LATEST – The Cinderella Story Continues, Lyon shock Manchester City 3-1 in Champions League
By now we have seen it all. Yesterday was as big a shock, perhaps less for Guardiola and more for the football world. Lyon, a Ligue 1 team, not only fended off the relentless Man City English attack but when the opportunity knocked on the door, they were quick to pull the trigger. The team from “farmers league” lagged behind Man City in every possible stat there is; possession Man City 72%, Lyon 28%; passes Man City 637, Lyon 257 etc. Yet, they didn’t in the one stat that mattered – a classic Fifa finish.
With this, we have our semi-finalists. Lyon would now be facing the mighty Bayern next Thursday as PSG faces Leipzig next Wednesday.
BREAKING – Barca thrashed by Bayren 8-2 in Quarters
We all hoped for a better contest yesterday to say the least. Last night was a night to forget for Barca fans as the German juggernaut powered through the Messi led Catalans. Bayren went for the Achilles heel of Barca as they started out the game aggressive. They punched and punctured through the shaky Catalan defense using high press as Barca struggled to shrug of the pressure. The scoring line was opened up by the former world cup winner Thomas Muller. To add insult to injury, former Barca player, Coutinho, too scored two goals against his former team that had given him on loan to Bayren. To put it succinctly, as Pique did in a post-match interview, “This is the bottom .”
LATEST – Leipzig beat Madrid
To call it an upset would be apt but last night continued the theme of this years Champions League – the underdogs. Playing high press from the very start, Leipzig ensured Athletico felt the pressure. By creating pressure, the German’s were eventually able to score in the 50th minute before conceding a penalty to Athletico in the 70th minute. Joao Felix put it away calmly as both teams were level. That’s until Adam’s got a lucky deflection from Savic in 88th minute that almost ensured the German victory.
Furthermore, this was the first time Simeone’s team were knocked out of the competition by any team that didn’t have Cristiano Ronaldo. This would also be the first time Leipzig have qualified for the semi’s of UCL – who knew the two redbulls could actually give you wings for Leipzig sure must be flying in the air right about now.
Champions of champions – UEFA Champions League
Die Meister
Die Besten
Les grandes équipes
The champions
Ce sont les meilleures équipes
Sie sind die allerbesten Mannschaften
The main event
Large halls, small rooms, big t.v’s, or compact laptop screens, these lyrics would be filling up the ears of football fans across Pakistan as UEFA Champions League enters into its last phases. The quarter-finals were set to begin from 13 August 2020, 12:00 am PST, and boy oh boy, they didn’t disappoint.
The Stunner on Wednesday Night in the Champions League!
With the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Neymar Jr. in their arsenal, PSG was able to turn the tide their way. Just before the stoppage time as we all witnessed a 2-1 thriller in Champions League last night. Neymar Jr. had 16 dribbles, which equals the record of Messi for the most in a UCL match. It shows the tenacity with which he played. Although ending up in a loss, Atlanta showed why one shouldn’t be quick to write-off the underdogs.
A Cinderella Story?
Moreover, in last week’s Champions League fixtures, we saw the underdogs, Lyon, beat the heavy-favorites, Juventus, on away goals (aggregate 2-2), even after that stunner from Ronaldo from outside the penalty box. Hoping to continue this good fortune, Lyon would be facing Guardiola’s men in the quarters. Manchester City, or as I call them, oil city, gave an absolute beating to Real Madrid last week. Manchester City, a team that largely came into its contemporary existence after you know whose money flooded in, wink wink, has been one of the best football teams in Europe since Guardiola’s arrival. Driving for a UCL title, no tables would be left unturned by city in their pursuit. Though, it would be interesting to see what fate has planned for the near Cinderella story of Lyon.
The Clash Of Soccer Titans
On the other hand, Barcelona – which should be named MESSILONA after that fantastic finish in Barcelona’s last week’s Champions League match. They are set to go against a Lewandowski powered Bayern Munich bulldozer. The head to head comparison of the two sides heavily favors the Germans as the Catalans remain plagued by a shaky defense; a story that deserves an article in its own right. Yet, with the little magician, Messi, leading the charge for Barcelona, the match is only but one-sided. However, with the form Lewandowski is in, and the efficiency with which the former world cup winner, Müller, has been assisting the striker, the team from Munich would be a formidable force.
At least Liverpool is out of Champion League…
Lastly, we have Atlético versus some team that I always feel is a lipstick brand whilst its logo reminds me that I can have wings: RB Leipzig. Atlético, which became a fan favorite for Barca supporters after they knocked Liverpool out of the competition. Perhaps it was one of the easiest fixtures of this round of Champions League. Simeone’s men, that have always favored the park the bus mentality, would go into this match trying to score the first blow before trying to take the heat off. Leipzig too would be interested in ensuring that they pull the first punch in the match.
And with all this said, we all cannot wait to hear that anthem in our ears again tonight as UCL action waits to stun us, as it always does.
