The elegant English Soccer

It all started when this glorious sport was created in England. Maybe for many persons it was an act of vandalism, but got many others, it could be the beginning of one of the most acclaimed sports of all times. Moreover, at the beginning soccer was not as competitive as it is today, but it is still the portray of a great battle, where many people go to worship their team and just enjoy the beauty of the sport. That is precisely what happened last Sunday, where two teams as Manchester United and Arsenal confronted themselves in one of the traditional classics that always astonish the world with the great level of soccer they offer. Additionally, now days the English soccer has been underestimated as time passes, a very evident consequence for this fact is precisely the appearance of teams as Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. Still I will always think that this is the best league in the world, because a great match does not necessarily need great teams, we only need the drama and the passion that the players show throughout the match. The game the world witnessed on Sunday was a pretty good one, it was a very tight game that ended up with a close tie (1-1). I think that at the end, this is a very good entertainment for people, even though there are sometimes when violent conducts are seen, the sport that was created by the British people is now days the greatest sport in the world, and it will continue to be it.

Pulido 11b

The Final Four

After many exciting weeks of UEFA champions league matches, the end of the tunnel is in clear sight. The semifinals are right around the corner and it couldn't be any more exciting. The final teams are now set after a thrilling quarterfinal round. Briefly recapping, last week brought many exciting games: Real Madrid triumphed over Galatasaray, Bayern Munich over Juventus, Borussia Dortmund over Málaga, and Barcelona over PSG. The semifinal draws are now set. All four teams are extremely strong and will make any match up an intriguing one. The combination of extremely talented players and strongly managed teams will result in a week of epic matches. The first match up will be between Barcelona (Spain) and Bayern Munich (Germany). This will be one of the bests match ups of the year. Not only because they are good, but because they are the leaders of their respected leagues. They are the best of the best and they will be playing head to head during two games. A prediction will be difficult to make since they are both elite teams. Each of them has its own style of play. The German squad is a soccer machine, who attacks with tenacity. Barcelona is a team who plays the passing game but is dangerous when it gets into the scoring area. Anything can happen in this match up and both teams deserve to move on.

The next match up is between Real Madrid (Spain) and Borussia Dortmund (Germany). This will be another good match. Although some say that it's not evenly matched up, I think that this series will be very interesting. The Spanish merengues have been playing very well during their last couple of games. Their confidence will be very high and they will play a very strong match. Borussia cam off a lucky win against Málaga and they will look to be confident. The advantage that the team team has is that their team is conformed of very young players. This makes the team very strong and fit to beat the spaniards. On the other hand, Real Madrid has more experienced players who will help them to triumph. In conclusion, there is no clear winner in these two match ups. All four teams are the best of the best and they all have the same chance of winning and moving on. We must now wait and see how these events unfold this week.

A.C.P 

The Dissapointing Semi Finals

The time has come when everybody is excited because of the final stages of the UEFA Champions League. The tension can be felt and the joy is overwhelming. The last four teams are considered to be the best of the best because of how far tyhey have come in the tournament. The best quality of soccer is expected and it is the time of the year where the best players in the world shine and show their true skills. The level of skill and talent expected in these stages of the tournament by the fans is extremely high. They simply want the best and nothing less. It seems as if some of the team forgot that this was the semi finals and that it was their ticket to advance and play in the final. After last weeks matches, it can be clearly seen that some of the teams did not bring the high quality of soccer that they were expected to bring. Starting off on Tuesday was the match between soccer giants: Barcelona (Spain) and Bayern Munich (Germany). This was a very anticipated match because these two teams are considered to be the best in the world. It would be a match up between teams from the two best soccer playing countries (as ranked by FIFA). The public and the audience were stunned after what seemed to be a practice session for the german squad. They walked all over the tëam considered by most as undefeated and the best. The germans played with authority and with coordinated skills, and simply destroyed the spaniards. The match ended up 4 to 0 in favor of Bayern. Thsi was a major upset and the world was shocked to see that Messi could not do anything about it. The second match, on Wednesday, was another anticipated game between a Sapnish team and another German team. It was a show down between Real Madrid (Spain) and Borussia Dortmund (Germany). This match up was expected to be a better one and more exciting, after the dissapointing match played the day before. Real was confident and their best player, Ronaldo, was playing at his best. This all ended after a few minutes. The spanish team broke down and the events witnessed on the previous day started to repeat. The geramn squad, after starting off 1 goal down, began to score. They accumulated 4 more goals to win the match 4 to 1. The match showed how good the german teams were and how underrated they were perceived. The world saw the spanish teams fall down and hard. Over all, the quality of the german style of play was outstanding, but inorder for the game to be excellent, both teams have to do well. This was not seen in these two matches. We will now have to wait until next week to see how this semi final leg ends up. Although the results are already anticvipated, anything can happen. We must not forget that this is the CHAMPIONNNNSSSS!

A.C.P

Great turnovers at the UEFA Champions League

AC Milan - RC Deportivo La Coruña 4-1
RC Deportivo La Coruña - AC Milan 4-0
Quarter-final 2003/04
Walter Pandiani put Deportivo ahead on the scoreboard at San Siro, but that was forgotten after the good result achieved at the end of the Italian team, a game in which Kaka scored two goals. Before the second leg at the Riazor, Deportivo coach Javier Irureta dreamed of the comeback: "We know it will be very difficult, will be a challenge. Football But miracles happen, things you never think can happen."

Incredibly, his team was already ahead of the tie before the break thanks to goals from Pandiani, Juan Carlos Valeron and Albert Luque, while the substitute Fran Gonzalez became the fourth in the 76th minute. Irureta had promised to do the Camino de Santiago if he could pass: "I have to thank Santiago this victory.'ll Do the Camino de Santiago because a promise is a promise," explained Irureta.

Real Madrid CF - AS Monaco FC 4-2
AS Monaco FC - Real Madrid CF 3-1
Quarter-final 2003/04
It appeared that Monaco would fall in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League at the conclusion of the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 24, 2004. Four goals after the break, Real Madrid seemed to let the team of The Principality no options but then a goal from Fernando Morientes in 83 'left alive to visitors around. Coach Didier Deschamps would not admit defeat before the match will be played back: "If I thought that I would stay at home."

With 0-1 just seconds before halftime, Ludovic Giuly equalized, Morientes, who was on loan from Real Madrid, made it 2-1 while Giuly won the final would be 3-1. The triumph of Monaco thanks to the double value of the goals scored away from home could be gone if the shot from Raul Gonzalez had hit the crossbar in the closing stages. Morientes, meanwhile, did not celebrate the victory: "I am delighted for Monaco in Madrid but I have friends who are having a hard time."

Chelsea FC - FC Barcelona 3-1
FC Barcelona - Chelsea FC (T. P.) 5-1
Quarter-finals 1999/2000
Before the arrival of Roman Abramovich, Chelsea was not the European whirlwind which later became so the win in the first leg of the quarter-final against Barcelona by Louis van Gaal, with goals from Gianfranco Zola and Tore André Flo, surprised many. Still, the team Gianluca Vialli was placed 2-1 in the Camp Nou with seven minutes left after the goal but then appeared Flo Dani Garcia to make it 3-1 with which would lead to the extension. A penalty both Rivaldo and Patrick Kluivert likewise ended up giving the victory to the Catalans. Luis Figo said: "Tonight we made a perfect match."

"It was the most beautiful night of my life," he noted his partner Gabri García. "We lost in the first leg but we managed to turn the tie," said Figo. Meanwhile, Vialli made a good summary of what happened: "We have done everything that I wanted: to defend bad".

SSC Napoli - Chelsea FC 3-1
Chelsea FC - SSC Napoli 4-1 (T. P.)
Round of 2011/12
A coaching change certainly boosted Chelsea comeback. The last game of coach Andre Villas-Boas with the London club was in Naples, where despite Juan Mata ahead of the British, two goals from Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani over both left the tie very favorable for the picture Italian. "That away goal allows us to continue to have choices, we can trace", ventured Villas-Boas.

However, the Portuguese had already been replaced by Roberto Di Matteo in the leg. In London, goals from Didier Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard took the game into overtime, where Branislav Ivanović completed the feat with the 4-1 that would be final in 105 minutes. "I've lived other big nights but this may be the best in the club's history," said one Di Matteo did not know that the best was yet to come.

AC Milan - FC Barcelona 2-0
FC Barcelona - AC Milan 4-0
Round 2 of 2012/13

No team had recovered before two-goal deficit after the first leg without the benefit of double value of the goals scored away from home until he succeeded Barcelona at the Camp Nou. A brace from Lionel Messi leveled the tie while both David Villa very start of the second half put the Catalan side in virtually rooms.

Barca also had luck on their side, M'Baye crashed a ball on the stick, and it was not until the last minute when Jordi Alba sealed the win with the final 4-0. Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said that Barcelona had played "extremely well" while Lionel Messi told UEFA.com: "This is the club that we and the fans want to see all the games." On Wednesday Barça need to make an equal or better performance.

Now, it´s Barrcelona´s time to make another great turnover with the bad result they had on Germany. Now, they are loosing 4'0, score from which no team has ever turned over, but I still believe in the great F.C. Barcelona, the one who won 6 important cups in matter of one year (Liga, Copa, Champions, Recopa, Supercopa Europea and the FIFA World Clubs Cup) only in 2009. Visca Barca, all together we´ll get again on Wembley!

By: Juan Diego Cardona

WINNABLE

Winnable. That´s the expression Mourinho used to show his optimism towards tuesday´s match against Borussia Dortmund. After the loss in Germany, 1 to 4, the Real Madrid has its honor "injured" and is willing to battle till end. All its players are sure that they can win the match, as it ocured in 1984 with Brutagüeño and even before with Santilla. I´m sure Real Madrid can do it, it is a team known to fullfill its fans´ dreams specially in the Santiago Bernabeu. 

As a "madridista" my only job is to support the team, to give it confidence, trust and speccially love, because that´s what football is about. I´m sure we can win 3 to 0 to the sencond best german team, a team that hasn´t lost any match in the whole Champions but, that´s what footbal is about, miracles (to know more about them, check this video: Miracles at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

I support and trust the team, guided by CR7 or Cristiano Ronaldo, we will be able to achieve victory.

They trust us as well: Real Madrid trusts its fans.

Sebastián Toro

Manchester Champions

Manchester united won Aston Villa 3-0 . This made the red devils champions of  the premier league.  The celebration in the dressing rooms was held in with great excitment, and the players made the United Fans really happy, since last year thebtitle was lost by a last minute goal from Manchester City.

The match against ASton Villa was an easy match for the United team, and Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated his thirtheenth championship with the Red Devils.

Finally on another topic, the Champions League held an incredible match yesterday, where Bayern Munich beat Barcelona 4 goals to 0. Surprisingly for the Catalan team it was a hard match, and a clear victory for the German team.

Yasin Naman M.

The Final Four

After many exciting weeks of UEFA champions league matches, the end of the tunnel is in clear sight. The semifinals are right around the corner and it couldn't be any more exciting. The final teams are now set after a thrilling quarterfinal round. Briefly recapping, last week brought many exciting games: Real Madrid triumphed over Galatasaray, Bayern Munich over Juventus, Borussia Dortmund over Málaga, and Barcelona over PSG. The semifinal draws are now set. All four teams are extremely strong and will make any match up an intriguing one. The combination of extremely talented players and strongly managed teams will result in a week of epic matches. The first match up will be between Barcelona (Spain) and Bayern Munich (Germany). This will be one of the bests match ups of the year. Not only because they are good, but because they are the leaders of their respected leagues. They are the best of the best and they will be playing head to head during two games. A prediction will be difficult to make since they are both elite teams. Each of them has its own style of play. The German squad is a soccer machine, who attacks with tenacity. Barcelona is a team who plays the passing game but is dangerous when it gets into the scoring area. Anything can happen in this match up and both teams deserve to move on.

The next match up is between Real Madrid (Spain) and Borussia Dortmund (Germany). This will be another good match. Although some say that it's not evenly matched up, I think that this series will be very interesting. The Spanish merengues have been playing very well during their last couple of games. Their confidence will be very high and they will play a very strong match. Borussia cam off a lucky win against Málaga and they will look to be confident. The advantage that the team team has is that their team is conformed of very young players. This makes the team very strong and fit to beat the spaniards. On the other hand, Real Madrid has more experienced players who will help them to triumph. In conclusion, there is no clear winner in these two match ups. All four teams are the best of the best and they all have the same chance of winning and moving on. We must now wait and see how these events unfold this week.

A.C.P

Millonarios, a terrible moment seeks the embassadors

Millonarios, after a terrible campaign at the Libertadores cup, faces now thenational tournament. Millonarios goes from bad to worse. Again in the final minute, Millonarios remained empty handed, this time with a defeat at home to Itagüi, 1-2. It is the third straight losing reigning champion, but this time with a really disturbing performance because the heart he showed against National was not this time.
Millionaires exacerbated their problems in the first half: in addition to the slowness that has become usual, had no surprise that in one or two passes per game, gives Mayer Candelo. It also appeared that the two strikers, Wason Renteria and Fredy Montero, I have given the same script, because it clashed frequently. The only formula that worked was the shot from outside the area, as happened against National on Tuesday.
The team quickly grasped the idea in the second stage and in three minutes, Yhonny Ramirez got a bombshell from the edge of the area, after a bad rejection of Carlos Arboleda, and scored the 1-0.
Itagüi balanced the game when Gerardo Vallejo pulled and shoved to Yessy Mena. Inexplicably, Millos got into their field and the Aguilas' tightened to find the equalizer. But before Fabio Rodriguez goal, a shot from the edge of the area deflected off Ramirez, Mena had been expelled for a second yellow. The first was by ordering a hand in the area of ​​Yoiver Gonzalez was involuntary.
From 1-1, Millos attacked desperately, but without clearly and take advantage of the man over. And visitors killed in a counterattack which topped Luis Quinones at 49 the second time. A Millionaires came the night: now dawns among the eight, but Sunday could be with calculator in hand, and what is worse, without football to reverse. Sunk in the 9th place of the national league, Millonarios will try to qualify and win again the championship.

Juan Diego Cardona

Nacional finally won... again

Yesterday my favorite team won again. Its rencounter with victory was beautiful because they really showed superiority. I´m really happy for the "verdolagas" because they did what fans wanted. Finally they played really good, a finally they achieved those 3 points. Now we are first in the League, the important thing is to be part of the first 8 teams since this will allow them to fight for the title.

It was a good match, and, even without Macnelly Torres (the 10 of the team) we were able to achieve victory against Equidad Seguros. Equidad is a team quite funny because they are called like an health care enterprise. I mean, normally a football team´s name comes from their city of origin, but today we have teams called like an enterprise. I hope in the future there´s no team called like a president or something like that. Stalin F.C.vs Marx Stars...


Anyways, I´m happy with the victory, 2 goal to 0, and with the work of the team, that´s the most important of all.

S.T

The Destiny of Soccer

As many of you may know or may not know, the semi finals of the UEFA Champions League are almost here. For many, two battles that are going to be settled to death, because honestly, if you are a fan of action or drama, this could be the perfect environment for you. Considering that it's the most important tournament of soccer in all the world, we now have 4 teams that are only willing for one thing: to pass to the final and to achieve what almost every team in the world wants, the maximum title in this sport, this trophy of gods, this legend maker.

One one hand, we have the match between Barcelona FC and Bayern Munchen, two machines that have all the level that you'll ever want in a team. The first one, having the best player in the world and considered more than once the best team over the last 5 years and the second one full of increible player level and team work, that's what German teams are all about. The thing here is on knowing what ability will win, the 100% talent that Barcelona presents or the extreme precision of the German team ?

Likewise, we have the battle between Real Madrid and Borusia Dortmund. What makes very interesting this two matches is the fact that we are witnessing the best teams of Spain against the best teams of Germany, so we could apparently make the conclusion that probably those ate te best two leagues in the world, but that is a very controversial decision because leagues such as the one of England are also pretty good. Anyway, the second semi final will be as good as the other one , because both teams play in a very similar way, a thing that almost forces both teams to play with something new, or may be just to play with the best they have.

It is not a mystery that this battles that the world will witness matches with a great level of soccer, so I think the only thing we have to do is to entertain our eyes with what will be a great opportunity to see good soccer.

Pulido 11B

PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPION

The Manchester United is champion of the premier league one month before the tournament's last match. After it's polemic elimination against Real Madrid in the champions League the Red Devils have created a gigantic gap against Manchester City second in place.  In the last match day the United beat Stoke CIty 2-0. (Carrick '4 RvP '66).  The gap is still 15 points, it is graet advantage taking in consideration that last year Manchester City won the tournament by 1 point, in a suffering match, where it was won 2 minutes after the 90 official.

This year inevitable the United will be the Champion, today there is a match against Westa Ham at 20:45 local time. This is a good game, considering the history of english football whe any tesm could beat the first of the table. Ferguson's line up will have some changes in its formation since Saturday's game had some trouble in the midfield. The starting team is not clear, but it is clear that the possible formation for today's match will be:

De gea
Ferdinand
van Persie
Rooney
Rafael
Evra
Jones
Carrick
Vidic
Young
Valencia


This certainly will be a great year of growth for the new players and a great retirement for thos in their lasts years. This is a club of great history where every player that passes through it has a lot to learn.

Yasin Naman M.

And then there were four......

This last week was not particularly exciting when it came to soccer action in Europe. The league matches went all as expected and did not bring any exciting moments or recognizable matches. The only thing that made this week exciting was the second leg of the UEFA champions league. After a gruelling first leg two weeks ago, this week was to bring some thrilling matches. The first to matches of the second leg were played on Tuesday. The first encounter was between Real Madrid (Spain) and Galatasaray (Turkey). After a disappointing first leg and a 3-0 loss for the Turkish side, the second leg did not look very promising. To everyone's surprise, the game turned out to be exciting and full of thrilling moments. The game started out 1-0 for the Spanish side, but quickly turned around and became 3-1 for the Turkish team. It might have been the home crowd that inspired Galatasaray, but they drew themselves close to moving on. Unfortunately, Ronaldo scored for Real Madrid and sealed his team's ticket to the semi finals. The aggregate finished 5-3 for Real Madrid. The second game of the day was Málaga (Spain) vs Borussia Dortmund (Germany). The final decision of who would move on to the next round came down to this match, after a 0-0 tie two weeks ago. The German team was the heavy favourite, but the game had some twists and turns. The teams charged and the game progressed to a 2-1 for the Spanish team. It was clear that they would be moving on; until the 90th minute. In the last three minutes of the match. The German team scored twice and drove the final stake into Málaga's heart. They claimed their rightful spot in the champions semifinals. 

On Wednesday, the two other matches took place. The first was between Barcelona (Spain) and PSG (France). The previous match (tie 2-2) had left some uncertainty and it wasn't clear who would win. This next match would clear up the picture and define the better team. To be honest PSG dominated most of the match and scored the first goal. Barcelona was being eliminated up until the last 17 minutes of the game when they equalized the score. They held on for the 1-1 tie. The aggregate finished 3-3 but Barcelona moved on because of away goals. The final math of the quarter finals was Juventus (Italy) vs Bayern Munich. After a 2-0 to the Italian side, this game was supposed to be their time for redemption. They needed to change and win. Unfortunately this game, although on different soil, was a mirror reflection of the first leg match. The German machine cruised to a 2-0 win again and easily advanced to the next round.

After those four teams qualified for the next round, the semis promised to bring very good match ups. After the lottery was played, the match ups where decided: Bayern vs Barcelona and Real Madrid vs Borussia. No matter how they would have been arranged, the matches would have turned put to be awesome. There is no week team in this round and everything is possible. Bayern is favoured because of Barcelona's weak performance against PSG and Real Madrid is favoured because of their excellent results lately. Either way, the semifinals will bring some very exciting moments. The battle of Spain vs Germany, the powerhouses of the football world. Let's hope that next week will bring us the greatest matches of the year and the best soccer from all four teams.

A.C.P.

Hopelesness

I´m really surprised by last week football results. I mean in the Colombian League three teams, including my favorite, Atlético Nacional, lost. But, not only in this "chibchonbiana" league, also in the "most important football country after Brazil, Argentina. Where one of the most famous and important teams lost with one that is going to descend soon. Exactly, Boca Juniors lost by a score of 1 to 6 against San Lorenzo. Never the less, my entry today will have just a distant relations with this. As the last entry affirmed, you can analyze anything based on football and today will not be the exception.

Boca Juniors lost 1 to 6 , Atlético Nacional lost 0 to 4 and Venezuelans "lost" by 1.27%. Well, it is important to clear something out, not all Venezuela lost, as many of Colombians and foreigners may think, just the high class in Venezuela lost again. This time, it was just a 1.27%, pretty close if we have in mind that just 3 months ago they had lost for 11% against Chávez. Any ways, I believe it is fair, as it is for Boca and for Nacional, because it was the result of their moves, of their own actions in the field. If you watch both matches, you can easily conclude that Boca Juniors and Nacional are just playing as if their fans were phantoms; they don´t care what we feel or think, they just play as if they were at school, where winning or loosing is not important, just have fun. And that ignorant way of thinking is what fucks us as country and society. Yes, just have fun in your life, so do anything you like: kill, get high, drink, drive, rape because that´s what makes me happy and that´s my goal. Well, Venezuela showed once again, their intention to be part of the "XXIth century socialism" although many of its premises are illogical or hypocritical. The people in Venezuela, assuring Democracy did work on Sunday, won the match, a match that was won since Hugo Chávez was in charge 13 years ago, and it was won because they did what a government must do, or at least, what they think it should do.

Nacional had the opportunity to win but, its moves were only individual, they were not collective, and when you do something just thinking in one person, the rest turn into an obstacle. Juan Pablo Angel and Jefferson Duque, both forwards, started to be an obstacle to each other instead of helping themselves achieve a goal. Chávez and now Maduro, did the opposite. They played collectively, and lets remember which groups is bigger, the elite or the poor class? They played with the bigger group, with the poor, to win the match and, what the results have shown is that they are playing a good match. I just hope Maduro will maintain that playing idea Chávez had, or, at least, renew it for a better purpose, because what Venezuela needs is integration and not a polarization bade on the class struggle Marx talked about.

I do hope that match was won legitimately, and that Venezuela is the real winner of the match.

S.T.

Football is everything

Football indeed, is the best sport in the world, and it´s quite common that politicians, actors or phylosophers explain their ideas with a brief comparison to the sport created by the Englishmen in the 19th century. This first match was something totally new, totally different, even though, the Incas, in the 10th century already played it.

Football, in fact, can be related to anything, from a common family problem, to flirting advices and that, my dear readers, is what gives succes to football. Any one, from a poor African in Somalia, to a rich C.E.O in the States, can feel identified with this sport, and with the tactics been used in it. For instance, a guy, very timid wants to flirt with a girl. Our friend is called, Andres. Andres, isn´t a Messi in love, he can´t control the situations or think fast because he has no experience: this means he is just starting to practice at the "cantera" of the team. Of course, love isn´t a team thing, but, if you know how to control the ball, make a good pass, a godd move or evade the enemies, it is quite possible, that you score a goal. And, in fact, a goal is what your thinking it is. But, maintain focus, football gives you the ability to react to situations you have never imagined, situations that require of a great concentration and a fast-thought.

On the other hand, football, describes politics, politicians and, international affairs. I mean, you can use football to show a dumbass how the world works without talking about difficult terms like budget, sovereighnity, United Nations, etc. I remember once a president said, that he was going to hand out some football balls just for the guerrilla members to see what they are loosing in the jungle. The idea of the government, taking into account the Fifa u-20 world cup was going to take place in Colombia, was to show them that leaving the FARC was a better choice, because they would be free, at their homes, watching the matches. Football is full of lies, a player falls to the ground just to see if the referee is going to grant him a  penalty kick, or just a foul. And, in fact, politicians gave that same mentality. They lie to us in order to be granted with some priviledges like a very big salary or to steal our money.
  
A third aspect is the use of football for diverse commercials. Once, in the TV, a commercial affirmed: "Saque el tabaco de su vida, de taquito" (Take from your life tabacco with a taco). It is quite important how football allow people to be represented, to feel, identified.

Finally, I believe football is an essential part of humans´ lives, it is the only sport where you cry, suffer, shout, feel happy in just 90 minutes, the only sport that makes people feel some type of nationality and, most of all, the only sport that has given to 7 billions, an activity to share with someone. 

The best coach in Colombian Football

Wilson Jaime Gutierrez Cardona, born on May 5th 1971, is a former soccer player, playing with clubs such as El Condor, La Equidad, but is most known for his acting at Club Independiente Santa Fe and Atletico Huila. His player career finished in 2005 at his 33 years of age. After this he became a coach of Equidad Seguros, Alianza San Salvador, and now is the coach of Club Independiente Santa Fe.

His begginings at Santa Fe weren't good at all. He was eliminated from the final 8 at the Southamerican Club Cup by the hand of the Argentinean club Velez Sarsfield with a polemic penalty kick in the 92nd minute of the 2 leg match. Eventhough they were eliminated Gutierrez was considered a great coach for his performance and was given another year coaching the "cardenal" club. His begginings at the local tournament couldn't be worse.He tied the first match against the local rival "Millonarios F.C." Then he lost the second matcxh against Tolima and then began the denomined "empatitis B" in which he tied 6 matches and the fans were rageous.

 

Interestingly, the winning streak of the  'Cardinal' team , came in the second year classic of the dispute in the ninth round of the tournament, where Santa Fe, playing away in the 3-4 defeat to Millionarios at the Campin, in a match where the beginning he was seen with another face to all red in the capital, achieving a comfortable win, loose and wide. However, the team began to relax for the second part, giving rise to the comeback of rival after defensive errors against which the future would be the second scorer of the tournament, ie Humberto Osorio Botello, which would give power to the party, however the team was able hold the result thus achieving abstinence end of victories had until that entonces.34 from that date, Santa Fe achieve a winning streak of 4 dates back to draw against Atlético Nacional and Once Caldas , which offset by a serious and convincing 5-0 win against Real Cartagena.

 

Santa Fe were the champions in the first semester of 2012 ater a 37 year streak of not achieving any tournament. 

 

Wilson Guttierrez is a Cardenal idol, not only for his achievements as a player but also for all the happiness he has given to the fans as a oach.

 

Gutierrez is currently 3rd in the local tournament and already qualyfied for the final 16 in the Libertadores Cup(the most important tournament for any American team (American is for the clubs playing in the American continent, not the US...)) 

 

Eventhough I'm a Millonarios fan and I love my team I'm very proud for Gutierrez, and there is only one reason why, hes's my cousin and he has always been very close to me.

 

Juan Diego Cardona Hernandez

 

 

The greatest games until now..

Yesterday, two games were played for the quarter finals of the champions league, perhaps both are the most exiting that I have seen in this season. The first one , Borussia Dortmund and Malaga, teams that are not usually in this round, so they both have the dream of getting to the final and maybe winning the championship . In the first match, both got a tie so they had to give all in the game of yesterday. That was what happened, they both were 2-2 and there were still lasting 2 minutes but the Borussia Dortmund managed to score the last goal in the last minute. Likewise, the other match was as good the last one, it was the one between Real Madrid and Galatasaray, even though Real Madrid won the last game was 3-0, Galatasaray proved the world that the would portray a very good defeat , because they did not quit until the end. A goal of Cristiano Ronaldo opened the match with only 7 minutes of playing, opportunities were decreasing for the Turkish team, but hope was never lost. In the second half, Galatasaray scored 3 goals but it was not enough for being able to win. It was proved that it is never late to keep trying because it will always be worth it .

The most interesting match until now in the premier league was palyed this monday at the Theater Of Dreams. At 8PM local time, the Manchesters played an impecbale game. The final score: 2-1. The first half was full of "almost goals" but it gave us a lot of little hearts attacks. Several shots on targets by both teams made a great match, the ball possesion mostly in hands of the City, but still, both teams gave a esplendid presentation.

The match gave the City fans some hope with their, team, they shortened the gap of 12 points behind the leader Manchester United. The team coached by Sir Alex Ferguson played very well but in football what matters are the goals. And in the second half Millner, scored for the city, leaving the United fans in complete silence. But 8 minutes later, a center by RvP the Jones head the ball and it bounced in Kompany, straight to the goal.

The match was in it´s highest point both teams were holding each other attacks, and after 20 minutes the defense of the United couldn´t hold the penetration of Kun Agüero, who scored a nice goal with his individual abilities.

Manchester United as alwayas was totally ready for another battle against his historical rival of Manchester, Manchester City Football Club. The match did not generated the past expectations. The Red Devils leaded the Barclays Premiere League by 15 points over the Citizens.

After the catastrophic experience with Real Madrid the form of the team has gone down. The end of the season brings a lot of rumours about the transfer market certainly pointing at players like Rafael Da Silva and Luis Nani. The team is also suffering the retirement of historical players like Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs. This proves that the team morale is certainly going down.


Yasin Naman M.

The greatest club tournament is back!!

This past week has brought us many exciting moments that have made this first week of school after Easter vacation a little bit better and more tolerable. The first and most important thing is, of course, the return of the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE! It's not only the league were true players are born, but it also exhibits some of the greatest soccer matches in the world. 

Reaching the final stages of the tournament, the best eight teams in the tournament collided on April 2nd and 3rd to play the first leg of the quarter finals. The first matchup was the anticipated game between the great Barcelona (Spain) against PSG (France). Even though these two teams are at the top of their respective leagues, the favourite was Barcelona. After a gruelling match, the final score remained at 2-2. Barcelona fans were disappointed, fully knowing that their team was the favourite to come out on top. They over came the fact that the great Messi (Barcelona) was injured during the first half and had to leave the game. They must know wait for the second leg, which they will play at home, to beat PSG and secure a ticket to the semifinals. The second game was also an anticipated match. On the pitch, the soccer giants, Juventus (Italy) and Bayern Munich (Germany) fought tooth and nail to prevail and get a head start in this first leg. Although its was expected to be a very evenly matched game, Juventus slacked off and allowed the German machine to score twice and have a controlling grasp on the series. They must now wait until next week to go back home and try to make a comeback, although highly unlikely since they are facing one of the tournament favourites. The third game was between Real Madrid (Spain) and Galatasaray (Turkey). It's was one of the best and most exciting matches if the week.......... NOT!!!! Apart from being a Turkish team that rode the train of luck to reach this far into the tournament, Galatasaray also had to face the Portuguese machine: Ronaldo. After powering through the 90 minutes, the Spanish "merengues" cruised to a deserving 3-0 win and crushed all hopes that the Turkish team had. Even though the Turks will have home field advantage this week, the results of this match up will most likely stay the same. The talent of the spaniards is too good to be beaten by a lower class team. Played back to back with the previously mentioned match up, was the game between Málaga (Spain) and Borussia Dortmund (Germany). The expected result was a convincing win for the German squad, but to everyone's surprise the Spanish team brought their skills to the pitch. Málaga stepped up their level and forced a tie in this last match of the week. They survived the first leg but its clear if they can handle Borussia a second week in a row. It's clear that next week will bring us very interesting matches and that anything is possible. These ups and downs are all just part of the fun and the thrilling excitement that make up the UEFA Champions League. 

In other news, the Colombia soccer tournament was under way this week. This Saturday displayed some anticipated match ups between intracity rivals. First, "el clásico" was played between league leaders Santafé and Millionarios. As usual, the score is always unpredictable and resulted in a big 3-1 win for the "azules" (Millos) of Bogota. The match was pretty one sided and did not reflect an interesting match. The other match up this Saturday was between Nacional and DIM. These two tournament contenders from Medellin disputed their match on home turf. After a evenly matched game, the score ended 0-0. The public did not get to see any scoring action but the match was enjoyable. Better result were expected but ,what can you do? It's soccer!

 Be sure to tune in to next weeks games. They will not disappoint and it will not be odd if something amazing happens. After all, it's THE CHAMPIONNNSSS!!!!!

A.C.P