Champions League: Road to the Semifinals!
April 23, 2018
Over the course of two legs, we finally have the remaining four teams: two games of pure chaos, and some of the best football we’ve seen in a long time. Although heartbreak hits for some fans, others are celebrating as their team gets one step closer to the ultimate prize.
Liverpool 5-1 Man City
Liverpool absolutely killed it throughout the two legs. They came in as the underdog and quickly proved the Premier League leaders wrong. The first leg ends 3-0 for Liverpool with 3 early goals to wrap the game up. Salah in the 12th, Oxlade-Chamberlain with an absolute banger of a longshot in the 20th and Mane seals the deal in the 30th.
People are very sketchy about the second leg. Will they come back or will Liverpool take the tie? It looks like a comeback in the works as Gabriel Jesus makes it 1-0 after only 2 minutes! Liverpool hold it together but manage to advance into the semifinals with one goal by Salah in the 56th and Firmino in the 77th.
Barcelona 4-4 Roma
Definitely the most disappointing match for some, but not for Roma fans as they advance to the semis 4-4 on aggregate, winning on away goals. The tie seemed done after the first tie which saw Barcelona walk away 4-1. Roma defied all odds in one of the biggest comebacks in Uefa history as they upset Barcelona 3-0. Edin Dzeko brings up the hope in the 6th, De Rossi made it a possibility in the 58th and Manolas stuns the crowd in the 82nd with the winner. The world was shocked as Barcelona returned home yet again in the Champions League Semifinals.
Bayern 2-1 Sevilla
Probably the most boring two ties this year Bayern Manage to clinch the victory over 2 legs. The first tie goes well for Bayern even after a shock in the 32nd as Sarabia makes it 1-0 to take the lead. Bayern fought and hit back with two goals one being an own goal from Ribery’s deflection in the 37th. They seal the deal in the 68th after Thiago calmy converts a cross.
The second leg is relaxed. Sevilla pressure but Bayern defend like champs and manage to pull away at 0-0 in their home arena. The tie ends 2-1 and Bayern advance to the semifinals.
Real Madrid 4-3 Juventus
A heartbreaker for Buffon and the old lady. Real Madrid dominate the first leg with Ronaldo grabbing two goals, one in the 3rd and one in the 64th. Juventus looked like they were getting close to a goal but Dybala got sent of in the 66th because of an altercation. Marcelo Vieira puts the nail in the coffin in the 72nd minute.
Juventus fans were begging for a comeback and a comeback is what they got. The second leg is off with a bang as Mandzukic heads home the first goal of the night in the 2nd minute. He gets Juve even closer with another header in the 37th. The stadium was tense, the crowd knew the 3rd goal was possible and they remained patient. In the 60th minute Blaise Matuidi won over every Italian heart as he scored to equal the score on aggregate! What a match! The 90th minute roles by and there’s a foul in the box! Buffon gets mad and receives a highly controversial red card. Ronaldo lines up for it after a lot of protest from the Juventus players. Ronaldo scores and the final whistle blows. Real Madrid advance!
Remember to tune into Champions League as we roll into the semifinals, Real Madrid play Bayern and Roma play Liverpool on 4/24 and 4/25 and the second leg on 5/1 and 5/2.
Go Bayern!!!