said, "and that's to attack. It's the reason we are here. Every single minute, every second, will be important. We have to be careful and take our advantages in the good spells we will have."
©uefa.com 1998-2008. All rights reserved.
Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC have been inseparable in recent days, both in terms of the scoreline and the number of times they have faced each other, but something's got to give in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg at Anfield.
Score draws
The sides played out their third 1-1 draw of the season on Saturday, in the Premier League in north London, leaving Arsenal six points behind leaders Manchester United in third place and eight clear of Liverpool, who are fourth. The same result on Tuesday would send the tie to extra time and, potentially, penalties but Liverpool's away goal last Wednesday means Arsenal must score at some stage to stand any chance of survival in the clubs' third meeting inside a week.
'Massive difference'
Asked if he thinks this latest encounter will be radically different from the previous matches, Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez replied: "Yes, I think so, for two reasons – one is that we are playing at Anfield and that is a massive difference, and the other thing is that they [Arsenal] need to win, so it could be an attacking game." A goalless draw would be enough to see Liverpool through on the away goals rule, but the Spaniard said: "We need to win also ... we don't want a 0-0 draw. We prefer to score and we prefer to win. We know that Arsenal can score away from home."
Crouch dilemma
Liverpool will be without Daniel Agger at the back as he has a long-term foot injury, while wingers Harry Kewell and Jermaine Pennant have groin and hamstring problems, respectively. Benítez admits that Peter Crouch's form and his goal against Arsenal at the weekend leave him with a big decision to make up front, though he may revert to playing Fernando Torres in attack, supported by Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt in more flexible roles.
'More urgency'
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger says he expects the unexpected from the return leg. "A surprise can always happen, even if you know each other very well," he said. "I believe it will be different this time because, at the end of the game, there will be a sanction – we want to stay in this competition but one of us has to move out. So there is more urgency in this game and less observation."
Tense times
Wenger concedes he is suffering with his nerves more than usual this season, but he predicts that his players will keep their cool in the intimidating cauldron of noise that the Kop will help generate. "They [Liverpool] have the support for them but it's down to us to keep the crowd quiet, though I accept that's difficult because here they are a bit louder than anywhere else and, especially, they have more stamina than anywhere else. At the end of the day, it will still be down to how well we play on the pitch," the Frenchman said.
Van Persie back
Arsenal include striker Robin van Persie in their squad, although he limped off with a thigh strain in the first leg and missed the subsequent Premier League fixture, but Eduardo da Silva, Tomáš Rosický, Johan Djourou, Alexandre Song and Bacary Sagna all remain unavailable.
Manchester United FC's double glory bid may be undermined from the foundations upwards after Rio Ferdinand joined central defensive partner Nemanja Vidić on the sidelines.
Scan result
The England player injured his left foot during the 2-2 Premier League draw at Middlesbrough FC on Sunday, although United have been able to rule out a broken metatarsal after a scan today. What remains unclear, however, is the length of time the 29-year-old will be unavailable for.
Trouble at the top
With Vidić already signed off for three weeks with a left knee injury sustained at AS Roma on 1 April, United will be loath to lose Ferdinand for a similar period. Sir Alex Ferguson saw his team's lead in the English table cut to three points by Chelsea FC at the weekend, and they now face tricky fixtures against Arsenal FC, Blackburn Rovers FC and Chelsea. In addition, should they complete a quarter-final victory over Roma in the UEFA Champions League – they are 2-0 up from the away leg – United have a semi-final scheduled for 22/23 April.
The UEFA Champions League comprises of three qualifying rounds, a group stage, and four knockout rounds.
Qualifying
In matches in the three qualifying rounds, clubs play two matches against each other on a home and away basis, with the club scoring the greater aggregate of goals qualifying for the next round. In the event of both teams scoring the same number of goals, the team which scores more goals away qualifies.
Group stage
The 16 winners of the third qualifying round ties join a similar number of automatic entrants in the 32-team group stage. The clubs are split into eight groups of four teams, who play home and away against each of their pool opponents between September and December to decide which two teams from each pool advance to the first knockout round. The third-place finishers in each pool enter the UEFA Cup Round of 32.
Knockout phase
From the last 16 until the semi-finals, clubs play two matches against each other on a home and away basis with the same rules as the qualifying rounds applied. In the last 16, group winners play runners-up other than teams from their own pool or nation, while from the quarter-finals on the draw is free.
Final
The final is decided by a single match - which this year will be played in Moscow.
| Home | Away | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roma | 0-2 | Man. United | | More » |
| Schalke | 0-1 | Barcelona | | More » |
| Home | Away | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 1-1 | Liverpool | | More » |
| Fenerbahçe | 2-1 | Chelsea | | More » |
| Home | Away | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | 20:45 | Fenerbahçe | More » |
| Liverpool | 20:45 | Arsenal | More » |
| Home | Away | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | 20:45 | Schalke | More » |
| Man. United | 20:45 | Roma | More » |
04 - 11 March 2008 08 - 09 April 2008
It was billed by some as the biggest game in Fenerbahçe SK's history, so it is hardly surprising that their 2-1 UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat of Chelsea FC in Istanbul had the home players purring as they reflected on a remarkable turnaround.
Victory
At half-time the Turkish champions were lucky to only trail by a Deivid own goal. But after the break they were a team transformed, and substitute Kazım Kazım's cool 65th-minute finish was followed by a winner nine minutes from time, a spectacular long-range effort from a redeemed Deivid. Captain Alex, quiet in the first half but his usual inspirational best in the second period, admitted that something had needed to change at the interval.
Transformation
"The first half performance was our worst in the UEFA Champions League," Alex said. "We had some hard discussions to make in the dressing room at half-time. If we want to get through we will have to fight a lot harder in London." Goalkeeper Volkan Demirel, so important in keeping Chelsea within sight prior to the interval, added: "We played excellently in the second half. The scoreline is good enough for us I think - we have learned how to win. If we can repeat that second half performance we can get through."
Final ambition
But a man who will be on familiar territory at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, former Chelsea striker Mateja Kežman, does not believe that even a potential last-four tie with Liverpool FC or Arsenal FC should be their limit, pointing out what outsiders FC Porto and AS Monaco FC did four years ago. "Porto and Monaco got to the final, so why can't we?" he said. "If Lugano is able to shackle [Didier] Drogba like he did tonight we can get through."
Arsenal FC goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has signed a long-term extension to his contract with the London club.
'Very happy'
The 30-year-old Spaniard has replaced Jens Lehmann as the Gunners' first-choice custodian this season and made his 36th appearance of the campaign in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool FC in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. "I'm very happy," Almunia told the Arsenal website. "I have extended my contract and I hope to be here for a long, long time." The length of the deal has not been revealed.
All change
"I talked to my wife and said I did not want to go back to Spain to play," continued the former SD Eibar, RC Recreativo de Huelva and Albacete Balompié keeper. "Hopefully I can finish my career here. Football can change your life in one second. At the start of the season I was not playing. But football changed my life again and now I am one of the happiest men around." Almunia joined Arsenal from RC Celta de Vigo in 2004 and has made more Premier League outings this term, 28, than in his previous three campaigns combined.
Manchester United FC have confirmed that centre-back Nemanja Vidić will be out of action for two to three weeks after he picked up a knee injury at AS Roma on Tuesday.
'No major damage'
The Serbian international landed awkwardly after contesting a high ball and had to be substituted just 31 minutes into the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg, which United went on to win 2-0. A scan on Wednesday allayed some of the Old Trafford club's fears, with a spokesman saying: "There is no major damage to the left knee." Vidić will, however, miss the return match against the Italian side on 9 April as well as the Premier League leaders' domestic games against Middlesbrough FC and Arsenal FC.
| UEFA Champions League | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 1955 |
| Region | Europe (UEFA) |
| Number of teams | 32 (Group stage) 76 or 77 (Total) |
| Current champions |  AC Milan (7th time) |
| Most successful club |  Real Madrid (9 times) |
| Television broadcasters | List of broadcasters |
| Motto | Champions League Hymn |
 2007-08 Champions League | |
The UEFA Champions League, formerly known as the European Cup, is a seasonal club football competition organised by UEFA since 1955 for the most successful football clubs in Europe. The prize, the European Champion Clubs' Cup, is considered by some the most prestigious club trophy in the sport. The UEFA Champions League is separate from the less prestigious UEFA Cup and the defunct Cup Winners' Cup.
The tournament consists of several stages. In the present format it begins in mid-July with three preliminary knockout qualifying rounds. The 16 surviving teams join 16 seeded teams in a group stage. Eight group winners and eight runners-up enter the final knockout rounds, which end with the final match in May. Previously only the champions of their respective national league could participate in the competition, however this was changed in 1997 to allow the runners-up to compete as well.
The current holders of the UEFA Champions League trophy are AC Milan, who beat Liverpool FC 2-1 at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, Greece on 23 May 2007. Moscow will host its first European Cup final for the 2007-08 season.
