German Efficiency Puts an End to Tiki-Taka & the Special One Perhaps last seasons Champions League semi-finals were more captivating than these ones were, based solely on the fact that in both games they were close and intriguing. Bayern and Madrid appeared inseparable and Chelsea Barca were two polar opposites in terms of style. They were intriguing and close. It is hard to say the same about these two ties this season. Both were over after the first leg and although Madrid looked to have p

Barcelona decided to bench Messi, which clearly affected the Catalan side. This allowed Bayern not to play on their heels, as they had been against Arsenal in the previous round when they held the aggregate lead.  Bayern controlled this match, however. Barca had intermittent glimmers of hope - an opportunity from David Villa here, a near in-the-box volley from Xavi there - but in the end Bayern looked like a cat playing with a mouse.  During the first half Barcelona had most of it's chances, and

FC Barcelona are in desperate need of a miracle, as they attempt to pull off one of, if not the greatest comeback in European Cup history tomorrow evening at the Camp Nou. The Blaugrana have to turnaround a 4-0 deficit if they are to progress to the final of the 2012-2013 UEFA Champions League at the expense of Bayern Munich – something that has never before been achieved at this late stage of the competition, or indeed at any stage of the knock-out round. However, given Barcelona’s recent resul

Borussia Dortmund clung onto their 4-1 1st Leg lead with all their might as the Bernabeau faithful were left empty as Madrid fell one goal short of reaching the Champions League Final at Wembley. Dortmund went in with a 'comfortable' 3 goal advantage over Madrid going into the 2nd Leg, with Real needing to score 3 unanswered goals to win on away goals, and for the most part dominated the game. Madrid had chances from Higuain and Ronaldo crucially saved by BVB keeper Weidenfeller who was easily M

German Efficiency Puts an End to Tiki-Taka & the Special One Perhaps last seasons Champions League semi-finals were more captivating than these ones were, based solely on the fact that in both games they were close and intriguing. Bayern and Madrid appeared inseparable and Chelsea Barca were two polar opposites in terms of style. They were intriguing and close. It is hard to say the same about these two ties this season. Both were over after the first leg and although Madrid looked to have p

Barcelona decided to bench Messi, which clearly affected the Catalan side. This allowed Bayern not to play on their heels, as they had been against Arsenal in the previous round when they held the aggregate lead.  Bayern controlled this match, however. Barca had intermittent glimmers of hope - an opportunity from David Villa here, a near in-the-box volley from Xavi there - but in the end Bayern looked like a cat playing with a mouse.  During the first half Barcelona had most of it's chances, and

FC Barcelona are in desperate need of a miracle, as they attempt to pull off one of, if not the greatest comeback in European Cup history tomorrow evening at the Camp Nou. The Blaugrana have to turnaround a 4-0 deficit if they are to progress to the final of the 2012-2013 UEFA Champions League at the expense of Bayern Munich – something that has never before been achieved at this late stage of the competition, or indeed at any stage of the knock-out round. However, given Barcelona’s recent resul

Borussia Dortmund clung onto their 4-1 1st Leg lead with all their might as the Bernabeau faithful were left empty as Madrid fell one goal short of reaching the Champions League Final at Wembley. Dortmund went in with a 'comfortable' 3 goal advantage over Madrid going into the 2nd Leg, with Real needing to score 3 unanswered goals to win on away goals, and for the most part dominated the game. Madrid had chances from Higuain and Ronaldo crucially saved by BVB keeper Weidenfeller who was easily M