Champions League: Business end begins now, says Conte
Juventus, PSG end long waits to reach last-eight.
Juve’s last appearance in the quarter-finals of the Champions League was in 2006 when they were ousted by Arsenal. PHOTO: AFP
TURIN:
Juventus coach Antonio Conte said the Italian giants’ bid for European glory is just beginning after a 2-0 second leg win over Celtic ended the Scots’ faint hopes of making it to the last eight of the Champions League.
Juve had already taken a huge step towards the quarter-finals thanks to a 3-0 win over the Scottish champions at Celtic Park last month.
Ahead of next week’s draw, Conte said the Italian champions would be ‘humble’ when it comes to meeting ‘strong’ sides like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.
“We’re now in a very positive situation, but with some pros and cons,” he said. But I hope we will be able overcome the challenges that lie ahead.”
With Juventus keeping a clean sheet in their past five Champions League games at home, Celtic manager Neil Lennon was left lamenting narrowly failing to score at a ground he labelled a ‘fortress’.
“The difference is the quality in the final third,” said the Celtic coach. “We had good chances again and we didn’t take them. We played some decent football but we missed some really good chances to score or at least get back into the game. Quality counts, and that’s what makes the differece between the two teams.”
Ancelotti lauds PSG players for Euro progress
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his players after they battled past Valencia to join the continent’s elite in the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in 18 years.
Leading 2-1 from the first leg of their last-16 tie, PSG appeared at real risk of blowing it when Jonas put Valencia in front on the night early in the second half. However, Ezequiel Lavezzi’s equaliser calmed the nerves and helped the French capital club go through, with a 1-1 draw ensuring a 3-2 aggregate triumph.
Ancelotti admitted that the performances of his newly put-together team have pleasantly surprised him.
“Nobody knows how far we can go,” said the Italian. “Up to this point we have done very well but this is our first year in the competition for a lot of the players.
“They have been fantastic so far, and now we will need to see what the draw brings.”
Ferdinand escapes UEFA censure
Meanwhile, Uefa confirmed they will not be taking any disciplinary action against Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who sarcastically clapped in front of referee Cuneyt Cakir, at the end of Tuesday night’s game with Real Madrid.
The United veteran was displeased the Nani sending off when Alex Ferguson’s side were in the lead. Real went on to register a 2-1 win at Old Trafford to advance 3-2 on aggregate and Ferdinand expressed his anger at full time.
But Uefa said they have decided to put an end to the matter after evaluating the referee’s report of the game.
“From the report we have received from the referee we will not take any action apart from the disciplinary proceedings against Manchester United for the red card of Nani and for post-match media obligations not being fulfilled,” said a Uefa spokesman.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2013.
Juventus coach Antonio Conte said the Italian giants’ bid for European glory is just beginning after a 2-0 second leg win over Celtic ended the Scots’ faint hopes of making it to the last eight of the Champions League.
Juve had already taken a huge step towards the quarter-finals thanks to a 3-0 win over the Scottish champions at Celtic Park last month.
Ahead of next week’s draw, Conte said the Italian champions would be ‘humble’ when it comes to meeting ‘strong’ sides like Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid.
“We’re now in a very positive situation, but with some pros and cons,” he said. But I hope we will be able overcome the challenges that lie ahead.”
With Juventus keeping a clean sheet in their past five Champions League games at home, Celtic manager Neil Lennon was left lamenting narrowly failing to score at a ground he labelled a ‘fortress’.
“The difference is the quality in the final third,” said the Celtic coach. “We had good chances again and we didn’t take them. We played some decent football but we missed some really good chances to score or at least get back into the game. Quality counts, and that’s what makes the differece between the two teams.”
Ancelotti lauds PSG players for Euro progress
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his players after they battled past Valencia to join the continent’s elite in the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in 18 years.
Leading 2-1 from the first leg of their last-16 tie, PSG appeared at real risk of blowing it when Jonas put Valencia in front on the night early in the second half. However, Ezequiel Lavezzi’s equaliser calmed the nerves and helped the French capital club go through, with a 1-1 draw ensuring a 3-2 aggregate triumph.
Ancelotti admitted that the performances of his newly put-together team have pleasantly surprised him.
“Nobody knows how far we can go,” said the Italian. “Up to this point we have done very well but this is our first year in the competition for a lot of the players.
“They have been fantastic so far, and now we will need to see what the draw brings.”
Ferdinand escapes UEFA censure
Meanwhile, Uefa confirmed they will not be taking any disciplinary action against Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who sarcastically clapped in front of referee Cuneyt Cakir, at the end of Tuesday night’s game with Real Madrid.
The United veteran was displeased the Nani sending off when Alex Ferguson’s side were in the lead. Real went on to register a 2-1 win at Old Trafford to advance 3-2 on aggregate and Ferdinand expressed his anger at full time.
But Uefa said they have decided to put an end to the matter after evaluating the referee’s report of the game.
“From the report we have received from the referee we will not take any action apart from the disciplinary proceedings against Manchester United for the red card of Nani and for post-match media obligations not being fulfilled,” said a Uefa spokesman.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2013.