Champions League Quarter Finals

Bayern Munich vs Marseille 2-0 (4-0 on aggregate) 

Olic celebrating his second goal of the night

Bayern marched into the semi finals in classy fashion after a comprehensive 4-0 aggregate win over French side Marseille. Following on from a 2-0 win in Marseille, Bayern were the clear favourites and came back to home turf with a huge advantage. Although resting some of their key players including prolific goal scorer Mario Gomez, Bayern showed their world class expertise with an assured performance and eventually ran out 2-0 winners. Olic, filling in for the rested Gomez, claimed the two Bayern goals with typical poacher like finishes. Firstly he converted a Ribery cross, before turning in a teasing low Alaba cross after great work from Ribery to take his tally for the night to two and secure their passage into the last 4. That's how it stayed, and Bayern will now face Real Madrid for a place in the final which is sure to be a cracker.

Real Madrid vs APOEL 5-2 (8-2 on aggregate)

Goalscorers Ronaldo (Left) and Kaka (Right)

Real Madrid were destined to make the semi finals immediately after the draw was made, and there was no upset as Madrid trounced their Cypriot opponents. Although, they took a 3-0 lead back to the Bernabau, Jose Mourinho still fielded a fairly strong Madrid team, deciding to place the likes of Kaka and Ronaldo in the attack. Madrid dominated from the off and never really looked like losing the tie, with Ronaldo and Kaka both getting on the score sheet in the first half. APOEL however got their reward for a spirited performance, with a memorable goal from Manduca sparking scenes of jubilance in the away end. Ronaldo then increased the deficit by striking in a free kick, before Callejon also got his name on the score sheet. However the night was still not complete, with Solari tucking in a penalty for the Cypriots, but Di Maria rounded off the nights scoring in the 84th minute to secure a 5-2 victory on the night, which reflected Madrid’s dominance over an inferior APOEL side. Tougher times lay ahead for Madrid, who now face Bayern in the last 4 who will undoubtedly prove to be much tougher opponents.

Barcelona vs AC Milan 3-1 (3-1 on aggregate)

Messi squeezed his first penalty of the night past the
despairing dive of Milan goalkeeper, Abbiati

AC Milan held off Barcelona in the first leg at the San Siro, but could not repeat this feat as they were beaten 3-1 by the reigning champions. But Milan left kicking themselves after conceding two penalties which were avoidable. Antonini dived in stupidly. with Messi gratefully converting the spot kick. But Nocerino cancelled out Messi's goal by coolly finishing and levelling the score line on the night. Nesta than had a moment of madness as he wrestled Busquets to the ground and Messi swept the ball into the net again, and Barcelona never looked back. Iniesta added another in the second half which saw Barcelona into the semi finals at the expense of a rather in disciplined Milan side, with 7 bookings being given to their players, who were clearly frustrated by their fortunes on the night. The Catalans now face Chelsea in the semi finals, and are heavily tipped to at least contend the final at the Allianz Arena in roughly a month’s time.

Chelsea vs Benfica 2-1 (3-1 on aggregate)

Raul Merieles seals the win with an empahtic drive
past the Benfica keeper

Chelsea scraped through to the semi finals but were taken all the way to the wire by a determined Benfica side. It seemed it was all going to plan when Ashley Cole was bought down in the box by Javi Garcia, and Lampard slid the ball under the despairing dive by Benfica Goalkeeper Artur, who was powerless to keeping Lampard’s effort out despite getting a hand to the ball. Things got worse for Benfica when captain Pereria was given his marching orders, and Chelsea looked as if they would cruise into the semi finals. But things didn’t turn out like that, with Benfica dominating a shell shocked Chelsea side, and got their just rewards through Javi Garcia who atoned for his error that led to Lampard’s penalty in the first half by heading the ball beyond a hesitant Petr Cech. The last 5 minutes were heart in mouth moments for Chelsea, who were coming under heavy pressure from an inspired Benfica side. They even had a chance to win it but youngster Oliviera went for an audacious outside of the foot shot, when he had options either side of him with an easier path to goal. But Chelsea's defence held firm from then on, and when Raul Merieles capped off a brilliant solo effort by lashing the ball emphatically into the top corner from outside of the box, There was pandemonium in the crowd. Despite all their problems, Chelsea secured their passage into the last 4 of the world's most prestigious club trophy which would ease their domestic woes. But Chelsea now have to overcome reigning champions Barcelona in the Semi finals in order to book their place in the final, and will undoubtedly have to perform a lot better than they did to stand any chance of beating the world’s best club.