Chelsea-Barcelona, Real-Bayern in semis
Source: Agencies |
April 6, 2012, Friday
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REAL Madrid had only just ended APOEL Nicosia's extraordinary run and reached the Champions League semifinals when Jose Mourinho's thoughts turned to the potential opponent in the final.
"Barcelona is not favorite, it's super favorite," Mourinho said on Wednesday. "Barcelona will definitely play the final because they are very good."
Mourinho was effectively writing off Chelsea's prospects off pulling off a semifinal upset win over the title holders after his former club had eliminated Benfica.
First things, first. Mourinho's Madrid must overcome Bayern Munich in the semifinals to keep alive his hopes of reaching the final, and delivering the club's 10th European title.
"A very dangerous rival," said Mourinho, who won the Champions League with Inter Milan in 2010 by beating Bayern. "It's a semifinal I want to play, that the players want to play, I think Europe will enjoy this semifinal."
Real romped to a 5-2 victory - 8-2 on aggregate - as Cristiano Ronaldo raised his goal tally for the season to 49 with a strike in each half.
It was a nervier night for Chelsea despite going 2-0 up on aggregate in the 21st minute when Frank Lampard netted the return-leg opener from the penalty spot.
Despite Maxi Pereira being sent off before half time, Javi Garcia headed Benfica back into the game in the 85th. Raul Meireles netted a stoppage-time goal to secure Chelsea's 3-1 aggregate victory and a chance to avenge a bitter 2009 semifinal loss to Barcelona.
"Everyone has unfinished business with them," Lampard said.
"They are the greatest team in the world. They are going to be favorites but we have a lot of belief in ourselves. We have to perform at our best to beat them and we believe we can do that."
"Barcelona is not favorite, it's super favorite," Mourinho said on Wednesday. "Barcelona will definitely play the final because they are very good."
Mourinho was effectively writing off Chelsea's prospects off pulling off a semifinal upset win over the title holders after his former club had eliminated Benfica.
First things, first. Mourinho's Madrid must overcome Bayern Munich in the semifinals to keep alive his hopes of reaching the final, and delivering the club's 10th European title.
"A very dangerous rival," said Mourinho, who won the Champions League with Inter Milan in 2010 by beating Bayern. "It's a semifinal I want to play, that the players want to play, I think Europe will enjoy this semifinal."
Real romped to a 5-2 victory - 8-2 on aggregate - as Cristiano Ronaldo raised his goal tally for the season to 49 with a strike in each half.
It was a nervier night for Chelsea despite going 2-0 up on aggregate in the 21st minute when Frank Lampard netted the return-leg opener from the penalty spot.
Despite Maxi Pereira being sent off before half time, Javi Garcia headed Benfica back into the game in the 85th. Raul Meireles netted a stoppage-time goal to secure Chelsea's 3-1 aggregate victory and a chance to avenge a bitter 2009 semifinal loss to Barcelona.
"Everyone has unfinished business with them," Lampard said.
"They are the greatest team in the world. They are going to be favorites but we have a lot of belief in ourselves. We have to perform at our best to beat them and we believe we can do that."
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