knockout round play-offs
With the new Champions League format this year, the knockout round play-offs have come to an end and more shocking results came with it. Let dive right into the matches and talk a little about them.
Brest vs. PSG
An all French match, underdog Brest went up against the French giants, PSG. In the first leg, PSG showed their dominance; with a 62% possession, 7 shots on goal vs. 2 shots from Brest, and scoring 3 goals to nil. The three goals were scored by Vitinha (21', PK), and two from O.Dembele (45'+1',66'). The second leg was no different, PSG dominating possession with 68% 20 shots and 9 of them on goal, as oppose to Brest with 13 shots and 3 of them on goal. PSG scoring 7 goals to nil - B. Barcola (20'), K. Kvaratskhelia (39'), Vitinha (59'), D. Doue (64'), N. Mendez (69'), Goncalo Ramos (76'), S. Mayulu (86'). All 7 goals coming from 7 different PSG players - pretty awesome if you ask me. PSG taking this round with a whopping aggregate score line of 10-0.
Juventus vs. PSV
The i bianconeri going up against one of Netherland's best team, PSV. The first leg was pretty close, Juve having 47% possession vs. PSV having 53%. The two teams were really close on the shots as well, Juventus having 12 shots and 8 on goal, and PSV having 15 shots and 9 on goal. The scored line favored the Italians, 2-1. Goals from - Juventus: W. McKennie (34'), S. Mbangula (82'); PSV: I. Perisic (56'). The second leg told somewhat the same story, with the score line favoring the Netherlands team (PSV) 3-1 in extra time. The aggregate score favored PSV, taking the this round 4-3.
sporting cp vs. borussia dortmund
The underdog Portuguese team, Sporting, taking on one of Germany's best club team, Dortmund. The first leg in Lisboa, favored Dortmund 3-0. goals scored by S.Guirassy (60'), P. Grob (68'), K.Adeyemi (82'). In the second leg, having secured their spot on the next round, it felt like Dortmund just sat back and let the match finish tied as the match ended with no team scoring goals. Dortmund taking this round with an aggregate score-line of 3-0.
Manchester city vs. real madrid
This was THE match to watch this round as these two teams are giants in this championship. I think the fact that they had to go through this play-off round, comes to show you how different this new format of the Champions League is. The first leg, I thought Man City would have had this game in the bag but Real Madrid came back to win it, in Real Madrid style as they have done through this season. The score line of the of the first leg favored the Spanish giants 3-2. Goals by Man City: E. Haaland (19', 80'PK); Real Madrid: K. Mbappe (60'), B. Diaz (86') and J. Bellingham (90'+3'). The second leg told the same story, Real Madrid winning that match 3-1, with Mbappe scoring a hat-trick. Goals by Real Madrid: K. Mbappe (4', 33', 61'); Man City: N. Gonzales (90+3'). Real Madrid took this round by outscoring Man City 6-3.
club brugge vs. atalanta
The small, but mighty, Belgium team, Club Brugge going against one of Italy's finest team, Atalanta. The first leg showed how much Brugge wants to be here and succeed. Taking the first leg result by beating Atalanta 2-1. Goals by Brugge: F.Jutgla (15'), G.Nilsson (90'+5' PK). The second leg was no different as Club Brugge went to Bergamo and shocked the world, beating Atalanta 3-1. Goals by Club Brugge: C. Talbi (3', 27') and F. Jutgla (45'+4'); Atalanta: A. Lookman (46'). The round was taken by Club Brugge 5-2.
monaco vs benfica
This matchup saw another French team going up against a Portuguese team. The first leg won by Benfica 1-0 with V. Pavlidis (48') scoring the lone goal. The second leg was a little more interesting as both teams scored 3 goals each. Goals by Benfica: K. Akturkoglu (22'), V. Pavlidis (76'PK), G. Kokcu (84') Monaco: T. Minamino (32'), E. Ben Seghir (51'), G. Ilkenikhena (81'). This match was won thanks to the lone goal scored on the first leg as Benfica takes this matchup 4-3.
celtic vs bayern munich
The Scotland-based team taking on the German Bavarians. The first leg was won, with no surprise, by Bayern Munich with a score-line of 2-1. Goals by: M. Olise (45'+1') and H. Kane (49'); Celtic: D. Maeda (79'). The second leg looked a little shaky by the Bavarians, as it ended 1-1 with Canadian Alphonso Davies saving the German giants scoring on the dying seconds to send Munich through. Bayern Munich winning this round 3-2.
These round match-ups were filled with goals, surprises and excitement. As I said before this new format of the Champions League has proven to be a good change as we have seen some big favorites already knocked out, even before this match up. To me the most surprising is seeing Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and PSG being in THIS situation. I would have thought they would join the likes of Barcelona, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid and have this week as a bye-week awaiting their opponents. The surprise I take away from this round, I would say is the fact that all Italian teams in this round were eliminated. Which means that the only Italian team in the Round of 16s, will be Inter Milan. Do you think any of these teams that have just qualified for the Round of 16 could be the next Champion's League winner? Share your thoughts below.
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