Champions League does not disappoint.
Champions League Round of 16 Leg 1
Atletico Madrid 1 vs. 0 Liverpool
Liverpool suffer a surprising defeat in Madrid as Saul scored for Atletico in the 4th minute to give them the win. A Diego Simeone side that goes 1-0 up so early is always going to sit back and defend the lead and Liverpool could not break them down. Klopp was outclassed by Simeone but Liverpool were relatively sour about the defeat. Everyone is going around saying that we will beat Atletico at Anfield but Liverpool for me are setting up a positive narrative for Atletico in the 2nd leg. If Atletico get one away goal then all the pressure falls on Liverpool. An interesting 2nd leg awaits but Atletico have a slight advantage at the moment.
Borussia Dortmund 2 vs. 1 Paris Saint Germain
The first half of this game was the opposite of what everyone expected as neither team was able to break each other down. The 2nd half though returned the teams to normalcy as Haaland opened the scoring in the 69th minute. Neymar then got the equaliser for PSG in the 75th minute via some good work by Mbappe. Haaland though scored the winner 2 minutes later with a brilliant goal that almost tore the net. Dortmund win the game but PSG get a crucial away goal as they look to win the tie in the 2nd leg. PSG can’t afford to lose another knockout tie in this fashion and unlike previous times they are the ones needing the win now. The 2nd leg should provide some good entertainment and if Dortmund can get an away goal that changes everything. Also how good is Haaland.
Atalanta 4 vs. 1 Valencia
Atalanta are the underdogs this season but they proved again why they should be taken seriously as they beat Valencia in comfortable fashion. Hateboer opened the scoring in the 16th minute, Ilicic scored the 2nd in the 42nd minute, Freuler then added a 3rd in the 57th minute and Hateboer added a 4th in the 62nd minute. Cheryshev did get a goal back for Valencia in the 66th minute which means they have to score 3 without reply in the 2nd leg to reach the quarter finals. Valencia need a miracle and while anything is possible I think if Atalanta get an away goal they have both feet in the quarter finals.
Tottenham 0 vs. 1 RB Leipzig
Leipzig came out fighting in this game as from kick off they dominated play and should have been 1-0 in the opening 30 seconds. Tottenham were reeling for much of the game and could not compete with the speed of Leipzig’s press and the pace upfront. No Kane and no Son meant that Tottenham had no body up front and Ampadu in the centre of the Leipzig defence dominated the likes of Moura. Leipzig get a crucial away goal and one would expect them to score more at home in the 2nd leg. Mourinho will feed of this underdog mentality though and I would not put it past them nicking a 2-0 win in Germany. An interesting 2nd leg awaits but for now Nagelsmann and co have one leg in the quarters.
Premier League MW 26
Man City 2 vs. 0 West Ham
Rodri scored in the first half and De Bruyne scored in the 2nd as City dominated the Hammers while putting aside all the off pitch problems. West Ham posed no real threat as things go from bad to worse for Moyes. City go to within 22 points of Liverpool while West Ham are 18th and one point from safety.
Europa League Round of 32 Leg 1
Brugge drew with Man United 1-1 with one thinking United have the advantage after nicking an away goal. Brugge though should not be taken lightly and they could easily reach the next round. Inter beat Ludogorets 0-2 with late goals from Eriksen and Lukaku as they now should reach the Round of 16. Sevilla drew with Cluj 1-1 and got the crucial away goal while one would expect them to beat Cluj at home. Frankfurt thrashed Salzburg 4-1 and should firmly have a foot in the next round now. Shakhtar beat Benfica 2-1 but Benfica are still in it with the away goal. Getafe beat Ajax 2-0 and now Ajax have it all to do in the 2nd leg while also trying to keep a clean sheet. Leverkusen beat Porto 2-1 but Porto are still in it with the away goal. Arsenal nicked a 0-1 win against Olympiacos as they should reach the next round with a win in the 2nd leg. Wolves thrashed Espanyol 4-0 and Roma beat Gent 1-0.
Park The Bus 