European giants eying knockout punches in Champions League

Half of the first legs of the Champions League Round of 16 were played over the midweek, with the remaining four fixtures to be contested in the coming week. Lyon-Barcelona, Liverpool-Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid-Juventus and Schalke-Manchester City are the fixtures to be played this week, which could feature some pretty tightly contested matchups. However, in three of the four first legs already played, there is a clear advantage for one of the sides.

Possibly the most anticipated of the four matchups over the past week was Manchester United vs Paris Saint Germaine. PSG were without their superstar forwards Neymar Jr and Edinson Cavani and United were on an unbeaten streak that almost touched two months since caretaker manage Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over. The match ended in United’s heaviest home defeat in the history of the Champions League, as the French side outclassed the hosts 0-2, with goals from PresnelKimpembe and KylianMbappe.

It’s the first time Manchester United have lost at home in the tournament with a margin of greater than one goal. While United might feel that a two goal margin can be overturned, PSG have effectively put the tie to bed in Manchester, and left Solskjaer’s side with the task of perhaps pulling off their greatest ever Champions League away performance to go through – especially without Paul Pogba, who was red carded at the end of the game.

While the Ligue 1 leaders were too strong for the side ranked fourth in England, the team currently in third position in the league proved to be too hot to handle for the current Bundesliga leaders. A Son Heung-min inspired Tottenham Hotspurs absolutely thrashed Borussia Dortmund at home 3-0, with Jan Vertonghen and Fernando Llorente joining the South Korean on the scoresheet.

That Spurs pulled this off without Harry Kane – and Dele Alli – is testament to the depth in the squad that Mauricio Pochettino has put together, but also underlines just how good Son Heung-min is playing. There’s little wonder that Spurs are still in the Premier League title race, and should be looking forward to the Champions League quarters – unless Dortmund can do to Spurs what was done to them.

Another side that seems to have put their foot in the last eight are the three-time defending champions Real Madrid, who edged out Ajax 1-2 at the Johan Cruijff Arena. The match brought about a captivating brand of football from both sides, and could’ve actually swung either way. While Madrid were aided by contentious decisions, they eventually let their experience count as they mustered the away win with goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio.

Hakim Ziyech had cancelled out Benzema’s opener, but Asensio’s 87th minute winner means that Madrid would be overwhelming favourites to do the needful in the return fixture at the Bernabeu. The young Ajax side, meanwhile, would be hoping for a start similar to the first leg, where they upped the tempo to cause the Madrid defence troubles, albeit without any goals to show for it. The good news for Ajax is that they would have to go for it in Madrid, and that’s precisely how they like to play.

The Roma-Porto match is possibly the only one bordering on the proverbial knife edge, after the Italian side’s 2-1 at home. All three goals were struck between the 70th and 79th minutes, showcasing how the game was a cagey affair for the first two-thirds of it, with neither side wanting to concede first.

19-year-old Nicolo Zaniolo struck for the hosts in the 70th and 76th minutes, further adding to his reputation as an up and coming star from Italy. At 2-0, Roma would’ve been clear favourites to go through, but Adrian Lopez got Porto that away goal in the 79th minute, which means that a 1-0 win at home for the Portuguese side would be enough. However, it’s hard to see Roma not scoring and Porto might have to win by a margin of two goals to go through.

Over the next four fixtures, it’s Liverpool-Bayern and Atletico-Juventus which are the obvious standout matchups. Barcelona and Man City might have too much for Lyon and Schalke respectively, even away to the French and German sides.

Last year’s runners-up Liverpool would fancy themselves against a relatively below par Bayern. However, given City’s push in the Premier League title race, and how the club from Anfield will prioritise the league, there could be an opening that Munich could exploit.

Atletico Madrid would be feeling down after being overhauled by Real Madrid in La Liga last weekend. They need a win away to Rayo Vallecano to bring back the confidence among the ranks to face a Cristiano Ronaldo led Juventus side that wants nothing more than to win the Champions League this season.