UEFA.com's team of reporters at the venues and across Europe provide all the reaction from last night's game in Barcelona plus live build-up to this evening's encounter in Madrid.
UEFA.com's team of reporters and correspondents are providing all the build-up to this evening's UEFA Champions League semi-final second-leg meeting between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern München, and the reaction from last night's game, as Chelsea FC dramatically eliminated FC Barcelona.
All times CET.
Wednesday 11.55, Christian Châtelet, French newsdesk
French newspaper L'Équipe have their front page full of Chelsea's joy and Lionel Messi's dismay this morning, while Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, one of the two French stars on the European stage in the Spanish capital tonight (the other being Bayern's Franck Ribéry), also features. "When Messi is fine, it's well known that Barça are unplayable", L'Équipe commented about last night's thriller.
"But when the little genius is not decisive – like missing from the spot, the key moment of the game – then the Catalan team become vulnerable. Or at least look more human. Pep Guardiola's men may have scored two goals but that was not enough to see off Chelsea, now through thanks to their huge bravery."
Wednesday 11.40, Vassiliki Papantonopoulou in Athens
The front page of SportDay features a large photo of Didier Drogba celebrating at the end of the encounter at Camp Nou under the headline "Wipe out!" The paper reads: "Sensational Drogba and his Chelsea threw Barcelona out of this season's UCL final, clinching one of the most astonishing qualifications in football history."
GoalNews' headline hails Chelsea's "Greatness of soul" by a photo of Ramires, underlining the fact that the English side were reduced to ten men for more than 50 minutes. As for Derby News, it talks of "Divine intervention", adding that Chelsea got revenge for their elimination by Barcelona three years ago.
Wednesday 11.25, UEFA.com London newsdesk
The English newspapers are understandably full of praise for Chelsea after their stunning display against Barcelona last night, The Telegraph leads the way with this comment: "What a night. What a display of defiance from Chelsea. To the delight of their fans up in the Gods, ten men went to mow a meadow, and thrillingly, amazingly, they cut Barcelona down to size."
The Guardian, meanwhile, is almost lost for words, stating: "There are many emotions inspired by Chelsea's place in the Champions League final but, more than anything, it is sheer wonder."
No comments:
Post a Comment