World Champion Sami Khedira has made it into the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia with Juventus, after beating AC Milan 2-1 at home. It is the third consecutive year in which the Turin giants have reached the last four of the competition. They’ll face Napoli in a two-legged tie starting on the 1st of March, with the return clash scheduled for the 5th of April.
The Bianconeri took the lead early on through a Paulo Dybala volley (10’) and then doubled their lead ten minutes later, as Miralem Pjanic fired in a trademark free kick. Khedira put the ball in the back of the net in the 29th minute but it was rightly ruled out for offside. Despite being dominating the first half, Milan couldn’t have wished for a better start to the second, as Carlos Bacca halved the deficit eight minute after the restart. However, moments later Manuel Locatelli was sent off for a second bookable offence, making the visitors’ chance of a comeback even slimmer. Despite a couple more chances for either side through Mario Mandzukic (62') and Juraj Kucka (71'), the scoreline stayed 2-1 and the home side advanced to the next round.
Kroos and Can out of domestic Cups
Toni Kroos had differing luck with Real Madrid in the quarterfinal of the Copa del Rey. The current Champions League holders exited the competition after only managing a 2-2 draw in their second leg tie against Celta Vigo, after losing 2-1 in the first encounter. A Danilo own goal put the underdogs in the lead (41’) before Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from a free kick (62’). Daniel Wass restored the Celta’s advantage (82’) and a very late Lucas Vazquez strike wasn’t enough to turn the tie around for Zinedine Zidane’s side.
Emre Can suffered similar fate with Liverpool in the semi-final of the EFL Cup. Former Bundesliga coach Jürgen Klopp's men lost 1-0 to Southampton on the night, and 2-0 on aggregate. Can was substituted off in the 79th minute for Belgian striker Divok Origi, as his side went in search of a goal. However, a Shane Long strike in stoppage time sealed the win for Southampton.
World Champion Sami Khedira has made it into the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia with Juventus, after beating AC Milan 2-1 at home. It is the third consecutive year in which the Turin giants have reached the last four of the competition. They’ll face Napoli in a two-legged tie starting on the 1st of March, with the return clash scheduled for the 5th of April.
The Bianconeri took the lead early on through a Paulo Dybala volley (10’) and then doubled their lead ten minutes later, as Miralem Pjanic fired in a trademark free kick. Khedira put the ball in the back of the net in the 29th minute but it was rightly ruled out for offside. Despite being dominating the first half, Milan couldn’t have wished for a better start to the second, as Carlos Bacca halved the deficit eight minute after the restart. However, moments later Manuel Locatelli was sent off for a second bookable offence, making the visitors’ chance of a comeback even slimmer. Despite a couple more chances for either side through Mario Mandzukic (62') and Juraj Kucka (71'), the scoreline stayed 2-1 and the home side advanced to the next round.
Kroos and Can out of domestic Cups
Toni Kroos had differing luck with Real Madrid in the quarterfinal of the Copa del Rey. The current Champions League holders exited the competition after only managing a 2-2 draw in their second leg tie against Celta Vigo, after losing 2-1 in the first encounter. A Danilo own goal put the underdogs in the lead (41’) before Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from a free kick (62’). Daniel Wass restored the Celta’s advantage (82’) and a very late Lucas Vazquez strike wasn’t enough to turn the tie around for Zinedine Zidane’s side.
Emre Can suffered similar fate with Liverpool in the semi-final of the EFL Cup. Former Bundesliga coach Jürgen Klopp's men lost 1-0 to Southampton on the night, and 2-0 on aggregate. Can was substituted off in the 79th minute for Belgian striker Divok Origi, as his side went in search of a goal. However, a Shane Long strike in stoppage time sealed the win for Southampton.
