European Football News and Previews

The Champions League game last night between Manchester United and Schalke came into conclusion in a fantastic fashion of football skills. Although it has long gone decided who would be in the finals after ManU defeated their opponent 2-0 at Veltins Arena. And I thought the game at Old Trafford would just be a formality considering that there are several key players who did not show action and was left to rest for their upcoming Premier League match with Chelsea on Sunday, 8 May. The game is crucial for both teams since ManU is only 3 points clear from the Blues.

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Any slip up could mean disastrous to any of the two but more importantly to the Red Devils. Aside from protecting the 3 points lead, it will also be the deciding factor if Chelsea won and both emerge victorious in their own remaining 2 games. In that case, Chelsea will have an advantage since they could move ahead in goal difference as they are currently tied at 38. But the way ManU are playing last night’s Champions League match, they played a superb and nearly flawless game by thrashing Schalke 4-1. More so that the Red Devils is unbeaten at Old Trafford this season and they have defeated Chelsea in the Champions League quarterfinals and a draw in their first game at Stamford Bridge.

But the Blues are not quite ready to hand over the Premier League title yet, for they have the momentum at their side. The fact sheets would tell that they are unbeaten in their last 11 games and on a 5 games winning streak.

Nonetheless, it is not the only game that a must see match for AC Milan is also banking for its first Scudetto since 2004. And they could clinch it on Saturday by just a draw at AS Roma despite having 2 games more left to play after that as goal difference does not apply in Serie A but the head to head record, instead. A draw will tie them with Inter, granting the Nerazzurri will win their remaining 3 games, but the Rossoneri had a head to head advantage by beating them in their 2 games.

The European football has been jumped packed with superlative football actions starting last month in La Liga with the rare four El Clasico.

Barcelona reached Champions League finals

The last of the four Clasicos came to an end in a stalemate but Barca still advance to the Champions League finals through a superior quotient after beating archrival Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, 2-0. The match in Madrid on 27 April was full of controversies that leads both teams raising complaints to the UEFA. If you are watching last today's rain soaked game at the Nou Camp, it was relatively a different game with less infractions but I still could see some resemblance of what happened last week at the Bernabeu. It is sad to see Madrid's exit from the Champions League but they are playing without their tactician on the pitch and was reported no where to be found on the stands. The Los Blancos are also without defender Pepe and Ramos, the crucial element of the Merengues defensive wall.

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It was after Pepe was sent off that Barca was able to score its first goal, penetrating the once sturdy wall of the Los Blancos. Subsequently, Mourinho got his own red card too right after the call when he argued the uncharacteristic sending off of his ever reliable defender. Many have said and believe that Barca is playing or is good at diving acting (not on playing the game of football) during the match and was highly favored by the referees. This leads to the complaints filed by both teams but was later turned down and denied by the governing body (UEFA).

Barcelona are not awaiting the winner between ManU and Schalke on their own second leg tomorrow at  the Old Trafford. ManU is protecting a 2-0 lead after humiliating Schalke right at their own home pitch last week. A ManU win or even just a draw is enough for them to advance in the finals to face Barca and this could be a rematch of the 2009 Champions League finals at Stadio Olimpico, in which Barcelona won. Then Barca earned a historic treble in that season by winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey, to add to its Champions League silverware. But this time, even Barca will win in the finals there will never be a treble again for we all know who won the just concluded Copa del Rey at the Mestalla.