Tag: UEFA Champions League 2023-24

Enrique Expects Different PSG “Version” In Second Leg, Blames Loss To Dortmund Playing Away First

Luis Enrique has admitted his Paris Saint-Germain side are not used to playing the first the knockout stage in this season’s Champions League and hopes their fans will be a difference as they try to comeback from their 1-0 deficit following their loss at the Signal Iduna Park in Wednesday’s semi final.

Niclas Fullkrug’s first half strike was enough to give Dortmund hope and advantage to return to the venue they played their last Champions League – Wembley.

PSG booked their place in the last four after beating Real Sociedad in the round of 16 and FC Barcelona in the quarters, playing the second leg away on both occasions, and gaffer of the French giants understands their home faithful would be important if they are to reach the final in London on June 1.

“We saw an even match with two teams that play good football when they have the ball,” Luis Enrique said in a presser after Wednesday’s contest.

“We both created many scoring chances. This time our opponents scored and we didn’t. The result reflects how close the game was.

“In the last two rounds, they had the home game as their second game, whereas it was the other way round for us. Now it’s a different and new scenario, we’ll have the crowd on our side in the second leg.

“I would have liked to create the chances we have created, but you have to be effective to score. We’ll see what version we show in Paris.”

The Parisians have qualified intwo of their last four Champions League knockout ties when being behind in the first leg, with the first of those coming against Borussia Dortmund in the last 16 in the 2019-20 campaign.

PSG skipper Marquinhos: “We’ve come back from 1-0 down before.

“We’ve shown that we can do it, especially at home, with the energy of our supporters, it’s going to be a different scenario. We know we can do a lot better. We just need to take our chances and be more decisive.

“We conceded a goal that we shouldn’t have conceded, and we’ve been talking all week about these deep passes from this Borussia team. It’s the details that make all the difference, and we’re going to do better in the next game if we want to go through.”

Kane Reveals What Bellingham Said To Him Just Before Taking Crucial Penalty In UCL Semifinal Against Real Madrid

Bayern Munich marksman Harry Kane has revealed what transpired between himself and Jude Bellingham before his crucial spot kick in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League 2-2 semi-final draw with Real Madrid.

With the scores level at one-all, Bayern handed a penalty, and with Kane set to put the German side ahead, the Real Madrid star who also doubles as his England teammate stepped up and whispered in his ear.

Despite Bellingham’s efforts to stir tension, the 30-year-old converted from 12 yards out, sending Andriy Lunin in goal the wrong way to give Bayern the lead, although, Vinicius Junior netted in quite similar fashion to level matters.

“In the moment I didn’t know what he said. I spoke to him afterwards and he said he told me, ‘I know you’re going to go left’.

“He was trying to tell the ‘keeper.

“On the pitch I didn’t know (what he said). I knew he was there, but I just kind of didn’t know what he said.”

Kane, who actually did send the ball left, added: “I saw the ‘keeper go a bit early and I was able to put it away. Obviously the penalty was nice for me.”

The England captain, who is still yet to win silverware at club level despite a shining individual career, said the team is ready for next week.

“It’s amazing. We’ll play Real Madrid in the semi-final of the Champions League. This is the experience I came here for and to have this opportunity is something I am really excited about.

“It’s 0-0. There’s one game to take you to Wembley. We’ve got a great opportunity here.”

Ancelotti Blasts Real Madrid Display Against Bayern, Labels His Players “Soft” For Their Performance

Carlo Ancelotti has expressed disappointment in his charges’ performance in their 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in their UEFA Champions League semi final first leg – tagging them “soft” for their defensive set up.

The Italian held nothing back when expressing his disappointment of his team’s performance at the Allainz Arena.

Vinicius Junior handed the Spanish giants the lead in the first half but the hosts netted twice in the space of four minutes in the second half to turn the contest on its head, however, Vinicius equalised from the penalty spot to level the tie.

Speaking to Movistar Plus+, the Los Blancos manager said: “The result is good but on a level of play we could have done better. Bayern showed their best version and we didn’t. We have to improve for next week.

“In the first half we defended but with little intensity, in the second half when they took the lead we started to press a bit more, but not enough.

“The feeling was that we were comfortable, but we lacked intensity. We gave them too many chances to take control of the game. We didn’t want to play in a low block and we went on doing that. We were soft.”

Toni Kroos, who provided a world class assist to set up Vinicius’ opener, was visibly upset when coming off and Ancelotti defended his decision to substitute the German midfielder who was arguably the Spanish outfit’s best performer on the night.

Ancelotti explained he made the four substitutions to shake his team up and was pleased with getting the equaliser that he believes “left the tie open” for the return leg next week in Madrid.

“Jude Bellingham had a cramp, Toni Kroos played a spectacular game but the plan was to try to recover the control of the game by putting fresh legs in,” Ancelotti said in a presser.

“As always, at this point in the season, we have a great opportunity to play in another final. It’s an even tie against a great team. It will be another 90 minutes of suffering but in an atmosphere that we know quite well. The fans are going to help us.”

Enrique Confident Of PSG Progress Despite First Leg Loss To Barcelona

Luis Enrique has expressed confidence in his Paris Saint-Germain team’s chances of reaching the UEFA Champions League semi finals despite their first leg quarter final loss to Barcelona.

The Spaniard’s team will visit the Catalan giants next week in a bid to overturn Wednesday’s 2-3 loss – after Andreas Christensen stepped up from the bench to hand the Blaugrana, what could be a vital result.

Barça took the lead thanks to Raphinha’s goal in the first half, however, Ousmane Dembele equalised minutes after the break and Vitinha’s well-placed effort put the French giants ahead. Although, Christensen’s winner came after Raphinha’s second goals of the game.

“It is clear that all defeats hurt and annoy, but I believe we played a good game against a very strong team,” Luis Enrique said after the game.

“We are only going to change the things that didn’t work, we always have to appreciate what a match of this magnitude means.

“We’re going to Barcelona with a lot of desire. It’s a positive point of view to think that we can win there. It’s going to be a final for us. I’m confident in my team.”

The 53-year-old manager, who won the treble with Barcelona in 2015, said his side deserved to win and that his former side are not necessarily favourites despite with a win in hand and their home advantage.

“We are going to go to Barcelona to fight a war,” he continued.

“I never see the opposition as favourites, whoever they are. In top-level competition, that’s how I see it. And I will continue to believe that we will go to Barcelona to win the game.

“I repeat. We could have won this game. [Football] is about small details and let’s hope that the small details go our way in the second leg.”

UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Review — Tuesday (Match Wrap, Breakdown and Post-Match Quotes)

The 2023-24 UEFA Champions League entered into the quarter final phase and it delivered.

The first leg of the first set of two games were settled in Madrid and London.

Defending champions Manchester City travelled to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu to face the record winners of the competition Real Madrid.

A thrilling contest was expected and a thriller of a show was put on.

Bernardo Silva opened the scoring 120 seconds into the game, outsmarting the Madrid defence and Andriy Lunin in goal from a direct free kick.

However, on 11 minutes, Madrid equalised as Eduardo Camavinga’s shot from outside the area bounced off City’s captain on the night Ruben Dias and Los Blancos took the lead two minutes later, after Rodrygo Goes sprinted from the left hand side of the halfway line, getting the better of Manuel Akanji and Stefan Ortega Moreno in goal, to give the hosts the advantage in the first 45.

With their backs against the wall, City had to respond and that they did in the 75th minute.

Phil Foden netted a bolt out of the City blue to level matters and two minutes after, Josko Gvardiol also scored with a brilliant effort to put the visitors ahead.

However, in what was a game of goals and great goals at that, Federico Valverde left his mark with a superb volley from a Vinicius Junior cross – the Brazilian’s 10th assist in Europe this term – to ensure there is all to play for in the second leg at the Etihad.

One man who has been criticized for his overall output when he is not putting the ball in the back of the net is Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian had just 20 touches – losing possession with seven of those touches (35%), one shot, no takeons and misplacing three of his nine passes.

Pep Guardiola will definitely need his poacher firing in the return leg.

3-3 it finished in Madrid.

Speaking after the game, Carlo Ancelotti spoke of his team, saying: “I think we competed well. We have to believe. It was a very close match. We have to have the same attitude on the return leg.

“The plan was to surprise City with Vinicius as a 9 and Rodrygo on the left. I think the plan worked. I’m satisfied.

“When we pressed high, we played better. When our energy levels dropped down, City were better. We need to have the same attitude at Etihad. If we compete at the Etihad, then maybe we can make something good happen.

“We learned a lot from last year’s defeat at Etihad, I think it showed tonight.

“We wanted to win, of course. It was a fair result. We controlled the game well and I am satisfied with the performance. Our counter attacks were great.”

In London, Arsenal welcomed Bayern Munich to the Emirates – in what was the Gunners’ first quarter final appearance in well over a decade.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been in imperious form in the Premier League, giving hope that they could cause an upset against the team they faced last in their previous season in the competition – in what was a 5-1 loss to the German giants.

Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock with a well placed effort in the 12th minute but the lead did not last long as former Gunner Serge Gnabry restored parity after defensive miscommunication.

Arsenal has conceded just four goals in 2024 but their defensive lapses in this contest continued as they gave away a penalty in the 32nd minute after a brilliant solo run from Leroy Sane and Harry Kane made no mistake from the spot to give the Bavarian the lead.

Arsenal kept on searching for the leveller and their efforts were rewarded as Leandro Trossard became the first player to score in his first four consecutive home games for the North London club in the Champions League.

All to play for in Munich in the second leg.

Arteta faced the media after the game and gave his opinion of what transpired.

“The game had different moments. We started really well, we were dominant, didn’t concede anything. We scored a really good goal and after that is the moment of the game when Ben [White] is in front of [Manuel] Neuer and if it was 2-0 it would have been a very different game.

“They scored and it created some uncertainty, the second goal was unusual for us to concede but it is the Champions League, you make a mistake and get punished.

“We allowed them the spaces to run and they were very dangerous but even at 2-1 we tried to make a rhythm, we were composed and didn’t try to rush things and the changes had an impact on the game.

“I have a lot of belief we can go there and beat them. We have to prepare really well.”

UCL Quarter Final first leg results;
Real Madrid 3-3 Manchester City
Arsenal 2-2 Bayern Munich

Fixtures for Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Paris Saint-Germain vs FC Barcelona – 8:00pm (Parc Des Princes)
Atletico De Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund – 8:00pm (Wanda Metropolitano)