It could be a bleak day for English soccer, as Chelsea is the country's last remaining hope in the UEFA Champions League and faces a two-goal deficit ahead of their Round of 16 second leg against Napoli.
The two tangle at Stamford Bridge after a 3-1 result that went in favor of the attack-minded Italian side. Barring a comeback by a team that has been plagued by inconsistency and a failure to reach its highest level, the quarterfinals of the Champions League will be without an English club for the first time since 1996.
Even after finding a late equalizer, CSKA Moscow is up against the odds as the Russian side heads to Estadio Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid in the day's other game. Cristiano Ronaldo's away goal in the 1-1 draw is currently the decider, and Madrid will look to remove all potential drama by coming out of the gates quickly.
Here is the viewing schedule for the day's matches:
3:45 p.m. – Fox Soccer Channel – Chelsea vs. Napoli
3:45 p.m. – Fox Soccer Plus/FoxSoccer.tv – Real Madrid vs. CSKA Moscow
If you will be watching any of the day's UCL action, please feel free to share any thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below. Enjoy the matches.
The confederate flag stands for a lot of things — white supremacy is not necessarily part of that. The confederate flag usually does not symbolize racism even in this country. How do you expect Italians to understand what the confederate flag stands for as a cultural symbol in the US? Chances are the flag in the stands has nothing to do with racism. People seem to be really infatuated with racism these days without really thinking about what it is.
Sad to see Napoli out. What an exciting team.
Madness?
This.
Is.
CHELSEAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!
Chelsea!!!! Keeping the streak alive.
Old School Chels
You have GOT to love the enthusiasm that Roberto Di Matteo celebrated with after the final whistle. And it seemed to be returned. Wonderful scenes.
Trust me, Lazio is WWWAAAYYY worst. It’s a proxy for fascism in Italy, and racism. See below for my explanation of the confederate flag in Naples.
I totally get why it offends, and having lived in the US for 30 years I find it offensive too. That said, I lived in Italy as a kid, and even remember buying my big brother a confederate flag on his birthday because he was in his teens and thought of himself as a rebel. The connotation is anarchy and, possibly, guns.
Now, it’s 2012 and yes, people should know better even in other countries, but not everyone does. And in Southern Italy, there’s the extra angle of the South rebelling against the North. In fact, the U.S. Confederates are referred to as the “Sudisti” in Italian – Southereners. Hence the dude in the stands.
Of course, he could be a card-carrying member of the KKK, for all I know – but that’s not the most likely explanation.
Wow, chelsea getting all the calls in extratime
I’ve heard that people in southern Italy have adopted the Confederate flag as a symbol of ‘Southern’ pride. Can’t vouch for the veracity, just what I’ve heard.
You can see it in interesting random places; There was an independent bookstore in Quito Ecuador that was called Confederate Books complete with the flag… but it had tons of literature you would not associate with the flga (Toni Morrison, etc.). I recall asking the owner and he said one of his ancestors left the South after the Civil War. For these Ecuadoreans 150 years later it meant more about being a rebel than anything racist. That said, I can understand the sensitivities surrounded with it.
i have a difficult time accepting that the “association between the confederate flag and racism isn’t necessarily obvious in other countries” given that we have the internet and wikipedia these days.
oh the away goal rule always exciting
MAdness this is Madness!!!
you meant two and ronaldo put that to bed
never heard that take. interesting….u may be onto something
but, i am african american and i get a hard enough time from my friends for liking the real futbol more than the american football & now i see a rebel flag…Dayum…
CSKA with the away goal!
One more goal and they advance!
If anything the confederate flag is probably a “southern Pride” symbol – Naples being in Southern Italy and the North seen as the oppressors. There association between the confederate flag and racism isn’t necessarily obvious in other countries.
Mig is so happy/anxious right now. Hanxious.
I thought Lazio were the italian club w/ a real racist bent, but maybe it’s more than just one. shh, don’t tell Sepp!
crazy game… awesome entertainment.
Lampard PK ties it up on aggregate.
I have to admit, that confederate flag was hilarious. What a strange place to see one.
Random or racist. They must know what that represents.
yes, on the napoli side. I hate them now.
dont care for either team, Im rooting for Chelsea for some reason though.
Did anyone see the Confederate flag hanging in the stands at Stamford Bridge in that camera shot a second ago? Random.
Drogba pulls one back!