Bayern Munich Vs Inter Milan for Cup no. 3.

Finally the wait is over for the biggest match of the season. It is the champions League final between the two giants of Europe. Italian champions Inter Milan who recently completed their double are up against Bayern Munich who also finished with a double at Santaigo Bernebau, home to Spanish power house Real Madrid. It was a tough way to the final for both the teams beating several top teams in their way to Madrid.

Both teams are chasing trebles, having also won their league and domestic cup competitions. Bayern and Inter are both seeking a return to continental glory. The Bavarians are looking for their fifth European title, having last won in
2001 in a penalty shootout over Valencia. It was the club’s first European
Cup in 25 years, but they stumbled a bit after that, failing to advance past the
quarterfinals and once missing out on the top European club
competition entirely. For Inter Milan, this is the thier first European Cup final since they
won at home way, way
back in 1965. For Jose Mourinho the Estadio
Santiago Bernabeu, home of Real Madrid, will be having some personal matters where he is widely rumored to be taking over later in the summer. and facing his old mentor further spice up the proceedings. Jose Mourinho said some days ago that the Champions League is a bigger competition than the World
Cup. “This game is the most important in the world,” said 47-year-old Mourinho.

Bayern winger Franck Ribery and Inter midfielder Thiago Motta are suspended but otherwise both coaches largely have full squads to choose. Inter will be exploiting the pace of Sneijderand Samuel Eto’o and Bayern looking to Arjen Robben to wreak havoc as he cuts in from the right.

Its an action packed night. The match will be starting at 2045 Hours CET. Don’t miss it!!!

Bayern wins Bundesliga while Barca retains La Liga.

Spanish La Liga Update:

FC Barcelona beat Valladolid 4-0 in the Camp Nou stadium on Sunday to retain the La Liga title. The result also meant relegation for ValladolidThe title challenge was extended up to the last week with continued pressure from rivals Real Madrid but Barcelona went into the match knowing a win would guarantee the title no matter what Real Madrid did away to Malaga. Real on the other hand had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Malaga. Valencia and Seville finished third and fourth respectively which reserved their entry into champions league along with the top two. Amongst the relegated this season from the La Liga were Xerez, Tenerife and Valladolid while Malaga escaped relegation with a last gasp draw against Real Madrid. Xerez were also relegated after a 1-1 draw away to Osasuna in Pamplona, while Tenerife also returned to the second division after Alexis’ late goal sent them to a 1-0 defeat away to Valencia.

Bundesliga Update:

Bayern wins the league cup with an easy victory agains BremenmIt was only the league cup, now the DFB-Pokal: FC Bayern has made perfectly with a superior 4-0 victory in the final against Bremen, the Double. The next party in Bavaria Berlin after the championship celebration a week ago, could begin. And the sauce next to rise in Madrid, after the Champions League final against Inter Milan this coming Saturday  A victory there would make the double a historic triple and the players know what it feels to be at this stage. While Midfielder Ilkay Guendogan found the net before the interval before striker Eric Choupo-Moting sealed the victory from the spot after the break. Already leading 1-0 from last Thursday’s first leg victory, Nurnberg’s 2-0 win in the second meeting ensured they avoid the drop out of the top flight. 

Double delight for Chelsea at Wembley.

Premier League champions Chelsea completed their FA Cup double with a narrow 1-0 victory over Portsmouth at the Wemby stadium here on saturday. Didier Drogba scored the only goal through a free kick to seal the double win for the blues. 

The match started in front of a pack stadium. Pompeys had a decent support who came out to play for pride and prove that they still belong to the premier league but it was not their day… Carlo Ancelotti‘s side had all eyes on the cup with nothing to loose. After fighting till the last match for the barclays premier league the blues wanted to finish with a double and they did. 

The first half went goal less with both the team unable to get past the net. Chelsea suffered a big blow in the 35th minute when Kevin-Prince Boateng‘s tackle injured German mid fielder Michael Ballack. WIth World Cup less than a month this can be a huge blow for him, being out of contract this may possibly be his last match for the blues. After that Drogba hit the woodwork in the 39th minute. 

Portsmouth had a brilliant chance to take the lead when Dindane skipped around Chelsea substitute Juliano Belletti and into the area and when the Brazilian bundled the Pompey striker over, referee Chris Foy pointed to the penalty spot. Unfortunately for Pompey, Boateng’s spot kick went straight down the middle of the goal and Cech saved with his feet. And just at the hour mark, Didier Drogba scored througha free kick when he shot around the wall and in off the post. Chelsea was 1-0 up which and the score line stayed till the end. The Chelsea players and fans were over joyed with the resut giving them the first ever double.

Chelsea plays Portsmouth to finish the year with a double.

Fresh from their triumph in the Barclays English Premier League, Chelsea will be hoping to finish with a double this season. The blues will be meeting Portsmouth in the final of the Football Association Cup (popularly known as the FA Cup) on saturday at the “new” Wembley Stadium. It was a long way for both the teams to reach the 129th final  where teams from all the divisions participated. 

 

News from the newly crowned Premier League champions is that they will be going with their usual squad that trounced Wigan Athletic in the final league match of the season. Beyond that Carlo Ancelotti is still waiting for Branislav Ivanovic injury report which is expected to make the trip to Wembley. Overall Chelsea has had a very good record over the Pompeys and the five times winners will be hoping to make it six and more importantly two in a row following last year’s 2-1 win over gunners. The blues lockers room is in absolute health after the decision of Frank Lampard to take penalty over in the previous match made Didier Drogba who was fighting for the golden boot.

For the Pompeys this is a big game. After relegating from the top division of the English league. the port club will be hoping to win the FA Cup twice in three years. They last won in 2008 after beating Cardiff city by a single goal. News from theri locker room is that midfielder Jamie O’Hara is hoping to play at Wembley on Saturday despite suffering with a double stress fracture in his back. The on loan player will be playing his last match with the Pompeys before moving back to Tottenham Hotspur, his original club. Other than that Avram Grant will be going with their usual squad and hope to make headlines tomorrow.

The match will start at 1500 Hours GMT (1930 Hours IST)

 

Forlan’s extra time winner ends Fulham’s dream run.

Diego Forlan‘s extra time winner four minutes from time dashed Fulham‘s hope of clinching theri maiden European title after Atletico Madrid defeated the Englisg side by 2-1. The win for the Spanish underdogs has got them a much sign of relief after ending theri 48 year title drought in Europe. With this Atletico Madrid became the fourth Spanish team to win the trophy in seven years. (including formerly known as UEFA Cup).

The match started with a pack to capacity crowd with an evenly matched suporters from both sides coming all the way from their respective countries. Atletico Madrid had the first chance at the goal when the ball hit the wood work. In just the 12th minute Sergio Agüero quickly countered on Danny Murphy‘s misplaced pass and finds Diego Forlan, who drags his shot against the foot of Mark Schwarzer‘s left-hand post. The Spanish were narrowly ahead. the signal from them was sure that they will be only attacking. Just minutes later Fulham replied with a narrow miss when  Zoltán Gera‘s volley goes high over David de Gea‘s crossbar.

Goal: Atletico finally got the break through in the 32nd minute when Sergio Agüero‘s mis-hit shot past Mark Schwarzer was diverted to Diego Forlan who made no mistake in breaking the deadlock. But again Fulham replied with leveling the score just five minutes later after Simon Davies volleyed Zoltán Gera‘s chip to the back post past  Atletico‘s keeper David de Gea. The teams went into the break all square at one all.

Second half saw many substitutions in the match, surprising for Fulham was bring back Bobby Zamora as early as  the 55th minute. Both sides tired to score but the score line stayed as it is. The match went into extra time. in the opening half, first in the 11th minute José Manuel Jurado‘s cross flicks off the head of Brede Hangeland and finds reaches Diego Forlan at the far post and steadies himself and fires back across goal, forcing Mark Schwarzer to stretch out to save. And finally in the 26th minute of the ET Diego Forlan cleverly back heeled Sergio Agüero‘s low cross to gave Atletico the vital lead in the dying minutes. The scoreline remained 2-1 much to their delight.

 

Fulham takes on Atletico Madrid for the Europa League trophy.

After weeks of hardwork, the glory is finally waiting for either Fulham FC or Atletico Madrid for one of the most prestigious event in Europe. The inagural UEFA Europa League final between two teams will be taking place in just few hours in Hamburg, Germany and there is plenty to look for. Being the first of the big finals preceeding the champions league much is happening at both ends.

For Fulham this is a dream come true as being their first major final in the clubs 131 years history and also the expectations of the barmy army which is pretty much behing the only English club in Europe. The other English club Liverpool were knocked out by spanish giants Atletico Madrid in the semi finals. The news from the Fulham camp is that their fierce striker Bobby Zamora has recovered from his Achilles tendon problem and is expected to play. So is Damien Duff, who is fast recovering from a leg injury. Other than that the whites are all ready for the big night. The Spanish must be making plans to stop Danny Murphy & Co.

For Atletico Madrid the best plan will be to attack. With Diego Forlan, Jose Antonio Reyes and Sergio Aguero at the front, getting the ball past the net will not be easy. Their defence is a cause of concern with nothing much of a star power in it. Atletico‘s manager Quique Sanchez Flores must be hoping to over come the dissapointment faced in the domestic league with no special break through and conceeding 52 goals. One outside positive for the Spanish side will be the German crowd support which will be behind them as Fulham  beat Hamburger SV to reach the final, Fulham may even have to listen to lown jeers from the Hamburg Arena spectators. 

The match will start at 2045 Hours CET.

Champions Chelsea!!!

Didier Drogba‘s hat-trick and whole lot of goals from others sealed Chelsea‘s premier league title with 8-0 win over Wigan Athletic in the final league match of the season. The blues gave no chance to Manchester United who also won their last match against Stoke City by 4-0. Tottenham Hotspur secured the champions league qualifying place for Europe for the first time in decades despite loosing 4-2 against already relegated Burnley.

Terry & Co took only 6 minutes to get the first one on board when Nicolas Anelka fired the ball past the net. Second goald followed at the half hour mark when Frank Lampard had taken Drogba‘s return pass and surged into the area where he was stopped by Caldwell who grabbed a handful of the front of his shirt. The referee pointed to the spot and the Englishmen converted with no problems. The first half was over and it seemed that the title will surely be at Stamford Bridge this season. 

But Chelsea wanted more… Salomon Kalou got another one for the blues after running in from the right, coordinating with Lampard and finally getting the ball at the back of the net. In less than 2 minutes it was four for Chelsea when Anelka from out wide volleyed Ivanovic‘s crossfield ball with perfect precision across the goal keeper and to find the net. The match was not over yet, the Drogba drubbing followed with 3 back to back goals in the span of 15 minutes from the Ivorian and the things were finally wrapped up by Joe Cole in the 90th minute much to the delight of the over-joyed Stamford Bridge crowd.

 

Chelsea scored a century of goals this season which definately put them in the driving seat. Didier Drogba also the the goalden boot for the maximum number of goals in the premier league this season. He netted 29 goals in 33 games for the blues. Getting the hands on the trophy since surely 2006 must have surely brought great smiles over the whole of Stamford Bridge.

At Old trafford, Sir Alex fielded the best possible squad for the day to gain advantage upon any favourable news from London. The match started with Darren Fletcher scoring at half hour mark when Vidic directed the ball in to the crowed area where Fletcher touched the ball to get into the net. By the time United scored first Chelsea was 2-0 ahead. Second followed for United just 6 minutes later when Ryan Giggs fired close ranger past the goal keeper. Second half goals followed when Danny Higgingbotham scored an own goal for Wigan in the 54th minute. A fourth Reds goal arrived in the 84th minute when substitute Ji-sung Park produced a diving header from Giggs’ corner to make it 4-0. But the scoreline was for pride alone. By that time Chelsea has sealed the title bid with 7 goals. It was an elusive task for the red devils to win with a realtiver easier team for both of them and rest is history.

The final scores are:

Arsenal 4-0 Fulham

Aston Villa 0-1 Blackburn Rovers

Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Birmingham City

Burnley 4-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea 8-0 Wigan Athletic

Everton 1-0 Portsmouth

Hull City 0-0 Liverpool

Manchester United 4-0 Stoke City

West Ham United 1-1 Manchester City

Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Sunderland

Final Showdown at the premier league.

After 370 matches in the Barclay’s Premeir League this season, the title race has gone down to the wire. 10 matches on the final day will decide who gets the Barclays flag and other vital positons for entry into Europe for the next season. Chelsea, currently at 83 points, has the upper hand with a point lead over rivals Manchester United but nothing vould be said till the referee blows the final whistle of the season. Also, there is a slim battle for the third-fourth place with Tottenham Hotspur just 2 points behind Arsenal who are having their worst run in years with 10 games without a point.

Chelsea will be up against Wigan Athletic for the last day. The blues will be going out with their usual squad without any fresh injuries. Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba will be all fired up to lift the trophy in front of the home crowd. For Wigan it will be playing for pride and an attempt to stop the blues to win the match and the title, their Striker Marcelo Moreno is injured due to ankle injuries along with other Wiganers. 

Defending champions  Manchester United will be hosting Stoke City at Old Trafford for the final match of the season. The pressure is double on the red devils, first one being of winning and second hoping the nearly impossibe task of Chelsea either loosing or drawing againts Wigan. For Man United veteran defender Gary Neville is injured and Rio Ferdinand is not finding the touch. High hopes are on Wayne Rooney and Berbatov to fire while hoping that Chelsea don’t fire.

The best part of tomorrow is that all the match will be starting at 1600 hours GMT (2030 Hours IST) so there will be pre-match or post match tensions. The matches are:

Arsenal Vs Fulham

Aston Villa Vs Blackburn Rovers

Bolton Wanderers Vs Birmingham City

Burnley Vs Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea Vs Wigan Athletic

Everton Vs Portsmouth

Hull City  Vs Liverpool

Manchester United Vs Stoke City

West Ham United  Vs Manchester City

Wolverhampton Wanderers Vs Sunderland

Gearing up for the last day with all the rumours around.

Portsmouth will be demoted from the Premier League this month, and its players will be put up for sale immediately after the final, against the Premier League’s top club, Chelsea, on May 15. The continued existence of a club representing the navy town of Portsmouth on England’s south coast is by no means guaranteed, even in a less glamorous, less well-heeled, lower league.

Even at the pinnacle of the Premier League, the clubs are spending money they don’t have. Manchester United and Liverpool are owned by Americans who borrowed hundreds of millions of dollars before the banking collapse and who cunningly (from their perspective) made the clubs liable for those debts.

A new challenger, Manchester City, was owned first by the exiled former prime minister of Thailand and now by the ruling family of Abu Dhabi. Manchester City’s biggest match of the season is Wednesday, when it plays Tottenham Hotspur. If Tottenham wins, it will finish fourth. If City wins, it will probably finish fourth.

If City wins, there is talk that it will pay whatever it takes to get Fernando Torres from Liverpool. He is injured, and has been for much of the season. Torres is the most potent striker in England — some would say in the world — so his transfer value would be anything the buyer and seller deem it to be. Rumours are rife this morning with the newsthat Chelsea are looking to catch the money men at Manchester City cold to beat them to the signing of Fernando Torres.It’s no secret that Torres is disappointed, like all Liverpool players and fans, with their form in the Premier League this season. With Champions League football a distant memory next season, with the future of Rafa Benitez up in the air and also the future of Liverpool in doubt in the hands of their American owners, it could be the time for Torres to move on as he looks for honours. 

That could be as much as 80 million pounds, about $121.5 million. Torres could command an annual salary of $15 million. If Torres goes, Rafael Benítez, his fellow Spaniard, will probably go as well. The manager at an English club is responsible not just for tactics and team selection, but also for buying and selling players. Since Benítez arrived six years ago, he has made 48 major signings — spending more than $350 million — and sold 59 players, for about $220 million.

Wins for the reds and blues take it to the last day.

The top of the table remained unchanged after Chelsea defeated Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield while defending champions Manchester United also carried their winning form after they narrowly edged past Sunderland with a one goal advantage. After a long time some happiness around Fratton Park was seen when bottom players Portsmouth won 3-1 against Wolverhampton Wanderers. It was all playing for pride but this would go a long was helping their morale for the FA Cup.

In the exciting match at the City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester City came from behind against Aston Villa to beat them 3-1 thus keeping their hopes alive for the champions league football next season. The two goals in the span of 90 seconds changed the game. It was Carlos Tevez penalty in the 41st minute followed by quick shot by Adebayor who counter the visitors lead.

Chelsea put another step forward to the premier league title after thrashing Liverpool with two goals, Much was expected from the home side but it seems the reds are sailing. A foolish back pass by Steven Gerrard saw Didier Drogba easily putting the ball behind the net in the 33rd minute. Frank Lampard made it 2-0 after the break to double the blues lead. The match ended with the same score line.

At the stadium of light, Nani‘s solo goal in the 26th minute held the red devils to a narrow victory, he fired low and hard past the Scottish stopper to give United the lead making his fouth goal of the season. Wayne Rooney retured for the red devils but failed to make any major impact to put them through. The one point trail is what is pinching United. The next weekend will be like a final of a cup which will decide the champions, of course with Chelsea having the upper hand.

pic source: chelseafc.com, manutd.com