UCL: Quarter Final draw

Liverpool pair Real Madrid; Bayern Munich to locks horns with Paris SG yet again... 

The House of European football in Nyon, Switzerland hosted the UCL 2020/21 Quarterfinal draw on March 19 with the R-16 ties coming to an end this week.

There is going to be a replay of last year's final showdown early in the Quarters. Bayern conquered but Les Parisiens get another chance to redeem themselves. 

Liverpool face 13-time champions, Real Madrid in what could also be a repeat of the final in 2018. Klopp will look to write all the wrongs in those books when Los Blancos come around. 

Manchester City come up against Dortmund while Chelsea and Porto face off in a grueling encounter.

The first week in April (6 & 7) gets marked on our calendars for these nightcap ties.

The Quarter Final draw as below:

• Bayern Munich vs Paris SG
• Manchester vs Dortmund
• Real Madrid vs Liverpool
• FC Porto vs Chelsea

Semi Final

The path spells out a road for the semi-finals when Bayern Munich/PSG could meet Pep's Manchester City/Dortmund.

The same for the other path will see either Real Madrid/Liverpool or Porto/Chelsea square off.

Final

The Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey will host the UCL 2020/21 final on a possible May 29 date. 

Did you get your dream pair and path?

The last bite: 2nd Leg-R-16(17/03/21)

Who goes through? A clean sheet, and the job is done for Chelsea; Momentum Building for Bayern Munich. 

The round of 16 concludes this night. The London Blues gets perked up in Europe when they host the Rojiblancos; and a golden opportunity for Bayern as Lazio could neither fathom nor catch Bayern’s cruise. 

Hold the door!

A backward clearance provided a moment of magic when Giroud hit a beautiful overhead kick in the previous encounter to bring to bear the disparity coming on to the second leg. Atletico cannot seem to get a hold on their season. The grip on the La Liga is not lost yet but a series of contrasting results will get Barcelona and Real Madrid bucked up. 

Diego Simeone says he comes to the Stamford Bridge with one aim and that is to win. A win is the expectation; any other result and things turn sour for the Rojiblancos. Suarez has not scored an away goal in the UCL since 2015. Coming to win at the Stamford Bridge will require going all out and not playing the all-defensive approach we are used to seeing. They did good but failing to create many chances gave the edge to Chelsea who took the half chance that came.

Thomas Lemar and Joao Felix were their only threat at taking something from that game, but Carrasco and Marcos Llorente can provide the needed impetus to help Luis Suarez upfront in this tie as Lemar is a doubt for tonight. 

Chelsea edge this narrowly and no Ls for Thomas Tuchel yet. The defense has stood out on many fronts and the start to life in West London has been impressive. Mount and Jorginho will be absent for this but Kovacic and Kante can be relied on to hold the door. Repeating the same performance in Bucharest will enable the Blues go through. Giroud gets the nod up top and will be supported by Werner and Kai Havertz. A clean sheet, and the job is done for Chelsea. 

Herculean but enjoy it. 

With the 4-1 aggregate score, Bayern is already laying cones to prepare for their quarter final encounter. Hansi Flick made certain their qualification after Lewandowski, Leroy Sane and teenage sensation, Jamal Musiala banged in the goals in the first half. An own goal from Acerbi was only cancelled out by Joaquin Correa who could only give a snippet of hope to Lazio. 

Hansi Flick is looking to build his team’s confidence by putting the icing on the cake – a win seals that deal. Leroy Sane dazzled with speed and skill to help Bayern in the first leg. 

Simone Inzaghi states that, their aim was to reach the KOs – that was successful after not being in the CL for twenty years. He may have thrown in the towel after happenings in the previous encounter but will like his charges to enjoy the game tonight. 

Italian sides have lost their last four visits to Bayern and since Hansi Flick took over he has won all his six home matches played in the Champions league. This task is herculean for Lazio, but they can only come and enjoy it. 

It all comes to an end tonight. 

Leave your possible matchups in the comments section and let us get interactive. See y’all in the quarter finals. 

 

UCL Preview: R-16 Second Leg(16/03/21)

 

Sergio Ramos and Karim The Benz return for Real Madrid at home, and Pep keeps his eye on the silver-plated trophy.

The last phase in the tournament gets to be decided in the next two days and hopes linger for a possible break out into the quarters.

An Atalanta Suprise?

Ferland Mendy’s right foot shot was bang on late in the game to hold this 1-0 advantage heading into the second leg. A great hit from outside the box made light work of Atalanta’s defense on the night. They did great though but failing to get a tight on that ball gave Los blancos a deserved win after many times of knocking on the door. Remo Freuler missed majority of the game after being sent off early on.

Estadio Alfredo di Stefano has served as home ground for all Real Madrid’s games since football’s return after the lockdown and will well host the tie for tonight. Atalanta’s trip is just their second to a Spanish opponent – Valencia the other. It is just a slender defeat and it can be overturned.

“Real Madrid were favorites before [the first leg]; now even more so” – Gasperini but he believes Atalanta is still capable. They have a very good run away from home in the Champions League having won five on the bounce, scoring 14 goals and keeping 4 clean sheets in the process. They have done it against Ajax and Liverpool this season. Gasperini can draw a perfect game plan to see off a not so consistent Real Madrid team. Zapata and Muriel could lead the line tonight in a well-known 3-5-2 set up for the Italian side.

Zidane is not labeling this done and dusted but wants to start from the scratch. He will not be taking complacency from his side. Hazard has not kicked a ball yet this season in the UCL, but the likes of Ramos, Valverde and Benzema make it in time to feature for Zidane. The advances of Rodrygo and Asensio is one Atalanta must be wary of. A good game on our hands, can Atalanta make it through?

The Only Goal

Pep Guardiola heavily rotated his side at the weekend and still managed to put three goals past Fulham. His focus turns to Europe and the depth in the squad marvels many. Cancelo run the game from left back in the first leg – Pep had Silva but needed Jesus to safely get City past the German storm.

Monchengladbach has had nothing going for them recently. They have lost 6 games in a row and it is not a good starter against Pep. Marco Rose after announcing he would be head coach of Dortmund next season has not been on the brighter side of things. Their season is coming apart at the seams after a good start. He is promising to change things and put in a better performance. Hannes Wolf missed a glorious chance in the first leg and Marco Rose would implore his men to be more clinical and be better with the final balls when City play their high line.

Pep says his only target is tonight’s game, but his sight is surely on the UEFA Champions league trophy. He says this current side need to win something to prove they are as good as his previous teams. An indication that he wants that silver-plated trophy. Qualification looks certain but he will field a strong side to give surety to the task. Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne could start today after their spell on the bench at the weekend.

The performances need to get better as the competition is keener. You only get there when you are smarter and better in your approaches. Let us enjoy good football tonight.

All games 20:00 GMT.

UCL PREVIEW: 2nd LEG(10/3/2021)

Time for the Catalonians to dream and despite Liverpool’s woes; they still get to have a feel of the famous star ball.

It was very much `The Mbappe show’ in the first leg when his chicanery could not be matched by the giants in Catalonia while two costly in-game errors gave Liverpool a two-goal advantage away from a supposed Leipzig home ground in Budapest.

`Nothing Is Impossible’ as a matter of fact for Ronald Koeman as he believes his charges can go out there and pull a surprise. He is being wise not to compare the comeback against Sevilla to a potential happening tonight but what a happy man he will be when Messi has hit a belter from 35 yards to make 4-0 in the 93^rd minute of the game and qualification is sealed – the dream though.

Paris SG was ruthless at the Camp Nou and was unfazed as Messi’s early spot kick went past Navas. Mbappe grabbed the bull by the horns and had a dance of his own but there is tonight to seal the deal. Pochettino has said he would expect his side to respect Barcelona yet do the necessary to make it to the last 8.

Neymar would have wished to participate in this one but he together with Bernat and Kean will be absent. Koeman has never had his full squad all season and has Gerard Pique, Phillipe Coutinho, Ansu Fati and Sergi Roberto in the treatment room.

The game plan would be simple for Koeman; go out there and get the goals and not concede. It becomes easier as well for Poch but defending will need the likes of Kimpembe and Marquinhos to stay alert all game to the runs of Griezmann, Messi and Dembele. Mbappe run riot the last time and the back line of Barcelona must look to curtail his progress. He scores tonight, he becomes the youngest player in UEFA Champions League to reach 25 goals, aged 22 years and 80 days.

 

A downturn in Klopp’s fortunes has been predicted mostly based on happenings in his final years at Borussia Dortmund and Mainz. It has left many wondering if this is it for him. A much younger coach in Julian Nagelsmann has pulled up to great strides in his coaching career and his job at RB Leipzig has been superb. He lost the first tie but can rear on to give this Leipzig team the required boost to knock Liverpool out. Sabitzer returns from injury and could move straight into midfield; Nagelsmann could set up a three-man defensive wall. Angelino is out until after the international break and Alexandre Sorloth has been a massive utility player for RB Leipzig mainly operating from either flank or is very much an aerial threat.

Liverpool can only catch some respite when they have a feel of the famous star ball on these European nights. They look worn out domestically. Matthew Howarth – a Liverpool reporter does not think the Reds have entirely lost their appetite rather he sees how difficult it is to sustain success in a domain as dementedly competitive as the premier league – a stare from the blue side of Manchester.

Salah and Mane got the goals in the first leg. Bobby Firmino may sit this one out, but Jota can slot in to give the forward line the considered impetus. Gini Wijnaldum believes winning the UCL can rescue their season. Is it the end of the road for Leipzig or can Klopp make Gini's statement stay in accord?

All Games 20:00 GMT

 

 

 

 

2nd LEG: UCL Preview

 

One for Edin Terzic’s records or Pirlo turns doubters to believers.

A now or never picture the most apparent to be painted as Sevilla and Juventus must counter-approach the advances of their opponents to make it to the last 8.

Sevilla tried clawing back late in the game but the power-push early in the first leg saw Dortmund cross the line. It is more daunting on Lopetegui to try find something extra to beat this Dortmund side as the away goal cushions Dortmund a little further into the quarters.

Sevilla have had difficult spells since their drop down against Dortmund. Domestically, they have been edgy and off the boil. Lopetegui has held this fort well and rimming this past Edin Terzic will be a big one for him. Luuk De Jong and Suso got the goals over at the Sanchez Pizjuan for Sevilla. Papu Gomez has not been his imposing best since joining on from Atalanta. Kounde and Diego Carlos are the defensive pair that could halt the progress of Dortmund’s forward line.

Dortmund on the one hand, at the weekend were not strong enough to hold off Bayern Munich despite Haaland’s brace in the early minutes of the game. Edin Terzic does not get to continue as head coach for the next season but going further in the UCL enriches his resume. Haaland got clipped by Jerome Boateng at the weekend and might be in contention for this one as his withdrawal was more of a precaution Terzic said but, Dahoud together with Bellingham have been a revelation lately. Marco Reus and Thorgan Hazard - as Sancho misses out because of a muscle problem, are also live wires Dortmund can rely on to seal their qualification. A good game on our hands and it sure will be enthralling.

Andre Pirlo has not convinced many with his performances and the grapevine of quality sustaining him rather than his expertise is a worry. A 2-1 loss in the first leg was disappointing to watch. Two goals in the first minutes of either half pushed the Portuguese side a little closer. Chiesa halved the deficit, but Juventus needs more arsenal in their armory in the return leg to go through.

The Portuguese outfit was resilient in the approach in the first leg. Technically and tactically drawing Ronaldo out in the game. The midfield battle is key in the game, and the personnel either manager puts up for this encounter will determine who goes through. Despite being boxed out in the first leg, Ronaldo remains a threat for the Bianconeri. Morata and Chiesa can also seal the deal for Pirlo as well. Cuadrado will be back for this one as he missed out in the previous encounter.

Sergio Oliveira is a juggernaut for Sergio Conceicao in the middle of the park. Moussa Marega and Jesus Corona can help inflict further pain on the old ladies. Five out of six times, Juventus have not made it out of the KO’s when losing in the first leg.

Does that become six of seven? Let us wait to find out later tonight.

All games 20:00 GMT

UCL PREVIEW R-16: Day 4

Gladbach to unsettle Pep; Atalanta to unravel injury hit Madrid side. 

A preview of the last round of games in the first leg of the Round of 16. 

Atalanta vs Real Madrid

With Atalanta yet to win a game at home this season in UCL, they render themselves to the slaughter against Real Madrid who can only present an injury hit side. Zidane in his presser said he ‘has the maximum respect’ for the Italian side who made it to the R-16 for the second time in their first two years. Atalanta are a great attacking side and always seem to cause problems for the big guns. 

Real Madrid is well short but do have the muscle to get the nod in this fixture as they look the better side on paper. Los Blancos are veterans and they make it to the KO’s for the 24th consecutive time – the most by any club. Benzema is a doubt for this fixture but Vinicius and Asensio can lead the line for Zidane as they step of the dugout in Bergamo to take on La Dea. 

Borussia Monchengladbach vs Manchester City

I for one won't pity the commentators when both clubs face off at the Puskas Arena - apologies for bitten lips. Gladbach has never picked up a win against Manchester City, and have difficulties winning on home soil. With much gratitude, they will be happier it is on neutral grounds. The only positive is that they have scored in games they have played at home despite winning just two of nine. Great attacking potential in Lars Stindl, Alassane Plea, Embolo and Marcus Thuram – a doubt for this fixture. 

Gladbach coach, Marco Rose: “if there is something City doesn’t like then its not having the ball …” He will be looking to unsettle Pep’s side. Pep having played most games this season without a striker yet grabbed results which is pleasing to the eye. Swift movement of the ball from side to side just to force changes to the defensive shapes of his opponents is a thing of beauty. He may feel it’s his chance this year with City and to have De Bruyne back is a plus for him. Foden and Bernardo Silva have slotted in seamlessly for the Sky blues.  

No fans allowed into stadiums yet but happier the moments will be as we will follow from the comforts of our couches. 

All games 20:00 GMT.

UCL PREVIEW DAY 3/R-16

Holders, Bayern set to defend title, as Tuchel’s Chelsea faces toughest test yet against Atletico Madrid.

We are back again under the floodlights of European football in two nights of mouthwatering encounters as European football powerhouses will look to make safe their slots in the quarter finals. A somewhat clearer picture will be painted but we brace ourselves for shocks and surprises. 

Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea 

Chelsea will be looking to do what Liverpool could not do last year by kicking Atletico Madrid out of the competition. The Blues are unbeaten since the appointment of Thomas Tuchel – former PSG boss. This is his toughest test yet as Chelsea boss. Nights in the UCL for both clubs has been balanced with two wins apiece. Tuchel’s 3-4-3 approach has not given the goals but has brought some defensive solidity to their play. 

Diego Simeone is enjoying the season as Rojiblancos sit on top of the La Liga. Luiz Suarez joined from Barcelona in the summer last year and does not look like slowing down.

Carrasco and Joao Felix can cause an upset. With both teams set up well defensively, the edge will come for the team which will create and take its chances. 

Edouard Mendy has four clean sheets and guess what if Chelsea make it out of the Round of 16, it will be the first time since the 2013/14 season – Shocking.  

Lazio vs Bayern

The Italian side are only here in the KO’s for the first time in 21 years but have a great record playing against German sides. As was seen against Dortmund in the group stages, they can be very tough to crack on a good day. Ciro Immobile and Luis Alberto are the obvious threat Bayern Munich must look to neutralize but the hosts, Lazio remain unbeaten at home in five games in the UCL. 

The congested fixture schedules for the world champions have affected the consistency of their results owing to increasing levels of fatigue. Nonetheless, European nights bring a different spark as they are unbeaten in 17 games since that home defeat to Liverpool two years ago. Lewandowski remains a big goal threat with 26 goals domestically and 3 in the UCL this season and has well been aided by Gnabry, Koman and Muller.

Not forgetting the impact of Neuer as Hansi Flick has relied on the brilliance of his captain to win games this season. 

We go again tonight. Let’s enjoy this. 

All Games 20:00 GMT

Day 2: UCL Preview R-16 2020/21

A more natural neutral for Klopp and Mbappe stealing the so-called Messi show. Later to night Dortmund visit Sevilla and can Porto surprise Pirlo’s Juventus?

The opening night brought nothing short of excitement as neutral ground became all natural for the Reds when two costly Leipzig mishaps gave Liverpool a two-goal buffer in the first leg; Messi’s Barca in tatters but an emphatic Mbappe display and his seventh career hat-trick came at the home of the Catalans. Andriy Shevchenko the last player to score a hat-trick at the Camp Nou in 1997 – this reads badly for Ronald Koeman. 

Sevilla vs Dortmund

Dortmund lock horns with Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. The home side has been superb domestically with nine straight wins and seven clean sheets to add to that record. This bodes well for Lopetegui’s well-disciplined defense. He highlighted in his presser the many chances Dortmund create and will have devised the perfect strategy to halt this progress. 

He also will be aware of the forward threat in Haaland, Sancho and Reus and must clip their wings before they run riot over his side. He can also boast of great forward potential in Papu Gomez, Suso and Moroccan international, En Nesyri. 

Dortmund on one hand, has had contrasting results and their form domestically has been poor. The lack of consistency in results is a real bother for the German outfit and is so expected of a particularly young side. Roman Burki will not be between the sticks for them but old head, Matt Hummels can marshal this team to victory tonight if the right things are done. 

Porto vs Juventus

A defeat to Napoli became their third loss since December but their impermeable defense has considered just two goals in eight games in all competitions. This will be key for them going into this fixture. Ronaldo loves scoring against Porto and the Bianconeri will be depending on him to get them through. Porto is the only team in the CL this season yet to concede a goal at home and have kept five clean sheets in their last five games at home as well. 

Pirlo will want to keep the good record against the Portuguese side as they have never lost to Porto in five previous encounters. It would be very much unwise to underrate the champions of the Primeira Liga as they do have a strong team. The core of this team has come from having to keep most of its important players. Ronaldo’s old teammate, Pepe, Jesus Corona and Moussa Marega must be at their utmost best to be able to clinch something for their side. 

Ronaldo has been magnificent and Morata, Chiesa, and US international, McKinnie have been supportive, and Pirlo can turn on them to deliver. Dybala, Cuadrado and Ramsey will be major absentees for the old ladies. 

All Games 20:00 GMT

UEFA CL: 2020/21 R-16

It felt like eons apart between dates announced for the R-16 fixtures and its actual happenings. Amid Covid-19 and many other social distancing protocols we get to enjoy the wonderful scenes from the UEFA Champions League yet again. 

The traditional long break but its resumption gives us a grueling list of fixtures and soccer fanatics will not miss this. Rivalries and reconnections built in the hope of further advancement in the competition. 

Barcelona vs Paris Saint Germain

Barcelona is the only side to have overcome a 4-goal margin in a first leg defeat in UEFA Champions league history at the Parc des Princes to the PSG side they face tonight. It makes it more fun with Neymar Jr, a major catalyst in that famous pull around. PSG disappointingly exited the competition by a 6-5 aggregate. Barcelona will seek to wrap it up early at the Camp Nou – a ground they have barely tasted defeat in this competition. Ronald Koeman will attempt to reach the Quarter finals for the fourteenth time and knowing so well, they have had the upper hand in the last decade anytime these two met. 

PSG had a wobble of some sort in the group stages but managed to see off pressure from contenders Manchester United and RB Leipzig – the latter, their fellow breakouts in the group. Mauricio Pochettino has not had it all going for him as his side have struggled in games domestically upon his arrival. 

Some conviction will help fans believe he can take this team to another final after that slender defeat to Bayern Munich last season, but he will have to do this without Neymar and Di Maria as both will not be in contention for tonight’s showdown. Pochettino in his pre-game interview says the European obsession is fueling PSG – they are going to give it a hard try as they believe they can go past Ronald Koeman’s side with Mbappe and Icardi his leading front men in his 3-5-2 formation. Pochettino is gradually settling with this team and could cause an upset at the Camp Nou if he keeps a watertight defense. 

Koeman almost always settles with a preferred 4-3-3 formation. A false nine role for Messi who has been superb in recent outings along with Griezmann and others fused in. Dembele, Pedri and Trincao have been great as substitutes but this mix has failed to deliver when it matters most in big games. Can they keep the record at the Camp Nou?

RB Leipzig vs Liverpool

A great fall for the toughly driven Klopp army makes it unfathomable but the trust from fans and players a beauty to behold. They believe in his ability to perform and he managed to sniff his team out of the group. A long list of absentees for the Merseyside Reds is making it hard for the team stick to its style and approach in games. He has been forced to trying different partnerships in defense owing to his injury hit side. He has done most of the season without major center-back pairing Gomez/Virgil and his top scorer in the CL, Diogo Jota – his backup acquisition last summer.

Jordan Henderson looks to have found a home in defense. A partnership between him and Kabak for tonight is certain as they face RB Leipzig. The fullbacks look withered and have lessened impact in games. The front three have lost their mojo and Salah the only likely goal scoring threat. 

Julian Nagelsmann beat Manchester United in the final group game to make it out with PSG, that is motivation enough to come out here and grab the needed results. RB Lepizig is been unbeaten in 6 games at home in the CL, but the games will be played on neutral ground at the Puskas Arena in Budapest is the first competitive fixture between both sides – Julian has vowed to not treat his compatriot as a well beaten-up boxer. Almost always a notable 3-4-3 approach with major suspects Sabitzer, Angelino and Bayern bound Upamecano but a more dominant midfield line defines this team. 

Liverpool’s good away record to German sides will be tested here and these contrasting results for both teams duels on the quick switches from defense to attack.

Back to our couches tonight with bowls of popcorn. Let’s have fun. 

All games. 20:00 GMT 

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)