Arsène Wenger is backing his Arsenal FC team to deliver the “magnificent performance” required to overturn their 1-0 deficit against Manchester United FC and book a place in the final of the UEFA Champions League.

‘We can do it’
The Frenchman cited his side’s 24-match, five-year unbeaten run at home in the competition as he underlined his conviction they could eliminate the holders and earn a ticket to Rome. “I am very confident that the team will produce a magnificent performance and that we will [qualify],” he said. “We are playing a home game where we have a very strong record in the Champions League. For many people we are outsiders but I believe we can do it.”

Reason to believe
Arsenal defeated United 2-1 when the teams met in north London in November and Wenger added: “There is no mission impossible for us. It wouldn’t change my belief even if they scored.” While Wenger can draw encouragement from the fact Arsenal have not conceded a home goal in the UEFA Champions League this term – and just two in their 13 home games played in 2009 – United arrived in the capital with their own reasons to believe, having never failed to score on their three previous visits to the new Arsenal Stadium.

‘No Mission Impossible’ For Wenger’s Arsenal … read more »

Cristiano Ronaldo fired Manchester United FC into the last four of the UEFA Champions League as his breathtaking early goal broke the resistance of his compatriots from FC Porto.

World-class effort
United’s Portuguese forward may have had a mixed season but his world-class talent has never been in doubt and he underlined it here with the 35-metre strike that secured a 3-2 aggregate victory for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side who – in the process – became the first English team to win at Porto. History has never been an impediment to Sir Alex Ferguson, who has rewritten the record books in over two decades at Old Trafford, and his quintuple-chasing team can now look forward to a semi-final against Arsenal FC with renewed heart having rediscovered their defensive solidity here with a first clean sheet in six matches.

Stunner
Just as Porto shot out of the starting blocks at Old Trafford so United seized the early initiative here. There seemed no danger when Ronaldo collected a short pass from Anderson – a surprise starter but effective against his old team. However, the United No7 looked up and, before Aly Cissokho could get close, let fly from 35 metres, sending the ball on a trajectory into the top right corner of Helton’s goal.

Ronaldo Magic Seals United Progress … read more »

A clinical display of attacking football took Arsenal FC into the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the second time in their history at the expense of ten-man Villarreal CF.

Dominant display
Arsenal’s success in this competition has been founded on their solid defence, which is still to concede in five home matches in the competition this season, although it was their prowess at the other end which proved too much for the visitors. Having taken the initiative in the tie with last week’s 1-1 draw in Spain, well-worked goals early in each half from Theo Walcott and Emmanuel Adebayor put the home team in complete command, Robin van Persie adding a third from the penalty spot after Sebastián Eguren had been dismissed.

Walcott chip
Arsenal came into the match on the back of an 18-match Premier League unbeaten run and perhaps inevitably their early play carried an air of considerable confidence with Cesc Fàbregas, Walcott and Van Persie all prominent. Walcott sent one dangerous centre across the face of goal before Van Persie nodded Samir Nasri’s cross over, but the visitors failed to heed the warning signs and duly fell behind in the tenth minute. Fàbregas applied the faintest of touches to Emmanuel Eboué’s pass yet it was nevertheless enough to wrong foot the Villarreal defence, leaving Walcott to race clear and beat Diego López with a sublime chip.

On-fire Gunners Shoot Down Villarreal … read more »

Another enthralling encounter between these teams left Chelsea FC celebrating a fifth UEFA Champions League semi-final appearance in the last six seasons. But what a fright Liverpool FC gave them after they first established a 2-0 lead inside the first 30 minutes and then scored twice again late on.

Goals galore
The 3-1 first-leg deficit was a formidable barrier for the Anfield club to overcome but they set about it with gusto and Fábio Aurélio’s free-kick and Xabi Alonso’s penalty had the scores level. However, Chelsea roared back with second-half goals from Didier Drogba, Alex and Frank Lampard. Lucas, with a deflected shot, and a Dirk Kuyt header left the home supporters fearing the worst but Lampard scored again with a minute remaining to ensure Chelsea a semi-final meeting with FC Barcelona.

Gerrard out
With Steven Gerrard ruled out with a groin injury, Liverpool’s task looked even more onerous. While their desire was all too apparent, the early passing lacked sufficient sharpness, even if they created a good chance in the 13th minute that Fernando Torres would normally have put away. It was skilfully created by Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun but having sidestepped Alex’s challenge, Torres was unable to keep his shot down.

Chelsea Withstand Stunning Liverpool Surge … read more »

Jürgen Klinsmann got his wish as FC Bayern München departed the competition with heads held high, even if Seydou Keita denied them victory on the night as FC Barcelona eased through to the semi-finals with a comfortable 5-1 aggregate triumph.

Subdued visitors
After their 4-0 first-leg defeat in Catalonia, Bayern were determined to restore pride, and appeared on course for a morale-boosting win when Franck Ribéry put them in front early in the second half. However, though deprived of coach Josep Guardiola, who was serving a one-match touchline ban, a subdued Barça sprang to life to conjure an equaliser through Seydou Keita to reach the last four for the third time in four years.

Toni chance
Klinsmann had promised his team would be on the front foot from the opening minute, and Bayern were true to their coach’s word as they showed more enterprise in the first five minutes than in all 90 of their loss last Wednesday. The German titleholders should even have raised hopes of an improbable comeback with an early goal, only for Luca Toni to miscue his header from José Ernesto Sosa’s pinpoint delivery. While the Argentinian, a surprise inclusion in place of Bastian Schweinsteiger, provided menace on the right, a penetrating Ribéry run down the left forced a corner from which Zé Roberto was given a clear sight of goal, but the Brazilian scuffed his effort.

Bayern Save Face as Barcelona Keep Apace … read more »