Uefa champions league games are back once again on our screen and it continues to give interesting clashes all round. 16 teams met and gave us mouth watering display of football last week and this week where 8 teams played in each of the weeks
BARCELONA VS PSG
The night did not start well for last year’s runners-up when they fell behind to Lionel Messi’s 27th-minute penalty. Mbappe on the night showed why he his being tagged heir to the MessiRonaldo throne with a sublime hattrick on the night. Mbappe danced past Clement Lenglet and smashed in the equaliser before stroking home from 10 yards to turn the game around. On-loan Everton striker Moise Kean continued his resurgence by heading in unchallenged at the far post to put the Ligue 1 champions in control of the tie. With Barca looking to pull a goal back, they were caught on the counter-attack and Mbappe curled in the goal of the night with his third. The second leg takes place on 10 March in Paris, by which time PSG hope to have Neymar back from a thigh injury to face his former side.
RB LEIPZIG VS LIVERPOOL
Liverpool left their league woes behind playing the away leg in Budapest’s Puskas Arena because of Covid-19 restrictions, the Reds struck twice in five minutes near the start of the second half, in both cases following defensive errors from the German side. Mohamed Salah showed superb awareness to quickly latch on to a loose back-pass before finishing neatly. Sadio Mane was then equally alert to take advantage of a fluffed attempted clearance from Nordi Mukiele to charge through and side-foot past Peter Gulacsi. In what had been a fast-paced match between two high-pressing sides, the Reds’ greater experience and quality had started to tell before the break. However, they were fortunate not to fall behind inside five minutes when Dani Olmo’s header from an Angelino cross struck the base of the post. Having managed the game well after going 2-0 up, Jurgen Klopp’s side will defend their advantage at Anfield on 10 March, when they will be firm favourites to go one round further than they managed last season.
SEVILLA VS BORRUSIA DORTMUND
Suso opens the scoring for Sevilla only for Dortmund, led by an Erling Haaland brace, to race clear. Luuk de Jong’s late strike, however, gives them hope for the second leg. Sevilla will travel to Signal Iduna park on March 9 to stir an overturn.
FC PORTO VS JUVENTUS
Juventus were outplayed for much of the match with Mehdi Taremi and Moussa Marega scoring for the hosts. But a strike from Federico Chiesa means Juve will go into the second leg as favourites rather than having a huge mountain to climb. Turin will be set on fire on March 9 with Ronaldo and co hoping to go through to the next round.
ATLETICO MADRID VS CHELSEA
VAR confirms Giroud’s splendid goal as Chelsea seal victory over Atletico. The match was one sided as Atletico defended all through while Chelsea dictated the play for the night through Pulisic and co. Chelsea will host Atletico Madrid on March 17 to decide who will finally go through to the next round.
LAZIO VS BAYERN MUNICH
Lewandowski & Co score to help Bayern dominate the Lazio clash. The Italians learnt the hard way here. Bayern Munich at their attacking best and Lazio close to their defensive worse presented a destructive recipe. Three of the goals were from defensive errors, a tame Mateo Musacchio back-pass presented Lewandowski his 72nd Champions League goal, now above Raul and third in the all-time goal rankings in the competition. Then Sane capitalised off a Patric slump to the ground and Francesco Acerbi turned into his own net off a Sane cross within three minutes from either side of the interval. Joaquin Correa pulled one back on 47 minutes to begin a spirited team venture down field but the mountain had already peaked. Though sandwiched between Bayern’s rout was a impetuous guided finish into the corner by 17-year-old Jamal Musiala. Lazio will visit Bayern’s Allianz arena on March 17 for the return leg.
ATALANTA VS REAL MADRID
Ferland Mendy spared Real Madrid’s blushes as he scored a late winner against 10-men Atalanta. Atalanta gave themselves an uphill task when Remo Freuler got a straight red after just 17 minutes, having been deemed to have denied a clear goalscoring opportunity when he brought down Mendy on the edge of the box. Madrid dominated proceedings for the remainder of the match but a real lack of creativity looked like it was going to cost them. Then up popped Ferland Mendy. The Frenchman hit a superb curler from distance into the corner to give Madrid the victory. Madrid hosts Atalanta on March 16 for the 2nd leg
BORRUSIA MONCHENGLADBACH VS MANCHESTER CITY
Manchester City can’t just stop winning, Bernardo Silva was magnificent all through the game. City secure a comfortable 2-0 first leg victory over Gladbach, thanks to goals from Bernardo Silva and Jesus. They dominated from start to finish, making it look very comfortable and they could have gone on and scored a few more, with Foden and Jesus having opportunities. Gladbach didn’t offer much at the other end, but Plea and Wolf did go close, however, Ederson made sure City kept a clean sheet. Gladbach with an uphill task on March 16 at Etihad for the second leg.
