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Post by White Lightning on Apr 11, 2014 13:25:37 GMT
FC Bayern München's bid to become the first back-to-back winner faces the sizeable hurdle of Real Madrid CF while Club Atlético de Madrid play Chelsea FC in the other semi-final. Semi-final draw Real Madrid CF (ESP) v FC Bayern München (GER, holders): 23rd & 29th April Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP) v Chelsea FC (ENG): 22nd & 30th April Final (Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Lisbon; 24th May, 20.45CET) Madrid/Bayern v Atlético/Chelsea FC Bayern München must overcome the significant hurdle of Real Madrid CF if they are to continue their European title defence in the Lisbon final – and potentially become the first club to win the UEFA Champions League two seasons in a row. Today's semi-final draw at UEFA headquarters in Nyon also produced an intriguing contest between Club Atlético de Madrid, in the last four for the first time in 40 years, and Chelsea FC. Ominously for Real Madrid, chasing a tenth continental crown, five-time champions Bayern have beaten them in four of the five previous European Cup semi-finals contested by the pair – the latest in 2012 when they prevailed in a Santiago Bernabéu penalty shoot-out. The German side still, of course, have the possibility of avenging their defeat by Chelsea in that season's final, though Atlético – as with their neighbours in the Spanish capital – will doubtless have their say. The Rojiblancos are the only one of the quartet never to have lifted the European Champion Clubs' Cup, having lost the 1974 final to Bayern after a replay. However, the most recent of Atlético's three encounters with Chelsea was a 4 - 1 victory in the 2012 UEFA Super Cup. Today's open draw in Nyon was conducted by UEFA Champions League final ambassador Luís Figo and UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino, who looked forward to "more of the same" after some "sensational" quarter-final action. "The last four clubs in the UEFA Champions League possess an amazing history in the competition, with three previous winners totalling no fewer than 15 European crowns between them, and one club – Atlético Madrid – who have not featured at this stage since 1974," Mr Infantino said. Real Madrid CF European Cup semi-final record: W12 L12 Last semi-final appearance: 2012/13 (3 - 4 on aggregate v Borussia Dortmund) This season: W8 D1 L1 F32 A9 Top scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo 14 Head-to-head v Bayern: W7 D2 L11 F26 A33 FC Bayern München European Cup semi-final record: W10 L5 Last semi-final appearance: 2012/13 (7 - 0 on aggregate v FC Barcelona) This season: W7 D2 L1 F24 A8 Top scorer: Thomas Müller 5 Head-to-head v Real Madrid: W11 D2 L7 F33 A26 Club Atlético de Madrid European Cup semi-final record: W1 L2 Last semi-final appearance: 1973/74 (2 - 0 on aggregate v Celtic FC) This season: W8 D2 L0 F22 A5 Top scorer: Diego Costa 7 Head-to-head v Chelsea: W1 D1 L1 F6 A7 Chelsea FC European Cup semi-final record: W2 L4 Last semi-final appearance: 2011/12 (3 - 2 on aggregate v FC Barcelona) This season: W7 D0 L3 F18 A7 Top scorer: Demba Ba, Samuel Eto'o, Fernando Torres 3 Head-to-head v Atlético W1 D1 L1 F7 A6 ©UEFA.com 1998-2014. All rights reserved. WL
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Post by White Lightning on Apr 22, 2014 21:08:08 GMT
Semi-final 22nd April 2014 - 1st Leg Atlético 0 - 0 Chelsea Referee: Jonas Eriksson (SWE) – Stadium: Estadio Vicente Calderón, Madrid (ESP) WL
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Post by White Lightning on Apr 23, 2014 20:44:06 GMT
Semi-final 23rd April 2014 - 1st Leg Real Madrid 1 - 0 Bayern Referee: Howard Webb (ENG) – Stadium: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid (ESP) WL
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Post by White Lightning on Apr 29, 2014 20:55:14 GMT
Semi-final 29th April 2014 - 2nd Leg Bayern 0 - 4 Real Madrid Aggregate: 0 - 5 Referee: Pedro Proença (POR) – Stadium: Fußball Arena München, Munich (GER) WL
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Post by White Lightning on Apr 30, 2014 20:42:51 GMT
Semi-final 30th April 2014 - 2nd Leg Chelsea 1 - 3 Atlético Aggregate: 1 - 3 Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (ITA) – Stadium: Stamford Bridge, London (ENG) WL
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Post by White Lightning on May 2, 2014 21:53:41 GMT
Forty years after being agonisingly denied victory in their only previous European Cup final, Club Atlético de Madrid, inspired by the goals of Diego Costa, have reached another. by Paul Bryan from Madrid Finalist profile: Atlético The name Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck might not mean a huge deal to those not connected with FC Bayern München and Club Atlético de Madrid. With the Spanish team leading 1 - 0 going into the last minute of extra time in the 1974 European Cup final, a shot from some distance by the defender bounced and bobbled its way into the nightmares of Los Rojiblancos, many of whom still squirm at the thought of how close their side came to winning the competition. Bayern rallied to win the replay 4 - 0. Now, 40 years on, the moniker of El Pupas – the jinxed ones – that had followed the team around ever since has been left behind as Diego Simeone's squad stride proudly towards another continental final as a European force to be reckoned with. Story of the season A nervous air pervaded prior to this season's UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw. Officials from the teams widely regarded as the tournament's elite were keen to avoid a side that had confidently sailed through to the knockout stage as Group G winners with two games to spare. Along with FC Zenit and FK Austria Wien, FC Porto would join three other former tournament winners Atlético would count among their victims during an unbeaten campaign to date. AC Milan were ousted 5 - 1 on aggregate before FC Barcelona fell to Koke's early strike in the quarter-final second leg. After 0 - 0 draw at home, Atlético went behind to old boy Fernando Torres's goal at Chelsea FC, but responded with three goals to advance. Final pedigree P1 W0 L1 Last, 1973/74: FC Bayern München 1 - 1 Atlético (Heysel, Brussels) Replay: Atlético 0 - 4 FC Bayern München (Heysel, Brussels) Record against final opponents Los Colchoneros finished the 1957/58 campaign three points behind Liga winners Real Madrid CF but were granted a place in the following season's European Cup alongside the holders. Their paths crossed at the semi-final stage in what is the teams' only previous meeting in European competition. Madrid prevailed 2 - 1 in the first leg but with Atlético triumphing 1 - 0 in the second, a play-off, which Los Blancos edged 2 - 1 in Zaragoza, was required. Key moment Having missed Atlético's Group G openers after serving a two-game ban, striker Diego Costa returned to mark his UEFA Champions League debut with two goals in a 3 - 0 win at Austria Wien. Quote "It is unbelievable for us to play this final. On Sunday we have another 'final' against Levante and maybe we have a possibility to win the league title as well. This season is a dream." Midfielder Tiago following the 3 - 1 semi-final second-leg victory against Chelsea. Top scorer The stubborn determination of Diego Costa, a scorer of eight goals in as many UEFA Champions League outings this term, epitomises that of the team in which he plays. "I don't like losing, so I give my life in every game," he told UEFA.com earlier this season. Unsung hero Having marshalled his team from a defensive midfield position throughout the campaign, Gabi was disappointed to miss out on the semi-final second leg against Chelsea through suspension. The 30-year-old Atlético youth-team product should be back to captain his side in the final, however. "This is the best time of our lives," Gabi said ahead of the 1 - 0 triumph over Barcelona. "We want to enjoy the moment, show passion as always and spread it to the people that support us." ©UEFA.com 1998-2014. All rights reserved. WL
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Post by White Lightning on May 2, 2014 22:00:05 GMT
After sweeping aside all before them in Europe this term, Real Madrid CF are hopeful of a tenth title, having had to wait 12 years since their last final appearance. by Paul Bryan from Madrid Finalist profile: Real Madrid Poised, determined and clinical are words that could describe the figure captured in a famous photograph inside Real Madrid CF's club museum. The snapshot is of Zinédine Zidane, taken a fraction before he volleyed his team towards a ninth European Cup in a final that took place 12 years ago. Displaying similar qualities this season to those of the former France great, Madrid's players will now be keen to elevate their own status to legendary, having at last bridged that UEFA Champions League final gap. Story of the season Of Madrid's Group B opponents – Galatasaray AŞ, FC København and Juventus – it was Carlo Ancelotti's former side who would provide the sternest test to Los Blancos' aims of advancing as section winners. However, the Italian giants' 2 - 2 draw in Turin against the nine-time champions proved the only blip in an otherwise perfect group stage campaign. Finishing nine points ahead of their nearest rivals with a record-equalling 20 goals, the Liga team began a knockout phase that would take in the Bundesliga's best. FC Schalke 04 were dispatched before last season's finalists, Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern München, suffered a similar fate. Jürgen Klopp's side handed Madrid their only defeat in the competition during a rare off night at the BVB Stadion Dortmund. Final pedigree P12 W9 L3 Last 2001/02 v Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Hampden Park, Glasgow) Record against final opponents El Derbi Madrileño may be a regular feature in Spain's domestic season, but these teams have met just once before in continental competition: the 1958/59 European Cup semi-final. A Ferenc Puskás penalty edged Madrid 2 - 1 ahead in the first leg while Enrique Collar's winning strike for Club Atlético de Madrid in the return meant a play-off would decide who advanced to the final. Puskás's 42nd-minute effort proved all-important for the eventual champions in Zaragoza after Alfredo Di Stéfano’s opener was cancelled out by Collar. Key moment Beaten semi-finalists in the three previous campaigns, Madrid travelled to Germany to banish their 'bestia negra' – or bête noir – FC Bayern München in the last four. Trailing 1 - 0 from the first leg thanks to Karim Benzema's goal, the Bavarian giants boasted a formidable record of W8 D1 L0 in home encounters against the Spanish side. However, the defending champions – coached by Madrid bugbear Josep Guardiola – were swept aside 4 - 0 in a one-sided second leg. Quote "This team never ceases to surprise me. I am so happy because the players and everyone at the club has worked so hard for this. We are going to compete in this final and will look to win it." Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti Top scorer Having surpassed the UEFA Champions League group stage goalscoring record, Cristiano Ronaldo went on to set a new European Cup best in a single season, his double at the Fußball Arena München taking his tally to 16 for the campaign. Unsung hero Told by coach Ancelotti that he would be the club's second-choice goalkeeper to Diego López in the Liga, Iker Casillas was offered the incentive of being No1 for Madrid's UEFA Champions League and Copa del Rey challenges. Spain's most-capped player has made several crucial saves in the Merengues' European run, and should feature in his 22nd Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League encounter of the season in Lisbon. ©UEFA.com 1998-2014. All rights reserved. WL
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broon
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Post by broon on May 29, 2014 18:09:22 GMT
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Post by White Lightning on Jun 2, 2014 16:13:23 GMT
Final : 24th May 2014 Real Madrid CF 4 - 1 Club Atlético de Madrid Real Madrid win after extra time Referee: Björn Kuipers (NED) – Stadium: Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Lisbon (POR) WL
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Post by White Lightning on Jun 2, 2014 16:22:08 GMT
UEFA Champions League final facts and figures by Mike Hammond • Real Madrid CF's showdown against Club Atlético de Madrid in Lisbon was the seventh UEFA Champions League final to go to extra time but the first to be resolved without a penalty shoot-out. • All of the previous six finals undecided after 90 minutes failed to produce a goal in the additional half-hour, making Gareth Bale the first player to score in extra time of a UEFA Champions League final. • The 4 - 1 scoreline was the second biggest win in a UEFA Champions League final after AC Milan's 4 - 0 victory over FC Barcelona in 1994. Two deciders ended 3 - 0 – Real Madrid CF v Valencia CF in 2000 and FC Porto v AS Monaco FC in 2004. • The five goals scored in Lisbon made 2014 the second highest-scoring UEFA Champions League final; the biggest match aggregate remains the 3 - 3 draw between Liverpool FC and Milan in 2005. • Madrid's four goals lifted their aggregate for the 2013/14 campaign to a final total of 41. Although short of Barcelona's all-time high of 45 in 1999/2000, it is a record for a 13-game season and set a new competition average high of 3.15 goals per game. No other team have ever managed over three per game over a UEFA Champions League campaign, Barça's 1999/2000 figure having been 2.81. • Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty against Atlético lifted his record tally of goals for a single European Cup campaign to a final figure of 17. He is now level in the competition's all-time goalscorer charts with Lionel Messi, on 67, four adrift of record marksman Raúl González. • Ronaldo's goal in Lisbon made him the first player to score in a UEFA Champions League final for two different clubs, having found the net for Manchester United FC in 2008. Three other players – Raúl, Samuel Eto'o and Messi - have scored in two finals but for the same club. • Ronaldo's penalty was only the seventh to be awarded in a UEFA Champions League final but the third in successive years following Arjen Robben's missed spot kick for FC Bayern München in 2012 and İlkay Gündoğan's successful conversion for Borussia Dortmund in 2013. • Real Madrid's victory was not only a record tenth triumph in the European Cup but also a record fourth in the UEFA Champions League era, placing them one ahead of Milan and Barcelona. • It was Madrid's fourth win in as many finals and came in the club's 200th match in the competition – a landmark previously reached by only one club, Manchester United. With United not in the competition next season, Madrid will have the appearance record to themselves when they begin their title defence on matchday one next season. • Carlo Ancelotti became the second coach to win the European Cup three times after Bob Paisley who led Liverpool to glory in 1977, 1978 and 1981. • Of the three men who have won the UEFA Champions League as a coach after lifting the European Cup as a player, Ancelotti is now the most decorated, with five winner's medals combined. Frank Rijkaard has four and Josep Guardiola three. • With Ancelotti's triumph in Lisbon, Italy becomes the first country to provide two imported UEFA Champions League-winning coaches, after Roberto Di Matteo with Chelsea FC in 2012. Belgium (Raymond Goethals 1993), Germany (Jupp Heynckes 1998), Scotland (Sir Alex Ferguson 1999, 2008), Spain (Rafael Benítez 2005), Netherlands (Rijkaard 2006) and Portugal (José Mourinho 2010) have all provided one apiece. • Atlético's defeat means that the record of no non-European coach winning the UEFA Champions League remains, Diego Simeone suffering the same fate as Héctor Cúper, who lost back-to-back finals with Valencia CF in 2000 and 2001. ©UEFA.com 1998-2014. All rights reserved. WL
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Post by White Lightning on Jun 2, 2014 16:30:22 GMT
Madrid finally fulfil Décima dream by Andrew Haslam Real Madrid CF 4 - 1 Club Atlético de Madrid (aet) Real Madrid CF's quest for 'La Décima' finally ended as they won a pulsating final against neighbours Club Atlético de Madrid in Lisbon, extra-time goals from Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo settling a match that had looked set to produce an Atlético triumph. Having already become the first side apart from Madrid or FC Barcelona to claim the Spanish title since 2004, Atlético took a 36th-minute lead when Diego Godín – whose goal had clinched the Liga championship last weekend – headed over the stranded Iker Casillas following a corner. It seemed that would be enough when the final moved into added time but with two of the five additional minutes remaining Sergio Ramos nodded the equaliser to force extra time. There Madrid ran away with it after Bale's 110th-minute header, Marcelo and Ronaldo's penalty crowning a memorable fightback. Atlético coach Diego Simeone, who was sent from the touchline after the fourth goal, included Diego Costa in his starting lineup despite a hamstring injury, but the gamble backfired before ten minutes had elapsed, the striker limping off. His replacement, Adrián López, barely got a look-in early on as Madrid did the majority of the pressing, the alert Thibaut Courtois reacting sharply to deny Bale and Karim Benzema. The goalkeeper was exposed when Bale cut out Tiago's wayward crossfield pass and bore down on the Atlético net; however, Miranda came to the rescue, sliding in and the Welshman's shot flew a metre wide. Four minutes later, that proved even more crucial as Juanfran sent the ball back into the penalty area after Madrid had partially cleared a corner; Godín beat Casillas to it and his looping header bounced over the line despite the goalkeeper's efforts to claw it away. The Madrid captain had warned of Atlético's set-piece prowess but his team were nearly undone again from the same route, Adrián meeting another corner only to head too high. That suggested the match was opening up, and so it proved. Within minutes of the restart – after Madrid again failed to properly clear a corner – Adrián had a shot deflected wide, while Courtois pushed over Ronaldo's free-kick before the Portuguese flicked on a Ramos cross; Benzema was centimetres from connecting. With Atlético threatening on the counter, Madrid continued to press, Luka Modrić and Ronaldo teeing up Bale for a fierce strike three metres past the post. Another Ronaldo pass then sent Bale clear of Godín yet, from a tight angle and with Courtois advancing, he could only prod wide of the near post. It appeared Madrid would be denied before Ramos came to the rescue, nodding inexorably home from a corner deep into stoppage time – the defender having also scored twice in the semi-final second leg. Atlético's sole previous final appearance, in 1974, had featured a last-minute equaliser conceded. On that occasion they lost the replay to FC Bayern München and there was more heartbreak in store this time. Ángel Di María did the legwork for Madrid's crucial second goal, wriggling clear down the left; though Courtois made another fine stop, Bale was first to the rebound to head in. With the Madrid fans still celebrating, Marcelo broke through to direct a low shot under Courtois, before Ronaldo was brought down by Gabi and got up to convert the spot kick himself – his 17th goal of this season's competition, making him the fourth player to register in two UEFA Champions League finals. Madrid, with Carlo Ancelotti emulating Bob Paisley in lifting the trophy three times as a coach, could start their 'Décima' party; Atlético were left to reflect on how close they came once again. WL
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