VILLAREAL 5 TWENTE 1 | EUROPA LEAGUE QUARTER FINAL 1º LEG RESULT

Celebration was the word for Spanish Football & for VILLAREAL with their impressive 5 - 1 victory over current Dutch League leaders TWENTE. Don`t believe many would have bet before tonights Q/Final 1º st match of the EUROPA LEAGUE that the result was going to be so large & the game so one sided. 

Villareal celebrate one of their many goals

There is not muuch to say in terms of details except to give the scorers starting with Villareal players. Defender MARCHENA scored first in the 22nd min, followed by BORJA VALERO in the 43rd min, NILMAR with two in the 46th min & later in the 81st min, & finally ROSSI scored in the 55th min.

Twente got a consolation goal late in the 90th min via JANKO.

One can assume that Villareal has virtually sealed their ticket for the Europa League upcoming semi-finals & it looks that they are in a collision course with Oporto who also did well in their Q/Final clash. However, before shouting "victory",  Villareal will travel to Holland next week for the return 2º leg match.

FC BARCELONA 5 - SHAKHTAR DONETSK 1 | CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Q-FINAL 1º LEG RESULT

Just back from watching the FC BARCELONA 5 - 1 victory over SHAKHTAR DONETSK in the 1º st leg Quarter Final CHAMPIONS LEAGUE clash. The "ticket" for the semi-finals is practically assured for Barça & if Real Madrid manages to secure yesterdays 4-0 advantage over Tottenham,  we will be destined for a Barça- Real Madrid semi-final Champions "clasico" of global dimensions. 

Barca steam rolls Shakhtar

Lets get straight in with the scorers, INIESTA ( 2nd min ), DANI ALVES (33rd min), PIQUE (52nd min), KEITA (60th min) & XAVI ( 85th min). The consolation goal for the visitors came via RAKITSKIY (58th  min). 

Dani Alves/photo efe

FC Barcelona Coach Guardiola warned everyone pre-match of the potential & the danger of the Ukrainian Club. He wasn´t wrong considering the overwhelming result in favour of Barça. Yes, Barcelona was awesome & certainly are currently the "Best Team in the World". But what if luck had favoured Shakhter D tonight? What if they had managed to score all those opportunities? Interesting questions that "mean shit" post match & now with a glorious & deserved smile on everyone's face at "Camp Barça".


Tonights match was another example of the "Iron Law" of Football in action. If you don´t take your chances you will end up losing, & if its Barcelona the opponent you will be hammered!

REAL MADRID 4 TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS 0 | RESULT CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 1ºst LEG QUARTER FINAL

REAL MADRID defeated TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS 4 - 0 in the 1º st leg of the CHAMPIONS LEG Quater Final match in Madrid. This results "virtually" sets the path clear for Real Madrid to get into the semi-final even if next week they must travel to London to play the 2º leg clash & avoid surprises.

Peter Crouch sent off 14th min

Real Madrid started on fire & overran the English side scoring a quick goal via ADEBAYOR in the 4th min. Then Tottenham forward PETER CROUCH received two yellow cards in quick succession that finished in a red card & left his team down to 10 men. The last yellow card may have been harsh as I have seen worst go unpunished, but it was a vital moment of the match & unfortunately for Tottenham.

As it happens, Tottenham played better with 10 & BALE became a constant worry & danger as he was liberated from his defensive duties & his team-mates set up a defensive wall. Very effective strategy as Real Madrid played their worst Football.

There was a controversial moment towards the end of the 1ºst half when Dawson clearly hand balled in the area but Real Madrid were not given the penalty.

Adebayor scored twice tonight

The English resistance lasted until Marcelo who was superb tonight crossed & found the head of ADEBAYOR for his ( & Real Madrid) second goal in the 56th min. From here onward Real Madrid took full control via XABI - brilliant tonight - along with Lass Diarra who came on as substitute to orchestrate play.

Di Maria scored a "cracker" third

Then a real "screamer" from outside the box blew the roof off the stadium & took the last wind out off Tottenham when DI MARIA cracked it in for the third goal in the 71st min. Real Madrid continued & Kaka who also came on late as a substitute found CRISTIANO RONALDO who volleyed in the fourth goal of the night in the 86th min. 

Now its off to London next week for the 2ºleg were nothing is impossible for Tottenham, but very difficult indeed.

REAL MADRID CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER FINAL JOY & DILEMMA

Tonight is very special for REAL MADRID CF , & risky in many ways. It has been 7 years & 12 days since last the "Santiago Bernabeu" with its fans witnessed a Quarter Finals stage of the Champions League. Apart, they face a very competitive English Premier League Club Tottenham Hotspurs. 

Cristiano Ronaldo training Real Madrid

That´s the good news, the risky part is the thought & option being considered in putting "injuried" player CRISTIANO RONALDO in the starting 11. News is that the medical team have advised another week of rest as there exists a possiblity of a new muscle "tear" that could side-line the ace for a month. An upcoming "complicated" month that has an upcoming Liga "classical" against FC Barcelona, the Final of the Spanish Cup against Barça & if both manage to pass their Champions League Q/Finals, two semi finals legs Real Madrid - FC Barcelona.

The dilemma is whether to play, or not,  with Ronaldo in this first leg when he can return in 100% form for the 2º leg CL match at "White Hart Lane" in London.


The other risk is of course a bad result. There will be pressure on Real Madrid as the home side with the need to win & well. The Madrid Club has virtually said goodbye to the Spanish League title & have placed all their hopes & objectives on the Champions League title ( with the Spanish Cup). This must put the pressure on.


Either way we are assured of a great match tonight, a potentially "dangerous" game for the home side not to be missed.