The other four participants of the 1/4 finals will be determined in the evening of March 18 in the matches Barcelona – Newcastle (1:1 in the first match), Bayern – Atalanta (6:1), Liverpool – Galatasaray (0:1) and Tottenham – Atletico (2:5).
Main game day signings
“Real Madrid made a run to the next round in their first match, defeating Manchester City 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid. To beat the Royals in the playoffs with such a solid lead, even on home soil, is a task few can accomplish.
In addition, the Citizens deprived themselves of a numerical advantage already in the first half – midfielder Bernardo Silva touched the ball with his hand in the English penalty area and was immediately removed from the field. Vinicius Júnior converted the penalty, and in the final minutes he scored a double. “Manchester City responded with a goal by Erling Holand, who was unable to influence the overall result.
“Real”, winning 5-1 on aggregate of two matches, broke into the 1/4 finals, in which he, in all likelihood, will have to play with “Bayern”. Munich have a five-goal advantage, which will be almost impossible for Italian club Atalanta to win back.
The fairy tale is over
The Bodø/Glimt club from the polar Norwegian town of Budø with a population of just over 48,000 claimed a sensation. After a resounding 3-0 home win over Sporting, the Vikings traveled to Lisbon for a historic success. “Bodø/Glimt” reached the playoffs of Europe’s premier club tournament for the first time in its more than 100-year history this season.
The Jose Alvalade stadium was clearly not preparing a warm welcome for the visitors. “Sporting” was set for a historic success, as it has not reached the 1/4 finals of the LC for 43 years. The Lisbon side scored three goals in regulation time, becoming the fifth club in the history of the tournament to do so. In extra time, two more goals were scored against Bodø/Glimt, and Sporting advanced to the next round with a resounding 5-0 (5-3 on aggregate of the two matches).
In the 1/4 finals Sporting will play Arsenal, who defeated German Bayer 04 with the score 3:1 on aggregate of two matches. After a 1-1 draw in Leverkusen, the Canaries scored two unanswered goals against the Pharmacists in London.
“Aristocrats” again survived the defeat
After the first match in Paris, where PSG defeated Chelsea 5-2, there was little doubt that the reigning Champions League winners would squander a win in the return leg. But the French surpassed themselves and did not allow the Aristocrats to score a single goal.
Chelsea’s result could also have been influenced by the recent decision by the English Premier Leaguewhich imposed a record fine of £10.75 million (approximately €12.4 million) and a one-year transfer ban with a two-year suspension. The decision was punishment for financial irregularities found in the club’s operations between 2011 and 2018, when Russian businessman Roman Abramovich was president.
PSG, meanwhile, continue on the road for a second consecutive trophy of the most prestigious European Cup. Luis Enrique’s wards will face the winner of the Liverpool vs Galatasaray pairing at the next stage.
