Quarter Finals
Match Day II
Yesterday on Day 1 (matches were Madrid Bayern & Benfica Arsenal) the game in Portugal served up a much needed away win for Arsenal who can thank some world class goalkeeping from David Raya - one save in particular where he feathered a touch to push the ball onto the crossbar was exceptional. The Gunners bring a 1-0 lead back to London next week and they should be safely into the semi finals.
Up the street in Madrid in front of 77,000 fans Real and Bayern served up football’s equivalent of Whack a Mole - There was stuff happening all over the place, tons of chances and miraculously only 3 goals (2-1 to Munchen) - Real were 2-0 down and a crazy good pass from TAA (Trent Alexander Arnold) that Mbappe stabbed home breathed a lot of life into this one. Real holding on for the first 20 mins in the Allianz next week will be critical.
Onto today - mouthwatering / delicious / bated breath / intense / exciting & scary - these all spring to mind for both of today’s matches (Again both kick off at 3pm Eastern)
At the Camp Nou Barcelona host Atletico Madrid (Who they beat 2-1 in Madrid on Saturday in la liga to stay firmly in control of the league title) - but spare a thought for left back Nico Gonzales {who got red carded early in the 2nd half} (who’s eligible to play today as the league red card doesn’t affect the Champions League) - I only think he plays today if he’s finished all his therapy sessions - boy! - this fella didn’t know where to look / Lamine Yamal tortured this guy, he really did & ironically (High on Crack Atleti coach Men in Black extra) coach Diego Simeone really did think about subbing him out in the first half such was the rag dolling he got from Yamal, but he didn’t which was clearly a mistake - he’ll not make that mistake again.
So Atleti & Barca played Saturday and they play today and they play again next Tuesday - You might think it’s a bit too much - I don’t - The 4-0 hammering Atletico put on Barca in the Copa del Rey in February was astounding and Atleti can absolutely do it again - This will be a footballing feast in front of 62,500 fans (when the renovation is finally complete, the capacity will be 105,000 to 110,000)
Great players all over the place on both teams.
As if that’s not enough to get your hair jingling then don’t worry as there’s another belter of a match going on in Paris.
Combatants at the last 16 stage last year PSG host Liverpool in a terrific re-match.
Last year PSG won on penalties after the reds won 1-0 in Paris & PSG did the same in Liverpool - Things are a bit different this year, Liverpool who won the Premier League last year have struggled and just are not playing with the same pizazz - which has many folks pointing fingers at Dutch coach Arne Slot, who’s jacket is already hanging on a shaky peg - Liverpool totally have it in them - but we’ve just not seen it enough - A 4-0 hammering by Man City at the weekend (In the FA Cup) has done nothing for their confidence with many suggesting they simply gave up - Ouch!
Incidentally - If you have 5 mins to spare google Rayan Cherki Man City v Liverpool - this wee midfielder put on a show in that match - He’s unbelievably gifted and a real treat to watch - He’ll be blockbuster this summer at the World Cup
Across the half way line at kick-off will stand current Champions League holders PSG - roared on by their melodic fans (who chant all game long) / this team is so stacked (with youngsters) they are wonderful to watch & Ousmane Dembele up front has emerged as the star everyone hoped for when he burst onto the scene at Borussia Dortmund in 2016/17 - their Georgian winger (who’s name is too long for me to type) is abfab - came on as a sub against Chelsea in the last round and destroyed them - he might be their only player not at the World Cup as Georgia didn’t qualify - Moroccan right back rocket Achraf Hakimi is easy on the eye.
If you get the chance maybe a half hour before kick off just google PSG v Liverpool and Barca v Atleti to see all the madness leading up to the kick off & the Liverpool fans will amp it up next week at Anfield (If the reds are still in it)
Enjoy Today’s Matches - It’s literally as good as club football gets on planet earth
Respectfully Submitted
TC Soccerologist