Wednesday's Champions League Round-Up
6th March, 2008
Last night saw plenty of drama in the Champions League, with Chelsea becoming the third English side to make the last eight of the competition. Elsewhere Real Madrid again disappointed and were knocked out against Roma, and Schalke progressed on penalties.
After the 0-0 first leg draw at Olympiakos, Chelsea went into the home leg full of confidence. This showed from the start with full dominance from Chelsea who scored after only five minutes as Ballack converted a Lampard free-kick. Lampard too got on the score sheet as he finished Ballack’s parried shot. Kalou also got a simple goal early on in the second half to make it 3-0. Chelsea could, and should, have scored more as the referee and linesman pulled up play at times where there was no wrong-doing.
Real Madrid made it four years in a row without progressing to the quarter-finals on the Champions League as they bowed out to Roma 2-1. The most successful club in the history of the competition mirrored their first-leg defeat, and were not helped by the sending off of defender Pepe for a second yellow in the 71st minute. Two minutes later Roma scored and put the tie to bed, despite a goal from Raul. Vucinic converted a late free-kick to pile on the misery for the Spanish side.
Schalke produced a huge shock to beat Porto over the two legs and reach the final eight for the first time in their history. Bringing a 1-0 lead from the first leg, they were under pressure for most of the game as Porto dominated their home stadium. Porto should have had keeper Da Helton sent off as he handled the ball outside the area, before their defender Fucile was dubiously sent off for a challenge on Altinop. Late on in the game 10-man Porto got the goal they needed with a blistering effort from Lisandro on 86 minute to send the match to extra-time. No goals there led to penalties which Schalke won 4-1 thanks to some fine saves from keeper Neuer.
According to our odds comparison service, Manchester United and Barcelona are now joint favourites at 7/2, with Chelsea and Arsenal both 11/2 next favourites.
