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  • Linus O'Howell

2023/24 UEFA Champions League Roundup: Quarter-Final, Leg 2

Borussia Dortmund 4-2 Atletico Madrid (5-4 on Aggregate)

A sensational Second Leg performance from Borussia Dortmund was enough for them to overcome Atletico Madrid and book their place in this year’s UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals. Marcel Sabitzer had a great chance to give Borussia Dortmund the lead early on, but he took way too long to shoot before Alvaro Morata had a golden opportunity a minute later which he poorly put wide. In the 34th minute, Dortmund had the lead as Julian Brandt scored after a wonderful pass from Mats Hummels. 5 minutes later and the hosts were in front on aggregate as Ian Maatsen finished off a really great goal. 4 minutes into the Second Half though and Atletico Madrid had one back courtesy of a Hummels own goal. Angel Correa then had a great chance which he put wide, but Correa would miss again as his 64th-minute goal made it 2-2 on the night and 4-3 to Atletico on aggregate. In the 71st minute, BVB were 3-2 up thanks to a superb header from Niclas Fullkrug before Marcel Sabitzer found the back of the net to make it Dortmund 5, Atletico 4 (on aggregate). Overall, this was a special night for Borussia Dortmund. Dortmund host Bayer Leverkusen in their next game and they’ll very much fancy their chances against PSG in the Semis. As for Atletico Madrid, they’ll be gutted to lose this game. Atletico go to Deportivo Alaves on Sunday and they will look to end their season in a Champions League spot.

 


Barcelona 1-4 PSG (4-6 on Aggregate)

A complete collapse from FC Barcelona saw Paris Saint Germain pick up a huge away win to advance to the Semi-Finals. Barcelona took the lead after just 12 minutes as Raphinha tapped in from close range after a really nice bit of play by Lamine Yamal. Kylian Mbappe then had a couple of decent chances which he couldn’t score from before the changing moment occurred when Ronald Araujo was sent off for being the last man. This is the correct decision, and this was honestly stupid from Araujo. 10 minutes later and PSG were level on the night as Ousmane Dembele scored against his old club. Fabian Ruiz then had a great chance which he put just wide before PSG took the lead courtesy of Vitinha. Ilkay Gundogan then hit the post for Barcelona before Barca Manager Xavi was shown a red card! PSG were then given a penalty after Joao Cancelo took out Dembele, and it was Kylian Mbappe who stepped up and scored to remarkably put the visitors ahead on aggregate! Raphinha then had a half chance which he put wide before Mbappe scored again (in the 89th minute) to book PSG’s ticket in the Final 4! In the end, this was a mess from an FC Barcelona point of view. Barcelona go to Real Madrid on Sunday as they look to keep their slim chances of winning LaLiga going. As for Paris Saint Germain, what a result for them! PSG host Lyon next time out and they are probably the favourites to make the Final now!



Manchester City 1-1 Real Madrid (4-4 on Aggregate, Madrid win on Penalties)

A brilliant defensive performance resulted in Real Madrid winning on penalties to end Manchester City’s Champions League defense. Despite Ederson initially making a pretty good save, Rodrygo was able to find the back of the net at the second time of asking to put Real Madrid in front after 12. Erling Haaland then came close as he hit the crossbar before Bernardo Silva poorly put the follow-up effort wide. Manchester City then had multiple half chances which they just couldn’t find the back of the net with before Man City finally were level thanks to Kevin De Bruyne. Andriy Lunin then had to make a really good save to tip De Bruyne’s effort over the bar before KDB had a great opportunity which he shockingly smashed over! In Extra Time, Antonio Rudiger had a great opportunity which he blasted high and wide before we headed to penalties! Despite Luka Modric missing Real’s first penalty, Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic then followed up with misses of their own for City before Rudiger stepped up and scored to win the shoot-out for Madrid 4-3! In the end, this is a killer for Manchester City. City will now turn their attention to Chelsea on Saturday as they look to end their season with a domestic double. As for Real Madrid, this result says a lot about who they are! Madrid take on Barcelona in their next game and I think it’s fair to say that Real are now the favourites to win the Champions League (yet again).

 


Bayern Munich 1-0 Arsenal (3-2 on Aggregate)

1 goal was enough for Bayern Munich to edge out Arsenal on their route back to the UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals. David Raya was able to get a little touch on the ball to stop Noussair Mazraoui from finding the back of the net before Manuel Neuer just about managed to keep Martin Odegaard’s deflected effort out. Gabriel Martinelli then had a really good opportunity which he hit straight at Neuer before Bayern Munich hit the woodwork twice in the space of about 5 seconds. In the 63rd minute, Bayern had their goal as Joshua Kimmich headed home nicely! Overall, congrats to Bayern Munich on advancing to the Semi-Finals! Bayern go to Union Berlin on the weekend and they will be very pumped up for two games with Real Madrid! As for Arsenal, their season is starting to go wrong just slightly. Arsenal go to Wolves on Saturday as they look to keep their Premier League dreams alive.

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