UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL: Talking points as Paris Saint Germain face off with Bayern Munich.

Surely the end of the road but not in its entirety; Either Paris Saint Germain or Bayern Munich must have their name inscribed on the desiderate Champions League trophy. A record sixth time it will be for the former if they win it, ergo, to the disdain of the French outfit. 

PSG can pull of a surprise and register a first ever Champions League trophy with their only ever shot at it in the final. 

The final must happen and gotten out of the way so we call the 2019/2020 European season firmly done and dusted.

UCL Semi Final: Les Parisiens lock horns with the Red Bulls as Mia San Mia pierces loudest ahead of Lyon clash.

All too soon, we await the final two slots as both will compete for the coveted UCL trophy come Sunday night.

Shocking scenes and absolute stupefaction when Lyon and RB Leipzig booked semi final spots ahead of Manchester City and Atletico respectively. Bayern eased into it with that 8-2 mauling to Barcelona and PSG left it late in that Atalanta clash to make it this far since their last semi-final in 1995. 

A round table discussion as we get topical on the UCL semifinals with Bill Eshun (@Bill_Eshun) and Samuel Ayesu Lartey (@samuelkudjoe1) 

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Quarter Final

Can Bayern Munich remain unstoppable; Gold or nothing for City's Pep.

Atalanta enjoyed the ecstacy of a glorious 90 minutes with a goal from Pasalic 28 minutes into their very first UCL quarterfinal until they were robbed off it in the dying embers as PSG clawed back to grab a 2-1 win. 

Atletico Madrid's UCL trophy hunt waits a little longer with not much to salvage from as a brave RB Leipzig side booked a semi-final showdown against PSG. 

Preview...

Bayern Munich vs Barcelona is a tie many predicted to happen later in the competition than sooner. A good first half display against Napoli in the first half helped the Catalans book this showdown against the Bavarians. Bayern has been ruthless and dominant in this season's campaign. Hansi Flick does no harm to his reputation coming into this tie. He filled in as  temporary gaffer but his efforts sure did exceed expectations hence his role now as manager. His excellent reading of the game is also an added advantage. Lewandowski's 13 goals does not make finding the net a demur but an undervalued aspect of his game is his ability to feed his teammates to also get on the score sheet. A tight understanding in midfield makes for an impressive showing as their efforts are well corrborated by the wingers. Alphonso Davies can help counter the threat of Lionel Messi on the left flank. Though Herculean, his speed and reading of the game will be a great asset in this match up. 

Gnabry and Perisic were impactful moving forward against Chelsea nevertheless Coman's recovery will force him back into the fold. Kimmich could fill in again for Pavard thereby leaving Goretzka and Thiago as the double pivot in midfield. Overcoming Bayern is not catch-22, Messi and Suarez may play upfront as Dembele and Griezmann could help make the 4-4-2 approach one to help get the win for Quique Setien. 

The blue and white soldiers in Guardiola's army play for a semi final spot when they come up against Lyon on Saturday evening. He is looking to prove doubters wrong as his ride with City hasn't been a success in the UCL. He goes into the tie with a comfortable win in both legs against Zidane's Real Madrid. Kevin DeBruyne is the lynchpin in the middle of the park for the sky blues. He sets the tone for the likes of Jesus, Sterling and Mahrez to latch on to the final balls. Lyon however being wary of City's threat, must keep it compact at the back to prevent a drubbing. Houssem Aouar, Toko Ekambi and captain Depay must be sharper upfront to guarantee qualification for the French side. Moussa Dembele could get the nod in this tie as he started on the bench against Juventus. It will count for nothing, if Guardiola cannot whelm his opposition at the Estadio Jose Alvalade and may well be considered a failure if he cannot win this competition with City as he said jokingly in one of his interviews.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: QUARTER FINALS

PSG go full tilt or Atalanta's overrun continues; Time for the Rojiblancos? 

A new model structure bearing circumstances of Covid-19 changes the shape of the champions league this year. A one-off fixture for every other stage all the way to the final showdown in Lisbon. 

Not many gave them a chance but an impressive showing and sure understanding of Gian Piero Gasperini's system has brought them this far in the tournament. They tore Valencia to shreds to make it to the quarters with their sweet attacking football. Illicic, Papu Gomez and Luis Muriel a fine trio to this success. They face a PSG side with pangs they so have not healed from. With every trophy in France swept away but the UCL trophy is one unaccounted for. Tomas Tuchel relies on Neymar, Mbappe and Di Maria and they have delivered the goodies. 

Many believe this year is assuredly theirs and a blip will efface a timezone for their UCL trophy success. Tuchel has always relied on a 4-3-3 system but is likely to switch things with the suspensions of Di Maria and Verrrati. Mbappe could sit this one out with his injury despite rumors of him beating it. Pablo Sarabia and Mauro Icardi are able deputies who can help get the win for the Nike-sponsored side. 

Atalanta has been touted as the fall guy but the 3-4-1-2 system is one aesthetically amazing to watch. They overload the middle of the park with midfielders and tear teams apart with their quick wingbacks. Ilicic is a out of the squad for personal reasons, bar him Atalanta can go full tilt to grab a win to make it to the semis. Gosens and Malinovskyi another pair you can keep your eyes on at the Estadio de Luz. 

 

The slayers of the current holders face off  with RB Leipzig. Atletico Madrid having progressed every time they faced a German opposition will love this encounter however three clean sheets for Julian Nagelsmann's side in his last five points out Leipzig will be a tough nut to crack. With no goalless draw in as many games, reminds us of their attacking prowess. They have lost a major carrier of that thrust in Timo Werner with his sealed move to Chelsea. Patrick Schick and Yussuf Poulsen could start up front in their 3-5-2 approach. Marcel Sabitzer is a doubt but Halstenberg could return after his injury. 

Diego Simeone nonetheless has a full squad he can present on the day with Sime Vrsaljko the only uncertainty. The Rojiblancos have been modeled as one with a sturdy backline. Joao Felix, Morata, Angel Correa and Carrasco are quick upfront and can catch the Germans on the break. Without Timo breaking down this burly defense, it will be hard for RB Leipzig but they do have an outside chance of edging this tie tomorrow night. 

 

There is a breath of fresh air for ATM as nemesis and bane, Real Madrid is out of the competition. 

The Dead Wait: UCL

Gattuso to keep Barcelona out; Bayern to finish it all off at the Allianz Arena? Lyon grinding it out and City cement their place in the quarters. 

Ronaldo's two goals was not enough for the Italian giants as Depay converted from the spot earlier to help Lyon crawl into the quarter finals. The champions league trophy still a missing piece in the trophy cabinet for Juventus. 

Manchester City repeated the scoreline from the first leg to comfortably put Pep's team in the last eight. Zidane just didn't have enough to snatch this one from the English side. 

Preview

Barcelona vs Napoli, Camp Nou.

Napoli travels to Spain to clinch a spot in the Last 8 but Barcelona stand in the way. The first leg ended one apiece in Italy. Barcelona struggled in that one but managed to get the all important away goal. Gattuso can keep Barca out but the lack of scoring in his team makes this tie all the more difficult. Camp Nou has been a comfortable ground for the host until Osasuna. The only trophy Barcelona can vie for is the UCL and a slip up would force fans to call for the manager's head. Messi well remains a threat Gattuso must neutralize. Napoli ought to take their chances as Barcelona have been poor in recent times. An early goal for the visitors will calm nerves. Mertens, Insigne and Callejon have the desired pace and speed to help the Gli Azzuri.

Bayern Munich vs Chelsea, Allianz Arena.

A good showing away at the Stamford Bridge in March sets the tone for this encounter as Chelsea were taken to the cleaners in the first leg. Bayern come into this tie on the back of their 8th consecutive Bundesliga title. A sure force in Germany but must be well aware of the surprise Chelsea can pull if they take their foot off the gas. With limited squad at Lampard's disposal, he faces a daunting task of overcoming that 3-0 advantage Bayern have. A major boost is N'golo Kante traveled with the team to Germany  but will be without Azpi and Pulisic after both limped off in their FA cup final defeat to Arsenal. Willian  didn't travel with the squad too. 

Bayern has rested enough and have Thiago back as well. Koman and Pavard will be out. Coutinho and Kimmich can fill in to help Hansi Flick's men finish it off at the Allianz Arena.

Back again Wednesday.

The Long Wait: UCL Preview 2nd leg

Surety wasn't a perk when Covid - 19 broke onto the scene. Things were brought to a stand still as most were left to find more room in the four corners of their homes than they normally would prefer. 

Football was also away but only for a short while. The UCL didn't take it's concurrent effects as it's normally happened in recent seasons with the various domestic leagues in Europe. The hiatus brought about changes requiring adjustments and that we can say the various leagues adjusted to quite well. Approximately 160 days between both legs is what the change has given us but we move on from it though.

After the long wait these teams get to book their places in the quarterfinal and just as you know we will give you a preview of the final 4 games before the quarterfinal showdown in Lisbon. 

Juventus v Lyon, Allianz Stadium.

Lyon heads into the second leg with a 1-0 buffer as they prepare to face Juventus in Turin, Italy. Juventus comes into this tie after securing the ninth Serie A title in a row. They have proved their dominance in Italy but that UCL trophy has eluded them and with Ronaldo they will want to change that narrative. Lyon failed to make it into the CL places this season as the ligue 1 was cancelled. There is a good chance to make it back in the UCL next season if they make it all the way to the final. The one goal advantage gives them the upper hand but if Mauricio Sarri's side remain resilient and has Ronaldo and Dybala firing on all cylinders they can ease past the French side. Not forgetting the threat Lyon possesses as they have Depay back now with a more vibrant side - Tousart, Toko Ekambi and Houssem Aouar, ones to look out for. 

Manchester City vs Real Madrid, Etihad.

Manchester City came back to the Etihad with that 2-1 advantage against the recent La Liga champions, Real Madrid. The Los Blancos were stunned in the final minutes at home as Pep Guardiola's side took the needed motivation before heading into this second leg. Gracefully perched back into the UCL despite their initial two-year ban allowing Pep the chance to win an European trophy with Manchester City. The league cup in England the only accolade he has in his trophy cabinet this season. Kevin De Bruyne in some fine form this season and the bigger piece to Pep's jigsaw. The UCL will be a better end to the season if he is able to overcome the threat from Real Madrid. Zidane is no freshman to the UCL. His three-peat record still lingers and approaching this would be a sweet one to see with no pressure on his shoulders. Lots of threat for Pep to neutralize, and Benzema one he won't take his eyes off. Hazard is back from his injury but Bale and James Rodriguez not in the squad with Ramos' suspension making him unavailable.

We are well aware and will be ready by 19:00 GMT when the UCL second legs kick off. 

Enjoy and see you on the happy side this evening. Back again tomorrow.