EUROPEAN NEWS

AS Roma sends R. Madrid packing, Chelsea cruises, Schalke 04 survives: UEFA ROUND OF 16, LEG 2-DAY 2

BELGRADE, March 5 (Reuters/Yahoo) - Roma knocked Real Madrid out of the Champions League at the Bernabeu on Wednesday to reach the quarter-finals and were joined by Chelsea and Schalke 04.

Roma’s 2-1 win secured a 4-2 aggregate victory while Chelsea thrashed Olympiakos Piraeus 3-0 and Schalke beat Porto 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw over two legs.

The Italians never looked overawed by nine times European champions Madrid and were unlucky not to take a first-half lead when Alberto Aquilani’s screamer from 30 metres hit the post.

Spanish champions Real, sorely missing injured striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy, lacked ideas in midfield and bite up front but nearly took the lead themselves early in the second half when Julio Baptista’s free kick from 25 metres hit the bar.

They fell behind to a flying Taddei header in the 73rd minute, shortly after having central defender Pepe sent off, and Roma’s passage to the last eight was sealed by substitute Mirko Vucinic after a Raul goal had briefly restored Real’s hopes.

Raul slotted Robinho’s through ball past goalkeeper Doni in the 75th minute but Vucinic silenced the vociferous home crowd with an injury-time header as Real threw men forward.

Roma coach Luciano Spaletti was delighted with his team’s second Champions League win in their fourth outing at the Bernabeu that condemned Real to their fourth successive first-knockout round exit.

“I expected a tough game but my team came here to get a result and they responded perfectly,” he told a news conference.

“We suffered at times but we deserved to go through. We didn’t steal this tie from Real. I think both sides played well and that makes the win here at this ground even more special.”

SUPERB NEUER

Schalke, having reached the knockout round for the first time in three attempts, continued their run by beating Porto, whose left back Fucile was sent off in the 82nd minute.

Lisandro had given 2004 champions Porto a 1-0 lead on the night four minutes later with an unstoppable shot on the turn to force extra time but missed his team’s final spot kick.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer kept Schalke afloat with a string of saves before denying Bruno Alves and Lisandro in the shootout.

Jermaine Jones then steered in the final spot-kick to start his team’s celebrations at the Dragao stadium.

“That was a real fighting display,” Schalke coach Mirko Slomka told Premiere TV. “We gave everything.

“It was a super performance from Manuel Neuer, and not only in the penalty shootout. He also made fantastic saves during the match.”

Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard and Salomon Kalou settled a one-sided game at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea joined Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester United in the last eight.

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Salomon Kalou scores against an over matched Olympiakos (PAUL ELLIS/AFP - Getty Images)

Arsenal shocks AC Milan, United and Barcelona cruise, Fenerbache wins thriller

LONDON (AP/yAHOO) - Arsenal eliminated seven-time champion AC Milan from the Champions League, and Manchester United, FC Barcelona and Fenerbahce also advanced to the quarterfinals of the competition Tuesday.

Arsenal became the first English club to beat Milan at San Siro after Cesc Fabregas scored with a 30-meter (yard) shot in the 84th minute and Emmanuel Adebayor added a second in injury time in the 2-0 win. Arsenal advanced 2-0 on aggregate after a 0-0 draw in the first leg two weeks ago.

"We knocked the holders out and we did it with a great performance," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "I am very proud of the players. We had been under pressure because we have dropped a few (Premier League) points recently."

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 30th goal of the season in all competitions to give Man United a 1-0 victory over Lyon at Old Trafford and advance 2-1 on aggregate.

"It's fantastic for a wide player to do that," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "Obviously he drifts into the middle at times as he did tonight. He's done very well and made a good contribution."

Xavi Hernandez flicked in a cross from the left by Ronaldinho in the fourth minute to give Barcelona a 1-0 win over Celtic as the Spanish club advanced 4-2 overall.

Lionel Messi, however, left the field in tears in the 35th minute after he tore a left thigh muscle.

"I feel sad and I really feel for him and for the team, above all for Leo, who is very upset," Barcelona president Joan Laporta said.

Fenerbahce beat Sevilla 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the teams finished 5-5 on aggregate. Sevilla won the match 3-2, but Fenerbahce had beaten the Spanish team by the same score two weeks ago.

Fenerbahce goalkeeper Volkan Demirel then made three saves in the shootout, stopping shots from Julien Escude, Enzo Maresca and Daniel Alves.

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Adebayor finishes off AC Milan with this goal (Shaun Botterill - Getty Images )

SCOREBOARD 



Round of 16, Leg 2  

Tue., Mar. 4 
Man Utd 1-0 Lyon        
AC Milan 0-2 Arsenal        
Barcelona 1-0 Celtic        
Sevilla 3-2 (pk) Fen'bahce   

Wed., Mar. 5 
Matchday Wrap Matchday      
Chelsea 3-0 Olympiakos        
FC Porto 1-0 (pk) Schalke        
Real Madrid 1-2 AS Roma


SCHEDULE/FIXTURES

2007-08 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

 

Round of 16-Leg 2,
Tue., Mar. 11 
 
Inter Milan vs. Liverpool

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