While You Were Asleep: Chelsea, Liverpool ended in goalless stalemate, Bayern knocked out of German Cup, Inter, Juventus players engage in huge brawl after 1-1 draw in the semi
In what was the home team’s first game following the firing of manager Graham Potter, two of the top teams in England – Chelsea and Liverpool had yet another disappointing outing as the encounter at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday finished in a goalless stalemate.
Under interim manager Bruno Saltor, Chelsea were the better, more dangerous team but they failed to capitalise on several clear opportunities on goal. And it turned into yet another game showcasing the precipitous decline of two groups that, at current rate, are unlikely to be playing in the Champions League the next year.
“The only thing I can say is I am happy with the performance. I am happy for [the players]. It’s a credit to them, not me. To be able to come back from the news we had in the last few days, it’s incredible. They have to be proud,” said the new coach to Sky Sports.
The two struggling Premier League giants drew for the fourth time in a row at 0-0, leaving Liverpool in eighth place with 10 games remaining and seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenham. Chelsea remain in the bottom half of the table, in 11th spot.
It ends all square. #CheLiv pic.twitter.com/vBrt6CUL70
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 4, 2023
German Cup elimination for Bayern
Freiburg forward Lucas Höler netted a last-second penalty to oust Bayern Munich from the German Cup on Tuesday. In the fifth minute of injury time, Höler’s attempt went under the crossbar, sending Freiburg into the semifinals.
The spot kick was awarded for a handball Bayern substitute Jamal Musiala as he impeded Höler’s effort for a goal.
Bayern was bidding to win the competition for the first time in three years after humiliating exits in the previous two seasons.
#FCBSCF 1:2 (90.)WAHNSINN!!!!!!!!!!!!! HALBFINALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/6IYYkRpkNa
— SC Freiburg (@scfreiburg) April 4, 2023
“You’re now standing there with this pile of broken glass and you know it’s over again this year in the German Cup,” Bayern veteran Thomas Müller said. “Of course it scratches at the sense of pride.”
Inter, Juventus Cup semi ended in brawl after 1-1 draw
Following a 1-1 tie in the first leg on Tuesday, the Italian Cup semifinal between Inter Milan and Juventus finished with a huge brawl and three red cards.
Romelu Lukaku received his second yellow card for apparently taunting the crowd after the Belgian striker converted a penalty for Inter in stoppage time to tie the game.
Juan Cuadrado, who had put Juventus ahead in the 83rd, and Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic were also shown red cards as they clashed after the final whle, with players from both teams then getting involved as they tried to separate the two.
Chaos after the Coppa Italia semi-final first-leg draw between Juventus & Inter.
Cuadrado & Handanovic both sent off following the final whle.#JuveInter
pic.twitter.com/s9StwVYYhm
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) April 4, 2023
Soon after the final whle, players from both teams got involved in an attempt to break up a fight between Juan Cuadrado, who had put Juventus ahead in the 83rd, and Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic. Both players were shown red cards for their actions.
“It’s nothing, just a bit of chaos at the end of a balanced game,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said.
