UEFA Champions League: Match Report

The biggest game in club football worldwide came back not disappointing once more. It all started off as the teams that played tonight gave a touching minute of silence for the victims of the COVID-19. then came the drama. And more of it unfolded as the game grew.

Manchester City vs Real Madrid: Match in brief. 

Guardiola’s side into the last eight.

Manchester City, punished the opposition by pressing high and making most of Madrid’s lapses. Jesus was the hero again as he was in the Bernabeu in Aguero’s absence. His display tonight underlined his growth assurance. Two defensive errors helped City on their way, but they were the better side on the night and deserve their spot. City were the sharper side, controlled the game especially in the second half and this win should instill real hope for the Lisbon schedule come next week. 

Pep Guardiola

For Real Madrid, the dream is over. The fairytale with Champions League becomes a doom. A free header from Benzema to gift them a little hope for a comeback but this was a night full of negatives for Los Blancos.

Rafa Varane committed the biggest error. The first goal was a horrid one from a Real Madrid perspective as they are playing the ball along the back and Varane is dispossessed by Jesus, who taps the ball to Sterling who had the simple task of slotting it in. The Belgian goalkeeper, Thinaut Courtois, had the choice to hoist the ball long but picked out the Frenchman. He was unfortunately displaced. A school child’s display.

Rafa Varane without question, has had one of his greatest seasons until tonight. That two errors will be real stains on his 2020 records. Poor old Varane won’t forget this night. 

FT: Man City 2-1 Real Madrid (4-2 agg.)

Juventus vs Lyon: Match in brief 

Lyon corners and wounds the Serie A Champions

It wouldn’t be a Champions League night without a Cristiano Ronaldo goal. Ronaldo scored twice as Juve fought back to stay in the game. The Portuguese almost inspired another famous fightback but the third goal failed to come. The Bianconeri showed great personality after they fell behind early in the game thanks to a well taken panenka penalty from Memphis Depay. The Italian giants played with patience and knowing that goals can always come when you have Ronaldo in your side. But it wasn’t to be that momentous night as Rudi Garcia’s men held on courageously.

Lyon offered nothing going forward in their game vs Juventus. This leaves them having to counter in a much more direct fashion when they face Manchester City next week in Lisbon.

FT: Juventus 2-1 Lyon (Lyon advanced on away goals)

Key Stats

• -          Raheem Sterling scored his 20th UEFA Champions League goal and 100th goal in all competitions for Manchester City.
• -          Karim Benzema is now fourth place in the all-time Champions League scoring charts on 65 goals.
• -          Zinedine Zidane has suffered elimination from a Champions League knockout tie as a coach for the first time.
• -          Lyon are through to the quarter finals for the first time since 2010.
• -          This is the first time Juventus have ever lost a two-legged tie to a French club.
• -          Ronaldo has scored 129 UEFA Champions League goals and 67 in the knockout stages. Both are records.