Defiant Manchester United FC forward Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed to make amends in the second leg of his side's UEFA Champions League semi-final against FC Barcelona after missing a penalty in Wednesday's goalless draw at the Camp Nou.
Ronaldo fired wide from the spot in the third minute after Gabriel Milito had handled his header in the area, but he took the disappointment in his stride. "Sometimes you score, sometimes you don't," he said. "I missed a penalty - no problem. I'll try to score in Manchester. I'm always confident. I have 38 goals this season. It is not a problem if I miss one or two. I try to do my best in every game.
Ronaldo's team-mates rallied around the Portuguese forward. "What can you say about Cristiano Ronaldo? How many important goals has he scored?" defender Patrice Evra said. "I think for the return he will score one, maybe two goals." Wayne Rooney added: "He's an unbelievable player. His record speaks for itself. All the great players have missed penalties so let's not worry about it."
But Liverpool goalkipper Pepe Reina concluding that Cristiano Ronaldo made a huge error with his missed penalty. Pepe Reina told the Spanish sports daily, "Ronaldo always shoots his penalties to the left. The other day, against Arsenal, he had to re-take a penalty but took both the same way - low and to to the left. Faced with Barcelona, he hit it high and right.
"He wanted to surprise, but to change his style was wrong." (*)
source: uefa and goal
photo: gettyimages
Ronaldo missing a penalty
Avram Grant: We Deserved
"We have conceded a lot of late goals recently so I think we deserved to get one ourselves," said Chelsea coach Avram Grant. "I hope we will say next week that this was an important goal. It was a game without many chances – typical for a semi-final. They had one or two and we did too. But a 1-1 draw away from home is always a
good result."
The Israeli said, Anfield is a very difficult place to play. But is not easy for visiting teams to play at Stamford Bridge either. "We also have good supporters. Both goals tonight came from mistakes. I felt we had control of the game until we made a mistake and they scored. Petr Čech was unlucky for the goal but he did well and made one very good save – but that's Petr, we're used to it.
"I think this result gives us an advantage but I know it will be another tough game next week. From day one I knew that Chelsea needed to be in the Champions League final. The 1-1 draw hasn't promised us a place in the final but it's a great result and a big step for us. The final is in Moscow but I think Roman [Abramovich, Chelsea's Russian owner] would be just as happy for us to play it in Mongolia.(*)
source: soccermanguni
photo: gettyimages
Riise Gifts Chelsea An Equaliser
There was huge late drama at Anfield in a tense game in which fluent football was at a premium. It looked like it was going to be shaded by Liverpool, whose first half goal by Dirk Kuyt gave them a narrow advantage until, in the 95th minute, John Arne Riise gifted Chelsea an equaliser with a headed own goal in their UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Riise, 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.
Chelsea, who at times looked ragged, thus have a priceless away goal to take back to Stamford Bridge. They had had some earlier chances to equalise, but Liverpool might also have scored again.
The dramatic way in which it ended leaves the tie intriguingly balanced - but just in Chelsea's favour now.
A scrambled goal by Dirk Kuyt towards he end of a tense, tight first half at Anfield put Liverpool in the driving seat in a Champions League semi-final first leg that Chelsea started the stronger. But the Blues allowed the Reds to come more and more into it and Rafa Benitez's side deserved their first half lead.(*)
source: soccermanguni
photo: gettyimages
United meet Barca
Manchester United FC can start to prepare for a fascinating-looking UEFA Champions League semi-final meeting with FC Barcelona after Carlos Tévez the second half header completed the conquest of AS Roma. Manchester United duly claimed their Champions League semi-final instead of three English teams in the last four of this year's competition again.
Carlos Tevez broke Roma on the strength of 70 minutes, helped by the excellent Owen Hargreaves in a game which sank and mitigated but rarely looked like getting away from the Champions League, which has set a new record of 11 consecutive wins at home.
However, there had never been any risk that the Roma were trounced 7-1 again, as they have been for this reason, a year ago. And the outcome of a game, if not the tie, might have been different Daniele de Rossi had not lost a first half penalty.
An entertaining, high tempo in the first half saw a changed greatly Old Trafford Manchester United started brightly and patron of the opening 25 minutes without adding to their cumulative score, with Roma in order Doni actively effective. But then Roma won a penalty out of nowhere when Mancini was judged - somewhat
controversial - have been reduced in the area of Wes Brown's address to the land. Daniele De Rossi, but he blazed over the bar passage and what would have been a goal against the run of play was averted.
Spalletti's men continued to probe, but, lacking injured Francesco Totti, struggling to fashion any clear openings, and the game was up on 70 minutes when Tévez vaulted to meet Hargreaves around the cross and post-headed the ball beyond Doni. (*)
source: goal and uefa
De Rossi devastated after bad luck
Roma icon and captain Daniele De Rossi apologized to the fans and his teammates penalty miss against Manchester United. AS Roma midfielder has admitted his first-half penalty miss was the key moment in the Italian club to the UEFA Champions League 1-0 in the quarter-finals at the defeat of Manchester United FC.
However, with the score at 0-0, De Rossi has had the opportunity to put forward its side of the penalty spot, even though Amantino Mancini has dropped alarmingly with ease to win the spot-kick following Wes Brown's well - timed ball-winning challenge. But De Rossi, who had scored the Giallorossi, the winner of the same spot on the penalty CFC Genoa last weekend, sent the ball high over the crossbar.
"It was not a penalty to make it 2-0 at the last minute, but I think the game would have changed if I had scored," said the Italian international. "I am very disappointed and I think it hurts twice as much because I am from Rome, and a supporter of Roma. We arrived in Manchester confident and ready to fight. The first goal was there, eleven metres from me, but we all know what happened. It would have been a different game if we had taken the lead in the first half.
"I wanted to take the trouble as I did on Sunday against Genoa," said De Rossi, who scored one of the spot-kicks Italy in the 2006 FIFA World Cup final. "It was a very busy time and I was probably too much time to think before taking it. Sanctions I referenced in important games like finals of the World Cup in my career, but tonight; I have been less fortunate. I am deeply sorry. that I hoped it would not come to me, especially tonight in a match like this. "
Although Roma finally succumbed to a 70th minute Carlos Tévez head - which specifies a third defeat at Old Trafford in the last 12 months - De Rossi remained optimistic about their outlook for the remainder of the campaign. Roma sit four points behind Serie A leaders FC Internationale Milan with six rounds remaining and are also through to the last four of the Italian Cup. De Rossi said: "Now we will try to win the Scudetto. I think tonight, we confirmed that we are a great team and we want to win trophies this season." (*)
source: goal and uefa
photo: Getty Images
Neville hungry for final
Gary Neville believes Manchester United FC have a "great chance" to go to the UEFA Champions League final after completing a 3-0 aggregate victory over quarter-final opponents AS Roma. United's 1-0, Wednesday night confirmed a successful semi-final with FC Barcelona and Neville had extra cause for celebration after appearing for the first time since March last year as the 81st minute to replace Anderson.
"It's good to be back, a long time ago, and I am pleased to be able to play a small role in what was a very good result for us," he said. "That puts us in the Semi-finals and two magnificent matches against Barcelona.
"We have a chance," said Neville, whose return to the ligaments of the ankle damage had been delayed by a series of niggling injuries. "When you get to the semi-finals, anything can happen. We play really well. Two years ago, and particularly last year [when United lost to AC Milan in the semi-finals] may be that we were not quite ready, but this year There is a determination to go all the way. "
The English champions have not encountered the past two Barcelona thrilling 3-3 draw in the group stage of the 1998/99 competition - a campaign that ended with United on final triumph at Camp Nou. Neville predicted an "incredible" jewel of attacking football on both legs, the first of which is in Barcelona on April 23 with the return at Old Trafford six days later.
"Barcelona will be incredible game," he says. "The atmosphere is brilliant, and not only in Barcelona but at Old Trafford. The two teams will go at it. We played two matches against them in 99 and they both finished 3-3, and this is the type of team that we are. We both play attacking football and there will be some major players on the show - I just hope our big players can surpass theirs. " (*)
Photo: GettyImages
Henry: Barcelona underdogs in semi-final
Despite the fact that the dust is just installed on his team at the aggregate 2-0 quarter-final victory over FC Schalke 04, Thierry Henry agrees that most neutrals have already relegated FC Barcelona to the status of underdogs in their semi-final against Manchester United FC.
The French is a veteran of many battles with the English champions and understands the reasoning behind these judgments, but he believes Barça gain strength at the right time and drew confidence from their victory over a pugnace German side. "Schalke played well against us, and we expected them," said Henry. "They
attacked in a hurry, and we did well to come out with another victory.
"I guess that after our victory over the look and compare Schalke us at Manchester United, a large number of people, not just have them as favourites to reach the final, but they say that we are not a team as good as them, "Henry said. "I understand that United are strong and that Cristiano Ronaldo had an incredible season.
"But two weeks ago to the present tie with United, and I also think that if you watched their recent Premier League match against Middlesbrough [FC - a draw 2-2] you can see that if you press – and that you attack them vigorously, then you can score, " he added.
"Let's wait and see how the ties go - does not bother me if people want to predict that United will be better than us."
For the French, coming towards the end of his first season at Camp Nou, there is no thrill to play against United, apart from the attraction of another UEFA Champions League final. "I did not particularly hungry to beat them because of all the time I spent at Arsenal [FC]," he said. "Incitement of a semi-final for a club like Barcelona is enough. "
Henry left the field to a reasonable Barça ovation from the faithful, but was not surprised by the immense jeering and hissing that greeted the substitution of Bojan Krkić midway through the second half. He knows that the coach Frank Rijkaard the main objective was to keep 17 years of energy. "Bojan went very well and have helped to create the goal, and if the crowd did not seem pleased that he has been replaced, it is natural," he said. "He is a son of Catalonia, fans of the excellent season of love in which he production and it is natural that they were disappointed.(*) "
photo: GettyImages
Grant Still believes
Avram Grant believes Chelsea have the manpower which can lead to glory on two fronts.
The coach of Israel saw his side keep up the pressure on Manchester United, Arsenal and at arm's length - with a 2-0 victory in the Barclays Premier League against Manchester City on Saturday.
Next up are Zico's Fenerbahce at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea will try to support a picket deficit of 2-1 on Tuesday in the Champions League quarter-finals.
They go into the match in good shape after a comfortable victory against City, even though half of the grant has changed with the European team match crucial to mind.
An own goal from skipper Richard Dunne after six minutes gave Chelsea the perfect start.
He got his bearings wrong after Nicolas Anelka delivered a cross from the left and headed beyond his attempt to release goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Chelsea then came under some pressure before adding a second in the 53rd minute with a cool finish after Salomon Kalou impressive Michael Essien has threaded the ball into his path.
Anelka has added almost a third when his header came back off the bar in an impressive display by the title chasers.
Key players Didier Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho are among those expected to be recalled against the Turks, after being idle on Saturday.
Grant is convinced his side can turn things around and get a place in the semi-final against either Arsenal or Liverpool, whose tie in the balance after it drew 1-1 at the Emirates Stadium.(*)
Rio injury worry for United
Rio Ferdinand has given Sir Alex Ferguson another defensive headache after leaving the Riverside with his foot in a protective cover following Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough.
US can not afford to lose time for Ferdinand with fellow centre-back Nemanja Vidic out for three weeks and some crucial matches ahead in the Premier League and the Champions League.
The draw with Boro saw United just three points ahead of Chelsea, and they face Arsenal next weekend before going to Stamford Bridge on 26 April.
Ferdinand limped off during the match and left the stadium with his foot in a plastic casing, as a precautionary measure.
Ferguson said: "We hope that it is not serious in Rio, but he was limping for too long.
"The danger was to keep practising with him when he was limping, he was not playing to its full level of performance."
It seems unlikely that Ferdinand will play in the Champions League second leg against Roma, especially with Gerard Pique impressive Ferguson replacing the England defender.
"Pique came on and did absolutely brilliant, it was absolutely wonderful, and I think that really helped us," said Ferguson.
United had taken the lead at a frigid courtesy of Riverside Cristiano Ronaldo's 37th goal of the season, but two goals from Brazilian striker Afonso Alves put Boro ahead.
It has been left at the end of Wayne Rooney deflected effort to ensure a share of the spoils - and Ferguson admitted United had flirted with defeat.
He added: "We could have lost the game there is no doubt they have some chances and the defence of our time was somewhat haphazard, I think.
"But at other times, we could have won the game because some of the quality of our football was fantastic.
"At 1-0 we looked very strong and controlled the match and Wayne Rooney was unlucky to be given offside when he was clear through - it was not out Thursday
"They changed back to the 4-4-2 formation obtained an equaliser and I thought it was a great football game after that. It was end to end and both teams deserve a lot of credit for the production of a football game like that at this time of the year.
"At times we played fantastic football but in the context of the game Middlesbrough has also produced some great moments and it was just a fantastic game."
Ferguson insisted United have shown that they will keep fighting every inch of the way for the title.
He said: "The nature of the club is that we never give in and that's a great quality to have at this time of year.(*)
Wenger Displeased With Result
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger rued what he saw as a costly refereeing error after his side's 1-1 home draw with Liverpool, but feels that the tie - as well as the Premiership race - remains wide open.
Expressing surprise at how his side failed to win, he said to Sky Sports, "It's difficult to understand because we had a lot of possession and a lot of chances. It's very difficult to accept when you don't win the game. We were a bit unlucky as well; of course when they equalised I felt we were really unlucky, and we were unlucky with a big decision of the referee's on the penalty.
"In a game like that it's difficult to take, but we have to swallow it."
Indeed, the penalty incident seemed to resonate particularly with the Frenchman.
"Was it even more disappointing when you see the referee's position? That's what's most disappointing," he responded to the interviewer.
"Sometimes the referee is in a bad position, but he was five yards away from Kuyt, and in fairness it was a 100% penalty." (*)
source: goal.com
Liverpool Edge Arsenal In Round One
The hosts had the best of the play, and the best of the chances, but a backs-to-the-wall performance from brave Liverpool saw them maintain an advantage...
Liverpool managed a quick Dirk Kuyt equaliser to match Adebayor's early strike, and although they were to find themselves dominated for huge spells of the game, they left with a priceless advantage.It was a cagey start from both sides with nerves perhaps the dominant attribute - nobody wanted to concede the early goal.
However, Arsenal began to establish a passing rhythm, and with the Reds' (playing in black) defensive midfield not quite into the game just yet, they had plenty of space to exploit in the middle.Clichy and Fabregas were particularly active, but despite the positive look to their overall play, there was little end product.
At the other end Gerrard was able to beat Almunia with a rather tame cross which eventually met Hyypia, but the Finn, with plenty of time, blasted his shot to a wayward nowhere.
Eventually, though, there was to be a breakthrough. However, it came not from silky passing play, but instead a set piece.
After Van Persie won a corner off Reina, in came the ball from the Dutchman, and Emmanuel Adebayor dropped off the goalline, got in between the centre-backs, and rose unmarked to head home. A simple goal - a well-executed one, but simple - and Liverpool were in trouble.
But no sooner had the Merseysiders kicked off than they'd put the ball in the net.(*)
source: goal.com
Cudicini: I am disappointed
When Deivid's spectacular long-range shot swerved out of the reach of Carlo Cudicini with nine minutes left to give Fenerbahçe SK a 2-1 UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg win against Chelsea FC in Istanbul last night, the visiting goalkeeper may well have reflected on what happened before half-time at the end he defended after the interval.
Chelsea led 1-0 at the break through a Deivid own goal and only the combined intervention of the crossbar, some inspired goalkeeping by Volkan Demirel and a bit of bad luck prevented that advantage being greater. But the game changed in the second period and after substitute Kazım Kazım had equalised on 65 minutes, it was no surprise that Fenerbahçe went on to give themselves a one-goal cushion to take to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
"I am disappointed, especially after the first half, when we had the chance to close out the game," Cudicini said. "Unfortunately we didn't do it. Sometimes that happens and in the second half they scored two goals. Every time you concede you are disappointed, especially in these type of games where every goal is important."
Not so complicated that Cudinici does not think that Chelsea can still earn a fourth semi-final in five seasons, however. "We are confident," he said. "We have shown today that we have the ability to play very well, as we did in the first half. We know we can beat them at the Bridge."
source: uefa.com
Draw, Hyypiä was satisfied
"Of course the away goal we got here is a good thing and the draw, so if we win at Anfield we are through," he said.
Dirk Kuyt bundled Steven Gerrard's low cross over the line for Liverpool's equaliser on 26 minutes, shortly after Emmanuel Adebayor had headed Arsenal in front. The speed with which Liverpool hit back was an indication of the character running through Rafael Benítez's side, but Hyypiä believes Arsenal should have been prevented from taking the lead in the first place. (*)
Pallister Praises 'Fantastic' Rio
Ex-Manchester United defender Gary Pallister has confessed his admiration for Rio Ferdinand following his commanding performance in United’s Champions League quarterfinal against Roma.
The stand-in captain was authoritative in his command of the Red Devils’ defence at the Stadio Olympico, leading his team to a clean sheet while goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney gave United a 2-0 advantage to take into the second leg at Old Trafford next week.
And Pallister was particularly impressed by Ferdinand’s showing after his partner in crime, Nemanja Vidic, was forced off the pitch through injury late in the first half.
"Rio was fantastic," said Pallister.
"I wondered how he would react after Vidic went off injured, but he was absolutely superb."
The 29-year-old England international, who captained his country for the first time last week against France, has been involved in certain off-field dramas since his ₤29.5 million transfer from Leeds in 2002. Most notable among these was his eight-month ban for failing to appear at a routine drug test.
But Pallister believes that Ferdinand has matured markedly in his time at Old Trafford, developing true leadership qualities that make him a prime candidate to captain both club and country.
"Rio bosses the back four now," he said. "That's why he was captain against Roma and why Fabio Capello made him England captain.
"It's something he does a lot more now. At the start of his United career he didn't really do that.
"I think Gary Neville's absence has meant that he has had to come forwrad. Gary not being in the team has seen Rio come out of his shell." (*)
source: goal.com
Evra preaches caution
Patrice Evra insists United cannot bank on a place in the Champions League semi-finals, despite establishing a healthy advantage over Roma in Tuesday's quarter-final, first leg.
2-0 away win makes the Reds favourites to book a semi-final berth against either Barcelona or Schalke, but Evra insists there is still plenty of work to be done in next week’s second leg.
“We’re very happy with that performance but there’s still a second game to think about,” the defender told MUTV. “In football you never know but we’re very satisfied with our position.
“I think the team played very well and we did a very professional job. It’s now important we stay professional and hopefully we’ll get through to the semi-final.”
United registered a valuable clean sheet despite the loss of Nemanja Vidic through injury, and Evra felt the display of substitute John O’Shea underlined the Reds’ strength in depth.
“It was important to keep a clean sheet and we did our job. We have a big squad and John O’Shea showed how strong it is when he came on and filled in for Nemanja. We have confidence in whoever plays.”
source: manutd.com
Ronaldo: We Really Want To Win This
scored the second to practically seal the tie.
"Yes, [it was] a very good performance," said Ronaldo, speaking on ITV after the game. "Everyone knows Roma are a good team. It was a tough game, they played very well. But we got some chances and scored, and that was the difference."
Speaking of his own goal - his 36th of the season, he said: "It was a good header, and I feel very happy because I scored and helped the team win. We needed to win. Now the next game is at
home and we need to win again."
It took some rugged defending, though, and the winger also pointed towards the collective effort, and towards the desire to win the competition. "Yes, everyone did their part in this game,"
he said. "This is good competition. We really want to win it, and we showed that."
Rooney hails solid backline
Despite the loss of Nemanja Vidic through injury just after the half-hour, the defence stood firm as they recorded their 23rd clean sheet in 37 games and their fifth on the trot. "The defence was brilliant and all season they've been the same so hopefully that will continue," Rooney told Uefa.com.
"I thought we defended well as a team. It was important to try to keep a clean sheet and then hopefully nick a goal and we did that just before half-time and it put us in a good position in the second half.
"We knew Roma would come out and attack us and it created a bit of space for us. We had the two counterattacks and made them count."