Chelsea, Real Madrid in crucial semis clash
The UEFA Champions League is back with another crucial semi-final clash today as Real Madrid lock horns with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Both teams gave a good account of themselves last week and have a point to prove in this fixture.
Real Madrid have a well-known penchant for big games and could potentially mark an underwhelming season with both the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League this year. Los Blancos eased past Osasuna in their previous game and will need to adopt an aggressive approach to this match.
Chelsea have been a resurgent force under German manager Thomas Tuchel and have shown tremendous improvement over the past few months. The Blues defeated Fulham by a 2-0 margin over the weekend and will be confident ahead of this game.
Real Madrid have a good record against Chelsea and have won two out of three games played between the two teams. Chelsea have never defeated Real Madrid in an official fixture and will look to make history on Wednesday. Chelsea presented an excellent account of themselves against Real Madrid last week and will need to hold their ground in this fixture.
Real Madrid have not been at their best this season and will need to work hard to negate Chelsea’s advantage in the tie. With Tuchel’s robust tactical set-up, Chelsea could plausibly hold their ground in their own backyard and get the better of Los Blancos.
Credit: sportskeeda.com
Lukaku declares: ‘The real God has crowned the king’ …as he reignites feud with Ibrahimovic
Romelu Lukaku couldn’t resist a shot across Milan at Zlatan Ibrahimovic after Inter were crowned Italian champions, stoking the pair’s fierce rivalry once again.
A 1-1 draw between Atalanta and Sassuolo was enough to secure the Serie A title with four games to spare for Antonio Conte‘s side, having overhauled Ibrahimovic’s AC Milan earlier this season before blasting 13 points clear.
Lukaku and the veteran Swede, former Manchester United team-mates, clashed in the Coppa Italia quarter-final back in February, trading insults and confronting each other before both men received one-match bans.
Inter won that game 2-1 and now have the title too, leading the Belgian to believe he’s had the last laugh over Ibrahimovic.
Lukaku wrote on Twitter: ‘The real god has crowned the king!’
‘Now bow down. King of Milano,’ the striker added, with a winking face and a crown emoji.
Lukaku has called 2020-21 the ‘best season of my career’, cracking in 21 goals in 33 Serie A games to drive Conte’s men to the championship.
Ibrahimovic’s glittering career has seen better days but the 39-year-old has still been ruthless in front of goal, with 15 goals in 18 Serie A games this term after returning to Italy.
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
Mourinho named Roma boss for next season
Jose Mourinho has been appointed Roma manager from the start of next season.
The 58-year-old will replace fellow Portuguese Paulo Fonseca, who Roma announced earlier on Tuesday would leave at the end of the current season.
Mourinho, sacked by Tottenham on 19 April, has signed a three-year deal with the three-time Serie A champions.
“The incredible passion of the Roma fans convinced me to accept the job and I cannot wait to start next season,” said Mourinho.
“Thank you to the Friedkin family for choosing me to lead this great club. After meetings with the ownership and Tiago Pinto, I immediately understood the full extent of their ambitions.
“It is the same ambition and drive that has always motivated me and together we want to build a winning project,” added Mourinho, who has also managed Inter Milan, Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid outside his homeland.
Mourinho was dismissed after 17 months in charge of Spurs following a poor second half of the season in which the north London club slipped from top of the table to outside the European places.
Mourinho’s previous stint in Italian football was a successful one with Inter Milan that produced four major honours in two years. He won the Italian title twice, the second victory forming part of the club’s historic treble in 2009-10 which also saw them claim the Champions League and Coppa Italia.
Credit: bbc.com
The post Today’s UEFA Champions League tie appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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