Milito’s two seals Europe for Inter Milan.

After more than four decades, FC Internazionale Milano were crowned European champions for the third time thanks to a goal in each half by forward Diego Milito. The result also completed their treble after there previous triumph in domestic circuit. Courtesy to FC Bayern München who were out classed by Jose Mourinho‘s men at the Santaigo Bernrbeu, Madrid, Spain. The result also bring cheers to Inter neighbours AC Milan who will be competing in next year’s UEFA Champions league after Inter managed to secure four places from Serie A from the coming season.

Both the sides came here to win the trebles after their sucesses in the domestic season but only one had to be victorious. The stadium was packed to capacity and the atmosphere was as always electricfying. Inter dominated the possession and in the 35th minute Milito struck for his first when he cushioned header off a long punt forward from Júlio César allows Sneijder to send him clear of the Bayern defence and he lofts the ball over the advancing Jörg Butt. The teams went into the break with teh Italians leading. 

Second half saw substitutions from both the sides. Bayern brought Miroslav Klose in place of Hamit Altıntop to futher enhance the strike but it seems like everything was going against the Bvarians. In the 70th minute Milito does it again, this time collecting Samuel Eto’o‘s pass on the break and beating Daniel Van Buyten on the edge of the area before shooting in high at the far corner beyond Butt’s reach. It was 2 for Inter and Bayern was left thinking. The score line remained the same till the end much to the delight of the Inter players, coach, supporter and management.

After their sucessive triumphs in the 60s this one is welcomes. The big credit of the win goes to their coach Jose Mourinho who is famous with his tactics at every situation. One can even say he has learned from his mentors at different club. But the growing speculations of his departure to the same ground where the final was played may well halt the celebrations at the San Siro.  

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!!!

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.

Liverpool, Fulham’s high hopes from Europa Cup. Journey may become a hurdle…

The much awaited Europa League semi final featuring two English premier league clubs Liverpool and Fulham will finally go underway tomorrow. The reds will be travelling to Madrid to face Atletico Madrid for the first leg while Fulham, which is three places below Liverpool in the domestic league, will be up against Hamburger SV at the Hamburg Arena, Germany.

Atletico Madrid have already won at Anfield this term as they claimed a 2-1 victory in a pre-season friendly but now the intensity is more with a 50-50 situation for both the teams. Big blow for the reds is that its Spanish striker Fernando Torres will not be part of home coming to his former club as he will be going for a second knee operation in four months which is going to keep him out for a minimum period of 5 weeks, which is likely to stall his appearance in the World Cup also. Other problem for Liverpool is to how players will respond after a prolonged journey to the Spanish capital as the volcanic ash has cancelled all flights across Europe. The team will be banking on the performance of Dirk Kuyt, Steven Gerrard for the match and hopefully the reds will be giving out there best as this is the only chance to make a mark this year.

Hamburger will be fired for tonight’s fixture as they know that a win in the semis will make their dream final at their home stadium. As repeatdly said, Fulham will be taking extra care of one name that is of former Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy who had an excellent run against them when he player the premier league. He was transferred from Real Madrid where he was denied the first team place. Hamburger on the other hand will be hoping tp stop the fieryFulham‘s big man Bobby Zamora who has been responsible for terrorising the opponent’s defence on many occasion. The long by-road journey can also have an impact on their playing.

Both the matches will be starting at 2105 Hours CET.

Rooney’s double made San Siro night look easy.

Manchester United won the first leg of the round of 16 knockout stage of theChampions’ league with a 3-2 victory over AC Milan at their own backyard which could be a vital when Milan will come to Old trafford to play for the return leg. In the other match of the day, Olympique Lyonnais shocked 9 times European championsReal Madrid with a 1-0 victory at home which could see them through if they are able to hold on at Santaigo in a week’s time.

At San Siro, Ronaldinho gave home side the perfect start with when he scored from a right footed shot that got deflected off Fletcher and found the net giving no chance to Van der Sar. Just as the red devils were looking to be off tracked, Paul Scholes equalised for the visitors in the luckiest of the way when the ball hit his non-kicking leg and crawled past the goal keeper to head home. The teams went into the break with all square at 1-1.

Second half started whcih truly belonged to Wayne Rooney when he headed the ball at the far corner of Valencia gret cross from the right. The English striker got his second and gave United two goals lead in the 77th minute when all the Milan defence was caught unaware when Fletcher chipped in the ball from the left and Rooney headed the free ball to make the score line 3-1. Just when the United fans were singing their victory songs Seedorf pull one back in the 85th minute but it was too late for them to get into the game.

Many opportuinities were lost and now its over the the theater of dreams in a week’s time where Milan will be thinking to win by a big margin where as United will be banking on the win and the away there important away goals.

United’s trip to San Siro to meet Becks

After a long break, the premier tournment of Europe is back and back with a big bang with 16 super powers of Europe will be starting the knock out phase of theChampions’ league. Tonight will see 99’s treblers Manchester United go to San Siro to face the Italian giants AC Milan and in the other match Real Madrid will be up against French side Olympique Lyonnais.

It will be more than a match for ex-Manchester United player David Beckham who will be facing his former club for the first time in his adopted home at San Siro. In the press conference he said “I am a Manchester United supporter and for the first time I will have to hope for them to lose”. After topping a relatively easier group this will be Unitedfirst test in Milan specially when the likes of Ronaldinho and Co. Further blow for the visitors is that thier ace wingerRyan Giggs is out due to the fracture he got against Villa which will keep him out for atleast a month. It will beWayne Rooney who is expected to take the cake and Milan will be ready to stop every inch of his movement. So in just couple of hours, the first leg will decide the future course of action, don’t miss the action at 2045 Hours GMT (0215 Hours IST).

Lyon will be all set to prove that their place in the lats 16 is not a fluke when they will be hosting Spanish giants Real Madrid for the first leg. They will be banking on the likes of Cristaino Ronaldo, Kaka to fire in this one. WIth their unbeaten run this year in the champions league it is no doubt that they are the favourites to take the fixture away and carry on the momemtum till they reach their home ground for the final in may. With both the teams playing for some important point it will be exciting to see what results takes them to the return leg a week later. That match will be starting at the same time of that at San Siro.