Champions League

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AS Roma denied Olympique Lyon a fourth consecutive Champions League quarter-final spot when they beat the five-times French champions 2-0 in the second leg of their first knockout round tie at Gerland on Tuesday.

Lyon, who had not lost any of their 18 previous home games in European club soccer's premier event, fell behind on 22 minutes with a powerful header by Roma captain Francesco Totti from a Max Tonetto cross.

Brazilian midfielder Mancini sealed the Italians' place in the last eight with a superb goal just before halftime, racing into the box from a swift counter-attack and twisting his way past Lyon defender Anthony Reveillere to fire into the top corner.

Roma, featuring in the knockout phase of the Champions League for the first time, had been held to a 0-0 draw by Lyon in the first leg at the Stadio Olimpico.

They were clearly the better side in the first half and defended tightly under sustained pressure in typical Italian fashion after the break.

"The team were perfect tonight," said Roma coach Luciano Spalletti. "We played well from the start, scored two great goals and my team did not react when Lyon's players provoked them in the last few minutes.

"They did exactly what they had to do and that was to play great football for 90 minutes. I'm very proud of them."

Lyon, who had a terrible start to the year but had suggested they were back on form with a 3-1 Ligue 1 win at St Etienne on Saturday, looked strained and short of ideas on a rainy night that shattered their European dreams.

SURVIVED FRIGHT

"It hurts but Roma were the better team tonight, you have to admit it," said Lyon coach Gerard Houllier.

"Our two problems tonight were that we were not dangerous enough up front and that also collectively, we were not as strong as you have to be on a occasion like this. It was simply not our night."

The home side threatened for the first time on 19 minutes with an angled free kick from just outside the area by Brazilian playmaker Juninho which Roma goalkeeper Doni struggled to clear.

Lyon kept trying their luck in the second half and created a few chances, notably an attempt by Juninho and a powerful volley by Swede Kim Kallstrom, both denied by brilliant saves from Doni.

As time moved on, however, the French side grew increasingly nervous, Brazil striker Fred elbowing Roma defender Cristian Chivu in the face on 80 minutes without being noticed by Spanish referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez.

The Italians were missing experienced right back Christian Panucci because of a fever but that did not stop the four in charge of the defensives duties, and notably Frenchman Philippe Mexes, from putting up a faultless display.

"This is tough but our season is far from over," Houllier said. "We have two objectives left. There are many clubs who would like to be in that sort of situation."

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Michael Ballack kept Chelsea's Champions League dreams alive as his late goal earned a 2-1 last 16 second leg win over Porto that booked a place in the quarter-finals.

Jose Mourinho's side were on their way out after falling behind to Ricardo Quaresma's first half strike, but Ballack capped an impressive fightback as Chelsea scraped through their second round tie 3-2 on aggregate.

Arjen Robben cancelled out Quaresma's goal early in the second half and German international Ballack won it with a fine effort 11 minutes from full-time.

Mourinho said that words had been said at half-time and that his players had reacted brilliantly.

"It was quite strong (the half-time discussion)," admitted Mourinho.

"We had tactical problems to solve.

"I asked the players to enjoy it. We were out with 45 minutes remaining and I said to them do you want to be scared or do you want to enjoy it."

Ballack has been well below his best since his pre-season move from Bayern Munich, but he was signed by Mourinho for important European nights like this and finally showed why he is regarded as one of the world's leading midfielders.

With the Premiership title in Manchester United's grasp, Mourinho could not afford a second successive early exit from Europe's elite club competition and, as a tense encounter headed towards extra-time, Ballack stepped up with a goal worthy of his illustrious reputation.

Andriy Shevchenko had scored Chelsea's goal in the 1-1 first leg draw and he was quick to try his luck with a curling effort that went narrowly over from the edge of the area in the second minute.

But Jesualdo Ferreira's team had demonstrated their attacking prowess in Portugal two weeks and they stunned Chelsea with a superbly-crafted goal in the 15th minute.

Chelsea were caught out at the back as Lucho Gonzalez clipped a sublime pass into the space left by Michael Essien and Quaresma took full advantage as he kept his composure to beat Petr Cech with a precise, low shot.

Mourinho's men spent long periods in the first half trying in vain to win the ball as Porto weaved neat passing patterns across midfield.

When the Blues did get possession they often squandered it too easily and one misplaced pass from Frank Lampard brought groans of frustration from the home fans.

Chelsea finally managed to work an opening midway through the first half, but Shevchenko missed his kick as he tried to convert Ashley Cole' cross and Didier Drogba scooped the rebound over from close range.

Lampard fared no better when Shevchenko cut through the Porto defence and pulled a pass back to the Chelsea captain. Lampard had the goal at his mercy but his first touch let the ball run safely to Porto keeper Helton.

Chelsea's desperation to get back into the match by any means was apparent when Robben surged into the area and past Fucile, who made no contact, before launching into a blatant dive that earned a booking from referee Roberto Rosetti.

The Dutch winger tried a more legitimate attempt to lift his side when he flashed a shot just wide from the right side of the area on the stroke of half-time.

Mourinho, who left his seat before the interval to compose a crucial team-talk, sent on John Obi Mikel in place of Claude Makelele at half-time as he tried to shake up his lethargic side. Chelsea raised the tempo of their game straight from the re-start and were level within three minutes.

Robben had given warning of his intent to shoot on sight and he hit the jackpot when he tried his luck again in the 48th minute.

His 30-yard shot was tamely struck low to Helton's left, but the Brazilian keeper misjudged the bounce and let the ball bobble up off his body and into the net.

Porto struggled to recapture their momentum after that and their eccentric goalkeeper Helton was at fault again when he failed to deal with Lampard's inswinging free-kick, but Ricardo Carvalho headed over.

Chelsea were knocking on the door and they broke it down in the 79th minute.

Drogba nodded Cole's cross to Shevchenko and the Ukrainian steered a header to Ballack, who was granted acres of space 10 yards out and planted a superb volley past Helton to seal Chelsea's revival.

[Rasputin]

BARCELONA- LIVERPOOL 1 - 0

INTER- VALENCIA 0 - 0

ROMA- O. LYON 2 - 0

OPORTO- CHELSEA 1 - 2

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The PRESENT CHAMPION WAS LOWERED In spite of WINNING IN ANFIELD

Barcelona tried it until the final pitido one, but it could not sentence a party that always it had of backs. The Liverpool dominated from the beginning and had the best occasions; it even starred two balls in the crosspiece in the first act. Nevertheless, it was the Barcelona that, thanks to a goal of Gudjohnnsen, inaugurated the luminous one and put the fear in the body of the English. The reaction was too delayed and the azulgranas, present champions of the Champions, have been lowered by a great Liverpool that made gold of the result of the going shock.

The shock began with a better based Liverpool on the game land. The suffocating pressure that arranged Benítez in all the field, noqueó the bold system 3-4-3 that Rijkaard unfolded in the green one. Reds was owners and gentlemen at any moment of the dominion of the ball and the best occasions. First it arrived from the left band by means of Riise, that returned crazy time and time again to Thuram. The Norwegian warned with chut from long distance that cleared Valdés and returned to try it in minute 13 starring the ball in the crosspiece.

The Liverpool did not stop in its persistence and to the 25 minutes it had a triple occasion: first it was Bellamy, that after winning in speed to its mark shot within the area and its firing cleared Valdés; Kuyt empaló rejects and Valdés put the leg to turn aside the trajectory of the ball; Riise put the head in a new one rejects but this time was Puyol that saved in line of goal. Barcelona was absent in the field and beyond its possible reaction, the Liverpool continued more near the goal. A terrible failure in clears of Valdés, finished with chut from the center of camo of Sissoko that crashed again in the crosspiece. The first act finished with a minute of gratuity and without a single shot to door on the part of culés.

The second act began again with the incessant push of the English and Gerrard, intermittent throughout the shock, sent to a center chut that I aim was to surprise Valdés. Little by little the shock was lowering of rate, as the Liverpool lay down back holding the rent that it had to favor and that perfectly took advantage of those Rijkaard to create the first occasions. It had the goal Ronaldinho in his boots after a precious maneuver in the frontal of the area, but after getting away of its marker and with Queen average milkshake, its firing with spiral crashed in the wood.


The goal of Gudjohnssen intensified the hopes culés

As much Benítez as Rijkaard began to move the bench. Tulipán gave the whole by the whole and put in the field to Giuly and Gudjohnssen instead of Etoo and Thuram. With four ends and to the crazy person, the fortune smiled to culés. To the 76 minutes of the shock, to single a quarter of an hour for the end, ' Guddy' one put between lines, it received a good attendance within the area and with the own cold blood of a Swedish player, it haggled to Queen and it marked as much pleasing the first one of the unique party and in the end. As much to arrive the Liverpool at the rival area and was the Barcelona that managed to perforate the rival goal.

The last quarter of hour, with four minutes of incluída gratuity, was a vibrant daca taking and on the part of both sets. Barcelona tried it to the desperate one but it did not manage to remove slice from the few occasions which it had. Clearest, a ball died in the frontal that Dinho left Messi but that the albiceleste commanded to the hands of Queen. The Liverpool on the other hand, did not finalize the occasions of which it arranged to settle the shock, but either made profitable perfectly the result of the going shock and it was classified by the great door, folding the present champion, for the quarterfinals of the Champions.

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SET CHÉ WAS VERY SURELY IN DEFENSE And HAPPENED To QUARTERS

The Valencia settled the pending accounts that it had with the Inter in Europe and surpassed finally an eliminatory one against the Italian set. Much was taken place mainly, in the last quarter of hour, but it went and that is what is worth. The Valencia jumped to the turf concentrated to the one hundred percent. The premise of Quique was to avoid the typical tempraneros goals of the Inter in Mestalla that had ended the set ché in previous seasons. And thus it was. The Valencia tactical played a perfect party during the first part, laying the foundations his happens to quarters.

The defense was solid and safe. Ayala and Albiol were anticipated whenever they could to Ibrahimovic and Crespo, whereas Marchena and Baraja, that the first injured part finished, were in charge of not losing the site in the center of the field and moving the ball with speed and criterion to wear away most possible the Inter. Only but of the set of Quique Sanchez Flowers it was his little contribution in attack.

Villa and Morientes tried it but without success. The Valencia was clogged in the last third of the field and had to resort to the distant firings to put in jams to Julio Caesar. All the opposite who the Inter. Each play to stopped ball, each happens of Stankovic put the heart in a fist to Mestalla. Crespo was on the verge of breaking the even one in minute 35 with a firing in the small area but the hand of Albiol saved to the Valencia when Cañizares already was dangerous. The players of the Inter demanded penalti but the action of the Valencian is totally involuntary.


Harassment with ' vendettá final

After the passage by clothes, the Valencia arrived much more with danger. The Inter needed a goal and with the passage of the minutes it began to leave more spaces. Moretti enjoyed a great opportunity with a blow on the head that finished in the hands of Julio Caesar. Marchena also tried it but its firing from the frontal left clearing the base the wood of portería of the Inter in the last minute of the party. A goal that had been able to avoid much suffering.

Julio Caesar, Figo and Grosso was the arms that Mancini used to break the even one. He did not obtain it but it needed little. The Inter advanced its lines to not being able in the last fifteen minutes more and left the way open so that the Valencia killed the party and the eliminatory one to the con. Albiol returned to save again to the Valencia after by hand ruining a Cross hand with Cañizares, whereas Marchena had removed to seconds before a firing from Cross in the same line of goal.

The Inter pushed of pretty it but was a planted affluent defense that neroazurro knew to heave the weather. Ayala and Albiol were the best ones of a Valencia than the next Friday will be in the big drum of quarters. In order to forget it was the enormous tángana that mounted at the end of the party. Materazzi initiated trifulca with a jump with Ayala in which it removed to walk his elbows, Marchena and Burdisso embroiled to pushes and Navarrese David culminated the sad own celebration with one puñetazo of a boxer who of a soccer player who ended the nose of broken Burdisso. The gesture of the player of the Valencia was deplorable and without a doubt a right sanction on the part of the UEFA will fall to him.

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Liverpool eliminated defending champion Barcelona from the European Champions League, advancing to the quarterfinals despite a 1-0 loss at Anfield on Tuesday night.

Liverpool, the 2005 champion, won the first leg 2-1 in Spain two weeks ago. With the aggregate score of the total-goals series tied, Liverpool advanced on away goals.


Eidur Gudjohnsen scored in the 75th minute for Barcelona.

Chelsea, AS Roma and Valencia also advanced to the quarterfinals.

"It gives us great confidence, going through against the best side in Europe over two legs," Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said.

Valencia was held to a 0-0 tie by visiting Internazionale following a 2-2 tie in Milan in the first leg, and the Spanish team advanced on away goals. There were six yellow cards during the game and as the whistle blew, Inter midfielder Nicolas Burdisso attacked Valencia defender Carlos Marchena.

Valencia substitute David Navarro entered the field and punched Burdisso. Several Inter players, including Maicon, then aimed kicks at Navarro. Inter coach Roberto Mancini said that Burdisso broke his nose in the brawl.

"It was ugly and sad that in this moment there are people who can't control themselves," Valencia forward David Villa said.

The trouble continued in the tunnel with security staff preventing further clashes.

"It was a very tense game. It was all very ugly but it sometimes happens," Valencia sports director Amedeo Carboni said.

Chelsea rallied to beat visiting Porto 2-1 on goals by Arjen Robben (48th minute) and Michael Ballack (79th) and advanced on 3-2 aggregate. Ricardo Quaresma had put Porto ahead in the 15th minute.

AS Roma won 2-0 at Lyon on goals by Francesco Totti and Alessandro Mancini. The teams had tied 0-0 in Italy.

Heading into Wednesday's second-round, second-leg games, Manchester United leads visiting Lille 1-0, PSV Eindhoven goes to Arsenal ahead 1-0, Real Madrid goes to Bayern Munich ahead 3-2 and AC Milan and visiting Glasgow Celtic are 0-0.

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PSV Eindhoven's Brazilian defender Alex turned from villain to hero on Wednesday when the Dutch club earned a 1-1 draw at Arsenal to reach the Champions League quarter-finals 2-1 on aggregate.

A disappointing game, which broke a Champions League record for foreign players, looked to be heading for extra time after Alex inadvertently prodded a corner into his own net in the 58th minute at the Emirates Stadium to level the aggregate score of the first knockout round tie.

Young Brazilian Denilson swung in a corner and the unfortunate Alex could only watch in horror as the ball cannoned off his foot into the net.

However, with Arsenal searching in vain for the second goal that would have put them in their third quarter-final in four seasons, Alex soared above the home defence to head his side level seven minutes from time.

PSV had to weather a storm after the own goal but survived and then punished Arsenal when the home side conceded a needless free kick near the corner flag. Edison Mendez, scorer of the winner in the first leg, swung the ball in and Alex arced his header beyond a despairing Jens Lehmann.

The goal sparked wild celebrations from a large travelling army of Dutch fans and a mass exodus from disgruntled home fans who watched their side's last hopes of silverware vanish.

TRIPLE DISAPPOINTMENT

In less than two weeks, Arsenal have suffered defeat in three cup competitions, losing to Chelsea in the League Cup final and then being bounced out of the FA Cup by Blackburn Rovers.

"It's a massive disappointment for us," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told reporters. "We didn't take our chances in the first half and it was a repetition of the first leg.

"We were not sharp physically and lacked quality in the final third. Alex won the game for them on his own tonight, he dominated in the air and kept them tight at the back."

Wenger also confirmed that Thierry Henry, who came on as a second-half substitute, had torn a stomach muscle.

PSV coach Ronald Koeman paid tribute to his side's tenacity.

"We worked very hard and had the right attitude," Koeman, who was also in charge of Benfica when they knocked out Liverpool last season, told reporters.

"Considering the problems we've had with injuries this is unbelievable and I'm very proud. The biggest compliment I can give is the way we survived after the unlucky own goal.

"Arsenal didn't continue to pressure us and it seemed like they were doubting themselves a bit."

The Gunners had only managed seven goals in this year's competition before Wednesday and they spent most of the night huffing and puffing while Henry watched from the bench.

When he did get on he almost won the tie when his free kick brought a flying save from PSV keeper Gomes.

Cocu was the only Dutch player in PSV's starting line-up while Arsenal did not include one English player on a night that had 16 different nationalities in the starting 22

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Valencia and Inter Milan have been charged with improper conduct by UEFA after the Spanish side's substitute David Navarro sparked a brawl at the end of their Champions League victory on away goals at the Mestalla.

The Valencia defender said he was ashamed by his behaviour after running on to the pitch and punching Inter midfielder Nicolas Burdisso in the face, breaking his nose, before being chased by Milan players at the end of Tuesday's match.

Navarro and his team mate Carlos Marchena, who had kicked out at Burdisso helping trigger the pandemonium that followed, have been charged by UEFA with gross unsporting conduct along with Burdisso and his Inter team mates Ivan Cordoba and Maicon.

"I've never behaved this way before and I'm sure my family will be very disappointed in me," Navarro was quoted as saying in sports daily Marca on Wednesday.

"I'm ashamed and very much regret what I did. I haven't seen the television pictures and the truth is I don't want to either. I'm upset because I've never done anything like this in my life before nor will I again."

UEFA said both clubs face an investigation and the case will be considered by its control and disciplinary body on March 14.

The first knockout round match ended in a goalless draw, which meant Valencia qualified for the quarter-finals on the away goals rule after a 2-2 draw in Milan two weeks ago.

BURDISSO FLOORED

Tuesday's unseemly incidents flared up when Navarro sprinted off the bench at the end of the match as Marchena and fellow midfielder Burdisso squared up to each other.

Navarro floored Burdisso with a punch in the face and was pursued by several Inter players as he ran off the pitch. Inter coach Roberto Mancini said the Argentine's nose had been broken.

A mass brawl developed in the centre of the pitch and the incidents continued in the tunnel as several Inter players tried to follow Navarro into the dressing room.

Security guards intervened, but it took several minutes before the situation calmed down. Local media reported that Navarro left the stadium by a back door.

"When I saw that they were going for Carlos (Marchena) I ran on the pitch," said Navarro. "I saw Burdisso and was going to separate them, but I just lost my head.

"I expect to be punished. I very much regret what happened and I will accept whatever punishment I am given."

Later on Wednesday, the defender told the Valencia Web site (www.valenciacf.es): "I have spoken to Burdisso and apologised for what happened. I have told him I'm very sorry because this type of thing should never happen in football.

"He accepted my apologies and told me not to worry."

COWARDLY NAVARRO

Inter coach Roberto Mancini, who missed the incident at the time but watched replays, branded Burdisso's assailant a coward on Italy's Sky television network.

"I didn't see anything because I was going back to the changing rooms, but the lads told me what happened," he said.

"Looking at the pictures, one thing is certain, that the Valencia player is a coward. That's the only thing you can call a man who gives someone a punch like that and then runs away."

Inter president Massimo Moratti was more diplomatic and said his club would not be seeking redress from UEFA.

"(The UEFA delegate will) do what he has to do. But I don't think there will be any action from Inter over this."

[Rasputin]

REAL MADRID- BAYERN M. 1 - 2

PSV- ARSENAL 1 - 1

LILLE- MANCHESTER U. 0 - 1

CELTIC G.- MILAN 0 - 1

[Rasputin]

03-04/04/2007 ... 10-11/04/2007

AC Milan - Bayern

PSV - Liverpool

Roma - Manchester

Chelsea - Valencia


24-25/04/2007 :: 01-02/04/2007

Roma - Manchester / AC Milan - Bayern

PSV - Liverpool / Chelsea - Valencia

[Rasputin]

BY ITS EXPULSION BEFORE REAL MADRID IN MÚNICH And THEIR CUTS OF SLEEVE

The UEFA sanctions to Go Bommel and it will both lose parties of quarterfinals

Mark van Bommel will not be able to play by sanction neither divided of quarterfinals of Liga de Campeones who the Bayern de Múnich will dispute against the Milan, according to announced east Tuesday the UEFA. The Committee of Control and Discipline of the UEFA has imposed him a suspension party, that will fulfill the 3 of April, in Milan, after receiving the second yellow card of the cycle in the encounter of return of the eighth of end against Real Madrid. But, in addition, the UEFA has decided to impose to the Dutch midfield player the sanction party that it had in condition by his contemptuous gestures to the launching slip of the stage Santiago Bernabéu after marking the second goal of his equipment in the away game against Real Madrid. They go Bommel will fulfill second punishment in the return match against Milan, the 11 of April in Múnich east.

In agreement with the code of disciplinary punishment of the UEFA (article 15 bis) if one second lack is committed during the period in which a sanction is in condition, the Committee of Discipline can order that that initial punishment is executed, added to the second. The other two imposed disciplinary measures stay to Go Bommel by their conduct in Santiago Bernabeu: a fine of 6,200 euros and the obligation to be to disposition of the UEFA to promote the Fare-play during a youthful competition east year.

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Liverpool won 3-0 at PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night in the first leg of the European Champions League quarterfinals, and AC Milan wasted a pair of leads in a 2-2 tie with visiting Bayern Munich.

Steven Gerrard jumped over the back of teammate Dirk Kuyt in the 27th minute to head in a cross from Steve Finnan. John Arne Riise (49th) and Peter Crouch (63rd) added goals for Liverpool, the 2005 champion.

"We know we are closer (to the semifinals) now, but in football you need to play every game and really focus and concentrate," Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said.

PSV, the 1988 European Cup champion, has not won a match since defender Alex injured his hamstring on March 11 against Excelsior Rotterdam.

"We have no chance now," PSV coach Ronald Koeman said. "If I can make my players believe we can still go through I don't belong on this planet."

At San Siro, Daniel Van Buyten scored both goals for Bayern Munich. Andrea Pirlo gave Milan the lead in the 40th by looping a header over goalkeeper Michael Rensing, starting in place of suspended regular Oliver Kahn.

"Milan was definitely the better team in the first half and Rensing was truly excellent," Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said.

Van Buyten tied it in the 78th, but Kaka put Milan ahead 2-1 in the 84th on a penalty kick after he was fouled by Lucio. Van Buyten scored his second goal in the third minute of injury time.

"Bayern has a better chance of qualifying now but I think we were the better team. We need to regroup," Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said. "However, we can draw strength from our performance tonight."

On Wednesday, AS Roma hosts Manchester United and Chelsea is at home against Valencia. Second legs of the home-and-home, total-goals series are next week.

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AS Roma earned a 2-1 win over 10-man Manchester United on Wednesday in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals, and Valencia held host Chelsea to a 1-1 tie.

Roma got goals from Rodrigo Taddei in the 44th minute and Mirko Vucinic in the 66th at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, where Man United fans fought briefly with Italian police. Wayne Rooney scored for United in the 60th.

"We were facing a great club -- one that's used to playing these competitions. The team reacted well, especially after they equalized," Roma coach Luciano Spalletti said. "It was a big test for us."

After Taddei's goal, opposing fans taunted each other by banging on the partition separating the sections. One fan was seen lying with blood covering his face as police hit fans with night sticks to restore order.

There was also violence before the game, with several United fans injured in clashes outside the stadium.

United midfielder Paul Scholes was ejected in the 34th minute after getting his second yellow card, forcing him out of next week's second leg.

"It was important to score a goal, and we did," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "We knew it was going to be tough and it was tough."

Didier Drogba scored his 30th goal of the season for Chelsea in the 53rd minute with a header.

"With a draw everything is open," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said. "I believe they believe they are in a better position now because they are at home, but why not go and win in Valencia or get a draw and take it to extra time?"

David Silva had given Valencia the lead in the 30th with a 25-yard shot that left Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech no chance.

"We've got objective one achieved, which was to take the game into the second leg, so the tie will be decided at the Mestalla," Valencia coach Enrique Sanchez Flores said.

On Tuesday, Liverpool earned a 3-0 win at PSV Eindhoven and Bayern Munich twice came back to hold AC Milan to a 2-2 tie.

The second legs of the home-and-home, total-goals series are next week.

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Paul Scholes was sent off in the first half as Manchester United lost 2-1 to Roma in a highly-charged Champions League quarter-final, first leg here on Wednesday.

United were reduced to 10 men in the 34th minute when Scholes picked up a second yellow card, the first one having already ruled him out of the second leg at Old Trafford.

Roma exploited their numerical advantage a minute before the break when Rodrigo Taddei's deflected shot beat Edwin van der Sar.

The goal sparked ugly scenes as United fans - reacting to spiteful provocation from the home supporters - were baton-charged by Italian police.

United coach Sir Alex Ferguson had said an away goal would be vital if his side were to reach the semis.

And he got his wish on the hour as Wayne Rooney netted his first Champions League goal for two-and-a-half years with a cool finish after a swift United counter-attack.

But Roma refused to let their heads drop and substitute Mirko Vucinic restored their lead in the 66th minute, hammering home the loose ball after van der Sar had only half cleared Mancini's venomous strike with his fists.

Ferguson seemed satisfied with the result, though, he was far from happy with the referee.

"Being against 10 possibly 12 men for at least an hour it was a good result," said Ferguson.

"The referee didn't give a decision for us tonight, but I can't complain about the sending off.

"However the referee said before the match that he would book anyone asking for someone to be booked and yet a Roma player demanded the booking for Scholes and was not punished and that is not acceptable."

Roma's joy at defeating the English Premiership leaders was tempered slightly by a booking for midfielder Simone Perrotta, who like Scholes will miss next week's return match.

On Tuesday South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung became the latest United player to join an ever-growing injury list after suffering a twisted knee in league action at the weekend.

Ryan Giggs, who has been playing as a second striker this season, dropped back on the left wing to replace Park and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, scorer of United's winning goal in the 1999 Champions League final, partnered Rooney in attack.

Roma were deprived of their Chilean playmaker David Pizarro due to a one-match suspension, meaning a place in midfield for Swedish international Christian Wilhelmsson.

The home side made an aggressive start with Taddei screwing a shot wide and Christian Chivu curling a free-kick the wrong side of the post.

United were slow to get into their stride, but they gave their hosts a warning of their attacking threat when Cristiano Ronaldo left Daniele De Rossi for dead only to see his low cross towards Rooney intercepted.

Francesco Totti drove a free-kick straight into the arms of van Der Sar before Scholes picked up his first yellow card for clattering into Wilhelmsson.

After Totti had tested van der Sar with an angled shot, Scholes went for an early bath for bringing Totti's robust run to an end with another crude challenge.

"The way numbers are at the moment we have a few players out and we could do without that," said Ferguson.

"Sure we can cope. We have the options I think. Nevertheless Scholes is a loss as he is a world class player."

Perrotta was booked for diving to even the score in suspensions for the return leg before Roma went ahead.

Mancini cut the ball back intelligently after a quickly-taken corner and Taddei's shot hit Wes Brown before finding the net.

Ronaldo had a great chance to level the score two minutes after the restart, but his lob lacked the height to get above Roma's Brazilian keeper Doni.

Totti blazed over from a good position before United caught Roma out with a lightning break in the 60th minute.

Solskjaer found himself in acres of space down the right, and his pin-point cross found Rooney with time and space.

The England striker took the ball down cleverly and placed a low shot past Doni.

"One would probably not see a better goal all night," purred Ferguson.

"He showed good composure and produced a great finish."

Roma reacted positively and Vucinic equalised after van der Sar had failed to deal with Mancini's blistering drive.

Totti might have given Roma a two-goal cushion but his 20-yard screamer whistled wide.

[abadani69]

تيم فوتبال ليورپول سه شنبه شب با كسب يك پيروزي مقتدرانه سه بر صفر در خانه آيندهوون ، حضور خود را در مرحله نيمه نهايي ليگ قهرمانان اروپا تقريبا قطعي كرد.

در همين حال در يك ديدار ديگر مرحله رفت يك چهارم نهايي ليگ قهرمانان اروپا ، بايرن مونيخ موفق شد با يك گل ديرهنگام در خانه آث ميلان به تساوي دو بر دو دست يابد .

ليورپول كه تجربه قهرماني اروپا را دارد حريف هلندي خود را مقهور كرد و هنوز بيست و هشت دقيقه از بازي نگذشته بود كه توسط كاپيتان استيون جرارد دروازه اين تيم را گشود .

نيمه اول اين ديدار نه چندان جذاب ولي حسابگرانه با همين نتيجه پايان يافت ولي چهار دقيقه پس از وقت استراحت دو نيمه ، ليورپول تعداد گلهايش را به دو برابر افزايش داد .

پيتر كراوچ مهاجم قلمي و بلندقد ليورپول كه در ديدار اين هفته تيمش در ليگ برتر انگليس در مقابل آرسنال قدرت گلزني را به رخ ديگر مهاجمان كشيده بود ، در اين ديدار نيز با يك ضربه سر ديدني در دقيقه ۶۳زننده گل سوم و آخر بازي شد .

" رونالد كومان " سرمربي آيندهوون كه پيش از اين از صعود تيمش به مرحله يك چهارم نهايي به خود مي*باليد اين بار دريافت كه ليورپول چه حريف قدري براي آيندهوون است .

اما ديدار آث ميلان و بايرن مونيخ دو غول فوتبال اروپا تماشايي بود و تيم آلماني موفق شد دو بار عقب ماندگي خود را جبران كرده و به يك تساوي دو بر دو دست يابد .

در نيمه اول ، ميلان در ورزشگاه سن سيرو بر بازي تسلط داشت ولي چندين فرصت گلزني خود را از دست داد تا اينكه سرانجام در دقيقه ۴۰توسط آندره پيرلو صاحب گل شد ولي دانيل فان پويتن در دقيقه ۷۸اين گل را براي بايرن جبران كرد .

كاكا مهاجم برزيلي آث ميلان در دقيقه هشتاد و چهار يك پنالتي را تبديل به گل دوم كرد و در حاليكه اين تيم در آستانه پيروزي قرار داشت بازهم فان پويتن به نجات بايرن آمد و در وقت تلف شده آخر بازي با به ثمر رساندن يك گل ديگر نتيجه را مساوي كرد .

اين تساوي شانس صعود بايرن را به مرحله نيمه نهايي ليگ قهرمانان اروپا براي مصاف با برنده ديدار امشب منچستر يونايتد و رم افزايش داد .