Double-click on any word and see its definition from Cambridge Dictionaries Online.

Click on any of the links in the text to see definitions in our football glossary.

Do a language activity

Return to blog

The European result of the week was Liverpool’s stunning 3-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven, under-strength through injuries. It was the club’s biggest away victory in the Champions League in its present form, Steve Gerrard, John Arne Riise and Peter Crouch getting the goals. Liverpool had already drawn 0-0 at PSV earlier in the tournament, and beaten them 2-0 at home, Gerrard scoring in that game to equal Ian Rush’s European Cup record of 14 for the club; his goal on Tuesday set a new one. The tie must now surely have been decided; PSV coach Ronald Koeman thinks so, at least: “If I tried to find a reason to believe that we could reach the next round, I would be from another planet,” he said.

How many showers are there in the visitors’ dressing room at Stamford Bridge? Three that work, according to Spanish football daily Marca, and only one mirror (a tragedy if your life is ruled by your hairstyle – which may be the case with some footballers). The London club’s alleged psychological games were refuted by Chelsea coach José Mourinho, who broke off his pre-match press conference before Wednesday’s quarter-final first leg against Valencia to actually go and check out the facilities that would be at the Spanish side’s disposal. He returned minutes later: “Ten showers and two mirrors!” he proclaimed triumphantly.

The possible shortage of working showers did not seem to affect the Valencia players, who snatched a draw from a generally uninspired Chelsea team. The potentially all-important away goal was scored by David Silva from 25 metres, with that man again Didier Drogba heading an equaliser, his 30th goal of the season. Now Chelsea must travel to the Mestalla Stadium, where Valencia have lost just once this season. Mourinho was relaxed about the prospect of defeat: “If we win, we go to the semi-finals; if we don't, I already have tickets to take my kids to see some wrestling."

Chelsea or Valencia will meet Liverpool, if they do indeed go through, in the semi finals.

The spectre of violence in football stadiums has returned to haunt the game. Prior to Manchester United’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Roma, two United fans were stabbed, and during the game, the Italian police charged some of the 4,500 English fans in their section of the stadium, using what appeared to be excessive force. (Tottenham fans experienced similar treatment at Sevilla in the UEFA Cup on Thursday). UEFA have ordered an enquiry into the incidents.

On the pitch, United were largely outclassed and were reduced to ten men for almost an hour after Paul Scholes, who is 33 and should know better, saw two yellow cards. Taddei put Roma in front, Rooney got an important away goal but Vucini gave Roma a 2-1 win on the night. Rooney’s goal, however, means that the tie is far from over, and nearly 80,000 will be at the so-called ‘Theatre of Dreams’ this week to push their team on.

In the other quarter-final, AC Milan and Bayern Munich fought out a thrilling 2-2 draw in Italy, three of the goals coming in the last 15 minutes, two of them from Bayern’s Van Buyten.

Return to blog