Ancelotti: “We're Delighted For The Fans"

"I have had a fantastic group of players who have always been professional and they showed that in this match too", he declared.

Real Madrid won La Décima in Lisbon in a thrilling match that was decided in extra time. Carlo Ancelotti stated that they won “a cup that is very important for Real Madrid. We're very proud of having won this for all Madrid fans. Happiness is giving happiness to those who always follow us. The fans are very happy and that makes us happy".

"The other finals were very difficult and this one was too. It has been a very good season. The first year we tried to change and I have had a fantastic group of players who have always been professional and they showed that in this match too. Not only those who were delighted to be playing, but also those who were not playing. We've worked hard this season to achieve this".

The key moment 

"The most difficult thing was equalising because we really had to dig deep to do that. We didn't have any space and Atlético defended very well. We gave our all and in the end we managed to equalise. Then the match changed because of our desire. The goal gave us strength".

Message to the squad at half-time 

"At the end of the first half I told them to play faster and look for more ideas up front. In extra time I decided to attack on the wings because we created a lot of problems when we played there".

Added time 

"I don't think five minutes was a lot of added time, there were a lot of stoppages in the second half. In the end you could say I was a lucky man, but the truth is that we gave our all until the last second of the match".

    "WE'VE WON THE MOST IMPORTANT COMPETITION IN THE WORLD".

"It's been a great season. Perhaps our quality dropped off after the semi-finals against Bayern, but I can only thank these players, who have done fantastic work all year".

Congratulations from Florentino Pérez

"He was very happy and he congratulated us. He congratulated the players, and the club, which has worked so hard, first by signing players and then supporting the team and the manager at all times".

"From the first day when I saw the trophy room in the Bernabéu I said there was one missing and that we would try and get it this year. Now we've done it. I have felt the confidence of the whole club by my side and I think that is why we had the peace of mind that we needed to win the matches".

Simeone 

"I've spoken to him, I congratulated him on La Liga before the match and the same afterwards. I have a lot of respect for a team that fights all the time. Atlético deserved to be in this final, but I think in the end we deserved to win it".

Bale's goal 

"It was very important because he had tried before, but he was unlucky in front of goal. But he turned up when he was needed. All season Gareth has been good and he will be better next year".


Source: realmadrid.com

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PHOTOS: Real Madrid Players Celebrates UCL Win In Grand Style

For the records, Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions league in 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2014.

How Super delighted Los Blancos players celebrated the La Decima! See pictures below...

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Los Blancos Wins 2014 UCL, Trash Atletico Madrid 4 - 1

Los Blancos tonight won the 2014 UEFA Champions league final in Lisbon, Portugal, making it their tenth since 2002. The champions league winners had waited for twelve years to achieve this feat which they termed as the "La Decima".

Real Madrid came from a goal down scored by Diego Godin, to beat Atletico Madrid who were literally all over the field making it impossible for Ancelloti's men to see the back of their opponents net.

The game changed when Isco, Morata and Marcelo were introduced in the second half as Sergio Ramos scored the equalizer, thereby raising the morale of his team mates.

During the first half of the extra time, both teams failed to wrap up the game with a goal, but Gareth Bale was lucky enough this time as he was well positioned to head in a cross from Di Maria at the 110th minute which was later followed up by Marcelo's and Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty.

Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo scored a goal each to land Real Madrid a 4 - 1 victory.

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UCL PREVIEW (FINAL): Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that attacking duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will be fit to start against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final.

Both had been nursing minor knocks, but after the two most expensive players in the world took part in training this week, Ancelotti has revealed that they will feature against their city rivals.

However, both Pepe and Karim Benzema face a race against time to be fit for the showdown in Lisbon, while Xabi Alonso is suspended.

Atletico Madrid still have doubts over Arda Turan and Diego Costa, despite the pair returning to training in the past couple of days.

Both Turan and Costa were substituted early on in their side's 1-1 draw with Barcelona last weekend, a result that saw them win the La Liga title, but the club remain hopeful that they can feature on Saturday.

Atletico will be looking to win their first European Cup, while Real haven't won the competition since their victory over Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.

Recent form

Real Madrid: WWDDLW

Atletico Madrid: DWWLDD

Possible starting lineups

Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Modric, Khedira, Di Maria; Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema

Atletico Madrid: Courtois; Juanfran, Filipe Luis, Miranda, Godin; Gabi, Turan, Tiago, Koke; Villa; Diego Costa

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'Thibaut Courtois Is World Class' - Mark Schwarzer

Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has hailed his Atletico Madrid counterpart Thibaut Courtois as "world class".

Courtois, on loan at the Spanish club from Chelsea, produced a string of impressive saves during Atletico's 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

In the wake of the game, Schwarzer declared that the young Belgian is capable of challenging Petr Cech for a place in the Blues' starting XI next season.

"I thought he was outstanding," Sky Sports News quotes him as saying. "He had a great game tonight. If we'd been a bit lucky and he'd been a bit unlucky we could have got back in the game and there could have been a few more nervy moments towards the end for them. It wasn't the case.

"They are both world class goalkeepers and I wouldn't say that they are at different ends of their careers because Petr still has a long way to go with his career."

Atletico's victory at Stamford Bridge set up an all-Madrid final against their city rivals Real Madrid.

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Carlo Ancelotti Urges Players To Win Champions League For Xabi Alonso

Carlo Ancelotti has urged his Real Madrid squad to win the Champions League for Xabi Alonso.

Alonso was denied the opportunity to play in May's final when he was shown a yellow card in the emphatic victory over Bayern Munich in Tuesday's semi-final, which resulted in a suspension.

"The thing for Xabi is very unlucky," Ancelotti, who won the competition twice during his time in charge of AC Milan, told members of the media.

"The important thing is that we will play the final, and we also need to win for him."

Atletico Madrid set up a meeting with their rivals after beating Chelsea in the second semi-final on Wednesday.

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Rojiblancos Wreck Blues To Set Up Madrid Derby Final

Atletico Madrid have reached the final of the Champions League for the first time after beating Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge this evening, setting up a match against local rivals Real Madrid in next month's showpiece.

The visitors struck the crossbar just five minutes into the match when Mark Schwarzer misread a Koke cross, which was eventually put behind for a corner.

Chelsea tried to apply pressure down the other end, but a long ball forward from David Luiz intended for Fernando Torres was claimed by Thibaut Courtois in the Atletico goal.

The La Liga leaders had another chance to take the lead later in the half when Gary Cahill gave away a free kick just outside the box, but Koke's delivery was headed away by John Terry.

Torres, who was making his 50th appearance in the Champions League, managed to break the deadlock with a deflected tap in from a Cesar Azpilicueta cross to give Chelsea the lead against his former club.

The hosts' advantage was short-lived though, as Adrian turned the ball in at the post just before the break from a Juanfran cross, giving the Spanish side a potentially vital away goal.

Chelsea had a chance to regain the lead early in the second half when Terry tried to finish from a Willian free kick, but Courtois, who was playing against his parent club, denied the captain.

Atletico were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when Samuel Eto'o, who had only just come off the bench, gave away a penalty for a foul on Diego Costa.

The striker elected to take the spot kick himself, but was booked in the build up after taking too long to place the ball on the spot, before he eventually fired it into the roof of the net for the team's second goal of the night.


Chelsea almost got back on level terms just five minutes later when another Willian free kick fell to Luiz, but his finish was kept out by the post.

The miss allowed the visitors to head back down the other end, dominating possession before adding their third goal through Arda Turan, who initially hit the crossbar before slotting in the rebound.

Chelsea continued to push forward in the closing minutes, but they were unable to trouble Courtois again until the final seconds when Eden Hazard tried to drill the ball in from the edge of the box, but the Belgian kept it out.

May's final in Lisbon will be the first to feature two clubs from the same city.

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UCL RESULT: Koke Strike Knocks Out Barcelona

An early goal from Koke was enough for Atletico Madrid to book their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League, beating Barcelona 2-1 on aggregate.

The home side looked strong from the start, and managed to edge ahead after just six minutes when Koke slotted the ball home from an Adrian header forwards.

David Villa came close to adding a second just a couple of minutes later when Jose Pinto was slow to clear from in front of his own goal, but the Barcelona keeper just managed to clear the danger in time.

Villa looked sharp throughout the opening period, rattling the goal posts three times inside the first 20 minutes.

Andres Iniesta created a couple of half chances for the visitors, while Lionel Messi headed wide from a Dani Alves cross, but the La Liga champions could not get back on level terms before the break.

Thibaut Courtois had to be sharp at the start of the second half as Xavi set up Neymar for the shot, but the on-loan keeper was able to deny the Brazilian.

Xavi continued to provide a threat for Barcelona, but headed just wide from close range on the hour mark.

Atletico believed that they should have had a penalty inside the final 20 minutes, but Howard Webb waved away away Villa's appeals after he appeared to be brought down by Javier Mascherano.

Both sides pressed hard in the final 10 minutes as the hosts tried to put the win beyond doubt, while Barcelona tried to force extra time.

The visitors won a corner in the final minutes, but Jordi Alba lost out to Juanfran, who cleared the danger for Atletico.

Pedro tried to cross the ball back in for Barcelona, but it was comfortably claimed by Courtois, before Pinto had to make a stop at the other ends moments later, denying Cristian Rodriguez and sealing the Madrid side's place in the last four.


Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk

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UCL RESULT: Bayern Munich Come From Behind To beat Manchester United

Bayern Munich have progressed to the semi-finals of the Champions League following a 3-1 victory over Manchester United at the Allianz Arena this evening, giving them a 4-2 aggregate win in their quarter-final tie.

The defending champions saw the majority of the possession early on, but created few chances inside the opening 10 minutes.

The visitors did manage to get the ball in the back of the net in the first half, but Shinji Kagawa and Antonio Valencia were both offside, ruling out the latter's tap in from close range.

Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery both had half chances in the opening 45 minutes, but neither troubled David de Gea in the United goal.

Both sides looked lively at the start of the second half as Mario Mandzukic had a shot blocked by Nemanja Vidic, before Kagawa forced the first save of the night at the other end.

David Moyes's side briefly edged ahead just short of the hour mark as Patrice Evra struck the ball in off the cross from the edge of the box.

However, the home side cancelled out the Portuguese's strike just 73 seconds later, as the goalscorer lost out to Mandzukic inside the penalty area, allowing the home side's striker to head past De Gea.

Bayern quickly created further chances as they looked to take the lead, as Ribery sent a shot just wide, and De Gea denied Mandzukic a second.

The German side's persistence paid off though, as Thomas Muller fired them ahead just 11 minutes after Evra's goal, beating Vidic to the ball in the box to poke it in.

Robben appeared to put the result beyond doubt with just under quarter of an hour to play, breaking into the box from out side before drilling the ball in low from the edge of the area.

The home side continued to push for more goals as full time approached, with Ribery forcing a save just two minutes from full time, but they had already done enough to clinch a place in Friday's semi-final draw.


Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk

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UCL RESULT: Real Madrid Hold On To Reach Champions League Semi-finals

Real Madrid have survived a strong second leg from Borussia Dortmund to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League, beating the German side 3-2 on aggregate.

The Spanish side had a chance to add to their first-leg advantage early after being awarded a penalty following a handball, but Roman Weidenfeller managed to save Angel di Maria's spot kick.

The keeper's stop seemed to boost the hosts as Marco Reus tried to set up a chance for Henrikh Mkhitayran, while Mats Hummls headed his free kick over.

The midfielder was able to find the target himself though when Pepe tried to head the ball back for Iker Casillas in the Real goal, but Reus got the it first before rounding the visiting keeper to slot into an open net.

The 24-year-old claimed his second shortly before the break, smashing in from a rebound after Robert Lewandowski struck the post.

Gareth Bale had a chance to restore Real's cushion early in the second half, but Weidenfeller punched his strike away.

The La Liga side continued to dominate possession, and had another chance to regain control of the tie when Karim Benzema was set up for Luka Modric, but Hummels made the clearance.

Dortmund almost made the visitors pay for the miss a few moments later when Reus continued to frustrate the Real defence, sliding the ball forward for Mkhitayran, but his shot was kept out by the post.

The Bundesliga side continued to apply to pressure as they try to complete their comeback, but Casillas was able to deny Mkitaryan and Kevin Grosskreutz in the space of two minutes to keep Real ahead on aggregate and secure a place in Friday's semi-final draw.


Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk

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UCL RESULT: : Late Demba Ba Strike Sends Chelsea Through

A late goal from Demba Ba secured Chelsea a spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League following a 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge this evening.

Chelsea, who knew that two goals and a clean sheet would be enough for them to progress, had a couple of chances early on, with Frank Lampard looking for Branislav Ivanovic, while Samuel Eto'o had a shot deflected behind.

Salvatore Sirigu had to make a couple of saves in the PSG goal as Lampard continued to prove a threat from free kicks, and David Luiz tried to get the better of him with a powerful strike from long range.

The hosts were able to cut the French champions' first-leg advantage before the break, as Andre Schurrle collected a flick forward from Luiz before coolly slotting it in.

Jose Mourinho's side continued to create the majority of the chances early in the second half as Schurrle rattled the bar with a curling effort from the edge of the box just a couple of minutes after the restart.

The hosts hit the woodwork again just two minutes later when Oscar tried to find the target from a free kick, but the crossbar rescued PSG for a second time.

The visitors' first real chance of the night came just before the hour mark when Ezequiel Lavezzi won a free kick, but Petr Cech was able to get down low to deny the striker.

Schurrle had a chance for his second of the night with just over 20 minutes left to play, as Ba headed the ball forward for the goalscorer, but his shot was saved.

The visitors seemed to up their game as the final 15 minutes approached as they looked to make sure of their spot in the last four, but Cech denied Edinson Cavani before the Uruguayan blasted a shot over.

However, a late move from the home side saw the ball fall to Ba, to slot the ball in, giving Chelsea the advantage on away goals.

Cech had to make a series of late saves as PSG pushed for a last-gasp goal, but the Czech kept the ball out to see his team through to the last four.

Chelsea will be without Ivanovic for the first leg of their semi-final though, as he picked up a booking during the second half.


Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk

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UCL PREVIEW: Chelsea vs. Paris Saint-Germain

Chelsea will have to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit at home to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night if they want to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The Blues were beaten in the French capital last week as their chances of progressing in the competition suffered a serious blow.

However, Jose Mourinho's side will be buoyed by the fact that they have an away goal to work with after Eden Hazard scored from the penalty spot at the Parc des Princes.

Chelsea returned to winning ways on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Stoke City in the Premier League. Meanwhile, PSG travel to London having won their last nine games in a row.

Hazard and Oscar are likely to return for the hosts after the pair started on the bench against Stoke. Ramires is suspended, while Nemanja Matic is unavailable due to being cup-tied.

PSG are expected to be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who suffered a hamstring problem during last week's first leg.

Recent form

Chelsea: LWWLLW

PSG: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineups

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Lampard, Luiz; Hazard, Willian, Oscar; Torres

PSG: Sirigu; Jallet, Alex, Silva, Maxwell; Cavani, Verratti, Motta, Matuidi, Lavezzi; Lucas


Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk

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UCL PREVIEW: Borussia Dortmund vs. Real Madrid

Borussia Dortmund have it all to do on Tuesday night when they host Real Madrid for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

The German side were comfortably beaten 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu last week as goals from Gareth Bale, Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo saw Madrid put one foot in the last four.

However, Dortmund may take some inspiration from last season's clash between these teams at the Westfalenstadion when they beat Madrid 4-1 in the first leg of the semi-finals.

The Spanish giants head into the tie in superior form, having won their last three matches. Dortmund have won three of their last six games.

Ronaldo is an injury doubt for the hosts as he nurses a knee problem, while Marcelo and Jese Rodriguez both remain sidelined.

Sebastian Kehl is banned for Dortmund, who are also without Marcel Schmelzer, Ilkay Gundogan and Sven Bender.

Recent form

Dortmund: LWDWLW

Madrid: WLLWWW

Possible starting lineups

Dortmund: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Hummels, Papastathopoulos, Durm; Grosskreutz, Jojic, Sahin, Reus; Mkhitaryan, Lewandowski

Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao; Modric, Alonso, Illarramendi; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale


Source: www.sportsmole.co.uk

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SPORTS: Cristiano Ronaldo To Miss Borussia Dortmund Clash

Cristiano Ronaldo will reportedly be absent for Real Madrid's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Borussia Dortmund this evening.

The Portuguese captain missed the 4-0 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga at the weekend with a knee injury, which has troubled the attacker in recent weeks.

According to reports in Spain, Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti is not prepared to risk the Ballon d'Or winner in Germany, with his side currently leading 3-0 from the first leg last week.

Ronaldo, who has scored 14 times in eight Champions League games this season, failed to complete a training session on Monday due to the issue.


Source:www.sportsmole.co.uk

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