Showing posts with label Fernando Torres. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fernando Torres. Show all posts

Wednesday, 4 May 2016

Bayern Feel Cheated - Kalle Rummenigge

Rummenigge 
Bayern Munich feel "cheated" after some tight decisions allowed Atletico Madrid to advance from their Champions League semifinal, chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.

Playing at home on Tuesday, Bayern won the second leg on Tuesday 2-1 but Atletico advanced thanks to Antoine Griezmann's away goal.

It was a classic counter-attack as Fernando Torres sent Griezmann racing through and the France international, played onside by David Alaba, kept his cool to whip the ball past Manuel Neuer.

Rummenigge said he believed Griezmann was offside when Torres released him through on goal, and also took issue with a penalty given to Atletico that Torres ended up missing.

"We feel a little bit cheated," the CEO said after the game. "The Atletico goal was offside, the foul for the penalty [which Atletico missed] was outside of the box.

"The referee had two matches in the last seven days. I don't know whether those UEFA guys can have too many matches, too. The UEFA delegate told me: 'It's a shame what he did.'"

Bayern midfielder Arturo Vidal insisted his side were still the better team, but the Chilean was left to rue missed opportunities to overturn the scoreline in the second half.

"I don't know why the ball did not want to go in ... with so many chances created in both legs," Vidal said. "I think we were superior in both games. We controlled possession, but didn't seize it.

"They take their opportunities well, and that's why they move into the final. From here to the final they will dream with us. They faced the best team in the world.

Bayern now turn their attention to securing the Bundesliga, where they enjoy a five-point lead over Dortmund with two rounds remaining. They will also face Dortmund in the DFB Pokal final on May 21.

"We are left sad, but we still have two titles that we hope to win. We are still the best team in the world, but sometimes the best doesn't always win," Vidal said.

"Football is sometimes like this. Today the best didn't advance, they were eliminated."


Sunday, 13 December 2015

Neville Gets Point at Eibar


Gary Neville is still without a win in two games since taking over as Valencia head coach after his new club had a man sent off and needed a fortuitous late goal to rescue a 1-1 draw at Eibar on Sunday.

Neville was a surprise appointment to replace Nuno Espírito Santo and his first game in charge was Wednesday’s 2-0 reverse at home to Olympique Lyonnais that ended Valencia’s hopes of advancing to the Champions League knockout round.

MBM report: Gary Neville’s first La Liga match ended in a draw, with Eibar missing a penalty before ten-man Valencia scored an extremely fortuitous equaliser

The former England defender presided over another disappointing performance at Eibar, although they missed a number of key players, including captain Dani Parejo and midfielder Sofiane Feghouli, through injury and suspension.

Eibar had the better chances in the first half and took a deserved lead moments before the break when Sergi Enrich finished from close range after good work down the right from Ander Capa.

Valencia’s hopes of getting back into the game were dealt a blow in the 63rd minute when defender Lucas Orban was dismissed for an innocuous-looking challenge on Dani García in the penalty area.

Jaume Doménech saved Saúl Berjón’s spot kick and Borja Bastón blasted the rebound over the bar with the visitors’ goal at his mercy.

Valencia levelled five minutes from time when the ball ricocheted off André Gomes and Eibar’s David Junca and squirted past home keeper Asier Riesgo into the net.

Eibar defender Ivan Ramis was then shown a straight red card for felling Paco Alcácer when the Valencia forward was through on goal in the second minute of added time.

Valencia have 21 points in eighth after 15 matches, while Eibar, who have one of the smallest budgets in La Liga, also have 21 points in 10th.

Monday, 23 November 2015

Koke Earns Atleti Betis Win


An early goal by Koke gave Atlético Madrid victory at Real Betis which moved them above Real Madrid and into second place in La Liga on Sunday.

Koke slotted home a rebound after the Betis keeper, Antonio Adán, had saved a Fernando Torres shot with seven minutes gone.

Despite some slick attacking play, Atlético missed great chances to build on the lead with Antoine Griezmann particularly profligate, including a late chance that came back off a post.

But the visitors were rarely threatened defensively and go above misfiring Real Madrid, who were crushed 4-0 by Barcelona in El Clásico on Saturday.

Atlético have 26 points from 12 games, four fewer than Barca and two more than Real.

“We could have scored a lot more but the important thing is the win,” Koke said after a typically hard-working team performance. “We knew it would be a tough match and the early goal made it easier for us.

“It is nothing more than an anecdote that we are second at the moment and it would be a mistake for us to think of anything more than trying to finish third. That is our target. We will concentrate on that and then see what happens.”