MADRID, Spain -- Karim Benzemas goal gave Real Madrid a 1-0 first-leg victory over title holder Bayern Munich on Wednesday, but the nine-time champions may live to regret the missed chances in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal. Madrid endured plenty of pressure in the first leg match, but scored from a 19th-minute counter-attack. Cristiano Ronaldo found Fabio Coentrao speeding down the left flank and Benzema steered his low cross past goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Ronaldo returned from a left leg injury but missed a number of scoring opportunities before eventually giving way to Gareth Bale, who had started on the bench after battling with flu. Bayern pressed for an equalizer in the closing stages, forcing Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas to deny Mario Goetze in the 84th minute while fellow substitute Thomas Mueller had no better luck with his late effort from inside the area. But Madrid should have extended its lead ahead of Tuesdays return leg in Germany, as the team bids to end a three-season semifinal losing streak and reach the final for the first time since winning in 2002. "If you want to do damage, you have to go for the victory -- because 1-0 is not definitive," Madrid defender Sergio Ramos said as he looked ahead to a tough second leg match. "But its a good result to take to Munich." Atletico Madrid or Chelsea await in the May 24 final in Lisbon, with the pair playing to a scoreless draw in their first-leg match on Tuesday. Pep Guardiola endured his first loss at the Bernabeu as coach after seven previous visits with Barcelona, and at times the encounter took on the appearance of a "clasico" with Madrid looking to capitalize on the break while the visitors controlled play. "Madrid thrives off the counter attack, Madrid is the best team in the world on the counter," Guardiola said. "They get back as fast as they go forward, theyre athletes." Madrids defence did well to contain Bayern in its area and then break quickly, but the Spanish club squandered its other chances after Benzema broke the deadlock. Ronaldo, who looked uncomfortable at times despite passing a late fitness test, followed up a sharp header at Neuer with a first-time shot from Luka Modrics perfect pass in the 26th minute -- only for his effort to fly high over the top with just the Germany keeper to beat. Madrid dug in and did well to clear many of Bayerns best opportunities as it controlled three-quarters of possession in the first half. The German champions found space between the lines and combined some swift passing movements, with Franck Ribery picking out Arjen Robben inside the area in the 39th. But Madrid weathered each buildup before surging forward, with Angel Di Maria gathering a loose ball at the right post only to wildly shoot over Neuer before halftime. After the break, Neuer had to dive low to keep out Ronaldos angled shot after a Bayern defensive mix-up. Ronaldo forced Neuer into another low save before giving way to Bale, who energized Madrids attack with his pace. The Welshman was playing for the first time since his stunning winner in Madrids 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final. "Its been 20 days Cristiano hasnt been 100 per cent, so it was a sacrifice for him. It couldnt have been easy for Cristiano tonight," said Ancelotti, who remained unbeaten against Bayern with his fifth win in seven meetings. "But Cristiano and Bale will be 100 per cent" for the return, the Italian coach added. Guardiola brought on Mueller and Goetze for the final quarter and Mueller nearly equalized with a rising shot in the 81st. A chance then fell to Goetze in the Madrid area but Casillas reacted well to stop the Germans powerful volley. "They had chances to score more goals, definitely," said Guardiola. "We probably should have created a few more scoring chances. (But) they have a very good defence." Bayern had gone 29 matches without scoring coming into the 20th meeting between the storied European rivals, and will still rate its chances of reaching a third straight final with the return leg at home. . Espanyol midfielder Sanchez intercepted Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizozs clearance and, having spotted a gap, risked using his less-favoured left foot to fire a beautifully precise long-range shot that bounced in from high up the near post in the 24th minute. . The Missouri Tigers Defensive End and SEC Defensive player of the year is eligible for the upcoming NFL draft in May.
http://www.cheapsharksjerseysauthentic.com/.ca. The NHL Play of the Year showdown kicks off with some slick moves going head-to-head with a combination of soft hands and endless patience. . On paper, it looks a little like Andre the Giant taking on a midget wrestler. It has all the makings of a rout with the Americans adding an eighth win in nine outings of this biennial event. The Yanks have eight players in the top 15 in the world while the Internationals have just one. . The Opening Day starter played 53 games this season hitting .192 with nine home runs and 25 RBI. Red Sox manager John Farrell has decided to start Jose Iglesias at third base as of late instead of Middlebrooks.Gerwyn Price and Benito van de Pas claimed their second Players Championship titles of the season with wins in Coventry over the weekend. Price came into the weekend having won the last Players event in Barnsley and he added a second consecutive title when claiming the honours and the £10,000 top prize at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday.With the worlds top four players absent following Thursdays Betway Premier League Play-Offs and ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Darts Masters - it was former rugby player Price who set the standard averaging over 108 in the final against Jamie Caven who made a welcome return to form. Price beat Terry Temple, Dirk van Duijvenbode, Mervyn King and Cristo Reyes to book a place in the quarter-finals and his last eight encounter with ninth seed Mensur Suljovic was to prove his toughest test of the day.The 31-year-old came through 6-5 against the Austrian before beating Ronnie Baxter in the semi-final to set up a meeting with Caven who beat Paul Milford, Simon Stevenson, Matthew Dennant, Scott Dale, Andy Jenkins and third seed Dave Chisnall on route.Price proved too strong in the final winning 6-1 with his 108 average too much for Caven, who averaged 101. Benito van de Pas claimed Sundays honours in Coventry Sundays event and top prize was claimed by Dutchman Van de Pas who was also a winner in Barnsley earlier this year when he beat Michael van Gerwen in the final.ddddddddddddThe 23-year-old whitewashed Joe Cullen 6-0 in the final to claim the first prize having seen off Christian Kist, Andy Boulton, World Youth Championship runner-up Nathan Aspinall and Jason Wilson to back the last eight.Van de Pas then eased past Justin Pipe 6-3 to set up a semi-final meeting with Darren Webster who he saw off 6-1.Cullens run to the final was impressive beating Simon Preston, Andy Hamilton, Antonio Alcinas, Andrew Gilding before the notable scalps of Dave Chisnall in the quarter-final and Steve Beaton in the last four.However, the youngster will have to be content with the £6,000 runners-up prize and a second ProTour final after running into an inspired Van de Pas in the final. Also See: MVG claims Premier League crown Mardle hails MVG World Cup of Darts draw Darts on Sky ' ' '
