The Best Quarterfinal Matches!

Liverpool 1—3 Real Madrid 

Liverpool come into this game playing well. They had just ripped Arsenal apart 3-0 the previous week, and many of their players are coming back into form, after a terrible start to the season. They know that away goals are massive,  especially since its the first leg, and they want to prove  a point. Real Madrid are playing well too, but Sergio Ramos is unable to play in tonight's game, because of an injury. Another massive blow to Real, came only hours before kickoff, when Raphael Varane tested positive for Covid-19. 

Liverpool were horrendous for much of this game. They were always playing catch-up with Los Blancos, who dominated almost every position on the field. Liverpool couldn’t hold onto the ball for long before making a sloppy pass or getting dispossessed. Liverpool's midfield lacked any soul for the first half, so much so that Jurgen Klopp substituted Naby Keita off BEFORE HALF TIME for Thaigo. Keita added nothing while he was on the pitch. Trent Alexander-Arnold played a great game against Arsenal, trying to prove that he was good enough for the England Euros team. He kept making bad choices, and was at fault for the second goal they conceded. Sadio Mane who was always Liverpools gem, has been really ineffective as of late. He should have been awarded at least a foul when he was shoved to the ground by Lucas Vasquez, but that was his only real contribution tonight. This team really needs Jordan Henderson. Especially now that they are heading to Anfield for the second leg, his leadership could define the tie.

Liverpool did manage to score an away goal, which is why there is still hope for the Reds. Their away goal was scored in the 51st minute, when Diego Jota dribbled past two defenders, and slipped a ball to Mohammad Salah. The Egyptian was being played by Lucas Vasquez, who was in no mans's land. Thibaut Courtois got a hand to the ball, but couldn’t keep it out. Other than that, Liverpool didn't have much in front of goal. As I said before, Mane could have posed a threat when he was almost through on goal, but he was chopped down and given a yellow card for a “dive,” which was really just some bad refereeing. I need to talk more about Liverpool's defense. They looked so open all game long. In fact, all three goals were defensive errors. They looked sluggish and couldn’t close down any balls, which made it super easy for Madrid to play quick, consecutive passes. Full time couldn't have come quickly enough for Liverpool.

Real Madrid made sure to teach Liverpool a lesson. Despite their absence of Ramos and Varane, it didn’t seem to bother Real Madrid very much. Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandes played well, but they should have blocked Salah from scoring their away goal, in my opinion. Los Blancos thrived on Liverpool's massive shortcomings, as well as their own beaming confidence, to comfortably win. Their movements were sharp, always trying (and succeeding) to move the ball up the field. Toni Kroos and Luca Modric, 31 and 35 respectively, proved tonight that age really is just a number, by having one of the best performances of their careers. They looked so focused and so dynamic, you would have thought they were 26 or 27. Toni Kroos’s perfect ball to Vinicius Jr. really summed up his evening. About Vinicius: He’s intelligent, fearless, hardworking, and only 20. Real Madrid have the new Kareem Benzema for many years to come. It really was an all-round great display from the capital giants.

Real Madrid’s first goal was a thing of beauty. From his own half, Kroos pinged a super ball past the Liverpool midfield and defense, onto the chest of Vinicius. The Brazilian chested it away from Matt Phillips and Trent Alexander-Arnold, and half volleyed it into the goal. Simply superb. The second goal was all about Alexander-Arnold’s screw-up. When a cross came into his own half, the Englishman headed it into the path of Marco Asensio, who clipped the ball over Allison. It was a smart finish from Asensio, but it was all about the fullback’s mistake, that gifted the goal. The third goal was a mix of Real Madrid excellence and Liverpool flatulence. From a throw-in, Benzema passed back to Luca Modric, who, having dribbled just inside of the box, found Junior again. The youngster hit it low and hard into the corner, past Alisson’s fingers. It was far too easy however, as Liverpool left way too much space in the box. That being said, Madrid did ever so well, and tonight they flexed their muscles. 

Real Madrid have the advantage in this tie, and they can look to seal it when they play at Anfield in a week's time. However, you can never count Liverpool out, who have become infamous for European comebacks. Nights at Anfield hit different for them.

PSG 3–2 Bayern

This game is hyped up, and it’s not hard to see why. Both teams are practically equal in terms of quality. Bayern would be favorites to win if they hadn’t Robert Lewandowski prior to this game. A massive blow for sure. Goals can be expected, as both teams have scintillating forward lines. 

PSG have one foot in the Champions league semi finals after seeing off the German giants. The Parisians played a great game, hitting Bayern on counterattacks, and exploiting their high line in many instances. One of which caused a goal. Just like Bayern Munich, they were weak on the defense, especially during set pieces. Keylor Navas was the best player on defense, making some great saves that prevented potentially tie-deciding goals. The issue was that Marquinhos, their best defender and captain, got injured early on after scoring a goal. They didn’t challenge Bayern attackers like they should have, and nobody was there on the field to shout orders, Marquinhos would normally do. That being said, there were no issues with their attack tonight. Neymar was on top of his game, even though he’d just come back from injury. He had two assists, one of them a work of art. It makes you wonder how amazing he could be if he wasn’t as injury prone as he is. 

PSG had some great goals tonight. Kylian Mbappe is always the talk of the town, and tonight was no different. He had two really well taken goals, and while they only counted tonight, they are priceless in the grand scheme of things. The first PSG goal came only a few minutes after kick off, when Neymar faked a shot and passed to Mbappe, who was open. The Frenchman hit low and hard, to the surprise of Manuel Neur. The German legend dove the other way, thinking Mbappe would hit it across goal. He couldn't keep it from sizzling into the net. The second goal was a masterclass from Neymar. Bayern had cleared their lines from a free kick, but Neymar was there to hit it back into the box. Marquinhos got there first, and fired it beyond Neuer. The last goal was from a counterattack. Neymar played a great through ball to Mbappe, who had acres of space in front of him. He cut inside, and finished low into the corner, leaving Neuer flat footed. A massive win for PSG’s Champions League hopes.

Bayern could argue that they deserved to win this game, and you can see why. They played well. Really well. Their aggressive style caused them to win back the ball in advantageous positions, posing real threats. Thomas Muller was excellent, but Bayern’s main man tonight was Joshua Kimmich. In my mind, Kimmich is criminally underrated. His awareness is great, his composure is sublime, but his showstopper is his crossing. Don’t forget that the winning goal in last year's final was assisted by Kimmich. On the defensive side of things, it’s tougher to explain. They were pretty complacent, and couldn't cope with the onslaught of PSG attacks. It was a real head scratcher, when Hansi Flick replaced Nikulas Süle with Jérôme Boateng early on in the first half. It didn’t look like he was injured. I assume that Flick wanted experience. It sure didn’t help. He wasn’t really an improvement, and he should have challenged Mbappe for the third goal. The main issue is that they were playing at HOME. It's going to be tough to try and make a comeback in unfamiliar territory. 

Both of Bayern’s goals helped them come back into the game after going two goals down themselves. They were determined to fight, even though they were being pushed back. The first Bavarian goal came just a few minutes after PSG scored, when Benjamin Pavard put in a really good ball from the byline. Eric Choupo-Moting was there, as he headed the ball down into the ground, and into the net. There was nothing that Navas could do about that. Bayern Munich pulled themselves temporarily level with PSG when they scored from a free kick. Kimmich’s pinpoint ball met the forehead of an unmarked Muller, who guided it past Navas and into the side netting. Unfortunately for Muller and Kimmich, the Bayern defense couldn't hold their own. Alphonso Davies was also added on early in defense, but he’s more of an offensive fullback than anything else. Bayern weren’t compact enough, allowing Mbappe to score twice as PSG raced to a 3–2 win away from home. 

PSG are in control of the tie, and it seems unlikely that they will give it up, winning away from home. Lewandowski will still be out for the second leg, so Hansi flick knows that his players must step up if they are to come back in what would be an astounding game.