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News Archive

Champions League, semi-final, first leg

Chelsea 1 - Barcelona 0

Defeats for both Spanish sides in the first legs of their semi-finals, with Barcelona losing 1-0 to Chelsea on a rainy Wednesday evening in London. Like Madrid, Guardiola's side were unbeaten in the competition this season, but they failed to take any of the many chances they created, with Alexis the first to miss when he lobbed Cech only to see his shot come back off the crossbar. Fàbregas somehow shot wide from a couple of yards out after Cech had pushed out a shot from Iniesta, who had a penalty appeal turned down minutes later, and Cole cleared off the line from Fàbregas with the keeper beaten. Up to that point Chelsea's only real attempt at goal was a shot over the top by Mata, but with the first half already in injury time Ramires got away down the left wing and crossed in for Drogba to score. It was the same story in the second half, Cech saving from Adriano, Messi and Puyol, and Alexis, Dani Alves and Thiago missing the target. Kalou replied with a shot over the bar, but the match was summed up in the last minute when Pedro curled a shot against the post, and Busquets fired the rebound in to the stands. Chelsea had the result they wanted, and Barça now have to win by at least a two goal margin in the Nou Camp next Tuesday if they are to make it though to a second final in a row. (18.04.12)

Bayern Munich 2 - Real Madrid 1

Real Madrid lost for the first time in this season's Champions League thanks to a last minute strike from Bayern Munich's Mario Gómez. Neuer had to tip an early effort by Benzema over the bar early on, but Ribéry gave the German side the lead with just over a quarter of an hour on the clock, firing a shot through a crowded goalmouth after Sergio Ramos could only chest a Kroos corner in to his path. Schweinsteiger went close and Casillas had to push a Mario Gómez shot over the top close to half time, and Ronaldo and Xabi Alonso both failed to do much with a couple of first half free kicks in between. After the restart though Boateng did well to block a shot from Benzema, and after Ronaldo fired a shot straight at the keeper, Benzema crossed in the rebound for Ronaldo to set up Özil for the equaliser. Gómez was looking a real threat though, and with the game coming to an end he got on the end of Lahm's cross to slide home the winner. Not the result Madrid were looking for at the ground which will host this season's final, but Özil's away goal gives them an even chance of turning things around next week. (17.04.12)