ACL: Tractor joins Foolad - the Tabrizi side says farewell with away defeat

Tractor Sazi has joined Foolad after the Tabrizi side was defeated by Al Ahli Dubai in the final group-stage round of the AFC Champions League.

Ahmed Khalil could have scored for the hosts but his shot was far from target.

The visitors were first to put their names on the scoring sheet as Mehrdad Bayrami netted the ball into Ahmed Ashouri's net.

Al Ahli could have equalised but Osama Asaidi did not make the best out of his opportunity and the score remained in favour of the guests in the first half.

In the second half Al Ahli put pressure on the Tabrizi side and Everton Ribeiro scored the equaliser.

Kwon Kyung-won could have added a second one for the Emarati side but his strike hit the crossbar before Habib Al Fardan's shot was blocked to deny the "reds" from getting in front.

Tractor once again took the lead as Saman Nariman Jahan scored after Bayrami snatched the ball from Al Ahli defender Walid Abbas.

Isa N'doye conceded a goal for the second time by a header from Ahmed Khalil and on the 88th minute Khalil turned the table around to give the UAE representative the victory which made them qualify to the knock-out round after Nasaf Qarshi failed to secure three points from Al Ahli SC giving Al Ahli Dubai the second place in group D qualifying as second in the group along with Al Ahli SC.

Tractor Sazi have not managed to get past the group stages in all their three appearances in the contest.

Out of the four teams representing Iran only Perspolis and Naft made it to the knock-out round.

DFB Pokal: Bavarians treble tittle race over at Dortmund stop

 

Borussia Dortmund have ruled foes Bayern Munich out of DFB Pokal in penalty shootouts.

The game that was hosted by Allianz Arena saw Joseph Guardiola's side get knocked out of the semi-finals after the Bavarians were unable to hold on to the 1 - 0 lead given to them by Robert Lewandowski. The ex-Dortmund player netted the ball he received from Medhi Benatia on rebound after his first shot hit the cross-bar.

The Polish international's 30th minute goal gave the home team the advantage and could have seen them score once again in the start of the second half if it wasn't for Dortmund keeper Langarek, who saved Thomas Muller's shot.

The most controversial incident of the game occurred in the 55th minute when Marcel Schmelzer used his hand to take the ball from Thomas Muller in the penalty area but referee Peter Gagelmann, did not award "the reds" a penalty.

Bayern tried to add to their one goal advantage but Thiago Alcantara's shot was saved by Langarek.

The score got level on the 75th minute when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored for the guests by a Henrikh Mkhitaryan assist.

The goal pushed Jurgen Klopp's men forward and tables were about to turn around but Manuel Neur saved Marco Reus on target strike to end the match in a draw at normal time as well as extra time.

In the penalty shootouts Bayern's first three takers: Philip Lahm, Xabi Alonso and Mario Gotze missed their penalties and Neur's hit the cross-bar.

Despite a miss from Mats Hummels Dortmund made it to the final and will play Wolfsburg in Berlin after they beat Arminia Bielefeld 4 - 0.

From the 108th minute Dortmund were down to 10 men after Kevin Kampl was sent off for a second booking.

Messi dedicates derby win to Tito Vilanova

 

Leo Messi has dedicated Catalan derby victory against Espanyol to former coach Tito Vilanova.

The striker posted a picture of him and Vilanova on his official Facebook page with the caption: Tito, you'll always be with us in memory and our hearts.

Goals from Neymar and the Argentine gave Barca a 2 - 0 win against their neighbours to secure a five point lead from rivals Real Madrid on the day that marked a year since the decease of ex-Barcelona coach, Tito Vilanova.

Vilanova, aged 45, died after losing a long battle with cancer.

Ibrahimovic: Barcelona will win Champions League

Former FC Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has predicted that the Spanish club will lift the champions league trophy at the final in Berlin.

"We have to be realistic, Barcelona were simply better than us. They were the better team and deserved their win" said the ex-Blaugrana attacker.

"They will probably go on to win the Champions League now."

Regarding his team the 33 year old made the following statement to reporters in Catalunya "as for PSG it is not possible to win the Champions League on the short term.

"we have taken several big steps forward in recent years and were eliminated by a superb team.

"But it is not worth lying about it or hiding behind excuses. Reality is that PSG are not at the level to win the Champions League yet."

FC Barcelona knocked PSG out of the Champions League with a 3 - 1 win in France followed by a 2 - 0 victory at home to qualify to the semi finals of the competition with a 5 - 1 victory on aggregate. 

Chelsea ends United's back to back wins as Hazard scores to continue blues unbeaten home record

Eden Hazard's 38th minute goal ended United's search for a seventh consecutive win this season.

The visitors did not have defenders Phil Jones, Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo due to injury as well as Jonny Evans due to suspension and midfielder Michael Carrick because of injury. Chelsea did not have players Diego Costa and Loic Remy.

The Red Devils tried to create chances and had ball possession for the most part of the game and could have equalised before the end of the first half but Thibaut Courtois, denies Falcao, and the ball goes out for a late corner.

In the second half Chelsea continued the game in defensive mode in attempts to stop United from coming back to the game and they achieved their task as United strikers were not able to change the result even though they created chances, because of the Londoners solid defense.

Hazard's 13th goal this season put Chelsea two games away from winning the Premier League, a trophy they last lifted in 2010.

The undefeated team at home has a ten point lead from Arsenal, who is in second place in the table.

Arsenal hopes to continue in second place with a win over Chelsea when the two meet at the Emirates next Sunday hoping that Everton surprises Manchester United at home.

Jurgen Klopp leaves Dortmund this summer

In a press conference held by Borussia Dortmund, manager Jurgen Klopp, has announced his exit from Signal Iduna Park this summer.

The 47 year old who has spent seven years with BVB following his arrival in 2008 has led the team to two consecutive Bundesliga tittles in 2011 and 2012 as well as the Champions League final in 2013.

"I always said in that moment where I believe I am not the perfect coach anymore for this extraordinary club, I will say so"

Clop went on to say: "I believe this is the right decision at the right time. I just wanted to make my decision known now so that the club can plan for the future.

Regarding reports about taking a year off just as Pep Guardiola did, Klopp stated: "I have not had any contact with any other club, either in England or elsewhere, nor have I any plans to take a sabbatical.

"But with a manager job, it could be that I might have to.

"if that means half a year, or one year, I don't know. I haven't structured anything, nothing is calculated, I haven't planned anything.

"I chose this time to announce it, because in the last few years, some player decisions were made late and there was no time to react"

Michael Zorc, Dortmund sporting director said: "we have written football history with you, Jurgen. You have given the club much energy and optimism.

"I think all BVB employees, especially of course our team, should give you the goodbye that you have earned."

Klopp's decision to resign from head coach position of "the black and yellows" came three years before the end of his contract which is due to expire in 2018.

According to reports in Germany, Thomas Tuchel, will be appointed as Klopp's successor. 

Sevilla - Barcelona draw favour rivals Real Madrid

In the most sensitive liga match of the week Sevilla took on Barcelona in the Roman Sanchez Pizjuan.

Barcelona were first to attack and scored when Leo Messi, tucked a left foot shot into the net of Rico, after receiving the ball from Neymar.

The Brazilian winger puts Barca in the lead by two goals scoring his 18th goal from a free kick in the 31st minute.

Ever Banega, however, brings the difference to one goal after Claudio Bravo, concedes goal from distanced shot in the 38th minute to end the first half with an advantage for the visitors.

In the second half Sevilla controlled the game forcing a cautious Luis Enrique, to have a defensive approach towards the game bringing on Xavi for Neymar, a tactic that did not prove useful as Bravo, found the ball in his net once again after a great team work ended with a Kevin Gameiro touch in the 84th minute levelling the game and giving the home team a draw that kept the unbeaten home record of 23 games ongoing, benefiting Barca rivals Real Madrid who defeated Eibar 3 - 0 to bring the point difference down to two.

This match saw the return of Ivan Rakitic for the first time to Sevilla as a Barca player.

Barcelona face PSG in the Parc Des Princes on Wednesday in the quarter final of the Champions League.