Learners’ Podcast – Week 38 – Champions League Semis

On this week's show we look at the semi-finals in the Champions League with three fans from England as well as having a new English for Football phrase. For learners of English there are also: Worksheets and transcripts Vocabulary lists Online quizzes and crossword puzzles Weekly blogs from our football-crazy writers in fansa€™ forum Transcript Liverpool fan Damon: OK, so Ia€™ve got a Liverpool fan here. What did you think about the result against Chelsea? Tim: Well, um, of course, very disappointing to lose a goal - an own goal - with, like, literally ten seconds left of the game. So, quite disappointed really. Damon: Which players stood out for you? Tim: Well, in terms of standing out in my memory, ita€™s going to hard to forget Riisea€™s contribution to the game. Um, how someone could try to head a ball that was ankle high off the ground for that last touch of the game. But, uh, on the positive side, I thought Dirk Kuyt was fantastic for us. He was tirelessly running as always, and he got an important goal. And I think hea€™s a good sportsman as well. He could have gone down, Makelele challenged him roughly from behind in the box. He could have gone for the penalty, but he thought a€˜No, Ia€™m going to go for a goal. And he scored, so great play. Damon: And what about the return leg? Tim: Well, youa€™d, I mean, youa€™d have to say Chelsea are favourites, I mean, they can grind out a nil-nil like anyone (no-one) can. And um, but I do think we have a chance. I think Torres didna€™t score any goals, I think hea€™s owed a goal by now, and Liverpool are owed a goal at Stamford Bridge. We havena€™t scored there for years, so I think therea€™ll be goals in the game... Manchester United fan Damon: OK Paul, youa€™re a Manchester United fan. What did you think of the game, uh, last night. Paul: Well, um, I thought it was a good game, um, as a United fan, um, I thought Barcelona had most of the game, so I think theya€™ll be a little disappointed they didna€™t win, but of course United had their chances as well, and especially the penalty, so, all in all I think ita€™s... Ia€™m reasonably happy with the result. I mean we didna€™t win, but then didna€™t sound like we deserved to. Damon. Was there any stand out moment, or stand out player for you in the game last night? From either team. Paul: Um of course the moment that sticks in my mind is the penalty. And, uh, ita€™s not like Ronaldo to miss them. hea€™s uh... I remember watching him put two past the Arsenal keeper just a week or so ago. So I was expecting him to get it in, and uh, obviously that was the big moment. Damon. OK, and next week is the return leg at Old Trafford. What do you think? Paul: Pretty confident. I think wea€™ll, uh, I think wea€™ll beat a€˜em. And I think that Chelsea will win in the other game, and ita€™ll be Damon: I didna€™t ask you that... Paul: And Liverpool will lose... Chelsea fan Damon: So, Ia€™ve got a Chelsea fan here. What did you think about the game midweek? Simon: Um, well, there are politer words that I can think of. Um, basically, I thought Chelsea were very lucky to get away with a 1-1 draw. Um, but my rationale is that you know it comes around, you get a bit of luck in these sort of games and thata€™s what you need at this stage of the tournement. So, I think, uh, Liverpool, are, Liverpool are still not out of it though. Damon: Any stand out players for your team? Simon: Uh, not really, I thought we were very average, um, working hard. Carvalho covering for Terry I think was probably one of my picks. But overall Cech, uh, you have to pick Cech. he made the key saves of the game. Particularly at the end, uh, when Torres and Gerrard both had very good shots on target, uh, it proved to be the difference. Damon: And, uh, next week the return leg. whata€™s your call? Simon: Um, my hunch is that ita€™s going to be as close as the first one, obviously home advantage does make a difference at all levels. I think it might be 1-1 and Chelsea win on penalties because ita€™s at home.