Manchester City draw Barcelona as Madrid get Schalke in UCL Round of 16 Draw



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Bayern Munich, Real Madrid Stars dominate UEFA Team of The Year nominees

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are well represented in the shortlist of players for the UEFA Team of The Year 2014 Award.

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The Spanish club boast of 7 players while the Germans have a larger number of 9 players.

According to UEFA,  more than 6.3 million votes were cast in the UEFA.com users' Team of the Year 2013 poll, the final XI featured four players from FC Bayern München and a record eighth appearance for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Here's a full list of nominees and you can view and cast your vote here 

Goalkeepers        

Gianlugi Buffon      Juventus

Beto                        Sevilla

Thibuat Courtois    Chelsea

Manuel Neuer        Bayern Munich

Defenders

Sergio Ramos        Real Madrid

Diego Godin          Athletico Madrid

Miranda                  Athletico Madrid

Vincent Kompany  Manchester City

Jerome Boateng      Bayern Munich

Medhin Benatia      Bayern Munich

David Alaba            Bayern Munich

Ezequeil Garay        FC Zenith

Mats Hummels         Borussia Dortmund

Philip Lahm             Bayern Munich

Pablo Zabaleta         Manchester City

Dani Carvajal          Real Madrid

Midfielder

Toni Kroos            Real Madrid

Luka Modric         Real Madrid

Angel Di Maria     Manchester United

Ivan Rakitic           Barcelona

Arjen Robben        Bayern Munich

James Rodriquez   Real Madrid                   

Koke                    Athletico Madrid

Xabi Alonso        Bayern Munich

Marco Reus         Borussia Dortmund

Paul Pogba          Juventus

Ardar Turan        Athletico Madrid

Yaya Toure         Manchester City

Forward

Gareth Bale      Real Madrid

Diego Costa      Chelsea

Tomas Muller   Bayern Munich

Cristiano Ronaldo   Real Madrid

Zlatan Ibrahimovic    Paris Sanit German

Robert Lewandowski   Bayern Munich

Alexis Sanchez           Arsenal

Karim Benzema         Real Madrid

Lionel Messi             Barcelona

Jonatan Soriano        FC Salzburg

Carlos Tevez           Juventus

Neymar                 Barcelona

Welbeck scores first career hat-trick in Arsenal 4-1 over Galatasary, Benzema rescues Real Madrid in Bulgaria

Arsenal's new buy Danny Welbeck scored his first professional hat-trick, as Arsenal beat Galatasary 4-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Following a defeat to Borussia Dortmund in their opening game of the group last week, the Gunners were desperate for an impressive result.

Welbeck scored twice in the first half, either side of an excellent Alexis Sanchez finish, before adding a third in the second half. Goalkeeper Wojiech Szczensy was sent off with 30 minutes left and the Turkish side pulled one back from the spot-kick awarded.

Real Madrid came from behind to beat Bulgarian club Ludogorets 2-1 with goals from  Cristiano Ronaldo (penalty) and a Karim Benzema in the second half.

Marco Streller smashed in the only goal as Basle beat Liverpool 1-0 in Switzerland. Atletico Madrid needed an Arda Turan goal to get a win against Juventus, while Malmo stunned Olympiakos 2-0.

Adrian Ramos grabbed a brace, as Borussia Dortmund beat Anderlecht away 3-0, while Bayer Leverkusen won 3-1 at home to Benfica.

Official! Filipe Luis signs for Chelsea

Filipe Luis has now joined Chelsea FC as he tweeted, announcing his new move from Athletico Madrid.

Good luck!

Chelsea, Athletico Madrid agree on Luis

In a bid to replace Ashley Cole who has joined Roma, Jose Mourinho's Chelsea FC has turned to Athletico Madrid left back Felipe Luis and reports say that both clubs have come to an agreement.

According to the London club's website, "Chelsea Football Club can confirm an agreement has been reached with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Filipe Luis."

"The move is subject to the 28-year-old left-back agreeing personal terms."

This move comes after Spanish striker Diego Costa and compatriot Cesc Fabregas joined Chelsea.

Diego Costa joins Chelsea

Chelsea FC have reached an agreement to sign Athletico Madrid striker, Diego Costa.

The 25 year old Spanish international heads to Stamford bridgeafter the Bluews agreed a buy out sum of £32 million pounds.

According to a statement on  the club website which reads ''Chelsea Football Club can confirm an agreement has been reached with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Diego Costa, with Chelsea meeting the buy-out clause for the Spanish international"'

SHOCKER! Godin heads Uruguay through, sends Italy packing

Diego Godin's 81st minute header sent former World Champions Italy out of the World Cup.

Italy finished with 10-men after Claudio Marchisio was sent off for an awful challenge on Arevales Rio.

The Athletico Madrid defender headed home from a corner kick which caught the Azzuris napping and not even Buffon could help.

Uruguay no where finished second behind supposed underdogs of the Group Costa Rica who ended their final match against England in a goalless draw.

David Villa excited to join NYC F.C

Spain and Athletico Madrid forward David Villa has joined New York City Football Club and is excited to be the first player to be signed as his tweet reveals.

According to tell statement on the Club's website which reads "Today, New York City FC is excited and proud to announce the signing of its first player, Spanish superstar and World Cup winner David Villa. The 32-year-old, who last month helped his former club Atletico Madrid to the La Liga title in Spain, joins the newly-formed Major League Soccer team for a three-season commitment.

"As the club begins to assemble a competitive and dynamic squad,
fans in New York will have the opportunity to watch one of the
biggest names in world soccer when the Club’s inaugural season
begins in 2014.

Read more here on the Club's Website

UCL FINAL DISASTER: 3 die, several injured in Jos Bomb Blast

Reports have it that three Nigerians met their death while watching the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Athletico Madrid at a viewing on Saturday night in Jos.

According to Vanguard, The blast came just days after a twin car bomb attack ripped through a crowded market in the city, killing 118 and raising fears of a spread of Boko Haram Islamist violence from the restive northeast.

Read more here

Real beat Athletico to clinch 10th UCL Title

Real Madrid defeated Athletico Madrid 4-1 in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday night in Lisborn Portugal.

Atheleti drew the first blood as Ike Casillas miscalculated and was beaten by a header which put the Diego Simeone side ahead.

Few minutes to the end of injury time, Sergio Ramos struck with a header and the match was sent into extra time as the table turned around with Gareth Bale hit target to shine when it mattered most, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo ensured Athleti were nailed.

Diego Costa saw few minutes in the game and was substituted before half time.

Ronaldo, Bale confirmed as Benzema sweat for fitness ahead for UCL final

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is positive over the fitness of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale for the UEFA Champions League final against Athletico Madrid on Saturday.

He made it clear that CR7 and Bale will feature in the epic final against fellow city rivals but cast aspersions on the the return of Karim Benzema and Pepe.

"There's no problem, and I think those two (Bale and Ronaldo) are going to be able to play.'' said the manager.

When asked about the fitness situation on Tuesday, Ancelotti revealed his only serious concerns were Pepe and Benzema.

He said "They're the only two players about whom we have doubts. I'm neither optimistic nor pessimistic. I'm a realist and, as things stand right now, of course they wouldn't be able to play.

"We have four days to the final and we'll wait and see. If Pepe can't play, (Raphael) Varane can play in his place.

Football fans mock Chelsea (Photos)

Fans on social media make mockery of Chelsea after losing 1-3 to Athletico Madrid in the Semi Final of the UCL.

Athletico Madrid beat Chelsea 3-1 to set up an all-spanish final

Chelsea lost 1-3 to Athletico Madrid in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Semi final on Tuesday night at the Stamford Bridge.

Fernando Torres put Chelsea ahead in the 36th minute but didn't take long before the Madrid leveled up through Adrian Turan before the end of half time.

Samuel Eto'o fouled Diego Costa in the box 60' and he Cooley converted the penalty he earned as a result of the challenge while Arda Turan added more salt to Chelsea's injury when he grabbed the third 76th minute for the Madrid side.

Chelsea secured a 0-0 draw in the first leg encounter in Spain.

The victory however sets up an all-Spanish final as they face fellow city rivals Real Madrid who got past Bayern Munich on Tuesday in the other semi final tie.

The final comes up on May 24th in Lisbon Portugal.

UEFA Champions League: Athletico vs Chelsea ends in stalemate

Chelsea forced Athletico Madrid to a goalless draw in the first leg semi final encounter of the UEFA Champions League.

The Blues lost Petr Cech John Terry to injury in the pulsating match that saw the Spaniards take the ball to Chelsea.

Second leg tie comes up next week at the Stamford Bridge.

UEFA Champions League: A date with Chelsea delights Courtois

Athletico Madrid Goal keeper Thibuat Courtios has revealed that he is delighted to have been cleared by UEFA to play against his parent club Chelsea, in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Last week, UEFA waived a fee that Atletico Madrid were to pay the Blues, if the two clubs face each other.

“I’m very relieved. That we’ve drawn Chelsea is special because even though I’m at Atleti, Chelsea are my club,” the Belgian told Uefa.com.

It is the first time the La Liga club will qualify for the Champions League last four since 1974 and Courtois is desperate to win silverware with Diego Simeone’s side.

“I want to win trophies here and I’ll be an Atleti supporter for these two games, but at all other timesI’m a Chelsea fan too,” added Courtois, who has never played for the Stamford Bridge club since signing a
five-year contract on his arrival from Genk for an undisclosed fee in 2011.

“I hope they win the Premier League, just not these two
matches. I really hope we can reach the final as we’re
so close. They’re the favourites, but Barca were too.”

Athletico Madrid on course as Diego Costa suffers another injury

Diego Costa escaped a serious injury after he hit the post and was carried off with a bloody leg in a La Liga Match against Getafe on Sunday where scoring Atletico Madrid's second goal.

Atletico extended its Spanish league lead to three points with five
rounds to play as it closes in on what would be its first league title
in 18 years.

Costa slammed into the post while poking in his 26th goal of the
season in the 84th minute, opening a cut on his left shin and
requiring the stadium's medical crew to carry him off the pitch
while he covered his face and muffled his screams.

While his teammates looked distraught as he writhed on the pitch,
Atletico said less than 10 minutes after the match on Twitter that
"luckily Diego Costa only has a cut after hitting the post."

Read more on Yahoo Sports

Chelsea Chief agrees that Courtois can play for Athletico

Just as the Semi final draw was held in Switzerland, Chelsea Chief Executive Ron Gourlay spoke about goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois,
currently on loan at Atletico Madrid referring to UEFA statement released on Friday in response to media reports on the
situation.

'The loan was arranged at the start of the season and it
is quite simple, Courtois can play against Chelsea, that
was never in doubt,' said Gourlay.

'Regarding the UEFA statement, we will evaluate that
over the course of the next 24 or 48 hours and we will
comply with the rules, and he can play against Chelsea in
both games.'

Gourlay on the fixture agreed that it's not going to be easy but his side are prepared for the challenge having come this far.

UEFA clear Athletico goalie Courtois for Chelsea clash

Amidst the much expected semi final draws, UEFA has moved to clarify that it expects Belgium international Thibuat Courtois to be free to face the Blues in both legs.

A statement from European football's governing body read: "The
integrity of sporting competition is a fundamental principle for
UEFA.

"Both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA disciplinary
regulations contain clear provisions which strictly forbid any club
to exert, or attempt to exert, any influence whatsoever over the
players that another club may (or may not) field in a match.

"It follows that any provision in a private contract between clubs
which might function in such a way as to influence who a club
fields in a match is null, void and unenforceable so far as UEFA is
concerned.

"Furthermore, any attempt to enforce such a provision would be a
clear violation of both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA
disciplinary regulations and would therefore be sanctioned
accordingly."

It was reported that Chelsea would allow the Spanish side to play
the Belgian in both legs of the semi, provided they paid a fee of
around 3million euros for each game but this however clarifies the matter.

Chelsea draw Athletico Madrid in Champions League Semi final

La Liga: Valdes suffers ACL Tear in Barca win as Real Slump

It was mixed reaction for Barcelona as they defeated Celta Vigo 3-0  on Wednesday night at the Camp Nou but lost their first choice goal keeper to an injury that will keep him out of the season.

Víctor Valdés suffered an ACL tear on 22 minutes after saving a free kick from Augusto.

According to a statement on the club's website which reads, "The Club's Medical Services confirm that he will need surgery. The keeper fell awkwardly on his right leg, forcing him to ask to be substituted. He was subbed off two minutes later for Pinto while he was being carted off the pitch of the Camp Nou.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid's title chase suffered a setback as they were beaten 2-1 at Sevilla while fellow title contenders and City rivals Athletico Madrid saw off Granada by a lone goal from Diego Costa to clinch top spot.

As it stands, Barcelona are in second position while Real drops to third spot.