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| Image source: UEFA Champions League official twitter account |
The Champions League is the most valuable cup in club football, there’s no denying the obvious. Over the years, the Champions League has provided us with memories that have always managed to stir up emotions inside of even the sternest of fans. No one can forget the Miracle at Istanbul, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s winner, Barcelona’s comeback against PSG, Chelsea vs Bayern, and many more.
This time too, the Champions League has given us moments that would make any fan’s heart thump faster. There were shock winners, shock losers. Who would have predicted that AFC Ajax would beat 13 times Cup winners Real Madrid? Many wouldn’t have thought that Liverpool could match up to the Mighty Bavarians, much less beat them. While the Parisians were already celebrating their entry into the quarterfinals, the Red Devils had different plans for them and they ended up handing the Parisians a shock defeat that would create flashbacks to their match against Barcelona. Juventus vs Atletico Madrid was a matchup of equal teams in several aspects, but one man towered over Atletico like Gandalf from Lord of the Rings and declared that they shall not pass and went on to score a hattrick. What can happen in the Quarters? Where do the teams stand? Who are the favorites? Let’s find out then, shall we?
Let’s get straight to the point. What an exciting list of draws we have on our plates! Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City, AFC Ajax vs Juventus, Manchester United vs Barcelona and Liverpool vs Porto. One is an English Derby, another is a David vs Goliath situation, the other one is a revenge story and the last one is also on a similar vein as the second one.
First, we take the fixture Tottenham vs Manchester City. One is probably in all sorts of trouble at the moment, domestically speaking. But the other is in the form of their life, and quite possibly the most in-form European team at the moment. On paper and on field, while people would bet their money on Manchester City to win this fixture, Tottenham is a proven giant killer and also has the talent to back up this claim. This is a mouth-watering fixture and will keep the fans on the edge.Tottenham v Man. City #UCLDraw pic.twitter.com/SIoFHnp90a— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 15, 2019
AFC Ajax vs Juventus. Aah! David vs Goliath, albeit this David has gone through two Goliaths already this season in the guise of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. While they managed to hold the Bavarians to not one but two draws in the group stage, they managed to do the impossible by throwing Los Blancos out of the tournament. Was it determination and team spirit or pure luck? Can they do the same with Cristiano and Co? The possibility of Juventus being defeated is very unlikely, but Ajax is a force to reckon with this season. Keep an eye out for this fixture, it has the potential to be the story of the season.🇳🇱 Ajax v Juventus 🇮🇹#UCLDraw pic.twitter.com/WtTIdeBGrN— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 15, 2019
Manchester United v Barcelona 🇪🇸#UCLDraw pic.twitter.com/akXrW5oqpX— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 15, 2019
Manchester United vs Lionel Mes...Ehem...Barcelona. Manchester United will never forget the Champions League final night of 2011. Their hopes were crushed by the one and only, Lionel Messi. Since then, Manchester United haven’t achieved as much as Messi and Barcelona have achieved. This is all because of the brilliance and sheer talent of Lionel Messi. Stopping this man would not only require United to give their everything but would also need the luck to be on their side. This has all the makings of a classic Cup match. Let’s hope it gives out what it promises.
Liverpool v Porto 🇵🇹#UCLDraw pic.twitter.com/46PDX2N8uB— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 15, 2019
Liverpool vs Porto. Liverpool is one of the favorites to lift the cup and one would think that this fixture would be a walk in the park for the Reds. But one can never underestimate Porto. After all, they made it to this stage. They have silently crept their way up, without attracting much attention. Porto has managed to defeat AS Roma in the Round of 16, it is by no means an easy task beating Roma (ask Chelsea). Can Porto cause an upset? If so, then this would turn out to be the most important highlight of this year’s tournament. Meanwhile, the Reds wouldn’t want to go back without a trophy and would give their all. It promises to be a very interesting fixture that can turn into a major bashing or a major upset.
There you go then. These are the eight teams that will fight for the ultimate prize. Here’s to hoping for a good show of sportsmanship and intense rivalry. These four matches will take place on 10th April and 11th April. Also, don’t forget to follow the Europa League, where teams like Chelsea, Arsenal, Napoli, Benfica and Valencia will battle for the Europa League Cup.
The Beats is a team of independent and unconventional young journalists seeking to connect people and help make sense of the topsy-turvy world through the eyes of the youth. We curate content that is thoroughly analysed, fact-checked and unbiased in the form of write-ups and videos. Although we like classics and contemporaries, we are here to give voice to the unheard and shout out to the whispers. The Beats is a non-partisan organisation delivering multi-dimensional news of the millennials, by the millennials and for the millennials that reflects the essence of neutrality. We are the New in News.
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