Photo By: Vienna Reyes on Unsplash
Champions League Quarter Finals: Second Leg
The knockout stages of the Champions League continues this Tuesday and Wednesday, as fans are set to find out which teams will progress to the semi-finals. The first leg games consisted of a couple shock results, as Villarreal secured a 1-0 win at home to Bayern Munich, whilst an Edouard Mendy error means that the current European champions are on the brink of exiting the competition.
We’ve watched enough of the Champions League over the years to know that it would be naïve to rule out a second leg comeback, regardless of the first leg result. One foot in the final already? No such thing. On the contrary, we’ve got a feeling that there might be a few twists and turns yet to come this week.
Read on for our second leg preview, and to find out where you can watch the Champions League quarter finals live on TV in the UK.
Real Madrid vs Chelsea
Real Madrid are the favourites to go through to the semi-finals after an exquisite performance at Stamford Bridge last week, coming away with a 3-1 victory courtesy of a Karim Benzema hattrick.
The Frenchman is having the season of his life, having now scored 37 goals and provided 13 assists so far. These are incredible numbers for a 34-year-old. Whilst Chelsea still have a chance if they perform at their very best, it is hard to see Benzema not scoring at least once with the form he is in. Another Madrid goal might dishearten Chelsea enough to kill the game off.
Real Madrid vs Chelsea
Tuesday 12th April at 8pm
⚇ First leg: 1-3
📺 BT Sport 2 & 4K UHD
🏟️ Santiago Bernabéu
Moreover, Chelsea offered far too much space against a team of such high pedigree, of which many players have already won the Champions League multiple times together. If they are to have any hope of progressing, the Blues will need to rediscover the defensive solidity that saw them win the Champions League last year.
Under Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid look revitalized in the Champions League. Madrid’s old guard, including Modric, Benzema, and Kroos, to name a few, will want to show the everyone that they still have what it takes to win the world’s most coveted prize in club football.
Bayern Munich vs Villarreal
In the first leg, Villarreal fought hard for a 1-0 victory over European giants, Bayern Munich. Whilst being obvious underdogs, Villarreal deserve all the applause they get for the “never say die” attitude they have adopted during Unai Emery’s time.
The Yellow Submarine never gave up when they beat Manchester United in the Europa League Final last year, they narrowly lost to Chelsea on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup, and most recently, they knocked a highly experienced Juventus side out of the Champions League. They are now 90 minutes away from a Champions League semifinal if they can just hold out for long enough in Munich.
Bayern Munich vs Villarreal
Tuesday 12th April at 8pm
⚇ First leg: 1-0
📺 BT Sport 3
🏟️ Allianz Arena
This is much easier said than done, of course, and Emery will be the first one to admit this. Bayern have the capacity to demolish any side on their day. Julian Nagelsmann’s team have scored 30 goals in this UCL campaign, with star striker Robert Lewandowski leading the overall goal scorers chart with 15 goals to his name. Additionally, Leroy Sané has the second highest assists with six, just one behind Bruno Fernandes.
The odds are still titled in Bayern’s favour for a multitude of reasons aside from the ones mentioned above. They play at home, the away goals rule has been scrapped, and they have much more quality in depth than Villarreal. This one has everything you need for a thrilling Champions League occasion.
Atletico Madrid vs Manchester City
Manchester City, like Chelsea, will also make the trip to Madrid this week. The Cityzens lead Atletico 1-0 so far, courtesy of a strike from Kevin de Bruyne. This result does not favour Simeone, as it will prevent him from letting his side sit back and hit on the counter to the extent that they normally would.
This might mean that they are left more open at the back, which is not something you want to happen when facing Pep’s City. Simeone and Madrid need to find the right balance on the night if they are to progress.
Atletico Madrid vs Manchester City
Wednesday 13th April at 8pm
⚇ First leg: 1-0
📺 BT Sport 2 & 4K UHD
🏟️ Wanda Metropolitano Stadium
Realistically, due to the style of play adopted by Atletico Madrid, it is hard to see them creating too much against City, whilst it is equally as hard to imagine City failing to score on the night. This means that even with a 1-0 aggregate score, Altetico Madrid may find themselves with a mountain to climb. Still a tough one to call, but we think City might just edge it and book a place in the semis against either Chelsea or Real Madrid.
Liverpool v Benfica
Many view this as mission impossible for Benfica after losing 3-1 at home in the first leg. Liverpool won the game comfortably in Lisbon, and you would imagine that the tie will be dead and buried should Liverpool score first on Wednesday night.
Liverpool vs Benfica
Wednesday 13th April at 8pm
📺 BT Sport 3
🏟️ Anfield
With the attacking prowess of Salah, Mane, Firmino, Jota, and Diaz, Liverpool should see of this one off fairly comfortably. However, if Benfica manage to score the first goal, things might get a bit nervy at Anfield. The removal of the away goal rule has definitely given trailing teams a better chance of coming back into the fold after a first leg defeat.
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