Champions League: What a week of drama

 

Copyright fr.uefa.com

Good afternoon everyone

I hope you are all well and enjoying the last few weeks of the summer holidays,albeit in difficult circumstances. So the UEFA Champions League made its return 2 weeks ago with 2nd leg ties that still  needed to be played like Chelsea v Bayern Munich, Lyon v Juventus and Manchester City v Real Madrid and boy were there surprises with Lyon making it past the Italian Champions despite a 2-1 defeat and of course the end of Maurizio Sarri's tenure as head coach. Bayern Munich and Man City qualifying werent really shocks as the damage was done in the 1st leg, at least for Chelsea but thats not the exciting part.So for the first time ever 2 French teams in the semis and PSG's first semi final appearance since 1995. 

Last Wednesday saw PSG come from behind to defeat Atlanta 2-1 with Marquinhos and Choupo-Moting gettting the goals. Credit to the French champions for digging in deep and not giving up. Now they have a semi final date with RB Leipzig on Tuesday evening. This will definitely be an interesting match to watch in Lisbon. Atlanta have been sublime this season with their wonderful attacking play but were unfortunate to not have held on to the lead for 10 more minutes. Hopefully they can improve defensively next year but hats off to them for giving PSG a scare for over 80 minutes. Of course the arrival of Mbappé(not fit to start) after an hour turned the tie on its head. Neymar could have had a couple of goals as well. RB Leipzig wont be as generous onTuesday. The Parisians will also have to play without Keylor Navas, Marco Verrati and Kurzawa so they'll have their work cut up against the Germans in Lisbon

Other quarterfinal matches

RB Leipzig 2-1 Atletico Madrid

 Now this game was also as entertaining. I thought it would be boring as the Spanish side are known to be ultra defensive and play on the counter but the Germans were deserved winners despite giving away a penalty but the winner from Tyler Adams was incredible. It shows that the German team has resolute and a never give up attitude, something PSG will be wary off on Tuesday. I do think this was Atletico's best chance this year of going all the way but they failed once again. Poor tactics and leaving your best attackers on the bench (Joao Felix, Alvaro Morata and Thomas Lemar) cost Diego Simeone dear. I dont know if he'll be the manager next year or not. Perhaps its time to turn the page over and get a new coach with fresh ideas. Anyway congrats RB Leipzig.

Barcelona 2-8 Bayern Munich

So where does one begin? The brilliance of Bayern or the demise of Barca? With the score being 4-1 at half time and Messi and co looking dejected, the end was nigh for the Blagurana. Never have I seen them being ripped to shreds defensively and in the mifdield. Granted the Barca team had a starting 11 with an average age of 29. Its no wonder they struggled all night against the German Champions ,despite an own goal from David Alaba and a goal from Luis Suarez. They definitely need a rebuild from top to bottom starting with the board after many years of poor recruitement and manager appointments. Perhaps Pochettino or Koeman for the post? Xavi perhalps next year? anyway Setien has been sacked. The worst part is probably when Coutinho came on,scored a brace and an assist. Poor Barca. Time to rebuild and get in fresh young players who can take the team forward. I say keep Messi,Ter Stegen, Ansu Fati and Frenkie de Jong and get rid of the other players. Its the end of a cycle at Barca. Job well done Bayern. Definitely my favorites for the title this year. This was definitely the most shocking result of the year, possibly the decade. This was more like a FIFA session against your younger sibling and not a UCL quarterfinal.

Manchester City 1-3 Lyon

Poor Pep Guardiola and Man City. Just when it looked like this would be their year, they self destruct once again in the last 8. Hats off to Lyon and Rudi Garcia for being defensively sound and resolute, giving the Cityzens litttle space to attack. Once again Pep over thought his tactics and paid the price for leaving the 2 Silvas, Foden and Mahrez on the bench. He definitely needs to get a strong centre back like Koulibaly and a left back like Chilwell to compete with Liverpool next year as well as a good forward to replace Aguero who's getting on with age. Gabriel Jesus is good but is the man to score you goals? not sure. Anyway bravo les Gones. Despite finishing 7th in Ligue 1,they've done quite well in the UCL. Lets see how they get on against Bayern on Wednesday night.

Semi finals

So PSG v RB Leipzig on tuesday night kicks off the semi finals and this will be a cracker with 2 attacking teams on display. Its hard for me to say who'll reach the final but whoever scores first will probably reach the final.

Prediction: PSG to win 2-1 after extra time

Bayern v Lyon on wednesday will also be interesting. A repeat of the 2010 semis which saw the Bavarians reach the final and I would be surprised if they didnt reach the final on sunday but as we know in football nothing is guarenteed. 

Prediction: Bayern to win 3-2 in normal time

What are your predictions? feel free to share them on social media

Thanks for reading this special edition of my blog. 

Have a good start to the week

Highlights in case you missed the goals

PS Apologies in advance. The highlights are in Dutch as the images belong to UEFA and these were the only highlights that are of good quality. French was also a possibility but I wasnt too sure. So I'm sorry.