Champions League Round Up

Valencia 1 Chelsea 2 (2-3 aggregate)



This shows us from strong Chelsea is going to be in the Champions League. They fought a goal down away from home and managed to score in the 90th minute for the winner. When the game at Stamford Bridge ended at 1-1, many of us started to think that Valencia may have that slight advantage with an important away goal.

For Chelsea, it wasn't seems to be the case. They were determined to win the tie and with their experience of their players, they managed to nick in on time. Jose Mourinho is one of the best coaches around and I believe the key to Chelsea success is all because of him. Yes, many would have argued that they bought their success. However, they do have a great coach. Without him, I believe Chelsea would be another Real Madrid. A team with many stars players, however, unable to play well together as a team.

The quality of Chelsea is without any doubt one of the best in Europe. With Cech in goal, Terry in defence, Lampard in the middle and of course, Drogba upfront. They have the players to punish you if you just switched off. Although the 4 teams in the semi-final all stands the equal chance of winning the cup, somehow, I felt that Chelsea would be the favourites. Isn't it with the quality of players?


Manchester United 7 Roma 1 (8-3 aggregate)


Manchester United has proven this time they meant business. Like Chelsea, with the first leg score of 2-1, many started to doubt them and believe that they may struggled against the Italians.

However, the 7-1 score win at home just tells us everything. The first leg, Man Utd struggled to handle the Roma's attacks and was left with 10 men majority of the match. Rooney's away goal proved to be vital and Ferguson was quick to point out that. That goal gave them hope. That cool finishing gave the fans hope, gave the players the determination and of course, gave Ferguson the light.

Credit to Manchester United, they played really well. Their attacks were menacing and the Roma players didn't know how to handle the fast and swift attacks from Manchester United. The huge scoreline just tells us how clinical Man Utd was and how bad the Italians defended. I didn't watch the match, however, I believe that practically, every single shot by Man Utd went into the goal.

Will Manchester United able to maintain the good form and move on?


Bayern Munich 0 AC Milan 2 (2-4 aggregate)



AC Milan, 6 times winner of the Champions League has proven again that they are no pushovers in Europe.

Despite all their match-fixing incidents back in Italy, they have shown that those days are over and they are determined to win the trophy which they recently lost to Liverpool back in 2005. They have the most experienced team in this high level. Many of their players have played in big occasions before, win trophies over the years of their career. Players like Clarence Seedorf, who won 3 Champions League with 3 different clubs, has so much experience at this stage.

They conceded 2 away goals to Bayern and they had to travel to Germany with a thought of needing to score goals. And they did. They scored 2 awesome goals and keeping a clean sheet away from home. What a great performance by the Italians!

Will Milan overcome the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney?


Liverpool 1 PSV 0 (4-0 aggregate)

Finally, it's my beloved Liverpool. They have played well over the past 2 legs and were the better team. Having the job done at the Philips Stadium, Liverpool just needed to make sure that they don't concede at home, they will be through. Reina kept a clean sheet and the we managed to win the game as well.

With just 4 teams left, any team is capable of winning the cup. Liverpool, who had won the cup in 2005, has been performing consistently in the Champions League. They played pretty well in the group stages, knocked the defending champions Barcelona out and now the Champions of the Dutch, PSV.

With the current players, I believe that Liverpool has the quality of winning it again. However, they have to be on top of the game and can't afford to make any mistakes. Defensively as well as offensively. They can't miss chances, and of course, Rafa Benitez will be very important for them. To me, Rafa Benitez is the key of Liverpool path over these years in the Champions League. Tactically, I've never doubt him. His knowledge of European football is one of the best and it's been proven over the years that he's on top.

The next stop will be Chelsea. Will history repeat itself like 2 years ago? Will Liverpool have the quality to stop the mighty Chelsea?

Champions League Fixtures

1st Leg
24 April 2007 Tuesday
Manchester United Vs AC Milan - Old Trafford
Chelsea Vs Liverpool - Stamford Bridge

2nd Leg
1 May 2007 Tuesday
AC Milan Vs Manchester United - San Siro
Liverpool Vs Chelsea - Anfield

You'll Never Walk Alone..

WATFORD 0 LIVERPOOL 3

Match Highlights

Team of the day..
Reina, Aurelio, Hyypia, Agger, Carragher, Finnan, Gerrard MBE (captain), Kuyt, Alonso, Crouch, Bellamy.
Subs - Dudek, Guthrie, Pennant, Fowler, Riise

liverpoolfc.tv reports..

A fourth away win of the season was never in doubt after Bellamy had given the Reds a 34th minute lead; and they went on to score two more goals through Peter Crouch to leave Watford rock bottom while they edge closer to the Premiership summit.

The Reds returned to Premiership action looking to put a double cup exit behind them and it was no surprise to see Rafa Benitez name a strong side that included plenty of firepower in Dirk Kuyt, Peter Crouch and Craig Bellamy.

Liverpool started well when Steven Gerrard blasted a half volley just inches wide in the 6th minute; and they continued to enjoy the better of things despite the ball spending large amounts of time in the air.

The Reds had to work hard to combat Watford's aerial style of play and to their credit they continued to try and play their football. And Rafa's decision to start with three strikers was vindicated when Craig Bellamy gave them a 34th minute lead from close range.

Daniel Agger had thought he'd given them a 12th minute lead before being flagged offside after scoring, but there was no flag to save Watford when Bellamy enjoyed acres of space inside the six yard box to slot Finnan's cross into an empty net.

It had been a somewhat scrappy first half, but Liverpool were well worthy of their lead. And they doubled their advantage in the 40th minute when Peter Crouch headed home after Ben Foster had saved Craig Bellamy's initial effort.

We had scenes that revived memories of Liverpool's last away win at Spurs at the start of the second half when the rain lashed across Vicarage Road. But it didn't interrupt Liverpool's dominance because Peter Crouch scored his second of the match to make it 3-0 in the 48th minute.

It was a smart finish from 12 yards from Crouch after Gerrard and Bellamy had combined to give him the chance. And it was the killer blow the Reds were looking for because although Jordan Stewart rattled a shot against Reina's crossbar, Watford rarely threatened or looked capable of a comeback.



Liverpool did have chances to score more, but it was already a job well done and Rafa Benitez had the luxury of giving a few a rest by using all of his substitutes in the second half.

It's Chelsea next for the Reds and they've made sure here that their season is still very much alive despite their exit from the both domestic cups.

Rafa's comments..

"After the two defeats in the cup we needed to show character. We were fully focussed, scored three good goals and controlled the game," said Benitez.

"It was difficult at first for us because the Watford pitch wasn't good and we couldn't move the ball properly like we normally like to do.

"I was happy with Crouch and Bellamy. They caused the Watford defence lots of problems."

louis' comments..

It's a good win, a good way to bounce back from the 2 heavy defeats. I'm surprised by the line-up to see Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy playing all together. Nevertheless, it was a good surprise and you could see 3 of them clicking real well.

The 3 goals were all involved someway or another with the 3 of them and I'm pleased see them making chances count. The first 20 minutes, both teams were unable to get control of the game and it was bits and pieces everywhere. Once we broke the deadlock through Bellamy, it was a much easier game to play for Liverpool. We gained confidence and started to control the game, passed the ball around, making Watford looks so vulnerable.

The second goal was a combination of the 3 strikers. Kuyt knocked it forward for Bellamy who raced through the defence, appearing to score Liverpool's second, but Ben Foster made an excellent save. Still, Peter Crouch was there to rebound on the loose ball with his head. 2 goals ahead and it's comfortable for Liverpool.

Crouch added another with a cool finish from Bellamy's cross. It seems to me that they have been training well together. There were some chances we should have converted. Gerrard has some shots off target, which were unlike Gerrard's standard. Most important, we managed to held on and had the 3 points.

The top 4 teams had won this weekend. No teams had slipped. It's important that Liverpool don't slip at all in order to close the gap with the top two. Next week is going to be crucial. Chelsea is coming down to visit us at Anfield, while Arsenal is hosting Man Utd.

Come on ! Bring on Chelsea..

you'll never walk alone.

cheers.