Manchester City 3-0 Bayern Munich
Manchester City pulled out a big performance to give themselves a commanding lead going into Germany next week. Erling Haaland came close for City on a couple of occasions in the first half; one was because of silly football from Yann Sommer and the other strike was too easy for the Bayern goalkeeper. Leroy Sane then did really well before he played the ball back to Jamal Musiala who probably would’ve scored if it wasn’t for the brilliant block by Ruben Dias. Under 2 minutes later, Manchester City were ahead through a picture-perfect strike from Rodri. Ilkay Gundogan then looked certain to make it 2-0 in the 33rd minute, but he was brilliantly denied by the leg of Yann Sommer. Early in the second half, Leroy Sane came close on a couple of occasions and his second effort was particularly saved well by Ederson. Sane then had another go, but he was once again denied by his former teammate. Sommer then continued to make really good saves to keep Bayern Munich in the game, but it didn’t last forever as a really poor mistake from Dayot Upamecano resulted in Erling Haaland playing in a lovely ball to Bernardo Silva who headed home to give the Cityzens a 2-0 lead. It then got even better for City as Erling Haaland scored in the 76th minute to put Manchester City in a commanding position going into the second leg. Overall, this was a brilliant result for Manchester City and they shouldn’t lose the tie from here. City play Leicester City before the second leg. As for Bayern Munich, this was not a good day for them and it’s going to be very hard for them to turn it around in Munich. Bayern host TSG Hoffenheim beforehand.
Real Madrid 2-0 Chelsea
Real Madrid picked up a good win as Chelsea failed to score for the 4th consecutive game. Joao Felix was in almost straight away for Chelsea, but he lacked conviction when it came to the end product. In the 21st minute, Real Madrid were ahead through Karim Benzema. Kepa Arrizabalaga pulled out a good stop to deny Vinicius Junior the first time round, but Benzema was there to tap home on the rebound. Chelsea then came close to replying instantly, but “Sterling’s effort” was saved well by Thibaut Courtois. 5 minutes into the second half, Luka Modric nearly scored for Real, but his curling effort went just over the bar. In the 59th minute, disaster struck for Chelsea as Ben Chilwell was shown a straight red card for fouling Rodrygo. Chilwell was the last man so he can have no complaints. Real Madrid then put one foot in the Champions League Semi Final as Marco Asensio scored to make it 2-0. Could Kepa have done better? I’m not so sure. Karim Benzema then had a really good chance to almost wrap the tie-up, but he could only guide his header over the bar. In the end, it’s a good win for Real Madrid and they’ll expect to see it through in London on Tuesday. Madrid play away to Cadiz before that game though. As for Chelsea, it’s not a great result for them, but it also isn’t terrible. The Blues host Brighton on Saturday in the Premier League before they welcome Madrid for the second leg.
Benfica 0-2 Inter Milan
Inter Milan pulled out a brilliant performance to put them in a really great position to qualify for the UEFA Champions League Semi Final. Rafa Silva came close for Benfica in the 15th minute, but his effort was well saved by Andre Onana. In the 51st minute, Inter Milan took the lead through Nicolo Barella. Alessandro Bastoni played a beautiful cross into the box and Barella headed home to put the visitors in front. SL Benfica really should’ve equalised not long after Inter’s goal, but no one in a red shirt could quite get the ball into the back of the net. Bastoni then put in another brilliant cross, but this time, Odisseas Vlachodimos was able to keep out Denzel Dumfries’ headed effort. However, right after this, the referee awarded Inter Milan a penalty for a handball by Joao Mario. Michael Oliver was the referee and he looked at the monitor and I really don’t get how he’s given a penalty. The ball clearly hits Mario’s head before it bounces onto his arm. Anyway, Romelu Lukaku took advantage of this and scored from the spot to give Inter Milan a 2-goal cushion. Right at the end of the game, Goncalo Ramos had a great chance for Benfica, but he could only guide his effort into the grasp of Onana. In the end, this wasn’t the result that anyone in Benfica was hoping for and it’s going to be super tough for them to turn this tie around in Milan next week. Benfica go to Chaves on the weekend. As for Inter Milan, this was a super result for them and they look to be in a good position to make the final 4 of this year's UEFA Champions League. Inter host Monza before the second leg.
A.C. Milan 1-0 Napoli
A.C. Milan kept yet another European clean sheet as they take a 1-0 lead into the second leg. After some poor defending by A.C. Milan, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia really should’ve put Napoli in front inside 60 seconds. Napoli then had a few decent chances inside the first 12 minutes, but they just couldn’t get the ball past Mike Maignan in the Milan goal. Rafael Leao then did a brilliant solo run from inside his own half and his effort went just wide of the post. In the 40th minute, Brahim Diaz’s brilliance resulted in Ismael Bennacer putting A.C. Milan in front. I do think Alex Meret will be disappointed with himself for not keeping the ball out though. Simon Kjaer then really should’ve scored for Milan in additional time in the first half, but his headed effort smashed the crossbar and came out. In the second half, Mike Maignan had to tip Eljif Elmas’ headed effort onto the crossbar and in the 74th minute, Napoli were down to 10 men as Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa was shown a second yellow card after only picking up his first one just 4 minutes before. Napoli then had two really good chances late on, but they just weren’t able to take them. Overall, A.C. Milan got the result they needed in the first leg. Milan’s next game is away to Bologna before their trip to Naples. As for Napoli, they’ll be frustrated to lose this game given the number of chances that they had. Napoli host Hellas Verona on Saturday before arguably their biggest game of the season.
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