Dangote refinery seeks US crude boost    Taiwan's tech sector surges 19.4% in April    France deploys troops, blocks TikTok in New Caledonia amid riots    Egypt allocates EGP 7.7b to Dakahlia's development    Microsoft eyes relocation for China-based AI staff    Beyon Solutions acquires controlling stake in regional software provider Link Development    Asian stocks soar after milder US inflation data    Abu Dhabi's Lunate Capital launches Japanese ETF    K-Movement Culture Week: Decade of Korean cultural exchange in Egypt celebrated with dance, music, and art    MSMEDA chief, Senegalese Microfinance Minister discuss promotion of micro-projects in both countries    Egypt considers unified Energy Ministry amid renewable energy push    President Al-Sisi departs for Manama to attend Arab Summit on Gaza war    Egypt stands firm, rejects Israeli proposal for Palestinian relocation    Empower Her Art Forum 2024: Bridging creative minds at National Museum of Egyptian Civilization    Niger restricts Benin's cargo transport through togo amidst tensions    Egypt's museums open doors for free to celebrate International Museum Day    Egypt and AstraZeneca discuss cooperation in supporting skills of medical teams, vaccination programs    Madinaty Open Air Mall Welcomes Boom Room: Egypt's First Social Entertainment Hub    Egypt, Greece collaborate on healthcare development, medical tourism    Egyptian consortium nears completion of Tanzania's Julius Nyerere hydropower project    Sweilam highlights Egypt's water needs, cooperation efforts during Baghdad Conference    AstraZeneca injects $50m in Egypt over four years    Egypt, AstraZeneca sign liver cancer MoU    Swiss freeze on Russian assets dwindles to $6.36b in '23    Climate change risks 70% of global workforce – ILO    Prime Minister Madbouly reviews cooperation with South Sudan    Egypt retains top spot in CFA's MENA Research Challenge    Egyptian public, private sectors off on Apr 25 marking Sinai Liberation    Debt swaps could unlock $100b for climate action    Amal Al Ghad Magazine congratulates President Sisi on new office term    Egyptian, Japanese Judo communities celebrate new coach at Tokyo's Embassy in Cairo    Financial literacy becomes extremely important – EGX official    Euro area annual inflation up to 2.9% – Eurostat    BYD، Brazil's Sigma Lithium JV likely    UNESCO celebrates World Arabic Language Day    Motaz Azaiza mural in Manchester tribute to Palestinian journalists    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



I wasn't out for revenge from PSG: Chelsea's Demba Ba
Demba Ba came off the bench to score the goal that sent Chelsea through to the Champions League semifinal at the expense of Paris Saint Germain
Published in Ahram Online on 09 - 04 - 2014

Chelsea striker Demba Ba proved he is one of Jose Mourinho's star strikers after he scored to help the Blues soar into the Champions League semifinal, defeating Paris Saint Germain 2-0 on Tuesday.
"I wasn't out for revenge," Ba was quoted as saying by the Guardian on Wednesday. "Maybe he [Mourinho] doesn't have the strikers to his liking, but I know that we have three great strikers and I think that a lot of clubs would like to have them. I'm happy to have liberated us. I haven't been given my chance much this season, but I've taken this one.
"It's the first time I've ever wished PSG to lose, and it's me who scores the goal, luckily for Chelsea. I'm happy for Chelsea but it's hard to see [PSG] lose, especially with one of my best friends, Yohan Cabaye, on the other side. But Eden [Hazard] kept telling me all day: 'It's your time tonight.' I was a bit scared for the Parisians because, after the third goal in Paris, everyone thought PSG were in the semi-final. Even my younger brothers kept telling me this, and then when Eden went off [with a calf strain] their fans already thought they were in the semi-finals. We heard them [singing]: 'We're in the semi-finals.'"
After losing 3-1 in the French capital last week, Andre Schuerrle began Chelsea's comeback in the second leg with a first-half strike. However, it took substitute Ba to grab the scruffy but crucial goal in the 87th minute to secure the 3-3 aggregate result.
"It was not to celebrate," Mourinho said. "It was to tell the players how we had to play the last few minutes. I knew at that moment they wanted to celebrate, to think the game is over. They forget that they had three plus three or four other minutes to play, and the way we were playing we couldn't carry on winning 2-0. I had to go there because it would be the only chance I'd have to tell Demba, Fernando and Schürrle what to do in the last seven minutes. But you could see I can still run."
The Senegalese international has fallen out of favour lately with the London club, with coach Jose Mourinho mainly relying on Samuel Eto'o and Fernando Torres upfront. The 28-year-old has started just two games out of his 14 appearances with the Blues this season.
"We are in the semi-finals. If the quarter-finals had eight fantastic teams, imagine the four that are going to reach the semi-finals. A big opponent is waiting for us in the semi-final but I think it doesn't matter who. They know we are a team with a special spirit, even if we are not in the maximum of our potential. Nemanja Matic and Mo Salah cannot play in the Champions League and we always have somebody suspended: Ramires here, and now Branislav Ivanovic in the next game."
For PSG it's another season of heartbreak in the quarterfinal — a victim of the away-goals rule just as they were against Barcelona last year.
Although PSG's wait to reach the Champions League semifinal again will go into a 20th year, the team is on the verge of wrapping up its French title defence, holding a 13-point lead.
(For moresports news andupdates,followAhramOnline Sportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports.)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/98665.aspx


Clic here to read the story from its source.