TheNewsGuru

Tag: UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

  • UCL: Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp names Real Madrid Favourite

    UCL: Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp names Real Madrid Favourite

    Liverpool manager, and German tactician Jurgen Klopp, has claimed that Real Madrid will be “favourites” when they meet in the Champions League final later this month.

    Real Madrid have come out victorious in the last 3 encounters in the champions League with two wins and a draw.

    In 2017/2018 Real Madrid defeated Liverpool by 3-1 in a thrilling encounter to lift their 13th UCL trophy.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls that Madrid produced a thrilling comeback against Manchester City on Wednesday to force extra-time before Karim Benzema netted a penalty to send the club to the final.

    The LaLiga champions are chasing their 14th Champions League title, with this season’s final against Liverpool a repeat of the 2018 edition, which Madrid won 3-1.

    “When we lost that final, my solution would have been to play the final next year against Real Madrid but we played Tottenham in Madrid, so Madrid seems to be our destiny,” Klopp said.

    “We were not happy that night [in the 2018 final] but I’m happy to go there and give it a try. But until then, we have a lot of games to play. You ask a lot of questions about Real Madrid, but until then we can stop [talking about the Champions League final.]”

  • UCL: Real Madrid defeat Man city 6-5 to set up Liverpool final

    UCL: Real Madrid defeat Man city 6-5 to set up Liverpool final

    Real Madrid and Liverpool go head to head in this season’s Champions League final in Paris on the 29th of May,2022 in what seems like a repeat of the 2017/2018 season where Liverpool lost 3-1 in the encounter.

    Real Madrid defeated Man City 3-1 in the semi-final of the champions League at the Bernabeu to earn a spot in the final.

    Riyad Mahrez had put the visitor a goal up in the 76th minute before Rodrygo equalized after latching on to a loose ball in the 89th minute and scored a beautiful header at stoppage time to put the Galaticos a goal up.

    The goal put the aggregate scoreline at 5-5 and ensured that the match was dragged to extra time .

    Karim Benzema was fouled by a Man city defender and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

    The French striker stepped up to convert from the spot to put the scoreline at 3-1 beyond the reach of Manchester city.

  • UCL: Liverpool defeat Villareal 5-2 to qualify for final

    UCL: Liverpool defeat Villareal 5-2 to qualify for final

    Liverpool Football club have beaten Villareal at the El Madrigal to complete a double over Villareal in this season’s UEFA champions League

    The result means Liverpool will play in the final for the third time in Five years.

    The Reds beat Villarreal 3-2 in Spain on Tuesday and 5-2 on aggregate to zoom into the final

    Jurgen Klopp’s men had won the first leg 2-0 at Anfield

    However, they found themselves two goals down in the first half at the Estadio de la Ceramica. Dia and Francis Coquelin scored to send the home fans into delirium.

    But Liverpool bounced back in the second half, scoring three times through Fabinho, Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane.

    The Reds now await the winner of Real Madrid of Spain to set up an all England final or Spain versus England final. The match is set to hold on the 29th of May in Paris.

     

  • UCL: Benzema reveals why he opted for a Panenka penalty

    UCL: Benzema reveals why he opted for a Panenka penalty

    Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has explained why he opted for a Panenka penalty despite trailing by 2 goal margin.

    Man City had led 4-2 before before Aymeric Laporte was penalized for handling the ball in the box 18 area.

     

    A breathtaking game, packed with chances and moments of individual brilliance, was a treat for those watching but left City, who had the better of the game, with the slenderest of leads to defend at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday.

    At the post match conference Benzema revealed that he’s had it in mind that if he doesn’t play penalties he can never miss one.

     

    Benzema said: “I always have it in my head that if you don’t take a penalty, you will never miss a penalty. That’s mental confidence and that’s all. I have a lot of confidence in myself… so I do it and it turns out well.

    His boss Carlo Ancelotti said, “I think he changed because the last two penalties were not good. He tried in training, I didn’t know how he would shoot. He chose this [Panenka] and he did really well, showing strong personality and character. It’s not easy in the semi-final of the Champions League to shoot a penalty like this.”

    The second leg of the semi-final encounter holds next week Wednesday at the Bernabeu in Spain. Man City go into the match with 4-3 advantage.

  • Nigerian winger Chukwueze speaks ahead Semi-final clash with Liverpool

    Nigerian winger Chukwueze speaks ahead Semi-final clash with Liverpool

    Super Eagles and Villarreal FC of Spain winger, Samuel Chukwueze, has said the pressure will be on Liverpool when both sides clash in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday at Anfield.

    Chukwueze scored the equalizing goal that sent Villareal to the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League after winning 2-1 on aggregate.

    This will be Villarreal’s first semi-final appearance since the 2005/2006 season, where they coincidentally played against another English opponent, Arsenal.

    Chukwueze believes that the Reds of Liverpool will be playing more under pressure considering the fact that Villareal are the underdog

    “We have a squad and manager good enough to compete against any team in the world. Because of the way Liverpool play some people have already made their own predictions but that is normal in football.

    “We have a job to do and we are not going to Liverpool to lose. Why not aim for the best result over there? And that is what we hope to do

  • UCL: Tevez predicts outcome of Man City, Real madrid clash

    UCL: Tevez predicts outcome of Man City, Real madrid clash

    Former Manchester City striker, Argentine Carlos Tevez has predicted the outcome of the UEFA Champions League semi-final clash between Spanish giant Real Madrid and English premier League champions Manchester City.

    Tevez predicted a ‘50/50’ tie adding that the match will be evenly matched adding that it could go either way.

    The first semi-final clash will hold at the Etihad, City’s home ground on Tuesday night.

    Tevez believes Man City can now compete as “equals” against Real Madrid and when it comes to facing the best that Europe has to offer.

    Man City booked a semi-final ticket after defeating another Spanish clubside Atletico M,adrid in one of the quarter-final encounters whilst Real Madrid defeated the defending champions Chelsea to also book a passage to the semi-finals.

    “Nowadays, it’s completely different. Today Real Madrid are the one that have to be concerned about facing [Manchester] City,” Tevez told Man City’s official website.

    “With the players we have now and the Infrastructure City have been building during the years we can fight as equals against any team in Europe.”

    He added: “It’s a 50/50 tie [Man City vs Real Madrid].

    “I am very happy to see City in this position, fighting against the greatest teams in Europe.

    “It hasn’t been possible to win the Champions League yet, but I think the most important thing is that after ten years City are playing as equals against teams like Real Madrid and as it did in the last tie against Atlético.

    “It’s very gratifying to see what City have become in these 10 years. It’s something impressive. We have gone from fighting in the middle of the league table to doing on an equal footing with the biggest [in Europe].

    “It’s an achievement that we all must feel proud of.”

    Carlos Alberto Tevez is an Argentine professional footballer who last played for Boca Juniors. A quick, tenacious, powerful, hard-working and dynamic forward in his prime, Tevez is capable of playing as a striker, as a winger, as a supporting forward, or as an attacking midfielderArgentine

  • Liverpool edge closer to UCL semi-final after defeating Benfica

    Liverpool edge closer to UCL semi-final after defeating Benfica

    Liverpool FC of England have edged closer to featuring in the semi-final of the UEFA champions League after defeating Benfica football club of Portugal 1-3 at the Estadio da Luz ‘
    French defender Ibrahim Konate scored his first goal for Liverpool when he headed from from a corner in the 17th minute before Sadio Mane and Luis Diaz completed the rout to put the scoreline at 3-1 beyond the reach of Benfica FC
    The Merseysiders are heading into a crucial period in their quest for an unprecedented quadruple and will now be confident of reaching the last four of Europe’s elite competition after a dominant display secured a first-leg advantage.
    Liverpool will now switch focus to Sunday’s huge top of the table Premier League clash at Manchester City. Benfica host relegation-threatened Belenenses in the Primeira Liga on Saturday.

    Meanwhile, another UEFA champions League game on the night involving EPL side Manchester City and Atletico Madrid was almost ending in a barren draw, until Phil Foden came on as a substitute and produced the moment of magic to unlock Atletico with a perfect pass through the legs of Reinildo for De Bruyne to slot past goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

    It was the decisive moment in the tightest of games but City manager Pep Guardiola’s wild celebration illustrated just how much it means to take a lead, even if slender, to Madrid for the second leg on 13 April.

    Another EPL clubside Chelsea football club will take on Spanish giant Real Madrid in another fiesty encounter tonight at the Stamford Bridge.

  • UCL: Davido, Ayra Star, others to perform during half-time at Heineken viewing centers

    UCL: Davido, Ayra Star, others to perform during half-time at Heineken viewing centers

    Dutch multinational brewing company, Heineken, has said it is set to provide premium viewing experiences for UEFA Champions League matches in Lagos, Abuja, Warri, Enugu and Port Harcourt, as fans will be treated to half-time entertainment from artistes like FireBoy DML, Davido and Ayra Star.

    Speaking on the announcement, Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Emmanuel Oriakhi, said football fans in Nigeria will enjoy the best of UEFA Champions League action this season.”

    According to him, “viewing centers for live matches across five cities in Nigeria would be rolled out.

    “The live viewing experiences promise a lot more than enjoyable football moments, as there would also be numerous side attractions designed to give guests at the viewing centres an incredible experience.

    “As the world’s leading international premium beer brand and official partner of the world’s most prestigious club football competition, Heineken, is set to provide premium viewing experiences for UEFA Champions League matches across the country.

    “The UEFA Champions League is followed by more than a billion people and is one of the most-watched sporting competitions in the world. The business end of the 2021/2022 season resumes on Tuesday, 15th February 2022 with the first leg of the Rounds of 16 matches.

    “We recognise how passionate Nigerians are about football. We are equally as passionate about providing premium experiences for our customers, so in addition to being official sponsors of the UEFA Champions League, we are bringing the matches closer to Nigerians with these premium match viewing centres.

     

    “We have a lot of exciting things lined up for this season’s campaign and we can’t wait to really bring all of it to life.”

  • UEFA Champions League final moved to Porto from Istanbul

    UEFA Champions League final moved to Porto from Istanbul

    The 2020/2021 UEFA Champions League final match between Manchester City and Chelsea on May 29 has been moved from Istanbul to Porto, European football ruling body UEFA confirmed on Thursday.

    UEFA said the development was as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

    It is the second consecutive year Istanbul has been unable to host the showpiece as planned due to the global health crisis with Portugal stepping in.

    Last season Lisbon held a mini-tournament culminating in a closed door final, when Bayern Munich defeated Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

    But this year, Porto’s Dragao Stadium will welcome 6,000 fans from each team.

    The switch was prompted by the UK Government putting Turkey on its “red list” for travel due to coronavirus numbers in the the country.

    Those visiting from the UK face a mandatory 10-day hotel quarantine period on their return.

    Portugal is on the UK’s “green list” for travel, meaning there is no quarantine period for those returning from the country.

    “Fans have had to suffer more than 12 months without the ability to see their teams live and reaching a Champions League final is the pinnacle of club football,” said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

    “To deprive those supporters of the chance to see the match in person was not an option and I am delighted that this compromise has been found.”

    London’s Wembley was reportedly another option and UEFA confirmed it “discussed moving the match to England.

    “But, in spite of exhaustive efforts on the part of the Football Association and the authorities, it was not possible to achieve the necessary exemptions from UK quarantine arrangements.”

    Ceferin said UEFA accepted the decision to place Turkey on the UK’s red list for travel “was taken in good faith …

    “But it also presented us with a major challenge in staging a final featuring two English teams.”

    UEFA has already allocated the 2022 final to St Petersburg, 2023 to Munich and 2024 to London and did not say if, like last year, there would be another reshuffle.

    Ceferin did say though that he hopes “to be in Istanbul and Turkey for a Champions League final and many other events in the near future.”

    On Thursday UEFA also said Spanish match official Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz will referee the contest.

    Lahoz, 44, has refereed internationally since 2011 and previously served as fourth official at another all-English final when Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur to win the 2019 Champions League.

    Three days earlier Villarreal meet Manchester United in the Europa League final Gdansk, Poland, with 38-year-old Frenchman Clement Turpin as referee.

  • I want to win UEFA Champions League, La Liga titles as Barca coach – Quique Setien

    I want to win UEFA Champions League, La Liga titles as Barca coach – Quique Setien

    Barcelona head coach Quique Setien says he is aiming to win the UEFA Champions League and La Liga titles during his time at Camp Nou – and dreams of taking both trophies back to his home town to show off to the local wildlife.

    The former Real Betis manager was appointed Barca boss earlier this season following the dismissal of Ernesto Valverde, although he was not the first choice, with former club captain Xavi turning down the job before Setien was appointed. The 61-year-old boss is optimistic, however, and has set his sights on winning the biggest prizes available to the club – and then going back to his home as a champion. Setien told TV3: “I have told the players many times that I don’t have time to lose, and I’d like to win both the Champions League and La Liga.

    “Of course I’ve dreamed of winning these titles, and having a walk in Liencres [his hometown] among the cows with the Champions League and La Liga trophies in my hands.”