UEFA Champions League: Round of 16 1st leg

 Round of 16 🏆⚽

Hello guys! It's been 2 months since there was a Champions League game, and 2 months since I made a matchday post, but here we are, ready to analyze the knockout-stage of the competition.

So without further adieu, let's get to it ⚽

Tuesday, 16 February 2021

Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain 

Barca goals: Lionel Messi 27' (p)

PSG goals: Kylian Mbappe 32', 65', 85', Moise Kean 70'

PSG came, saw and conquered as they put 4 past Barca at the Camp Nou. Lionel Messi opened the scoring for the Spanish team through a penalty but it wasn't enough. Kylian Mbappe was to score not only 1 or 2, but 3 goals against Barca, showing us why he's the next big thing in football. Moise Kean scored as well, a sight more concerning to Everton fans. Barca have a mountain to climb in the second leg.

Out with the old, in with the new.

RB Leipzig vs Liverpool

Liverpool goals: Mohamed Salah 53', Sadio Mane 58'

A blitz from Liverpool, in the form of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane was enough for the Reds to see past an energetic Leipzig team in Budapest. Leipzig came close in the first-half when Dani Olmo's shot hit the crossbar and went behind Alisson's back without entering the net. Liverpool had a chance too when Andy Robertson saw the Leipzig keeper off his line and attempted a long range lob. It was a relief for Liverpool, who have been stumbling domestically in recent weeks.

Valuable win

Wednesday, 17 February 2021

Porto vs Juventus 

Porto goals: Mehdi Terami 2', Moussa Marega 46'

Juventus goals: Federico Chiesa 82'

Juventus find themselves in another sticky situation towards the second leg of this tie. Porto were gifted the opening goal in the 2nd minute when Mehdi Terami pounced on an error by the Juventus keeper. Porto stretched their lead in the second-half when Moussa Marega's left-footed shot found the bottom right-corner. Juventus claimed a goal back when Federico Chiesa swept one with his right foot to leave the Porto keeper unmoved. CR7 appeared to be brought down in the penalty area late in the game but the referee did not respond to his appeal.

More work to do

Sevilla vs Borussia Dortmund

Sevilla goals: Suso 7', Luuk de Jong 84'

Dortmund goals: Mahmoud Dahoud 19', Erling Haaland 27', 43'

Certainly the best game of the round of 16. Sevilla drew first blood by means of Suso's deflected shot towards goal. Dortmund replied emphatically as Mahmoud Dahoud scored a stunning equalizer from outside the box. Erling Haaland, another rising star, got himself on the scoresheet with a brace, easily bamboozling the Sevilla defence. Luuk de Jong headed a goal in the second-half to give Sevilla a fighting chance in the second leg.

Young stars shine

Tuesday, 23 February 2021

Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea

Chelsea goals: Olivier Giroud 68'

Chelsea managed to survive an onslaught from Atletico Madrid in this game. They definitely took advantage of Atletico's missed opportunities when Olivier Giroud performed a quite exceptional bicycle kick to give them the vital away goal. The goal had been checked by the VAR though, and eventually it was judged to be onside.

Blues giving Atletico the blues

Lazio vs Bayern Munich 

Lazio goals: Joaquin Correa 49'

Bayern goals: Robert Lewandowski 9', Jamal Musiala 24', Leroy Sane 42', Francesco Acerbi 47' (og) 

Typical Bayern Munich, need I say more? The Bavarians dominated Lazio as Robert Lewandowski was quickest to a Lazio back pass to slot home the first goal. Teenager, Jamal Musiala, got himself amongst the scorers too with a well-controlled strike. Leroy Sane put away the third goal 3 minutes before half-time to put the game to bed early. Sane was influential in getting Bayern's fourth as Francesco Acerbi put the ball in his own goal. Bayern simply punished Lazio.

Bayern batter on 

Wednesday, 24 February 2021 

Atalanta vs Real Madrid 

R. Madrid goals: Ferland Mendy 86'

Atalanta red cards: Remo Freuler 17'

A tight contest with the Spanish giants emerging victorious. Madrid created many chances in the first-half but were denied by Atalanta's goalkeeper. They did have an numerical advantage early in the half when Remo Freuler was issued a straight red card for denying Ferland Mendy a goal-scoring opportunity. Mendy would end up haunting the Italian side as his right foot found the corner of the Atalanta net to give Madrid the win. 

Close victory

Borussia Monchengladbach vs Manchester City

Man. City goals: Bernardo Silva 29', Gabriel Jesus 65'

Man. City recorded their 19th win in a row in all competitions as they defeated B. Monchengladbach in Budapest. Bernardo Silva's header in the first-half separated the two teams. In the second-half, Gabriel Jesus poked in from close range to have City up to 2. Alassane Plea came close for the German team with a cheeky back-heeled effort, but it was shy of the goal by centimetres. City finished the game the happier of the teams.

Strutting their stuff

The results for the round of 16 were as follows:

Tuesday, 16 February 2021

Barcelona 1-4 PSG                   ←Click here to watch this game

RB Leipzig 0-2 Liverpool        ←Click here to watch this game

Wednesday, 17 February 2021

Porto 2-1 Juventus                       ←Click here to watch this game

Sevilla 2-3 B. Dortmund             ←Click here to watch this game

Tuesday, 23 February 2021

Atletico Madrid 0-1 Chelsea        ←Click here to watch this game

Lazio 1-4 Bayern Munich            ←Click here to watch this game

Wednesday, 24 February 2021

Atalanta 0-1 Real Madrid             ←Click here to watch this game

B. Monchengladbach 0-2 Man. City   ←Click here to watch this game

Feels good to be back. See you next matchday 😉🏆⚽❗🛣