UCL Rewind: Drogba’s goal propels Chelsea to victory over Barcelona
By JOHN BOSCHINI It might not have been pretty, but some gritty defending combined with a clinical finish from Didier Drogba has given Chelsea the upper hand in their UEFA Champions League semifinal against Barcelona. Chelsea held serve on a rainy night at Stamford Bridge in the first leg with a 1-0 win over Barcelona....
UCL Rewind: Late Gomez winner gives Bayern Munich edge over Real Madrid
By JOHN BOSCHINI Bayern Munich are one step closer to playing a Champions League Final in their home stadium as they dispatched Real Madrid 2-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semifinal. Mario Gomez scored from very close range off a Philipp Lahm cross in the 89th minute to break a 1-1...
UEFA Champions League: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich open semifinal round
By JOHN BOSCHINI Despite the dominance Real Madrid have exhibited in this season's UEFA Champions League, speculation lingers that their route to the semifinals has something to do with poor opposition along the way. Jose Mourinho's men have yet to play a team from England, Spain, Germany or Italy in their 10 UEFA Champions League...
European Rewind: Tevez nets hat trick, Dortmund close in on title, and more
By JOHN BOSCHINI Welcome back, Carlos Tevez. The Argentinian striker, who recently returned to the club after a six-month absence due to a dispute with Manchester City manager Roberto Macini, netted a hat trick in City's 6-1 win over Norwich City. Sergio Aguero added a brace while Adam Johnson completed the rout in the 90th...
European Look Ahead: Dortmund close in on title, FA Cup derbies and more
By JOHN BOSCHINI As the Bundesliga turns down the home stretch, rivals become allies as Borussia Dortmund threaten to run away with another league title. Dortmund's 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich Wednesday saw the defending champions move six points clear at the top of the table with only four games to play. Now Bayern must...
Thursday Kickoff: Balotelli to stay in lineup, Rapids sign Henao, and more
Mario Balotelli's future at Manchester City may be uncertain but manager Roberto Mancini will still need the temperamental striker in the final six weeks of the season. Despite implying that Balotelli would not play for City again, Mancini said the 21-year-old striker will be selected for the April 30th matchup against Manchester United. Balotelli was...
European Rewind: Man City fall again, Real Madrid and AC Milan lose ground
By JOHN BOSCHINI Start printing the banners and begin tying red ribbons to the Premier League trophy. Barring a miracle, Manchester United are going to be the champions of England. Manchester City continued their terrible run of form with a 1-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates and the so-called "noisy neighbors" fall eight points...
European Look Ahead: Arsenal face City, Madrid battles Valencia, and more
By JOHN BOSCHINI Manchester City's title dreams are on the brink as a crowded weekend of fixtures takes center stage in the Premier League Arsenal are not out of the woods yet in their quest for fourth place and they welcome City to the Emirates on Easter Sunday. The Gunners are equal with north-London rivals...
UCL Rewind: Chelsea hold off Benfica, Real Madrid rout APOEL to advance
By JOHN BOSCHINI Real Madrid and Chelsea are through to the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League after holding on to first-leg advantages with home victories. Chelsea were able to book their date with Barcelona despite long stretches of poor play in a 2-1 win over Benfica resulting in a 3-1 win on aggregate. Frank...
UCL Look Ahead: Chelsea cling to lead, Real Madrid aim to put away APOEL
By JOHN BOSCHINI Despite all of the strife surrounding Chelsea this season, the Blues are a result away from another trip to the UEFA Champions League semifinals. If Chelsea are able to make their 1-0 lead against Benfica stand up at Stamford Bridge, a berth in the semifinal against Barcelona -- in what would be...
UCL Rewind: Messi PKs see off Milan, Bayern Munich puts away Marseille
By JOHN BOSCHINI A couple of penalties from Lionel Messi and a goal from Andres Iniesta saw Barcelona dispatch AC Milan 3-1 in Tuesday's second leg and on aggregate and move into the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League for the fifth year in a row. Milan drew level at 1-1 on the half-hour mark...
