Bayern produced another highly impressive performance to qualify for the Champions League final with ease.
Tito Vilanova decided not to risk the half-fit Lionel Messi, so Cesc Fabregas played as the false nine. David Villa replaced Alexis Sanchez, while Alex Song was in for the injured Sergio Busquets, and Adriano for the suspended Jordi Alba.
Jupp...
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Bayern Munich didn’t try to outpass Barcelona, and instead ruthlessly exposed their traditional weaknesses.
Jupp Heynckes selected Mario Gomez rather than Claudio Pizarro as Mario Mandzukic’s replacement, and decided Jerome Boateng was a better option than Daniel van Buyten because of his extra speed.
Tito Vilanova’s side was as expected: Lionel Messi was fit, and Alexis...
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The draw for the Champions League semi-finals produced two fascinating ties.
Germany and Spain are the leading two nations in European football at the moment – Italian football is going through a transition period, while the Premier League has declined suddenly, but not irreversibly, from the latter part of the last decade.
The ties are perfectly...
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This was expected to be the closest tie of the Champions League quarter-final stage, but was actually won by the biggest margin.
Antonio Conte was without the suspended duo of Arturo Vidal and Stephane Lichtsteiner, so he played Paul Pogba and Federico Peluso. Mirko Vucinic returned to the side upfront.
Jupp Heynckes welcomed back Javi Martinez...
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Bayern take a commanding lead into the second leg, after a dominant first leg performance.
Jupp Heynckes named his expected side – Luiz Gustavo came in for the suspended Javi Martinez – although Toni Kroos’ early injury pushed Thomas Muller inside, with Arjen Robben introduced on the right.
Despite strong rumours Antonio Conte would select a...
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