Sport in Europe | GlobalPost

Torres mask can't slip in Chelsea's Europa pursuit

Thomson ReutersApril 23, 2013 22:45

By Mark Meadows LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea are in the last chance saloon as far as a trophy goes and Fernando Torres, complete with his 'Mask of Zorro', must continue his recent improvement in swashbuckling style in Thursday's Europa League semi-finals. Fenerbahce welcome Benfica in their first leg while European champions Chelsea face a tricky trip to Basel without the cup-tied Demba Ba, meaning fellow striker Torres will take up the fight as the Londoners chase Europe's second prize.

Football Bayern on verge of final after routing Barca

Agence France-PresseApril 23, 2013 18:16

Bayern Munich are on the verge of their third Champions League final in four years after routing Barcelona 4-0 in Tuesday's semi-final, first leg at the Allianz Arena. It was the Spanish giants' worst Champions League defeat since the 4-0 loss to Dynamo Kiev in the group stage in 1997. Germany star Thomas Mueller was Barca's chief tormentor with a goal in each half while striker Mario Gomez and Dutch winger Arjen Robben also netted to give Bayern a huge advantage for the return leg at the Camp Nou on May 1.

That was a thrashing, says Barca defender Pique

Thomson ReutersApril 23, 2013 17:46

MUNICH (Reuters) - Barcelona centre half Gerard Pique acknowledged his team were thoroughly second best as Bayern Munich romped to a 4-0 win in their Champions League semi-final first leg at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. "They gave us a thrashing," he said. "We will try to turn it around in the return leg (on May 1) and put in a good performance for the fans. "They were better and faster than us. There is no point talking about the referee, there is no excuse."

Bayern crush Barca with dynamic four-goal show

Thomson ReutersApril 23, 2013 17:30

By Brian Homewood MUNICH (Reuters) - Barcelona, who have changed the face of the game in recent years, were handed a footballing lesson when they were crushed 4-0 by Bayern Munich in an extraordinary Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday. The Catalans, winners of the trophy in 2009 and 2011, had no answer to Bayern's power, speed, pressing and resolute defence as they slumped to their heaviest defeat for almost six years and matched their worst result in European competition.

Suarez accepts bite charge but queries longer ban

Thomson ReutersApril 23, 2013 14:45

LONDON (Reuters) - Liverpool forward Luis Suarez has disputed the English FA's view that his punishment for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic at the weekend merits a longer punishment than the usual three-game ban. The FA said in a statement on Tuesday the Uruguayan international had accepted a charge of violent conduct but "has denied the FA's claim the standard punishment of three matches is clearly insufficient for this offence".

Football: Casillas, Benzema on Real bench in Dortmund

Agence France-PresseApril 23, 2013 14:02

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho on Tuesday took the unusual step of revealing his starting line-up for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final, first leg at Borussia Dortmund with both Iker Casillas and Karim Benzema on the bench. "Diego Lopez, Sergio Ramos, (Raphael) Varane, Pepe, (Fabio) Coentrao, (Sami) Khedira, Xabi Alonso, Mesut (Ozil), Higuain, Cristiano (Ronaldo) and hopefully Di Maria," Mourinho told reporters in Tuesday's pre-match press conference.

Football: Leading English Premier League scorers

Agence France-PresseApril 22, 2013 17:33

Leading scorers in the English Premier League after Monday's match: 24: van Persie (Manchester United) 23: Suarez (Liverpool) 18: Bale (Tottenham) 17: Michu (Swansea City) 15: Ba (Newcastle/Chelsea), Benteke (Aston Villa) 14: Lambert (Southampton) 13: Berbatov (Fulham), Lukaku (West Bromwich) 12: Cazorla (Arsenal), Dzeko (Manchester City), Lampard (Chelsea), Rooney (Manchester United) 11: Defoe (Tottenham), Fellaini (Everton), Fletcher (Sunderland), Giroud (Arsenal), Tevez (Manchester City), Walcott (Arsenal)

Heynckes will leave Bayern with head held high

Thomson ReutersApril 22, 2013 12:00

By Brian Homewood MUNICH (Reuters) - Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes will leave the club at the end of the season with his head held high whether they win the treble or not, he said on Monday. "When a team like Bayern is playing at such a high standard the trainer can only leave by the front door regardless of whether we win the German Cup and the Champions League," he told a news conference ahead of Tuesday's semi-final first leg against Barcelona.

Two of a kind clash as Bayern take on Barcelona

Thomson ReutersApril 21, 2013 22:30

(Reuters) - Pep Guardiola is not the only connection between Bayern Munich and Barcelona, who meet in their Champions League semi-final, first leg at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday. Both teams are dominating their leagues to an almost embarrassing extent, have won the Champions League four times apiece, share an acrimonious rivalry with Real Madrid, and owe part of their success to the flamboyant Dutchman Louis van Gaal.

Football: PSG ease past Nice, edge closer to title

Agence France-PresseApril 21, 2013 18:16

Paris Saint-Germain moved another step closer to claiming their first Ligue 1 crown in 19 years with a commanding 3-0 victory over 10-man Nice on Sunday. Jeremy Menez struck a 10th-minute opener at Parc des Princes, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic netted his league-leading 27th goal from the penalty spot following goalkeeper David Ospina's dismissal before Clement Chantome added a late third to leave Carlo Ancelotti's side needing just seven points from their final five matches.