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| Image Source - UEFA Champions League Twitter account |
The first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals took place on 10th and 11th April. It was a pretty dull affair as the matches couldn’t measure up to the excitement that was evident in every football fan’s heart. One good thing that comes out of it is that the second leg is all to play for. It is where the name of the semi-finalists will be known and it is where four will be eliminated and four will remain. Let’s take a look at the matches that took place.
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| Hugo Lloris celebrates the penalty save (Image Source - UEFA Champions League Twitter account) |
Domestic league dominance does not necessarily mean Champions League dominance, as was evident in this match-up between Spurs and City. A lone-Son Heung-min goal meant that Tottenham would go on to win this match despite dominance by City on almost all the fronts. The match had its bit of early drama after City was awarded a controversial penalty due to a Danny Rose handball. However, the French captain Hugo Lloris had other plans as he did superbly to deny Aguero the goal. After the missed penalty, both the teams were not at their best form and it looked as if the game going to end as a stalemate. And to make matters worse for Tottenham, their star player, Harry Kane hobbled off injured after clattering with Fabian Delph. But, a moment of brilliance between Eriksen and Son caused Tottenham to draw first blood in the 78th minute with a beautiful piece of play by Son and an exquisite ball by Eriksen. This win puts Spurs at a very good spot for the second leg. But they can’t take things lightly, for it is an injured Manchester City that they will face next week, which is probably one of the best teams in Europe at the moment.
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| Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino celebrate Liverpool's second goal (Image Source - UEFA Champions League Twitter account) |
Liverpool 2 – 0 FC Porto
There was probably no doubt as to who would come out as the winner of this match. Two first-half goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino ensured that Liverpool wasn’t troubled by Porto until the final whistle. Although Porto had several chances themselves, a visibly wasteful Moussa Marega didn’t help them. He had the least touches of any outfield player to play for 90 minutes. That should explain how ineffective he was for Porto. Liverpool goes into the second leg confident of winning this tie. If Porto does manage to pull off something out of thin air (which, quite frankly, is not possible) then it would be incredible to see.
There was probably no doubt as to who would come out as the winner of this match. Two first-half goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino ensured that Liverpool wasn’t troubled by Porto until the final whistle. Although Porto had several chances themselves, a visibly wasteful Moussa Marega didn’t help them. He had the least touches of any outfield player to play for 90 minutes. That should explain how ineffective he was for Porto. Liverpool goes into the second leg confident of winning this tie. If Porto does manage to pull off something out of thin air (which, quite frankly, is not possible) then it would be incredible to see.
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| Gerard Pique kisses fans goodbye (Image Source - UEFA Champions League Twitter account) |
Manchester United 0 – 1 FC Barcelona
Perhaps the most anticipated draw of the lot. Although, the first leg didn’t do much justice to the hype that was created before it. Messi and Co weren’t at their best but they did enough to scrape through with a 1-0 lead at the end of 90 minutes. Credit also does go to Manchester United for keeping the likes of Lionel Messi (just ask Chris Smalling) and Luis Suarez quiet. The goal was scored as early as 12 minutes and it was a Luke Shaw own-goal. The goal was also checked on VAR because it was thought that Suarez was offside during the build-up to the goal. But it was declared that the officials were right with their call. The second leg will be a very difficult mountain for United to climb, as it will take place at Barcelona’s formidable fort, Camp Nou. Will United be able to do the seemingly impossible task of beating Barcelona at their home, just like they did at Paris, or will Barcelona overturn the United challenge and go into the semi-finals?
Perhaps the most anticipated draw of the lot. Although, the first leg didn’t do much justice to the hype that was created before it. Messi and Co weren’t at their best but they did enough to scrape through with a 1-0 lead at the end of 90 minutes. Credit also does go to Manchester United for keeping the likes of Lionel Messi (just ask Chris Smalling) and Luis Suarez quiet. The goal was scored as early as 12 minutes and it was a Luke Shaw own-goal. The goal was also checked on VAR because it was thought that Suarez was offside during the build-up to the goal. But it was declared that the officials were right with their call. The second leg will be a very difficult mountain for United to climb, as it will take place at Barcelona’s formidable fort, Camp Nou. Will United be able to do the seemingly impossible task of beating Barcelona at their home, just like they did at Paris, or will Barcelona overturn the United challenge and go into the semi-finals?
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| Ajax players celebrate Neres' goal (Image Source - UEFA Champions League Twitter account) |
Ajax 1 – 1 Juventus
This was a battle of David vs Goliath. But I was told by an Italian acquaintance of mine, that Juventus isn’t much of a Goliath in Italy (He may or may not be a disgruntled fan of Juventus and angry at their recent form). He also said that without Emre Can and Chiellini there may not be a chance for Juventus. There may be some truth to his words, as the 1-1 draw with Ajax shows Juventus’ weakness and Ajax’s fearlessness. The entire match was dominated by Ajax, but lack of finishing capabilities in front of the goal may prove to be damaging for them. The first goal was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo right before the end of the first half, his 125th goal in the Champions League. But Ajax was right back in the game as David Neres produced a superb solo goal and quite possibly one of the goals of this season. The second leg would arrive with a lot of promise for Juventus, but if Ajax does turn up with their flair and finesse at Turin, then Juventus would have a very tough time qualifying for the semi-finals.
The second leg of the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals will take place 17th and 18th April.
This was a battle of David vs Goliath. But I was told by an Italian acquaintance of mine, that Juventus isn’t much of a Goliath in Italy (He may or may not be a disgruntled fan of Juventus and angry at their recent form). He also said that without Emre Can and Chiellini there may not be a chance for Juventus. There may be some truth to his words, as the 1-1 draw with Ajax shows Juventus’ weakness and Ajax’s fearlessness. The entire match was dominated by Ajax, but lack of finishing capabilities in front of the goal may prove to be damaging for them. The first goal was scored by Cristiano Ronaldo right before the end of the first half, his 125th goal in the Champions League. But Ajax was right back in the game as David Neres produced a superb solo goal and quite possibly one of the goals of this season. The second leg would arrive with a lot of promise for Juventus, but if Ajax does turn up with their flair and finesse at Turin, then Juventus would have a very tough time qualifying for the semi-finals.
The second leg of the UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals will take place 17th and 18th April.
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